...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Michelle Newland Psy240: The Brain, the Body, and the Mind November 24, 2009 Analyzing Psychological Disorders I want to take this time to thank you for the opportunity and for this interview. I learned so much while I was in school but I realize that I still have more to learn. I would appreciate the opportunity to work with you and for you and to be able to continue to learn. I once again appreciate the opportunity to show you what I have learned about schizophrenia as well as the opportunity to review two case studies that you have presented me with. I am confident that I can live up to your expectations. There are many different forms of psychological disorders. These disorders can, and do, range from simple common phobias to schizophrenia. These would be considered a disorder of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions (Pinel, 2006). These disorders are labeled in accordance to the predominant features (Heffner, 1999-2003). Schizophrenia is caused by the splitting of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functions of the brain. The symptoms vary for those who have been diagnosed as being schizophrenic. Some of the symptoms would be: hallucinations, difficulty paying attention, thought pattern in disarray, delusions, catatonia, and “word salad” (Pawlik-Kienlen, 2007). To better...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Introduction Many people do not realize how biology can play a role in psychological activities and disorders. Biology is a key aspect of psychology. Understanding the role of biology in behavior and cognitive abilities will create a better understanding of the disorder a person may have. Part A: Schizophrenia “Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected people throughout history. About one percent of Americans have this illness” (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009). This illness affects a large portion of the brain and is known to be associated with wide spread brain damage. The first studies of the brains affected by schizophrenia reported a reduced brain size. Other studies have shown widespread neuron loss and abnormalities of neuron structure and circuitry in several parts of the brain (Pinel, 2011). Schizophrenic is such a complex disorder and it has many different symptoms. Symptoms related to this disorder include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thoughts and incoherent speech, and odd behavior; these symptoms are known as positive symptoms. Negative symptoms of this disorder include a reduction or lack of emotional expression, lack of speech, lack of motivation, and the inability to experience pleasure (Pinel, 2011). Because this illness has so many symptoms that are also associated with other disorders, it has been difficult to accurately define the illness and identify the exact...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders University of Phoenix June 2, 2011 Analyzing Psychological Disorders For the last duration of my interview process I will analyze the psychiatric disorder of schizophrenia. I will discuss the various parts of the brain that this disorder affects as well as the causes and symptoms of schizophrenia. I will then analyze two different case studies the first one being anorexia and the second being insomnia. Within my analysis of the two case studies I will examine the problem as a biopsychologist and relate it the nature-nurture issue. I will conclude the interview with possible helpful drug interventions or solutions as well as the side effects that they may cause. PART A “The term schizophrenia means the splitting of psychic function and is most commonly associated with the concept of madness” (Pinel, 2007). Schizophrenia affects three different parts of the brain the forebrain, hindbrain, and the limbic system. “As a whole the forebrain serves to control cognition (the process of thinking, knowing, learning, and judging), sensory and motor function, temperature regulation, reproduction, hunger, sleep cycle and emotional expression” (Walding, 2011). Damage or abnormalities in the forebrain causes delusions within people who suffer from schizophrenia. The temporal lobe also located in the forebrain assists in visual and auditory functions. In schizophrenics this may cause hallucinations through both hearing and visual perceptions. The hindbrain...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Jeannie Hopkins PSY/240 11/17/2013 Dr. Brooke Morford A psychological disorder is known as a mental disorder; it is a pattern of behavioral or psychological symptoms that impact multiple life areas and/or create distress for the person experiencing these symptoms. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 26 percent of American adults over the age of 18 suffer from some type of diagnosable mental disorder in a given year (The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America). Almost half of that also meet criteria for 2 or more disorders, with severity strongly related to comorbidity. Mental disorders are diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) here in the U.S. The DSM-IV-TR explains that a multiaxial system involves an assessment on several axes, which refer to a different domain of information that may help the clinician plan treatment and possibly predict the outcome (Association, 2000). The five axes included in the DSM-IV multi-axial classification are as listed: * Axis I: Clinical Disorders and Other Conditions That Need Clinical Attention. * Axis II: Personality Disorders and Mental Retardation. * Axis III: General Medical Conditions. * Axis IV: Psychosocial and Environmental Problems * Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). As stated in the DSM-IV-TR “the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale is...