Lesher says, “Addiction is a brain disease expressed in the form of compulsive behavior.” As with most chronic diseases, addiction should also be treated with multiple recurring treatments since the brain chemistry of addicts often causes them to relapse into drug use. Lesher makes his case that addiction is a brain disease by stating that addicts cannot quit taking drugs on their own because they require medical treatment like most ill patients. The authors final opinion on addiction is that initial drug use is present due to the voluntary behavior of the addict and while it does not absolve the user of their responsibility as it was their fault, once they have developed an addiction, their brain has chemically changed so much that they can not will themselves to quit and must be treated as though they have a medical disease. NO: Alva Noe states that addiction is not a disease of the brain. First, he points that not all addictions are chemical substances and there are many activities that can be addictive to people.
Imagine a healthy man, sixty years old, recently retired, with many years left to spend with his wife, four children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Then one day he begins experiencing difficulty swallowing and slurred speech. After being told by his daughter that these could be symptoms of a stroke, he turns to his doctor for answers. As his swallowing and speech worsen, each diagnostic test is inconclusive. Finally, after several months of increasing frustration and decreasing health, he is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
Daniel Pelka; The four-year-old boy who was starved and beaten to death in March 2012 by his mother and step father. Winterbourne View; The abuse of patients in a Bristol hospital for people diagnosed with Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health issues. I have chosen Winterbourne view for my assignment as at that time I myself had just begun a career in Health care and watched the programme from a carer’s point of view. In 2011, the BBC’s Panorama investigation brought to the public’s attention the prolonged and sustained physical and psychological abuse by some Winterbourne View staff towards their patients. These patients, many of whom were vulnerable and unable to convey their mistreatment to others outside of the hospital such as the Police, Social Services or the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
According to Kotowicz 2007, "there was a period of high fevers, an abscess, but eventually the wound healed and within two months Gage was pronounced cured, but only up to a point." Because his injury was in the frontal lobe this caused significant changes in his personality. Gage had lived for about another seven years after his accident. The brain is responsible for many different functions. Cognitive functions are associated with certain areas of the brain.
Leshner also concludes that research shows addiction has numerous behavioral and social aspects that are commonly related to other brain disorders. Leshner continues to discover effective treatment approaches so we can medicate the addicts without causing a reoccurring addiction. Leshner concludes by suggesting that we should form social policies because they can help diminish the health expenses associated with treating
4. A 68-year-old male presents to the office complaining of pronounced weakness on the right side of his body and slurred speech for the past 24 hours. Based on the examination, the physician orders an MRI to investigate a possible transient ischemic attack (TIA). The range of codes that would be used for this patient would be Codes 390-459 because the treating physician ordered and MRI to rule out a transient ischemic attack. These codes are for Diseases of the Circulatory System 5.
He has a presence and history of one or more Major Depressive Episodes followed by one or more Manic Episodes. Each episode has varied between two weeks or more. Although the patient does not show a family history of this disorder, he does have a history of hospitalization due to uncontrollability during manic episodes and suicide
Report: Month 1 Patient: Holden Caulfield Analysis by: Dr. Cherise Boyer Upon spending 26 hours speaking with Holden Caulfield in daily therapeutic sessions, I am under the impression that the patient is suffering from Clinical Depression. Clinical Depression is commonly initiated by a major loss or sudden change in ones life. Holden’s depression began developing after the death of his younger brother, Allie, to cancer. Since Allie’s death, Holden has been unable to find happiness and has severe guilt because of his inability to stop this change. The patient exhibits many of the symptoms associated with Clinical Depression.
Mr. R is a 76yr old male who lives with his family, has complained of daily episodes of chest pain with palpitation for the last 2 months, has been non-compliant with medications for 2 months and has had a decreased oral intake. Mr. R also complained of increased shortness of breath and unable to mobilizes due to being “out of breath” and felt fatigued when walking a short distance, he also complain of burning whilst urination, becomes distressed and therefore suffers a panic attack which are relieved with reassurance. Mr. R has excessive sweating at times, at rest, and has also noted over the last 2 months he has overall swelling to his body and a persistent cough with increased palpitations at night and regular falls with “blackouts”
He was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder. He also had issues with substance abuse as well as lack of commitment to long term relationships and employment. Throughout his twenties Mr. X struggled with self mutilation and suicidal behaviors. After briefly being hospitalized , he was diagnosed with several diagnosis including: major depressive disorder, Bipolar 2 disorder, major depressive episodes, substance abuse mood disorder, poly substance dependence, and personality disorder. One month before Mr. X murdered the clerk, he had a session at an outpatient treatment center.