The article that I selected to best identify my EQ is “Psychiatric Illnesses and Criminality” by Noman Ghiasi; Yusra Azhar; Jasbir Singh argues that many crimes that are committed are people with mental illnesses. This article is found on the website “National Library of Medicine
National Center for Biotechnology Information”. The authors highlight how are mental illness is connected to criminality of humans through the Functions, Issues of Concern, and the Clinical significance.

First, Function is the starting point to understanding the Psychiatry behind crime. Most of the time people chalk up criminals to be mentally insane or psychotic which is not the case all the time. Instead tests are ran first to determine if they were mentally ill or sane. As well as figure out what type of mental illness the so criminal has. The process of giving criminals multiple mental tests, is important information that needs to be shared with the general public so it eliminates assumptions and preconceptions on crime.

An example of the function aspect is in “The Scarlet Letter” Minister Dimmesdale is overtaken by his guilt and shame of being a hypocrite. Dimmesdale commits the horrible sin of adultery which is a crime. Dimmesdale cowardliness nature takes a toll on his mental health as he becomes sick and begins to torturing himself out of penance.

Second, Issues and the many Concerns that focus on the history of Mental health care. After many mental health care hospitals got deinstitutionalized during the 1960s, they got rid of many of the hospitals. Loads of criminals were not tested for having mental illnesses, and when they were tested some had mental disorders that were mischaracterized and misjudged. Mental health is line between health and justice systems.

In addition, in “The Scarlet Letter” after being treated by Roger Chillinsworth, Dimmesdale continues to get even more sick especially in the mind. Being exhausted mentally and physically. Chillingsworth is supposed to be taking care of him, but he lets him suffer through the pain as it’s his way of getting revenge. Dimmesdale is equal to being an unpunished criminal that is suffering from a mental disorder not yet determined because lack of technology and drive for him to be treated.

Furthermore, the Clinical significance of untreated and undetermined mental illness can destroy someone. As active symptoms of mental illness can lead violence, paranoia, and hallucinations. These issues arise from the psychiatric stress that criminals go through after committing a crime. Thus, making it so crucial that every criminal is evaluated with care and excellence.

Finally, Hawthorne suggests in “The Scarlet Letter” that Dimmesdale carves out a scarlet letter from whipping himself violently in a closet. Dimmesdale remained hidden in his sin and giving acts of penance on himself for the evilness he had done. Later, as his conditions worsens under the treatment of Chillingsworth his guilt and shame give him PTSD. Dimmesdale begins to hallucinate of ghosts of people that are not there, invoking terrible nightmares.

In the end, sin and crime leads to many different mental disorders, instability, and illness. sacrifice can be done in many shapes and forms in relationship. There is clarity that when sin/crime goes unpunished or even punished that it leaves a scar or deep mark on someone’s conscience. Thus, leading people to spiral out of control mentally. This is evident within the story of “The Scarlet Letter” because Reverend Dimmesdale keeping his sin a secret from the people only ends up hurting his mind and body. Leading to many mental illness and torment to take place within him because he will not confess his wrongs and chooses to wait to be judged. The fact that unpunished sin or crime has direct ties to mental instability is something important to reflect on. As the 3 areas of Psychiatry and Criminality take place through: Function, Issues & Concerns, and Clinical significance.