Running head: PERCEPTION AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

Perception and Psychiatric Nursing Student Name: Dermot Connolly Stenberg College Surrey BC 0312 PHIL 101-3 (A) Sherri Leon Torres Jan 2013.

PERCEPTION AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

Abstract This paper discusses the importance of the philosophical term of perception in psychiatric nursing. The link between perception and deception is first explored and in particular the perception of hallucinations and illusions in the mind of the mentally ill. The perception of mental illness is also explored where everyday interactions with the physical and social environments help us determine what we classify as mental illness and why those same classifications to not apply to all aspects of society. Finally this paper questions the role of biomedicine in psychiatric nursing and asks if it really serves a purpose in the absence of physical symptoms or if it too is merely a perception. Keywords: perception, mental illness, hallucinations, biomedicine.

PERCEPTION AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

Perception and Psychiatric Nursing By its very nature, mental health raises many questions about the mind and why some people are more prone to mental illness than others. It stands to reason then, that philosophy can have a real impact on the mental health sector where it does more than provide an abstract way of viewing the world, but also questions mental diagnoses, thought process and treatment options. (Thornton, n.d.). Much of what we experience in mental illness is based on our perception of events. The insertion of thoughts into the mind of a patient for example, gives the perception that they can see and hear objects that are not there. This in turn challenges the philosophical concept of ownership of ones own thoughts. (Thornton, n.d.). Perception therefore lies at the heart of psychiatric nursing where questioning our perceptions allow us to challenge preconceived psychiatric ideas and interventions. With both the student and practicing psychiatric nurse in mind, the purpose of this discussion is to take a closer look at the philosophy of perception and its influence on mental illness. In particular, this discussion will question the ability of our minds to deceive us, the ability of biomedicine to treat an illness with no symptoms and the very concept that there is no such thing as mental illness. How can we be sure that anything exists? As I stare at the laptop in front of me and type on its keyboard, I can see it, I can touch it and I can pick it up and carry it but how do I know it exists? How can I be sure that my senses are not deceiving me? Rene Descartes contemplated this very question in his 1641 book on the Passions of the Soul where he stated that nothing the world as we know it exists. (Hospers, 1997). He claimed there is an evil spirit that attempts to deceive us all with images that are not there. (Hospers, 1997). Deception of ones own mind plays an important role in mental health where patients suffer from auditory and visual

PERCEPTION AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING hallucinations or the deception experienced through depression, where patients feel they have nothing to live for. This begs the question, was Descartes a philosopher whose perception of the world was one of deception, or did he perhaps suffer from hallucinations and illusions that were not there? Taking deception a step further, can we not also conclude that in a world where nothing

is real, that mental illness is also a product of our own deception? According to Thornton, a look onto the history of psychiatric nursing reveals that there was once a time when this was perceived to be the case. (Thornton n.d. para 5). There is a school of thought to support the link between mental illness and deception where in the absence of a physical illness, is it not conceivable to think that there is nothing to treat? (Thornton n.d. Para 5). Looking at this more closely, why do we perceive mental illness as an illness at all? Why do we see the need to treat a person who is depressed or who has obsessive compulsive disorder? Is it not arrogant of us to classify people as normal or abnormal based on a set of preconceived ideologies laid down by the social world? (Trebach, 2010). It appears then that our social world has certain rules surrounding what we deem to be normal and abnormal, yet we allow these rules to be bent under other social circumstances or occupations. (Molyneux, 2012). Put on an army uniform for example and the social rules of murder and violence no longer apply. Surly it is wrong of us to believe that social rules surrounding the taking of a persons life can be modified but the diagnoses of a person with mental illness can not? (Molyneux, 2012). Philosophy has also generated debate over the treatment of the physical signs of an illness through biomedicine and the empathetic therapeutic treatment of psychiatric nursing where treatment is focused primarily on the self. (Thornton, n.d.). Of particular philosophical interest is the connection (if any) between biomedical facts and meaning. (Thornton, n.d.). This

PERCEPTION AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING relationship leads us to some interesting discussions, particularly around the topic of hallucinations or illusions. Hospers describes an illusion as an object displaying qualities which are different from what we believe and a hallucination as a perception about an object that does not exist at all. (Hospers, 1997). The question then to answer in philosophy is how does biomedicine accurately treat a hallucination or illusion in the absence of physical evidence? Is it even possible for there to even be a connection between biomedicine and psychiatric nursing in the treatment of hallucinations or illusions? According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, the best way to assist a patient suffering from hallucinations is to help the patient focus on reality instead of their hallucination. (CMHA, 2005). Even in psychiatric nursing practice, the treatment of hallucinations centers on the underlying cause such as schizophrenia

and focuses on patient safety and interacting with reality. (Schultz & Videbeck, 2009). It appears that there is also a place for biomedicine in the treatment of hallucinations where nursing interventions also focuses on medication compliance. In fact both pharmacology and electroconvulsive treatment are common interventions in the treatment of hallucinations. (Planet psych, 2006). While we can conclude therefore that the philosophical concept of perception plays an important role in our understanding of psychiatric nursing, it is also important to consider the role the concept of perception plays in the future of psychiatric nursing. It is this writers opinion that both biomedicine and therapeutic treatments must effectively co-exist in order for that future to be sustained. Too often one treatment option is favored above the other without fully understanding the benefits afforded by both. Very often pharmacology is considered as the primary treatment in the absence of a holistic approach to nursing care where the patient is empowered to contribute to their own treatment plan. In addition, this writer also believes that

PERCEPTION AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING advocacy will play an important future role in psychiatric nursing. Through campaigning for

policy change, more accurate diagnoses of mental illness can be achieved for those misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated.

Reference

PERCEPTION AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), (2005). Hallucinations and delusions: How to respond. Retrieved from: http://www.cmha.bc.ca/files/6-hallucinations_delusions.pdf Hospers, J. (1997). An introduction to philosophical analysis. 4th Edition Routledge, London. Molyneux, S. (2012). A philosophy of mental health. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqu8s2WgKx0 Planet psych (2006). Biomedical Therapy. Retrieved from: http://www.planetpsych.com/zTreatment/biomedical.htm Schultz, J. M & Videbeck, S.L. (2009). Lippincotts Manual of Psychiatric Nursing Care Plans (8th ed.) Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Thornton, T. (n.d.). Philosophy and mental health. Retrieved from: https://sites.google.com/site/drtimthornton/philosophy-and-mental-health Trebach, J. (2010). Mental illness is not real. Collegiate Times. Retrieved from: http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/16080/mental-illness-is-not-real-