PCO 690: DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS
Fall 2012 ▪ 3 Credit Hours ▪ Online
Updated 6.5.12
Instructor: Jodie Edwards, Ph.D., PC
Email: jodie.edwards@ccuniversity.edu
Office Phone: 513-244-8430
Cell Phone: 513-240-7722
Office: Counseling Center
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An examination and practical use of the current edition of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for
Mental Disorders and an understanding of the International Classification of Diseases. This course
focuses on conducting mental status examinations, and on the development and recognition of a
framework for identifying symptomatology, etiology, and psychodynamics of mental and emotional
disorders.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Students will understand approaches to clinical evaluation, including diagnostic interviews and
mental status examinations. [CACREP II.G.5.c; CMHC G.2; MAC 2.11]
2. Students will understand diagnostic nomenclature, principles, criteria and differential diagnosis.
[CMHC C.2, K.1, K.2; MAC 2.11]
3. Student will be able to use diagnostic tools such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM) to establish appropriate diagnoses. [CMHC K.1; MAC 2.11]
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
In general, the class will follow a lecture format. Active participation with assignments and case studies
is required to help develop a richer understanding of diagnostic issues. Learning will be facilitated via
readings, online lectures, case studies, assignments, and examinations. Students are expected to discuss
their application, insights, and understanding of the reading and the exercises with the instructor and
other students. Class sessions will be taught online via Moodle.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Moodle and Email:
All students enrolled in this course are required to check Moodle and their CCU email weekly for the
duration of the course. Course announcements, changes to the syllabus, and memos from the instructor
will be distributed via Moodle and/or email. Students are responsible for all information distributed in
this manner.
Required Texts:
American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed,
text revision). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Yarhouse, M. A., Butman, R. E. & McRay, B. W. (2005). Modern psychopathologies: A comprehensive
Christian appraisal. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
PCO 690 (Edwards), p. 2
Optional Texts:
Morrison, J. (2007). Diagnosis made easier: Principles and techniques for mental health clinicians. New
York: Guilford Press. [Noted as DME on course schedule.]
Zimmerman, M. (1994). Interview guide for evaluating DSM-IV psychiatric disorders and the mental
status examination. East Greenwich, RI: Psych Products Press. [Noted as IG on course schedule.]
GRADING/EVALUATION*
Assignment
Assignments & Forum Posts (10 x 10 points)
Case Studies (10 x 10 points)
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Total
Points
100
100
100
100
100
500
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Points
475-500
460-474
445-459
430-444
415-429
400-414
385-399
370-384
355-369
340-354
325-339
≤ 324
Percentage
95-100%
92-94.99%
89-91.99%
86-88.99%
83-85.99%
80-82.99%
77-79.99%
74-76.99%
71-73.99%
68-70.99%
65-67.99%
< 64.99%
*MAC students: In accordance with rule 4757-3-01, J-1, from the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, &
Marriage and Family Therapist Board, you must receive a B- or higher in this course for it to count
toward licensure.
Assignments & Forum Posts: You will receive 100 points (20% of your final grade) for completing 3
assignments and participating in 7 forum discussions. Each assignment is worth 10 points. Each forum
discussion includes an initial post worth 7 points and a reply post worth 3 points. Late assignments and
forum posts will NOT be accepted for any reason. Details about individual assignments and forum
discussions will be posted on Moodle.
Case Studies: You will receive 100 points (20% of your final grade) for diagnosing and discussing 10 case
studies. Late case studies will NOT be accepted for any reason. Details about individual case studies will
be posted on Moodle. Please use the forum on Moodle to discuss the case study with your colleagues!
Exams: Material for each of the three exams may be cumulative and taken from readings, online
discussions, and lectures. Exam items may be case studies, multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank,
and essay. Exams are worth 100 points each for a total of 300 points (60% of your final grade). Exams
are time-limited and open book/notes. Exams are individual – not group – projects. Exam 1 covers
Lectures 1-4, Exam 2 covers Lectures 5-9, and Exam 3 covers Lectures 10-12.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Late Assignments: Out of respect for the hard work that everyone puts into the course, late assignments
will NOT be accepted unless there is a serious personal medical or family emergency (e.g.,
hospitalization, death in the family) that can be substantiated with documentation. In the rare event
PCO 690 (Edwards), p. 3
that a late assignment is accepted, there will be a deduction of 5% of the points each day it is late. I
understand that unexpected life events occur, but I hold this policy to encourage the development of
positive professional behavior. Therefore, please do not wait until the last minute to do your
assignments because regular life stressors will not be accepted as reasons to turn work in late. I invite
you to talk with me about any challenges you face in completing your assignments.
Christian Component: As we strive to provide a biblically-based approach to counseling, we expect you
to evaluate all readings and discussions from a Christian perspective and work to integrate biblical truth
into your life, thought, and work.
Student Conduct: Keep in mind that it may not be appropriate to disclose your own psychological
struggles to the class. If you become distressed about any material/discussions, please talk with me
and/or make an appointment to see a counselor.
