Mental Disorders: A Streetcar Named Desire

By definition, a mental disorder is characterized as a behavioral pattern that causes significant distress or impairment on personal functioning. This becomes evident within their behaviors, decisions, functions, etc. For example, Valentine’s Day of 2018 saw one of the most traumatic school shootings in Florida with at least seventeen dead. Once the news was released that this man claimed he was going to be a “professional school shooter” following an expulsion back in September, it was clear to the public that the fault was held by a mentally ill man. Nevertheless, many claim that humans, no matter sane or not, are entitled to their own unalienable rights and should not have to be forced into anything. Additionally, there are many actions

The instances of “inhuman cries and...lurid reflections” (Source B) experienced by Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire was the line for her sister, Stella. Blanche’s true accusations against Stanley Kowalski and his animalistic desires and her false ones against the successful Shep Huntleigh led Stella to believe she was insane and needed to be institutionalized. However, was this the best choice? Blanche did not seem to pose as a threat to anyone so was she truly in need of assistance? Roman Espejo refutes this by stating that it is only when someone is “completely radical” and does not “comply with a court-ordered treatment plan” that they should be placed in psychiatric treatment (Source D). In the case of Jared Lee Loughner, school shooter in 2011 and responsible for killing six students, he was “obviously disturbed” but was not treated until after his crime. Many wonder if this could have been prevented had he been forced into mental treatment at his first sign of disturbing

Behind closed doors, many patients receive abuse or neglect that only worsens their state. In fact, the NCEPOD clinical coordinator states that over half of the patients admitted into mental institutions receive “poor physical and mental healthcare” (Source C) that disrupts their road to recovery. Although the private nature of mental hospitals aids in the help of the ill, it allows the underpaid staff to do as they please. Another side to this rebuttal is the topic of gun control and how easy someone with a mental illness can obtain one. This controversial subject has been on the minds of the American people since after the passage of the second amendment that allowed us the right to own guns. The fact of the matter is that it is too easy for the mentally ill, or anyone, to obtain a weapon. Many states, such as Florida, do not require fingerprints, a special permit, or even a waiting period before purchasing a gun. So why not regulate this or even outlaw guns altogether with the exception of our military? What is the potential benefit or need of owning a gun? Without the weapon, the violence would halt. For instance, Japan, the country with the strictest gun laws, has nearly eradicated gun violence in their country so why can we not do the same in ours and save hundreds of lives? With stricter gun laws, we eliminate the need to force many into psychiatric