"Diseases of the Brain"

In your opinion, to what extent are personal problems like depression or addiction "diseases of the brain" or personal failings? Discuss examples of psychological issues that you have observed in friends and family that are related to the function of the brain in some way.

I believe that personal problems like depression or addiction are “diseases of the brain.” Yes, in some cases people choose their actions and it is based on their personal failings of making the wrong decisions at times, however every choice every person makes goes on in his/her brain before one makes his/her decision. My aunt is an alcoholic. I know that she chooses to drink and she makes those decisions, but in her eyes she “needs” to do it. She cannot get through some days without drinking alcohol. There is something wrong with someone’s brain if they truly feel this way. Other diseases like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and others are all related to the brain. People cannot help the way they think or feel, it just happens. They are not all real diseases, but to the brain they definitely are.

Also, my aunt's mother, who is also my grandma, was also an alcoholic as well. I am not positively sure, but I think that these types of diseases are genetic. Therefor, no one can have personal failings if they have these diseases because it was passed onto them through genetics.

nmarinopsych

In what ways did the experiences of your early childhood make you who you are today? How about your relationships with your parents?

-When I was a child, I did not live a normal life. Instead of playing, I spent most of my days in hospital waiting rooms or the doctor’s office waiting with my mother for my sister. When I was one year old, my sister, Dara, was diagnosed with leukemia. At the time I was too young to understand anything, but a few years later I was well aware of everything that was going on in my family around me. As a child, I knew I always had to stay strong for the rest of my family. Being the youngest of three daughters, I always kept everything casual when times were rough. My family felt as though they had to hide her sickness from me in our home, and act as if everything was normal. Inside, I knew it was not that way, so I made sure I always had courage and strength to stay by Dara’s side. My parents and I were very close, and they taught me to always be a positive young woman, and to always believe. Today, I carry those same traits, and am still able to laugh and play with my older sister, who is now healthy once again.

What is your unique outlook on life in general? What type of attitude do you have towards the world around you?

-I have a positive outlook on life. However, I try not to think the best situation will happen. I hope for the best, but I prepare myself for the worst. I believe that when things go wrong in my life or in the world, I should be prepared so that it does not hit me too hard. I hope that these things will not happen; however if they ever do, it will not be a shock to me.