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Lynn Bible PSY/240 December 2, 2012 Pam Stoelzel Analyzing Psychological Disorders Schizophrenia, drug abuse, and anxiety are all complex psychological disorders. When helping someone that suffers from these disorders, you must understand how and why they work the way that they do. All three disorders come with symptoms that can cause people not blend in with society and live a normal life. The right kinds of treatment can help people to overcome the symptoms of these disorders and live a normal life, but they are not curable. Schizophrenia Schizophrenia affects the most crucial parts of the brain: the forebrain, the hindbrain, and the limbic system. The forebrain includes the cerebral hemispheres (hypothalamus, thalamus, corpus callosum, and the limbic system). It controls cognition, sensory and motor functions, temperature regulation, hunger, sleep cycles, and emotional expressions. The frontal lobe of the forebrain causes positive symptoms of schizophrenia like delusions. The temporal lobe of the forebrain distorts sounds and visions causing hallucinations. The hindbrain includes the pons, medulla, and the cerebellum. Schizophrenia affects this part of the brain causing the negative symptoms as in distorted motor functions, body language, and catatonic behaviors. The limbic system includes the hippocampus and the amygdala. The functions of this area of the brain are regulated emotions, memories, learning, and...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Final Assignment Week 9 I would like to start off by thanking you for your time and consideration and giving me the opportunity to meet with you. I would love the opportunity to work with you in your clinic and continue to gain knowledge and learn. Again, I appreciate the opportunity to present to you my knowledge on this particular disorder, schizophrenia as well as the chance to review the two case studies that you have allowed me to review. I am sure I can provide the information you are looking for in a professional manner. To begin, there are many different types of psychological disorders and they are all somewhat the same but also very different. A mental disorder can range from something that slightly disrupts a person’s life, for instance a mild case of anxiety all the way to something as grim as schizophrenia. These disorders affect each aspect of our lives to include cognitive, emotional, and behavioral roles. (Pinel, 2006). Schizophrenia and mental disorders in general are characterized by disturbances of mental functioning, analogous to disturbances of bodily functioning. (Press, 2010) The symptoms vary for those who have been diagnosed as being schizophrenic, as with anything each case will be different in severity. There are two different types of symptoms which are positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms do include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech and inappropriate affect. Negative...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Alexa A. Perivolotis PSY/240 June 20th. 2014 Psychological disorders affect more people then we realize. Someone you know could be silently suffering and you would have no idea. Diagnosing and treating mental disease is tricky because it can present itself in so many different fashions and at different stages in people’s lives. Many different areas of the brain play a role in mental disease. Each day we learn more and more about the physiological and the biological relationship of mental disease that goes on in the brain. This knowledge helps to better diagnose and treat patients. Hopefully one day we will know enough to be able and determine an individuals risk for these diseases from a simple blood test or scan. One mental disease suffered by many is Schizophrenia. This disorder present’s itself with both positive and negative symptoms. A positive symptom is classified as something that represents excess or distortion of normal function. This includes symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, incoherent speech or thought, inappropriate affect (failure to react with appropriate emotion to positive or negative events), or odd behavior such as repeating tasks or remaining motionless. Negative symptoms are classified as something that represents reduction or loss of normal function. These symptoms include affective flattering which is the reduction or absence of emotional expression, alogia or reduction of speech, avolition or reduction...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Rebecca Howard PSY 240 December 23, 2012 Rebecca Gazda Analyzing Psychological Disorders Psychological disorders are always being researched and new treatments are being developed. Biopsychology is an important field because understanding the processes that occur in the body can lead to more effective drugs and relief for many people suffering from psychological disorders. Schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa, and anxiety are all psychological disorders that psychologists must deal with on a regular basis. Understanding these disorders is important for the health and well-being of patients. Part A: Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that has many complex symptoms, most of which can also be associated with other disorders (Pinel, 2011). Schizophrenia affects many parts of the brain, including the forebrain and hindbrain. The cingulated gyrus, amygdale, and hippocampus are also affected. These areas are all part of the limbic system. It is believed that schizophrenia occurs when functional circuits of the brain are disturbed, which affects the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and thalamus (Lundbeck Institute, 2011). With such a large area of the brain being affected by this psychiatric disorder, it brings a host of symptoms. These symptoms are divided into two different groups, positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms are ones that cause an excess of normal function, and negative symptoms cause a decrease of normal function. Separating...
