Problem 1 - Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach

Question

Check your understanding of civil commitment by filling in the blanks. Several conditions must be met before the state is permitted to commit a person involuntarily: The person has a(n) (1) ____________ and is in need of treatment, the person is considered (2) ____________ to herself or others, and the person is unable to care for himself or herself, also known as (3) ____________. Mental illness is a(n) (4) ____________ concept, typically meaning severe emotional or thought disturbances that negatively affect an individual’s health and safety, although this definition differs from state to state. When the laws about civil commitment emerged, (5) ____________ (movement of disabled individuals out of mental institutions) and (6) ____________ (movement of disabled individuals to a less restrictive facility) also occurred.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The blanks are filled with: (1) mental illness, (2) dangerous, (3) grave disability, (4) legal, (5) deinstitutionalization, (6) transinstitutionalization.

Step 1: Identify the First Blank

The first blank asks for a condition describing a state of health for the person being considered for civil commitment. Generally, this term refers to some form of significant psychological disturbance.

Step 2: Fill the First Blank

The term that fits in the first blank is "mental illness." Thus, it reads: 'The person has a mental illness and is in need of treatment.'

Step 3: Identify the Second Blank

The second blank requires a condition related to potential risk or harm. This is about assessing the person's potential danger to themselves or others.

Step 4: Fill the Second Blank

The appropriate term for the second blank is "dangerous." The sentence now reads: 'The person is considered dangerous to herself or others.'

Step 5: Identify the Third Blank

The third blank is asking for a term that describes the inability of the person to take care of themselves independently.

Step 6: Fill the Third Blank

The term used for the third blank is "grave disability." The sentence becomes: 'and the person is unable to care for himself or herself, also known as grave disability.'

Step 7: Identify the Fourth Blank

The fourth blank requires a term that defines what "mental illness" is generally considered to be.

Step 8: Fill the Fourth Blank

The term is "legal," making the sentence: 'Mental illness is a legal concept.'

Step 9: Identify the Fifth Blank

The fifth blank talks about a historical movement that significantly impacted disabled individuals and mental institutions.

Step 10: Fill the Fifth Blank

The term for the fifth blank is "deinstitutionalization." So it reads: 'When the laws about civil commitment emerged, deinstitutionalization occurred.'

Step 11: Identify the Sixth Blank

The sixth blank refers to another movement involving disabled individuals, similar to the previous one but with a different focus.

Step 12: Fill the Sixth Blank

The appropriate term for the sixth blank is "transinstitutionalization." Therefore, the final sentence reads: 'and transinstitutionalization also occurred.'

Key Concepts

mental illness

Mental illness can be a complex and often misunderstood concept. It refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect a person's mood, thinking, and behavior. This includes, but is not limited to, disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In the context of civil commitment, mental illness is considered a legal concept. This means it is recognized by the law as a condition that may warrant intervention for the safety and well-being of the individual or the public. The legal definition can vary from state to state, which sometimes complicates how cases are understood and managed.

People with mental illnesses may experience significant challenges in their daily lives, impacting their ability to work, maintain relationships, and perform everyday tasks. Understanding mental illness as a basis for civil commitment is essential for ensuring individuals receive the necessary treatment and support needed for recovery and integration into society.

dangerousness

The concept of dangerousness is crucial when considering civil commitment. It involves evaluating the potential risk a person with a mental illness poses to themselves or others. This assessment is typically performed by mental health professionals who consider factors such as past behavior, current mental state, and any evidence of plans or intentions to harm.

Identifying dangerousness is challenging, as it requires predicting future behavior based on available information, which may be limited. Nevertheless, it is a key criterion for civil commitment, as it prioritizes safety for both the individual and the community.

• Exploring past incidents of violent or self-destructive behavior
• Considering testimony from family members or friends
• Evaluating the individual's current thoughts, feelings, and intentions

Accurate assessments help ensure that the necessary measures are taken to protect all parties involved.

deinstitutionalization

Deinstitutionalization refers to the historical movement of relocating individuals with mental illnesses from large psychiatric hospitals into community-based settings. This shift, which began in the mid-20th century, aimed to improve the quality of life for these individuals by providing care in less restrictive environments.

The move towards deinstitutionalization was driven by several factors:

• Advancements in psychiatric treatment, allowing for better management of mental illnesses outside of institutional settings
• A growing human rights movement advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities
• Evolving public policies that favored more community-based care options over long-term institutionalization

While deinstitutionalization had many positive outcomes, it also led to unforeseen challenges, particularly the lack of adequate community resources and support for individuals leaving institutions.

grave disability

Grave disability is a term used to describe a state in which an individual is unable to provide for their basic personal needs due to a mental illness. These needs include food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and personal safety. When someone is deemed gravely disabled, they may qualify for civil commitment to ensure they receive necessary care and treatment.

Assessing grave disability involves:

• Determining if the individual can understand and manage their living conditions
• Evaluating their ability to make informed decisions about their health
• Monitoring self-care habits and personal hygiene

This evaluation helps in deciding if an involuntary intervention is needed to protect the person from harm and ensure they receive proper care.

transinstitutionalization

Transinstitutionalization is a term that describes the movement of individuals with mental illnesses from one type of institutional care to another, often to settings like jails or nursing homes, due to insufficient community support structures. This phenomenon often occurs as a direct result of deinstitutionalization when individuals lack access to the proper community-based resources required to live independently.

This shift highlights several critical issues:

• The gap in available mental health services within communities
• Inadequate support for individuals transitioning out of psychiatric hospitals
• The over-reliance on other forms of institutional care, which may not be equipped to handle the complexities of mental health care

Transinstitutionalization underscores the ongoing need for comprehensive mental health systems that provide adequate, accessible support tailored to the needs of each individual.