In contemporary society, most of the jobs are desk-bound and sedentary. Sitting for long periods of time in front of a computer is against nature and can lead to stress-related illnesses. Moreover, many jobs are high-pressure by their very design, with workers pushed to their very limits for maximizing productivity. It is no surprise then that work-related psychological illnesses are on the ascendency. Hence the management will have to constantly monitor the health of employees and have in place programs for prevention or early intervention. Beyond the duty of care responsibilities, it is in the management’s financial interest to prevent loss of productivity due to stress-induced illnesses. The following criticism by scholar L. Simon serves as a fitting conclusion to this essay:
“an examination of various abnormal psychology textbooks reveals that they read more like political propaganda than fair, valid science. All of the examined texts conformed closely to the psychiatric medical model as represented by the latest version Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Occasional critiques were levied at the DSM, but they were invariably dismissed and not debated in any serious manner. All manner of assertions were present in these tomes as to the validity of the biogenic etiology of the disorders discussed without either presenting valid empirical evidence to support the assertions or discussing the rich and varied literature that refutes the biogenic hypotheses.” (Simon, 2006)
References
Daniels, J. (2009). The Perils of “Adjustment Disorder” as a Diagnostic Category. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development, 48(1), 77+.
Dupre, J. (1998). Normal People. Social Research, 65(2), 221+.
Simon, L. (2006). Abnormal Psychology Textbooks: Valid Science or Political Propaganda. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 8(2), 101+.