April,
Thanks for your contribution to this week’s discussion, you make a very compelling argument
when conveying the exploring of other alternatives before jumping directly into psychosurgery
treatment. Often times we’ve seen systems or institutions taking shortcuts and are completely
unaware of the cost of their decisions, and I don’t mean financially. Giving an individual the
opportunity to see all the possible options that they have would when it comes to beneficial
treatment enables them to me a better-informed decision. “The court gave essentially two
reasons for keeping psychosurgery from confined persons: first, that the procedure was highly
experimental and had substantial risks of unknown dimensions to the individual subject; and,
second, that institutional coercions deprived confined persons of adequate capacity to consent
freely to such a risky operation” (Burt, pg. 25, 1975).
Really taking the time to understand the behavior of someone is such a huge benefit to not just
the individual receiving treatment but can become a benefit to all that display similar behaviors.
Clinicians can learn from such information, as it would assist with implementing treatments
provide positive testimonials. I cannot express enough the importance of the renew of our
minds. We see this within scripture. Our minds are so powerful. Understanding the body’s
functions are mapped within the brain and the brain can literally make or break an individual.
Assist individuals with seeing that old things can be things of the past and through God a rebirth
can be given. Meaning, changing one’s thought processe from violence, pedophilia, depression,
or any other maladaptive behavior can play a huge part in their new behavior. Giving
alternatives that help to identify the reason for one’s behavior can be the start to true healing.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,6which is being
corrupted by its deceitful desires;6to be made new in the attitude of your minds” (Eph. 4:22-23,
New International Version).
Burt, R. A. (1975). Why We Should “Keep Prisoners from the Doctors.6The Hastings Center
Report,65(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.2307/3560946
