Abnormal Psychology &
Therapy Project
Mackenzie Brown, Felicia Fantin, Rachel Ninke, &
Megan Schmalenberger
Introduction - Abnormal
Behavior
Abnormal Behavior - Behavior that is deviant, maladaptive or
personally distressful over a relatively long period of time.
○ Deviant → straying from the norm (taking 7 showers a day)
○ Maladaptive → interferes w/ ability to function (thinks they
can hurt others by breathing so they avoid people altogether)
○ Personal Distress → person engaging in the behavior finds it
troubling (a woman who makes herself vomit after a meal)
Types of Disorders: Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Dissociative
Disorders, Schizophrenia, Personality Disorders, and Psychological
Disorders and Health and Wellness
Introduction - Abnormal
Behavior
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorders:
Biological Approach - attributes psychological disorders to
organic, internal causes and primarily focuses on the brain,
genetic factors, and neurotransmitter functioning.
Sociocultural Approach - emphasizes the social contexts in
which a person lives, including the individual’s gender,
ethnicity, socioeconomic status, family relationships, and
culture.
Biopsychosocial approach/model - Abnormal behavior can be
influenced by biological factors, psychological factors, and
sociocultural factors.
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Introduction - Abnormal
Behavior
Classifying abnormal behavior: provides a common basis for
communicating and can help clinicians make predictions about how
likely it is that a particular disorder progresses, and what the
prognosis is for treatment.
DSM-IV → The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders; is the major classification of psychological disorders in
the United States
Critiques of DSM:
- classifies based on symptoms and ignores things like
environmental factors
- focuses strictly on pathology and problems and doesnt look
at strengths
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Introduction - Therapy
Biological Therapies - Treatments that reduce or eliminate the
symptoms of psychological disorders by altering aspects of body
functioning.
Types of Drug Therapy:
Antianxiety Drugs - Drugs that reduce anxiety by making the
individual calmer and less excitable (tranquilizers)
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Antidepressant Drugs - Drugs that help regulate a person's mood
Antipsychotic Drugs - Powerful drugs that diminish agitated
behavior, reduce tension, decrease hallucinations, improve
social behavior, and produce better sleep patterns in individuals
with a severe psychological disorder
Introduction - Therapy
Other types of Therapy:
Electroconvulsive Therapy - A treatment commonly used for
depression that sets off a seizure in the brain
Psychosurgery - Involves the removal or destruction of brain tissue to
improve the individual's adjustment
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Increase Suicide Risk in Children:
Some antidepressants have been know to be associated with suicidal
thoughts and actions in children and adolescents but today it is
extremely uncommon
As many as 17% of adolescents think about suicide in any given year
but most teen suicides do not involve antidepressants
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Mood Disorders
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Mood disorders are defined as psychological disorders in
which there is a primary disturbance of mood: prolonged
emotion that colors the individual’s entire emotional state.
The main types of mood disorders are:
o Depressive Disorders
o Bipolar Disorder
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Depressive Disorders
Depressive disorders are mood
disorders in which the individual
suffers from depression.
o Depression: an unrelenting lack
of pleasure in life.
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The severity of these disorders
varies.
o There are two main
classifications:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
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MDD is a psychological disorder
involving a significant depressive
episode and depressed
characteristics, such as lethargy and
hopelessness, for at least two weeks.
Major depression affects about 6.7%
of the U.S. population over age 18,
according to the National Institute of
Mental Health.
Overall, between 20% and 25% of
adults may suffer an episode of major
depression at some point during their
lifetime.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Symptoms:
Five of the following must be present during a 2 week period
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Depressed mood most of the day
Reduced interest or pleasure in all or most activities
Significant weight loss or gain, or significant decrease or increase in appetite
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Psychological and physical agitation, or, in contrast, lethargy
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feeling worthless or guilty in an excessive or inappropriate manner
Problems in thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
Recurrent thoughts of death and suicide
No history of manic episodes (periods of euphoric mood)
MDD Case Study
Pierre, Corporate Lawyer
Pierre is an extremely successful corporate lawyer who is well respected by his
peers. Although he has always been thought of as gregarious, outgoing and fun-loving,
for the past couple of months Pierre has not been feeling quite himself.
He no longer enjoys things they way he used to and he feels a profound sense of sadness
just about every day; so much so that he feels utterly hopeless about his future. To make
matters worse, Pierre’s previously healthy appetite has evaporated and he often finds
himself waking up very early in the morning and unable to fall back asleep. Although
Pierre has always enjoyed hockey and weight-training, lately he has found that he just
doesn’t have the energy to do much of anything. At work, he has been scraping by and
cannot seem to concentrate or make quick decisions, both of which have conspired to
send his self-esteem and sense of worth into a tailspin.
