Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Nolan J. Tiersch
English 1001
29 April 2018
Process Preface: The Inquiry Project has been a highly involved process for me. Through the
semester, my line of inquiry has changed significantly. I altered the LOI by narrowing the focus
towards my intended audience. Much aid came from the inquiry journal we wrote in regularly; it
provided an outlet for topic reflection, which in turn allowed me to effectively research academic
material. After receiving input from the teacher comment draft, I realized I need to work on the
overall organization of the paper and define some topics thoroughly. The final inquiry project
draft is supported by more statistical aid and clarified in many places. I feel it adequately
explores the stated final line of inquiry.
Psychology is a recently developed field of scientific study, which focuses on the analysis
of the human mind. It encompasses not only the physical attributes of the brain but the responses
of a client (Person of study) under controlled circumstances. The expansion of knowledge in the
diagnostic manual; the current edition is the DSM-5. The diagnostic manual aids psychologists
disorders.
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The number of patients with a diagnosed disorder is increasing across the United States.
The National Institute of Mental Health surveyed to calculate the prevalence of mental illness,
“In 2016, there were an estimated 44.7 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with a
mental illness. This number represented 18.3% of all U.S. adults.” (Merikangas). Mental
disorders are considered illnesses; the severity of these illnesses exists on a broad range while
having diverse effects on patients. Thus, emphasis should be directed toward developing a
practical and modernistic model to treat those suffering from mental illness.
In this paper, I would like to explore the different mental health methods practiced
internationally. I believe the methods for treatment models change throughout the world, based
on the culture’s scientific approach and societal acceptance. To grasp these concepts, one could
inquire, “How does the methodology for treatment of mental illness differ between Eastern and
Western cultures?”. In attempt to concisely address the broad nature of this inquiry topic, I
divide the paper into subtopic questions which are: 1) “What are the medicinal approaches for
mental health?”; 2) “What are the therapeutic approaches for mental health?” and 3) ”What are
advantages and disadvantages for mental health?”. By comparing the eastern and western
cultural techniques used for mental illness treatment, it should help construct a more universally
universal model for treating mental illness. The idea of treatment integration has been
particularly difficult through prior case studies; however, I along with others believe the attempt
to do so should not be abandoned (Laska). Hypothetically, psychologists could use the proposed
concepts to broaden their knowledge of therapeutic practices. Thus, increasing the average
performance for therapists on an international scale; possibly creating versatile therapists, which
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offer optimized treatment for individual patients considering the factors which led to their mental
illness. This would be best introduced into the field through a phycology journal, explaining a
Western culture practices the placement of clients into classification systems; placement
is determined by the degree of symptoms expressed in clients. Once placed into a classification,
clients are typically prescribed similar medications. Medications are synthetic compounds, which
have passed clinical trials to promote the mental health of a client by diminishing troublesome
symptoms. “The safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for the treatment of
depression in children and adolescents has been a subject of much concern and debate”
(Bachmann). Bachmann shows the true nature of the Western culture’s medicinal approach to
mental health. Despite the disputes of prescription medicine for mental aid, health care provides
nature. Current Eastern medical models of that nature have a homeopathic effect. As stated in
Homeopathy and Integrative Medicine: Keeping An Open Mind, “Homeopathy enjoys growing
popularity with the lay population, but it is not acknowledged by academia or included in
medical guidelines” (Bellavite). Academics in western society rely on evidence that is based on
quantifiable responses; however, homeopathy medicine focuses on what can only be described
demonstration of traits shared throughout the population. Eastern practices stray away from the
‘way’ of Buddhism, that is, a ‘non-dualistic wisdom’ or ‘non-self-referential awareness’ into the
Western mainstream” (Lin). Psychotherapy across modern western culture has started to show
some integration of techniques used in Eastern practices. This integration has yielded positive
effects for therapy thus far, and I feel should continue to be explored by psychologists and
researchers.
The advantage of Western Culture is the primary ability to reach their populations
efficiently. With much technology development conduction through the recent years, dating to
the age of industrialism, we have been obsessed with rapid production. This allows for
compounds, it is hard to predict the outcome of exposure with any given human. As depicted by
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” prescribed medicine may be abused or lead
to worsening of symptoms; currently, we face the opioid epidemic across the US” (US
The advantage of Eastern Culture is the inherent objective of self-reflection found in their
culture. Unlike Western culture, Eastern mainly focuses on examining an individual’s mind and
utilizing natural ways to uproot the client’s disturbances. Thus, minimizing opportunities for
substance abuse or substance reliance for welfare. Eastern methodology has been practiced for
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centuries with similar tactics, with frequent success but on a small scale at a person to person
rate. The Eastern culture’s lack of adaption to technology and minimal collection of clinical
Works Cited
Bachmann, Christian J., et al. "Trends and patterns of antidepressant use in children and
Bellavite, Paolo. "Homeopathy and integrative medicine: keeping an open mind." Journal of
Laska, Kevin M., Alan S. Gurman, and Bruce E. Wampold. "Expanding the lens of evidence-
(2014): 467.
Lin, Peter, and Henry M. Seiden. "Mindfulness and psychoanalytic psychotherapy: A clinical
(NCS-A)." Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 49.10
(2010): 980-989.
US Department of Health and Human Services. “About the U.S. Opioid Epidemic.” HHS.gov. 6