Psychological Disorder Analysis

An out-of-body experience is explained by few as a sense of being detached from one’s body, and if associated with other factors like a sense that the world is not real, far away, or even foggy. This with the combination of failure to recall significant personal information, or the content of a meaningful conversation forgotten from one second to the next are signs of a psychological disorder known as Dissociative Disorder. Considered as a rare and mysterious psychiatric curiosity, Dissociative Disorders will be the psychological disorder that will be discussed in this paper.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has a number of features. First of all, every disorder is identified using a name and a numerical code. In addition, the manual provides the criteria for diagnosing each disorder as well as establishes subtypes of a disorder and examples that would illustrate the disorder. The manual goes further by addressing the typical age of onset, culturally related information, gender-related information, prevalence of a disorder, typical clinical course of a disorder, typical predisposing factors of a disorder and genetic family patterns of a disease (Summers, 2009). The DSM-IV is a tool that is used by mental health practitioners and social service workers. As has been demonstrated

Psychopathology is the study of mental distress and abnormal maladaptive behaviour, there are four approaches to psychopathology, cognitive, behavioural, psychodynamic and biological. The biological model of abnormality is split into four parts which can all cause abnormal behaviour these are; Genetic, Brain injury, Neurotransmitters and Infection.

Marla is a 42-year-old Hispanic female who comes to the mental health clinic complaining of having trouble sleeping, feeling "jumpy all of the time," and experiencing an inability to concentrate. These symptoms are causing problems for her at work, where she is an accountant.

I am writing you in regards to my psychiatric evaluation of the above-named individual, conducted at Sweetwater Home Board and Care on November 5, 2012.

Rationale: Jennifer has been presenting with symptoms for unspecified amount of time. Jennifer meets six of the criteria for symptoms being present during the same 2-week period and represents a change from previous functioning. Jennifer is depressed most of the day, nearly every day, has diminished interest in all or almost all activities most of the days, nearly every day, has fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day, feelings of worthlessness, and diminished ability to think or concentrate, is having recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan. The symptoms have cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, and other functioning areas. There is no know substance or medical condition and occurrence is not better explained by Schizophrenia Spectrum or Psychotic Disorders. Jennifer has never had a manic episode or a hypomanic episode. Possible family history of depression - mother.

The Sarah self-referred for assessment at am outpatient clinic. She subsequently requested a referral to a psychologist in Chicago, IL. Sarah is a 24-year-old adult Caucasian female who identified as a lesbian. She reported a history of depressive symptoms that have worsened in the last few months. She is seeking treatment for these intensified depressive symptoms. She described having “depression” many years ago, but became evasive when asked to clarify. In addition, she noted a concern with experiencing anger and hostility towards others; she stated that these emotions are “uncomfortable” for her. She clarified that in the past three months she has perceived herself as “grumpier than usual.” She reported having experienced anhedonia, fatigue, and insomnia.

People decisions, attitudes, and beliefs are acquired from their cultural roots. Psychology has established social perception results from the individual’s cultural milieu. Social perception is a process that aids us to understanding others as well as ourselves. This paper will discuss anxiety disorder; examine the connection between human development and how this connection affects anxiety disorders.

Biopsychology is a biological approach to psychology. Historically, researchers believed that neuropsychological disorders were of the brain, and psychological disorders were of the mind. Now, psychologists understand that these distinctions do not exist. Biological approaches to psychological disorders direct psychologists to consider the active cause and effective treatments of major psychological disorders. These major psychological disorders include schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and Tourette syndrome (Pinel, 2009.)

Ms. Sims requested treatment for depressed mood. She reached out to the outpatient mental health clinic because she feels worthless. She reports enjoyment in watching the Price is Right during the daytime. She also likes to watch talk shows. During her the conversation she displayed psychomotor agitation while pausing between answering and initiating questions. She has felt depressed for almost every day and this feeling has been present for longer than 2 weeks. During this time she does not even watch her favorite television programs. She has a loss of appetite and is very petite weighing in at 85 lbs. which is below her body mass index. She explains that often times it is very difficult for her to sleep at night. She isolates herself and reports that she has a loss in friendships since her medical condition down spiraled. She used to have lunch with her friends often but not any longer. She does not feel important to anyone.

Conducted medical interviews/detail physical examinations, formulated working diagnoses, developed mutually acceptable plans of care, and provided ongoing counselling/follow-up care for patients with chronic medical conditions.

Molly is a 29-year-old woman unemployed, living with her parents. She presents to the therapist looking sad, stark and exhausted with lethargic movements. She expresses concerns with feeling down for 2 ½ years after a job loss from an exciting IT career. She is unmarried and currently using marijuana regularly and moderate amounts of alcohol to cope with her sadness. She can no longer find pleasure in things, her mood can be described as depressed, and she has poor sleep hygiene, difficulties with concentration, no appetite, and no interest in sex. She also has concerns about feeling irritable and nervous. She has recently unintentionally lost 15lbs. While talking with the therapist she frequently is tearful. This is her first experience with a

Social History: Marital status? What does she do for a living? Does the patient drink alcohol or smoke? Does the patient do illicit drugs? Is the patient have any type of stress? How does the patient cope with

The interview I conducted was a friend of my cousins’ and me. The biggest concern was the person was only available for a limited time period. We had discussed over the phone the format of the interview and I had sent her a copy of the questions beforehand. The interviewee generally was pleasant, but at times appeared restless and non-committal. I was curious about what she was thinking. There were times during the interview where I felt like she was not listening to the questions, as evidenced by her inability to focus on the subject matter. I was not sure if the reason she seemed ambiguous was, she did not really want to answer the questions or she was just not listening. As the interview continued and she began to discuss the medication she was taking I thought perhaps she might be overmedicated?

Jeffrey was arrested in the same year, 1988, for sexually fondling and drugging a young teenage boy (age thirteen); for this, he was put on probation for five years and for one year he was assigned to a work release camp where he was registered as a sex offender from the incident with the thirteen year old boy. Due to good behavior and a built up trust with the authorities, Dahmer was paroled from his work release camp two months early.