I want to check if my answer is accurate and completely answers the prompt. (Thank you in advance)

The prompt: Thomas Szasz wrote "The Myth of Mental Illness" and argued that without some neurophysiological basis, mental illness is not an illness. Part of his argument was that if an appropriate environment were developed, what is labeled as a disease might be a reasonable response to the conditions. He also argued that diagnosis of mental illness is often a "self-fulfilling prophecy" in which the label frees the patient to act in ways dictated by the diagnosis. Do you agree that all mental illness has a physiological basis or that some illness is "mental illness" (realizing that this may put you in the mind/body dichotomy camp)? Should treatment of mental illness consist of finding an appropriate environment? Is there value in "talk therapy"?

My answer:

Based on the materials from this week's module and our psychology courses, we can understand the complex history of mental health treatment and how it has changed over time. Early treatments were often based on the notion that psychological or supernatural factors caused mental illness. Recently, the focus of treatment plans has shifted to biological factors like genetics and brain chemistry.

It is debatable whether all mental illnesses have a physiological basis. Some experts argue that all mental illnesses stem from biological factors, such as brain chemistry, structure, and heredity. At the same time, others believe that trauma, abuse, and stress in the environment can also cause mental illness.

Thomas Szasz, a psychiatrist, argued that mental illness is a myth. He believed conditions that are classified as mental illnesses were normal reactions to unusual situations rather than seeing them as diseases. For example, an individual with a diagnosis of depression might just be responding appropriately to a demanding or stressful circumstance. Szasz went on to argue that a mental health diagnosis frequently acts as a "self-fulfilling prophecy." This implies that a person is more likely to behave in a way that is consistent with their diagnosis of mental illness. For example, someone may begin to think and behave in a certain way after being told they are depressed. Unfortunately, a self-fulfilling prophecy does occur in some cases. I do believe that the way we label and treat people with certain abnormalities can increase their negative behavior.

In my opinion, mental illness is a complex issue that can result from both mental and physical factors. For example, we know that structural changes in the brain are associated with certain mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia. However, we also know that other mental illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can be brought on by traumatic experiences.

I think some mental illnesses are physiological and should be treated both physically and spiritually. I say this from my own experience with major depression. I do find that an appropriate environment plays a role in mental well-being. This includes a supportive family and community. Prayer had a huge impact in helping me regain my life back. Talk therapy, also known as counseling or psychotherapy, has the potential to be an effective mental health treatment. Talk therapy can help patients understand their thoughts and feelings, change their behavior, and learn coping skills.