In the field of psychology, there are incidences which can affect an individual contributed by various factors like depression and isolation. In case of misconduct or criminality associated with a patient of psychiatry disorder, there is the application of the law to such an act based on the condition of such an individual. This discussion is a reflection of one of the judicial precedence involving Andrea Yates who committed a crime and how this case can be treated both at the family and professional levels. In addition, there is the aspect of treatment of the patients who are suffering from these conditions.
In most of the established legal systems, a criminal suspect can be held responsible and criminally liable. This liability is informed by the reasoning that suspects should be blamed for the offenses they commit. It is within the same reasoning that the jury considers that the suspect had an option of not engaging in the act or criminal behavior which resulted in the breaking of the law. It is understood that everybody has a freedom of choice thus, one cannot purport to break the law by compellation. As per the criminal law standings, a person cannot be punished if one is not to blame for the criminal act perpetrated. It is through this assumption that mental disorders or cases of insanity disqualify a suspect from being criminally liable ( Kooijmans, & Meynen, 2017) . Looking at the case of Yates, the jury should agree with the defense team when they point out the issue of insanity of their client. It is appropriate to aver that the suspect committed the offense unwillingly due to her condition. From the reasoning above, one cannot be held criminally liable if one has no freedom for the act committed.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
There is a way in which insanity or psychosis is treated in different states in the United States. Taking the case of Texas, there are grounds at which a parent might be deprived of the right to custody of their child. In most of these cases, the interest of the child is the most considered factor in the determination of the case. There are grounds at which the mentally ill parents might be isolated from their children. These cases include factors like when the parent is not in a position to provide emotional and mental needs. In case the mental illness of the parent is confirmed to be permanent, the parent will not be allowed to be with the child. Additionally, the termination of this right is seen to be safeguarding the wellbeing of the child.
It is upon the judges to give an annulment of marriage to couples which can guarantee a divorce. Mental incompetence is one of the reasons which can result in an annulment. In case one of the spouses is confirmed to be suffering from a mental disorder, the judge can grant a divorce if the other partner requests for one ( Kooijmans, & Meynen, 2017) . Looking at the case of Yates, there was no divorce between the couple. The judge had not confirmed the mental illness of Andrea Yates so as to restrict the husband on what should be done. The husband cannot be held criminally liable for the subsequent pregnancies due to the depression experienced upon the fourth delivery. It could have been absurd if the partner disregarded the medical directive never to engage with the wife in any sexual intercourse. However, I believe that Russel Yates should be at fault as he could have raised concerns in regard to the abnormal behavior of his wife. This could have guaranteed divorce and separation of the children from their mother who posed a danger to them.
There are many factors contributing to depression, most of these factors are socially and economically related. These challenges vary from loss of employment, lack of friendship ties with people, and health. Focusing on the case of Yates, the cause of depression might be incorporated in postpartum depression which is seen as one of the factors affecting most women after the birth of their children. The aspect of loneliness is seen as one of the facilitators for this situation. As per the findings, social support together with loneliness are greatly correlated to the condition of depression ( Liu, Gou, & Zuo, 2016). In the discussion of depression, there are some other factors to be considered such as personality. Inasmuch as social isolation can be seen as one of the factors which initiate and spread depression, it is apparent that a person’s character also has great influence. There are people who are self-critical and suffer from low self-esteem, sensitivity to personal criticism and view themselves with much negativity and pessimism. Added to this is the problem of drug and substance abuse which might change the way someone behaves and operates. With drug abuse, the challenge is cut across as it affects every addict in the cycle
In the case of Yates, it is apparent that with the family isolation, the depression problem was likely to worsen. It should be recognized that with people who suffer from depression, there is a need for emotional support and social care. According to Liu, Gou, & Zuo, (2016), one of the best units apart from the medical personnel which can help in tackling psychotic cases is the family. In case the family members do not take the necessary action of engaging their member who suffers from depression, it becomes inevitable that the victim might engage in some absurd acts such as violence and other criminally related activities.
It is my utmost belief that if Andrea Yates’ family could not have subjected her to isolation, the case could have been different. With the family involvement, she would have received social support from those who were closest to her. Again with this, there was the likelihood that they could have learned of her intentions and acted appropriately on time. It can be ascertained that family isolation greatly contributed to the soaring of the state of depression. It is a well-known phenomenon that once depression has taken the toll of someone, they are capable of doing heinous acts like killing ( Liu, Gou, & Zuo, 2016). Thus, for Andrea Yates, it is possible that depression altered her reasoning to the point of killing her children.
Even though most of the community-based groups do not offer the necessary professional skills to some of the disadvantaged members of the society, it is apparent that they play vital roles in the lives of people. In Andrea Yates’ case, the community-based groups such as former addicts or the victims of depression could have given social support services and encouragement. Together with this, there is the aspect of the creation of identity which enables a victim of depression to feel a sense of belonging and happiness may result thereafter. It is recommended that social support to people with depression should precede medical therapy so as to limit the possibility of recurring depression conditions. Also, it is encouraged that the depressed participate fully in the community-based service activities. Due to the spread of internet use, many of these community-based services can be accessed online. Hence, people who are reluctant to physically meet the community in custody of these services could as well browse online and interact with the people with the same ideas.
References
Kooijmans, T., & Meynen, G. (2017). Who establishes the presence of a Mental disorder in defendants? Medicolegal Considerations on a European Court of Human rights Case. Frontiers in psychiatry , 8 , 199.
Liu, L., Gou, Z., & Zuo, J. (2016). Social support mediates loneliness and depression in elderly people. Journal of health psychology , 21 (5), 750-758.
