The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcare
There is a notable disparity between the observed prevalence of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in racialized persons in the United States and Canada and White individuals in these same countries, with Black people being diagnosed at higher rates than other groups. The consequences thereof bring a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1098292/full |
| _version_ | 1811168340465418240 |
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| author | Sonya C. Faber Anjalika Khanna Roy Timothy I. Michaels Timothy I. Michaels Monnica T. Williams |
| author_facet | Sonya C. Faber Anjalika Khanna Roy Timothy I. Michaels Timothy I. Michaels Monnica T. Williams |
| author_sort | Sonya C. Faber |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There is a notable disparity between the observed prevalence of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in racialized persons in the United States and Canada and White individuals in these same countries, with Black people being diagnosed at higher rates than other groups. The consequences thereof bring a progression of lifelong punitive societal implications, including reduced opportunities, substandard care, increased contact with the legal system, and criminalization. Other psychological conditions do not show such a wide racial gap as a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder diagnosis. New data show that the differences are not likely to be genetic, but rather societal in origin. Using real-life examples, we discuss how overdiagnoses are largely rooted in the racial biases of clinicians and compounded by higher rates of traumatizing stressors among Black people due to racism. The forgotten history of psychosis in psychology is highlighted to help explain disparities in light of the relevant historical context. We demonstrate how misunderstanding race confounds attempts to diagnose and treat schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in Black individuals. A lack of culturally informed clinicians exacerbates problems, and implicit biases prevent Black patients from receiving proper treatment from mainly White mental healthcare professionals, which can be observed as a lack of empathy. Finally, we consider the role of law enforcement as stereotypes combined with psychotic symptoms may put these patients in danger of police violence and premature mortality. Improving treatment outcomes requires an understanding of the role of psychology in perpetuating racism in healthcare and pathological stereotypes. Increased awareness and training can improve the plight of Black people with severe mental health disorders. Essential steps necessary at multiple levels to address these issues are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T16:24:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-60ba61af222a4eaa938791eee5eaebdf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T16:24:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-60ba61af222a4eaa938791eee5eaebdf2023-02-09T07:42:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402023-02-011410.3389/fpsyt.2023.10982921098292The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcareSonya C. Faber0Anjalika Khanna Roy1Timothy I. Michaels2Timothy I. Michaels3Monnica T. Williams4Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, CanadaCounselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, NY, United StatesDonald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Hempstead, NY, United StatesDepartment of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, CanadaThere is a notable disparity between the observed prevalence of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in racialized persons in the United States and Canada and White individuals in these same countries, with Black people being diagnosed at higher rates than other groups. The consequences thereof bring a progression of lifelong punitive societal implications, including reduced opportunities, substandard care, increased contact with the legal system, and criminalization. Other psychological conditions do not show such a wide racial gap as a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder diagnosis. New data show that the differences are not likely to be genetic, but rather societal in origin. Using real-life examples, we discuss how overdiagnoses are largely rooted in the racial biases of clinicians and compounded by higher rates of traumatizing stressors among Black people due to racism. The forgotten history of psychosis in psychology is highlighted to help explain disparities in light of the relevant historical context. We demonstrate how misunderstanding race confounds attempts to diagnose and treat schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in Black individuals. A lack of culturally informed clinicians exacerbates problems, and implicit biases prevent Black patients from receiving proper treatment from mainly White mental healthcare professionals, which can be observed as a lack of empathy. Finally, we consider the role of law enforcement as stereotypes combined with psychotic symptoms may put these patients in danger of police violence and premature mortality. Improving treatment outcomes requires an understanding of the role of psychology in perpetuating racism in healthcare and pathological stereotypes. Increased awareness and training can improve the plight of Black people with severe mental health disorders. Essential steps necessary at multiple levels to address these issues are discussed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1098292/fullpsychosisBlack communitiesdiscriminationracismmisdiagnosisweaponization of medicine |
| spellingShingle | Sonya C. Faber Anjalika Khanna Roy Timothy I. Michaels Timothy I. Michaels Monnica T. Williams The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcare Frontiers in Psychiatry psychosis Black communities discrimination racism misdiagnosis weaponization of medicine |
| title | The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcare |
| title_full | The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcare |
| title_fullStr | The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcare |
| title_full_unstemmed | The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcare |
| title_short | The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcare |
| title_sort | weaponization of medicine early psychosis in the black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcare |
| topic | psychosis Black communities discrimination racism misdiagnosis weaponization of medicine |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1098292/full |
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