Seattle University Collaborative Projects - International Academy of ...

Tammy Harris, Arkansas Public Defender Commission, Little Rock, USA(tharris@co.pulaski.ar.us)The cornerstone for any defendant facing capital punishment is the necessity of a thorough socialhistory investigation beginning before birth and concluding at trial. This scorched earth approachto gathering mitigation evidence helps ensure that the death penalty is reserved for individualswho are the “worst of the worst”. When we begin to really know our clients’ stories and theirbackground, common themes emerge and those often involve medications used to treat mentalhealth indications in children, adolescents and those often in state custody. With mandated healthcare reform and ever increasing federal and state budget shortfalls, where will this leave ourclients now and in the future?Dopamine NationRichard Juman, New York State Psychological Association, Albany, USA(dr.richard.juman@gmail.com)We’re an addicted nation. Would you care to dispute it? Recent numbers confirm an alarmingreality. Our national mindset relies on the external fix when it comes to addressing our problems.Whether we’re speaking of the routine disruptions we face in our work lives, the crises that hitevery family at one time or another, or our children who absorb conflicting messages –Americans no longer turn to internal or interpersonal resources to establish personal equilibrium.Our first thought is to seek a quick and external source – as both the cause, and the solution.Most Americans have perfected reliable techniques for feeling better, or, as I like to say, forgiving themselves a little “dopamine spike.” Dopamine, as you probably know, is the brainneurotransmitter that is triggered by “rewarding events.” I recently signed up with a new primarycare physician. When she found out that I’m a psychologist, she asked me “why is every kid inNew York on Ritalin, and every adult taking Ambien?” It’s an excellent question. Here’s onereason – these external fixes are readily available. There are billion dollar industries dependenton our continuing – alcohol, tobacco, gambling, online shopping, pornography, prostitution, andeven compulsive texting. Each of these fuels the American economy. Turn on the TV, and theprevailing wisdom says there’s no reason to suffer discomfort. We’re being instructed thatcontinuous synthetic bio psychosocial regulation is the norm – there’s a pill for whatever ails you– ADHD, shyness, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia – you name it. We’re all human, and welike to feel good. Dopamine is naturally generated from any number of physical and emotionalsources. The accumulation of externally generated dopamine, however, creates a vicious cycle ofrelief seeking that ultimately spirals out of control. For those who are lucky – or smart – it landspatients in our offices where we can finally begin to “lift up the hood” — and actively addressthe real problems.360