His friends, co-workers and family are growing increasingly concerned as he is returning
phone-calls and e-mails less frequently, and seems very withdrawn and despondent.
MDD Case Study Explained...
Pierre who we met in our first case study, major depression is characterized by
a depressed mood almost everyday for a long-period of time (longer than two-weeks)
that causes a lot of distress or negatively impacts functioning at home or at work, as
well as a significant reduction in interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities.
Like Pierre, individuals with major depression often report additional symptoms
including dramatic changes in appetite, difficulties with sleep, fatigue or diminished
energy, thoughts of worthlessness or extreme guilt, an inability to concentrate.
Of course, a major source of concern surrounding depression is the possibility of
the depressed individual committing suicide. It is important to note that some medical
conditions, prescription medications or withdrawal from drug or alcohol use can cause
symptoms that mimic major depression, so it’s essential that these causes first be
ruled out.
Dysthymic Disorder (DD)
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Mood disorder that is generally
more chronic and has fewer
symptoms than MDD.
The individual is in a depressed
mood for most days for at least
two years as an adult or at least
one year as a child or
adolescent.
Dysthymic Disorder (DD)
Symptoms:
Two or more of these symptoms must
be experienced:
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Poor appetite or overeating
Sleep problems
Low energy or fatigue
Low self-esteem
Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
Feelings of hopelessness
PET scans show higher FDDNP binding (yellow areas) and thus more abnormal
proteins in a patient with major depressive disorder compared with a healthy
control.
FDDNP is a chemical marker created to pinpoint where in the brain abnormal protein deposits are accumulating.
DD Case Study
Rahim, Public Sector Lawyer
Rahim has been a moderately successful public sector lawyer for the last 20 years.
In that time (in fact, ever since he was a young child) Rahim does not remember a
period where he has been truly happy—he has always felt a sense of sadness about
himself even though he has a loving family.
Although intelligent, he suffers from low self-esteem and has always been plagued by
poor sleep and low levels of energy. Rahim is functional at work, however, he
definitely feels that he has not excelled in his career the way he could have, which
he attributes largely to a crippling talent for procrastination about making
important decisions, as well as his difficulty concentrating.
Although Rahim feels that he certainly isn’t a miserable as he could be, he feels
burdened by a nagging sense of hopeless about his situation and worries that he
might get even worse one day.
DD Case Study Explained...
In our third case study, we met Rahim who is affected by
a mood-disorder called dysthymia. Dysthymia has many
of the symptoms of major depression, but typically they
are milder (but can be equally as debilitating in some
cases).
A characteristic feature of dysthymia is that the person is
affected by low-level symptoms of depression for a very
long time (e.g., at least 2 years). In fact, some
dysthymic individuals report having never felt happy
their entire lives.
Individuals who are dysthymic can also be affected from
what is called “double-depression”. Essentially, the
individual starts out being dysthymic, but then slips into
Biological Factors
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Genetics play a role in depression.
Specific brain structures and neurotransmitters are involved.
o Ex: Depressed individuals show lower levels of brain activity in the part
of the prefrontal cortex involved in initiating behavior.
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Also, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex which is associated with the
perception of rewards in the environment may differ in depressed and nondepressed individuals. This suggests that a depressed person’s brain may not
recognize opportunities for pleasurable experiences.
Depression likely involves problems with the body’s regulation of a number of
neurotransmitters.
o Individuals with MDD seem to have difficulty regulating the
neurotransmitter serotonin or have too few receptors for serotonin and
Sociocultural Factors
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Individuals with a low socioeconomic status especially people
living in poverty are more likely to develop depression than their
higher status counterparts.
o A longitudinal study of adults revealed depression increased
as standard of living and employment circumstances
worsened.
In gender terms, women are nearly twice as likely as men to be
diagnosed with depression, minority women are also at a high risk
for depression.
Psychological Factors
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One of behavioral view of depression focuses on learned helplessness & individuals
acquisition of feelings of powerlessness when exposed to aversive circumstances such as
prolonged stress.
Cognitive explanations of depression have focused on the kinds of thoughts and beliefs that
can attribute to the sense of hopelessness.
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Ex: a person who is depressed might overgeneralize about a minor occurrence say
turning in a work assignment late and think that he/she is worthless.
The course of depression can be influenced by not only what people think but how they
think depressed individuals may focus on negative experiences and feelings playing them
over & over again in their head.
