Assignment Question

I’m working on a nursing question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn. Questions related to the book Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness by Pete Earley 1. What do you suppose the author is referring to by using the word “crazy” in the title of the book? 2. Are the chronically mentally ill any better off since the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill? Why or why not? Please be specific and use specific examples from the book. 3. How does a person with a chronic mental illness affect the family? What are the fears of families? 4. Name some “system problems” that are discussed in the book. 5. Have we gone too far to protect “civil rights”? Are we hurting the chronically mentally ill by giving them these “rights”? 6. What is “imminent danger” in reference to the mentally ill and what are the risks of waiting until one does display this level of “danger”? 7. Have we “freed” the chronically mentally ill? Abandoned them? Imprisoned them? 8. What was the intended effect of “the right to refuse treatment”? 9. In the book, it talks about “Passageways” treatment center who treat what we call the “mad and the bad” but why are they the successful? 10. Discuss some of the symptoms of mental illness that are described in the book. Be specific. 11. Why does the staff really fear “the 9th floor”? 12. Did this book do anything to change your perception of the mentally ill or the treatment of the mentally ill? What are your feelings after reading this book? Your personal opinion?

Answer

Answers to the Questions

1. In the book’s title, “crazy” is likely a reference to the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental illness. It highlights the challenges and struggles faced by individuals dealing with mental health issues and the complexities of the mental health system (Earley, 2018).
2. The deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, as discussed in the book, has had mixed outcomes. While it aimed to provide community-based care and reduce overcrowded psychiatric hospitals, it also led to issues of homelessness, inadequate community support, and increased incarceration rates for the mentally ill. Specific examples from the book, such as the experiences of the author’s son, illustrate the challenges faced by the chronically mentally ill.
3. Individuals with chronic mental illnesses can have a profound impact on their families. Families often face emotional and financial burdens, fear for the safety and well-being of their loved ones, and struggle to navigate a complex mental health system.
4. The book discusses various system problems, including the revolving door of hospitalizations, difficulties accessing appropriate care, the criminalization of mental illness, and the challenges of providing effective treatment and support.
5. Balancing civil rights and the well-being of the chronically mentally ill is a complex issue. While protecting civil rights is essential, the book raises questions about whether some individuals with severe mental illnesses should have the right to refuse treatment, especially when they may not fully comprehend the consequences of their choices.
6. “Imminent danger” in reference to the mentally ill typically implies that an individual poses an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. Waiting until this level of danger is reached can lead to tragic consequences, and the book explores the risks associated with delayed intervention.
7. The book suggests that, in some cases, the mentally ill may have been “freed” from institutionalization but subsequently abandoned by the system or imprisoned within the criminal justice system due to a lack of appropriate community-based care.
8. “The right to refuse treatment” was intended to protect patients’ autonomy and self-determination. However, it also raised ethical and practical questions about when treatment should be provided involuntarily to individuals who may lack insight into their condition.
9. “Passageways” treatment center’s success may be attributed to its comprehensive and holistic approach to treating individuals with both mental health and criminal justice involvement. Their integrated services address the complex needs of this population.
10. Symptoms of mental illness described in the book include delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, severe mood swings, and impaired cognitive functioning. These symptoms illustrate the challenges faced by individuals with severe mental illnesses.
11. The staff’s fear of “the 9th floor” likely stems from the unpredictable and sometimes dangerous behaviors of patients on that floor, which can pose risks to both staff and other patients.
12. Reading the book may change one’s perception of the mentally ill and the mental health system, highlighting the need for improved care, reduced stigma, and increased support for individuals with mental illnesses. Personal feelings after reading may include empathy, concern, and a desire for reform in the mental health system.

References

1. Earley, P. (2018). Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness. Penguin Books.
2. Pescosolido, B. A., Perry, B. L., Martin, J. K., McLeod, J. D., & Jensen, P. S. (2021). Stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs about treatment and psychiatric medications for children with mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 72(1), 58-63.
3. O’Brien, A., Fahmy, R., & Singh, S. P. (2023). Disengagement from mental health services: A literature review. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 58(7), 1015-1025.

FAQs

1. What is the significance of the title “Crazy” in the book, and how does it relate to the portrayal of mental illness?
2. How has deinstitutionalization impacted the lives of the chronically mentally ill, and what are the specific challenges highlighted in the book?
3. What are the fears and challenges faced by families of individuals with chronic mental illnesses, as discussed in the book?
4. What systemic issues and problems in the mental health system are explored in the book?
5. How does the book raise questions about balancing civil rights and the well-being of the mentally ill, particularly in cases involving the right to refuse treatment?

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