Perceptions of Psychologists and Psychiatrists

Sanua, Victor D.

doi:10.1300/j358v09n03_05

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Furthermore, an analysis of the literature on the popularity of psychiatrists and psychologists reveals that the latter tend to be quite popular since they tend to be more accessible to discuss family problems. (Sanua, 1993a) What is certainly discouraging is that during the last A.RA. convention, the Division of Psychoanalysis went along with the rest of the clinical divisions that it is all right for psychologists to prescribe (later retracted).…”

Section: Indicatedmentioning

confidence: 99%

The fallacy of the medical model and the dangers of psychotropic drugs as a mode of treatment for mental disorders

Sanua

1996

J Primary Prevent

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With the decline of psychoanalytic thinking since the 50's and the 60's, mental disorders have been attributed to organic factors. This has been influenced by Social Darwinism, a belief in the survival of the fittest. The implication of such a philosophy is that social intervention is not the appropriate approach for the treatment of mental aberrations. The source of the problem lies within the individual. For example, schizophrenia has been attributed to brain anomalies, chemical imbalances or to the inheritance of genetic factors. To this day, in spite of the research efforts in that direction, the pursuit of these findings were proven to be illusive. Nevertheless, the search continues with a complete neglect of social factors. One problem is that writers disagreeing with this philosophy, find it difficult to publish their dissenting views. Since the source of the problem is within the individual, aberrations should be treated with drugs. However the efficacy of these drugs have not yet been confirmed and instead have been causing a lot of physical problems for patients. It is unfortunate that a number of influential clinical psychologists have adopted the medical model and are trying to obtain by legislation "prescription privileges" for psychologists. The author believes that this trend could be destructive to the profession of psychology, since it will weaken if not destroy the humanistic approach in the treatment of the mentally ill.

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Section: Indicatedmentioning

confidence: 99%

The fallacy of the medical model and the dangers of psychotropic drugs as a mode of treatment for mental disorders

Sanua

1996

J Primary Prevent

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“…He (1994) stated that psychiatrists who limit themselves to psychotherapy cannot survive as a profession, and he felt the same way about psychology. This becomes all the more unreal when the data available indicate that the general consumer does not want to be medicated as reported by a study financed by APA (Sanua, 1993). What is certainly discouraging is that during the 1994 APA convention in Los Angeles, the Board of the Division of Psychoanalysis voted for the right of psychologists to prescribe.…”

Section: Neuropathologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…I have documented (Sanua, 1993(Sanua, ,1994a) the pronouncement of these psychologists who have not provided in their articles the rationale and the scientific source for their inspiration. In one case, Fox (1988) supports the need for prescription privileges for psychologists (p. 503) based on an article by Adams (1986) Psychologist.…”

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confidence: 99%

The myth of the organicity of mental disorders.

Sanua¹

1996

The Humanistic Psychologist

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This paper, a response to psychologists seeking "prescription privileges" principles, addresses the myths and fallacies of the medical model in psychological disorders. The Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association overwhelmingly voted for "prescription privileges" for psychologists during the APA convention in New York, August, 1995. The implication of such a decision is that organic factors play a role in functional mental disorders. Studies on the structure, chemical imbalances of the brain, and the genetics of these disorders, which have been carried out for almost 100 years since Kraepelin, are critically reviewed and the paucity and indeterminacy of the results are emphasized. It is felt that it would be a mistake for psychologists to adopt the medical model and the treatment of their patients with psychotropic drugs. Clinical psychologists with their scientific training should not get involved in an ideology and a mode of treatment with so many uncertainties, dangers and pitfalls. The perennial optimism of biological "breakthroughs," with the encouragement and financial support of drug companies, and the disregard of psychosocial factor continue to persist in spite of so many failures.

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“…This is surprising since the training of psychologists is not as well-known as the training of psychiatrists. Sanua (1993c) reviewing research studies on the image that the general public has about mental health professionals, found that the psychiatrist has an image problem since in many instances, he was considered last in expressing "warmth" and is "less caring." Families of mental patients who consulted with psychiatrists predominantly with regard to the medication, felt least "comfortable" with them.…”

Section: The Decline and Unpopularity Of Psychiatry Should Not Be A R...mentioning

confidence: 99%

"Prescription privileges" vs. psychologists' authority: Psychologists do better without drugs.

Sanua¹

1995

The Humanistic Psychologist

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In the past few years a number of clinical psychologists in the upper echelon of APA have been espousing "prescription privileges" for the profession. This is being undertaken without a serious attempt to analyze the consequences. First and foremost, a reading of the psychiatric literature in recent years on psychotropic drugs, like the old organic treatment approaches (insulin, electroshock, lobotomy, etc.) have not fulfilled their initial promise. They can cause cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological problems, sexual dysfunctions, etc., causing the irreversible tardive dyskinesia and the often fatal neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Surveys of consumers have shown that a large percentage prefer to be seen by psychologists because psychiatrists are "too ready to prescribe drugs." It is felt that it would be a mistake for the profession to get into the doubtful benefits of psychotropic drugs.

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Perceptions of Psychologists and Psychiatrists

Cited by 9 publications

References 10 publications

The fallacy of the medical model and the dangers of psychotropic drugs as a mode of treatment for mental disorders

The fallacy of the medical model and the dangers of psychotropic drugs as a mode of treatment for mental disorders

The myth of the organicity of mental disorders.

"Prescription privileges" vs. psychologists' authority: Psychologists do better without drugs.

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