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...Psychological Disorder Analysis Laura Baker Psy/270 February 18, 2012 Monica Mauri Psychological Disorder Analysis Maria is a 42-year-old Hispanic female who came to the clinic ascribing of having trouble sleeping, feeling “jumpy all of the time,” and experiencing difficulty concentrating. She further said, “That these symptoms are causing problems for her at work, where she is an accountant.” She perceived these symptoms to be her cause of declined performance at her job. So she is very concerned about this, and has come in to seek our help. Upon intake Maria’s symptoms stand in need for analysis to come to a diagnosis. As Maria’s symptoms meet various criteria for Bipolar disorder, Dysthmic disorder, and Major Depression must be eliminated or ruled out. The suspected diagnosis upon her intake is Bipolar disorder or Major Depression. A complete assessment will be done on Maria, and a diagnosis will be determined. After a diagnosis has been established, a brief overview will be explained and possible causes will be explained also, and then followed by an ongoing effective plan of treatment to return the patient to a level of functioning with reduced symptoms. Maria participated in an in-depth interview process. The first questions initially posed to Maria a starting point for further analysis included in the following: 1. Did you remember any significant problems in your childhood? Yes. I was abused at age eight through twelve by a family member, but I do not remember...
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...Introduction The biopsychologist will implement the biological approach to psychology in the attempt to study psychological diseases and disorders as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of individual’s suffering from such diseases and disorders. The following will include the analysis of the disorder known as Schizophrenia. The areas of brain affected, causal factors, associated symptoms, neural basis and appropriate drug therapies will be discussed. In addition, the disorders of Anorexia Nervosa and Generalized Anxiety Disorder will also be examined. Both the disorders of Anorexia Nervosa and Generalized Anxiety Disorder will be discussed for their relation to the nature-nurture issue and other appropriate theories of etiology. Possible drug therapies and alternative solutions will also be a focus of discussion. Part A: Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is undoubtedly one of the most complex psychiatric disorders of all time. A disorder which name defines the “splitting of psychic functions (Pinel, 2007, p.481)”, Schizophrenia often presents itself with a variety of characteristic symptoms including possible delusions, hallucinations, disorganized or incoherent speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior patterns and negative symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Social and occupational dysfunction often accompany these characteristic symptoms of Schizophrenia and the combination of function impairment and symptoms must persist in duration for a period...
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...PSY 240 Week 9 Final Project Analyzing Psychological Disorders To Buy This material Click below link http://www.uoptutors.com/PSY-240/PSY-240-Week-9-Final-Project-Analyzing-Psychological-Disorders You are interviewing for a psychologist position with a top company. After your face-to-face interview with the team, they have provided you with two additional assignments—Part A and Part B below, which will complete the interview process: • Part A: A psychologist understands how biology can affect psychological activities and disorders. In your interview, you are asked about your understanding of the causes and treatment(s) of schizophrenia. In your reply, discuss the following: o Areas of the brain affected o Causal factors o Associated symptoms o The neural basis o Appropriate drug therapies • Part B: Part B of the interview consists of interpreting some case studies from a biopsychologist’s perspective. You are given four different case studies of disorders and have the option of choosing two out of the four case studies to analyze. • Write a 1,750- to 2,100-word paper in APA format containing the following: o Introduction o Part A of the interview process. o Part B of the interview process: • Choose two of the four case studies presented in Appendix A. • Discuss your understanding of the problem presented in each of the two case studies from the perspective of a biopsychologist. • Include each problem’s relation to the...
