Questions for Video
Questions for Case Study
1. What is the category of disorder? One of the 5 (mood, anxiety, schizophrenia,
etc --see chapter's structure)
2. List all the symptoms that are there. Compare with the text, and write down
any symptoms that are not in the case.
3. Do you think this person is normal or abnormal? What criteria are you using to
make that judgment?
4. Does person meet criteria for a disorder? Use at least one general criterion for
all disorders and at least one criterion for the category of disorder you chose in
question #1.
5. Take one symptom and change. it so that it crosses the line. If you think it is
normal, change the symptom slightly so it is abnormal, or vice versa;
Some thoughts for Karen’s case:
Questions for Case Study
1. What is the category of disorder? One of the 5 (mood, anxiety, schizophrenia,
etc --see chapter's structure)
in first paragraph, “she had become increasingly depressed” – it’s the first
symptom mentioned, but clearly she has other issues. Anxiety is at the core.
She becomes depressed when she is overwhelmed by how anxiety destroys her
life (e.g. hides in the bedroom).
the case says OCD at the top…
2. List all the symptoms that are there. Compare with the
text, and write down any symptoms that are not in the case.
Experienced as repetitive, instruve thoughts of injuring self (p. 4)
The rituals don’t seem to give satisfaction
How long before end of ritual and beginning of next worry?
She was desperate (p. 6)
3. Do you think this person is normal or abnormal?
criteria are you using to make that judgment?
What
Your personal piece.
Note: nowhere is there mention of friends. Anxiety is so large it pushes out other
functions, trips them up. There is no area where she finds peace, contentment.
Loss of connection to larger meaning
One meaning system was applied too rigidly for her.
Worrying alone is ok due to the external circumstances she had (disabled
hsubadn, bad kids) but worrying all the time is abnormal.
(Karen) External causes there? Life is tough, stress reaction that might appear
Obsessive-Compulsive is normal, but lack of breaks in this stress reaction (that
she is always this way) makes it abnormal.
(Karen) What makes this fear abnormal? Obsessive-Compulsive mother fears for
children's safety, calls school based on feeling - normal. After being told that her
kids are ok she is surprised when they come home ok.
4. Does person meet criteria for a disorder? Use at least
one general criterion for all disorders and at least one
criterion for the category of disorder you chose in
question #1.
Major life roles:
“the children were also clearly out of her control”
some of the examples are vague, to me. “active and msicheivous”
school – could be a really bad principal, but it is pretty bad.
Past few weeks, spending more time self in the bedroom
Unable to discuss problems with husband – her problem? His? Theirs?
He convinced her… p. 2
Distressing to self:
The rituals don’t seem to give satisfaction
p.6 did realize her situation was desprate , had lost control.
Socially distrubing:
They don’t describe how others perceive her much.
Harm to self or others:
Experienced as repetitive, instruve thoughts of injuring self (p. 4)
Statistically uncommon / rare:
Specifics of rituals – not very useful, to me.
5. Take one symptom and change. it so that it crosses the
line. If you think it is normal, change the symptom
slightly so it is abnormal, or vice versa;
If she had concerns, e.g. about safety, and they could be qwelled.
e.g. if she wasn’t surprised son was safe after calling the school.