Accommodations: Students with special needs should speak with me or provide documentation to the
office of Student Retention specifying accommodations required to help assure success.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, plagiarism, and all other forms of academic dishonesty will NOT be
tolerated. All incidents of academic dishonesty will be dealt with in accordance to university regulations
(see CCU student handbook), which will include failure of class and additional action by the academic
committee.
Flexibility Clause: This syllabus is NOT a binding contract. The dates of lectures, exams, projects, etc. may
be revised as the term progresses. All modifications to the syllabus will be announced in via Moodle.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Due Date
(11:55pm
Deadline)
8.27
Topics
Required Reading
Optional Reading
Lecture 1: Diagnosis basics (Obj. 2)
DSM: xxiii-37; 743
Yarhouse: Chapter 3
DME: 3-84
9.3
Lecture 2: Diagnostic interviewing (Obj. 1)
--
9.10
Lecture 3: Disorders Usually First Diagnosed
in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence (Obj.
2)
Lecture 4: Cognitive Disorders & SubstanceRelated Disorders (Obj. 2)
DSM: 39-134
Yarhouse: Chapter 12
DME: 87-123
IG: 3-6, 120-141
IG: 70-85
9.17
Assignment
(FD = Forum Discussion; CS = Case Study;
A = Assignment)
FD 1: Yarhouse Ch. 3 (Obj. 2)
Introduce yourself in the Collaboration
Forum
A 1: Mental Status Exam (Obj. 1)
CS 1: Rocking & Reading (Obj. 3)
DSM: 135-190; 746-747;
191-295
DME: 213-234; 235-247
IG: 12-21
FD 2: Substance Abuse Videos (Obj. 2)
DSM: 297-343; 750-751
Yarhouse: Chapter 9
DME: 182-212
IG: 22-29
FD 3: Yarhouse Ch. 9
CS 2: Under Surveillance (Obj. 3)
9.24
10.1
Exam 1 (Obj. 2)
Lecture 5: Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic
Disorders (Obj. 2)
10.8
Lecture 6: Mood Disorders (Obj. 2)
DSM: 345-428; 752-753
Yarhouse: Chapter 6
DME: 127-163
IG: 30-39
A 2: Coding Mood Disorders (Obj. 2)
CS 3: Still a Student (Obj. 3)
CS 4: You May Keep the Yacht (Obj. 3)
10.15
Lecture 7: Anxiety Disorders (Obj. 2)
DSM: 429-484; 754-755
Yarhouse: Chapter 5
DME: 164-181
IG: 40-60
FD 4: Yarhouse Ch. 5 & 6
CS 5: Toughing it Out (Obj. 3)
CS6: Sniper (Obj. 3)
10.22
Lecture 8: Somatoform Disorders &
Factitious Disorders (Obj. 2)
Lecture 9: Dissociative Disorders & Sexual
and Gender Identity Disorders (Obj. 2)
Exam 2 (Obj. 2)
DSM: 485-517; 756-757
IG: 61-66
CS 7: The Radiologist (Obj. 3)
10.29
11.5
DSM: 519-582
Yarhouse: Chapter 11
FD 5: Yarhouse Ch. 11
PCO 690 (Edwards), p. 5
Due Date
(11:55pm
Deadline)
11.12
Topics
Required Reading
Optional Reading
Assignment
(FD = Forum Discussion; CS = Case Study;
A = Assignment)
FD 6: Eating Disorders Video (Obj. 2)
CS 8: Close to the Bone (Obj. 3)
Lecture 10: Eating Disorders & Sleep
Disorders (Obj. 2)
DSM: 583-595; 785-787;
597-661
Yarhouse: Chapter 8
IG: 8-11
11.26
DSM: 663-677; 679-683;
731-742
IG: 67-68
A 3: Trich Article (Obj. 2)
12.3
Lecture 11: Impulse-Control Disorders,
Adjustment Disorders, & Other Conditions
(Obj. 2)
Lecture 12: Personality Disorders (Obj. 2)
DSM: 685-729; 788-791
Yarhouse: Chapter 10
DME: 248-266
IG: 87-119
FD 7: Yarhouse Ch. 10
CS 9: Blood is Thicker than Water (Obj. 3)
CS 10: My Fan Club (Obj. 3)
12.10
Exam 3 (Obj. 2)
Appendix – CACREP



The objectives of this course are designed to meet MAC 2.11 – Diagnosis of mental and
emotional disorders
The objectives of this course are designed to meet CACREP requirements of Sec. II.G.5.c –
Essential interviewing and counseling skills
In addition, this course is designed to meet CACREP requirements for clinical mental health
counseling programs:
o C.2 Knows the etiology, the diagnostic process and nomenclature, treatment, referral,
and prevention of mental and emotional disorders
o G.2. Understands various models and approaches to clinical evaluation and their
appropriate uses, including diagnostic interviews and mental status examinations.
o K.1. Knows the principles of the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis, and
the use of current diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
o K.2. Understands the established diagnostic criteria for mental and emotional disorders.