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...* Case Studies Research Papers Analyzing Psychological Disorders Analyzing Psychological Disorders Brandie L. Coleman University of Phoenix August 29, 2010 INTRODUCTION Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disease that affects the neural basis of the brain. Discussion of the symptoms, the causes and drug therapies for schizophrenic patients will be discussed and covered. Schizophrenia is a mental illness that is yet completely understood. The areas of the brain affected in schizophrenia can not be named by one specific region of the brain. There are a number of regions of the brain that are affected by schizophrenia. Changes reported in the parahippocampal gurus may arise from abnormal neuronal development during formation of the cortex. Additionally, changes have been implicated in the basal region of the temporal lobe, the cerebellum and the mesolimbic system. There are also several regions of the brain that show altered level of function is schizophrenic patients. FMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) studies Is this essay helpful? Join OPPapers to read more and access more than 470,000 just like it! get better grades show reduced blood flow to the frontal cortex, dorsolateral pre prefrontal cortex and par limbic region, and increased blood flow to the anterior prefrontal cortex. The hippocampus shows higher than normal resting blood flow, but no increase in blood flow during cognitive tasks. The temporal, parietal and parahippocampal cortices are involved...
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...and harder for doctors to diagnose mental illnesses in children due to the fact that an adolescent’s brain is not done developing until they are around the age of twenty five. That is why some diseases like Bipolar Disorder are not diagnosed until the age of twenty one. This is an important factor because over three percent of American Children are diagnosed with bipolar disorder every year. That is approximately two million children under the age of eighteen living with this disorder. The rate of which children are being diagnosed with mental disorders has skyrocketed. The majority of these diagnoses are actually not the right treatment...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Wendy M Tolliver PSY 240 April 10, 2011 Thea Lawton Analyzing Psychological Disorders Schizophrenia, referred to as a split personality disorder, is a chronic, severe, devastating mental illness that affects approximately 1% of the population, equivalent to more than 2 million people in the United States. Statistics indicates schizophrenia affects men about 1½ times more frequently than women. (National Comorbidity Survey, 1994) It is a psychotic mental disorders characterized by symptoms of thought, behavior, and social problems. The thought problems linked with schizophrenia described as psychosis, in that the individual thinking is totally out of touch with reality. The individual with this disorder may also have disorganized speech, and behavior, physically or careless behavior, extensively decreased behaviors or feelings, as well as delusions, which are ideas about themselves or others that have no basis in reality. The term schizophrenia first introduced in 1911. In 1887, Emil Kraepelin deemed it a separate mental illness. Regardless of recent history, (Addington, Bouchard, Goldberg, 2005) described throughout written history. Ancient Egyptian, Hindu, Chinese, Greek, and Roman writings described symptoms comparable to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. During medieval times, schizophrenia, like other illnesses, often viewed as evidence of the sufferer possessed by spirits or evil powers. Schizophrenia is a multifaceted...
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...Running Head: DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER: ITS CAUSES AND TREATMENTS Dissociative Identity Disorder: its causes and treatments: What are the roots causes and treatments of Dissociative Identity Disorder Abstract Research shows that Dissociative Identity Disorder, the most extreme form of dissociative disorders, is usually developed in childhood as a means to cope with emotionally difficult situations, whether it is sexual abuse or other childhood trauma. In the past, it has been assumed that Dissociative Identity Disorder has no treatment because of the complexity of the condition. However, recent studies have shown that structured clinical psychiatry sessions can alleviate the symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder and actually reduce the number of memory relapses. These conclusions stand as testimonies to the fact that Dissociative Identity Disorder can be treated despite the claims of past studies. “What if pretending she was somebody else was the only way a little girl knew how to defend herself. But she had to pretend so intensely that the pretending became real” (Sargent, 2007). In the 2007 docudrama film Sybil, directed by Joseph Sargent, the main character Sybil Dorsett suffers from 16 personalities because of her Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), which she developed as a child. Dissociative Identity Disorder is defined as “a condition in which a person displays multiple distinct identities (known as alters or parts), each with its own pattern of...
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