Too often the media is manipulated into believing that psychiatry,
neuropsychology, or psychology use some sort of malicious "powers"
against those who are being treated for mental illness. The majority
of public information and exposure of certain mental health techniques
(i.e., ECT, neuroleptics, etc.) is mystified and sensationalized.
Case in point would be "Melrose Place's" treatment of ECT as some sort
of punitive measure to be metted-out against enemies. This
mystification, I believe, derives from the public's ignorance and fear
of procedures that are wholly misunderstood.
As with any scientific endeavor, the discussion of controversial
mental health procedures should be handled in an impartial and factual
manner. But, if this were to be done, what would the popular media do
for scare fodder?
Jeff
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Jeffrey N. Browndyke
Ph.D. Candidate in Medical/Clinical Psychology
Louisiana State University Email: cogito at premier.net
Department of Psychology Fax: (504) 388-4125
236 Audubon Hall URL: http://www.premier.net/~cogito
Baton Rouge, LA. 70803
Neuropsychology Central - http://www.premier.net/~cogito/neuropsy.html
Psycresearch-online Mailgroup - psycresearch-online at premier.net
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