Exploring Issues Related to a Career in Psychology
Many people worldwide are coping with some form of mental illness, making this subject increasingly important in today’s society. The field of psychology thus plays a vital role in helping individuals improve their mental health and overall well-being. Medication as a first-line treatment for mental disorders is a contentious issue in psychology. Effective counseling positively impacts people struggling with mental health issues by offering medication alternatives, including therapy, thus improving their well-being.
Potential Issues
The Use of Medication as a Primary Treatment for Mental Illnesses
The first issue associated with the field of psychology is the use of medication as a primary treatment option for mental illnesses. The proponents argue that medication is the most effective way to treat mental disorders among clients. The supporters suggest that the benefits of psychiatric drugs have been well documented, and they are both safe and helpful in treating mental health issues (Semahegn et al., 2020). Therefore, medication is an efficient and effective means of controlling symptoms, allowing people to lead relatively normal lives.
On the other hand, critics indicate that medical interventions must not be the initial alternative for treating mental ailments among patients. The antagonists believe medication can mask the underlying issues causing mental health problems rather than addressing them. Additionally, medications can cause side effects, be expensive, and have long-term effects on an individual’s overall health (Semahegn et al., 2020). Therefore, critics advocate for therapy, lifestyle changes, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions to be the first line of treatment.
The Ethics of Using Deception in Research
Another special issue related to the career field in psychology is the ethics of using deception in research. The proponents argue that lying is crucial to conducting a meaningful psychological study. The supporters argue that by using deceit, they can investigate phenomena that would be impossible to study under natural conditions. In addition, supporters argue that when research is conducted properly and with the participants’ full consent, the benefits of the study outweigh the participants’ temporary discomfort or stress induced by deception (Maxfield et al., 2022). The potential merits of the research outweigh the temporary discomfort or stress caused by deception as long as the study is conducted ethically and with the participants’ informed consent.
The opposing view is that dishonesty is unethical and causes psychological harm to the respondents. The critics argue that lying undermines the trust between participants and researchers and results in trauma, anxiety, and stress. To a great extent, antagonists advocate for alternative study approaches that do not involve treachery and prioritize the safety and well-being of respondents.
Medication as a Primary Treatment for Mental Ailments
After exploring both sides of each issue, I chose to write about pharmacological treatment as a primary option for mental disorders. I would argue that psychiatric drugs assist in treating mental disorders and should not be the first line of treatment alternative. I believe that lifestyle, therapy, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions address the root causes of mental health problems instead of masking the symptoms. Additionally, therapeutic and counseling measures help individuals develop coping skills and tools that can be utilized long-term to manage their cognitive impairments (Maxfield et al., 2022).
Although medication is essential to treatment, it should be integrated with other interventions and administered under careful supervision to minimize the uncertainty of side effects and enhance patient outcomes. The topic would be meaningful to my audience, as mental health is a crucial issue in psychology. Mental health practitioners must comprehend the diverse treatment options and advocate for the best possible patient care.
References
Maxfield, C. M., Thorpe, M. P., Desser, T. S., Heitkamp, D., Hull, N. C., Koontz, N. A., Welch, T., & Grimm, L. J. (2022). Can the use of deception be justified in medical education research? A point/counterpoint and case study. Academic Radiology, 29(7), 1091-1094. Web.
Semahegn, A., Torpey, K., Manu, A., Assefa, N., Tesfaye, G., & Ankomah, A. (2020). Psychotropic medication non-adherence and its associated factors among patients with major psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic reviews, 9(1), 1-18. Web.