Another cognitive view of depression focuses on the attributions people make-their
attempts to explain what caused something to happen.
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Depression thought to be related to a pessimistic attributional style. In this style
Depression in Children
Mood disorders are among the most common mental health problems experienced by children and
adolescents. They include all types of depression as well as Bipolar Disorders (formerly called ManicDepression) and are sometimes referred to as “affective disorders.” Children with mood disorders
often are either depressed, manic (unrealistically “up” or hyper), or alternating between the two.
Mood disorders are generally caused by chemical imbalances in the brain but also can be triggered by
environmental causes, as with Seasonal Affective Disorder; a prolonged or severe medical illness; or
biological influences, such as Postpartum Depression.
Often mood disorders go undiagnosed because the symptoms can mimic the normal emotional swings and
behavior issues associated with growing up, or resemble the symptoms of another disorder. This is
particularly true in adolescence when hormonal changes, peer pressures, and rapid physical and
cognitive development occur. Additionally, many youth are reluctant to seek help when they are
struggling emotionally because of the lingering — and very counterproductive — stigma associated with
mental health problems. Left untreated, though, mood disorders can lead to serious academic and
behavior problems, possible school failure, extreme irritability, substance abuse, very risky or selfinjurious behaviors, or even suicide.
Treatment for Children
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Mood disorders usually can be treated effectively. Specific treatments
should be recommended as a result of a thorough evaluation conducted
by a specialist in child mental health and based on:
o Age, overall health, and medical history of the child or adolescent.
o Extent and severity of the condition.
o Type of mood disorder.
o Child and parents’ tolerance for specific medications, procedures,
and/or therapies.
Treatment For Children
Treatment may include one or more of the following:
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Medications such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers, especially when
combined with psychotherapy, have been shown to be very effective in the
treatment of depression.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral and/or interpersonal therapy focused
on helping the person change distorted views of themselves and the environment
around them; helping them to improve their interpersonal relationship skills; and
identifying stressors in the environment, how to avoid them, and how to cope
effectively with those which cannot be avoided.
Family therapy — families play a vital, supportive role in any treatment process.
http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq/cq353mooddisorders.aspx
Treatment In General
Treatment for mood disorders may include:
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Psychotherapy
Self Help
Medication
o A class of antidepressants called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
are the most commonly prescribed medication for chronic depression today.
Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline) and Luvox
(fluvoxamine) are the most commonly prescribed brand names.
OTHER TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION
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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may improve mood in people with severe depression or suicidal
Bipolar Disorder
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Bipolar Disorder is also known as manicdepressive disorder.
Brain disorder that causes unusual shifts
in mood, energy, activity levels, and the
ability to carry out daily tasks.
It is characterized by extreme mood
swings that include one or more
episodes of mania, an overexcited,
unrealistically optimistic state.
BiPolar Disorder
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The severity of the manic episodes is used to
distinguish between the two types:
o BiPolar Disorder I: refers to individuals who have
extreme manic episodes during which they may
experience hallucinations (seeing &/or hearing
things that are not really there).
o BiPolar Disorder II: A milder version. The
individual may not experience full-blown mania
but rather a less extreme level of euphoria.
Bipolar Case Study
Alia, Real-Estate Lawyer
Alia is a self-employed real-estate lawyer who thus far has enjoyed an accomplished and rewarding
career. Although Alia has always been known for being driven, lately her energy seems boundless.
She has taken on an extraordinary number of cases and often works three or four days straight
without sleeping or so much as a quick nap, yet she remains completely functional. Recently,
friends have remarked that Alia seems to be much more talkative than usual, almost as if she
cannot get out the words fast enough. Alia herself has noticed that she seems to have a million
thoughts racing through her head at any given time and that she is hopelessly distracted. Although
Alia has been generating a lot of revenue through her increased caseload, she’s been prone to wild
spending sprees, racking up $17,000 in credit card bills in just the last two weeks.
Both Alia’s friends and family have been put off by her growing sense of grandiosity and irritability
and are troubled by her frequent proclamations of being “the best lawyer in the entire world”.
Alia’s husband is particularly troubled by these changes in Alia as he remembers her being very
subdued and sad only a few months ago. At that time she had seemed inconsolable and had only a
fraction of the energy she now possesses.
Bipolar Case Study Explained...
Bipolar Disorder
In our second case study, we were introduced to Alia, who as you might have guessed suffers from a mood
disorder called bipolar disorder (which is also sometimes called manic-depression). Bipolar disorder has
symptoms of both major depression and what is referred to as “mania”.
Just as sometimes feeling a little blue does not mean we are clinically depressed, occasionally feeling
elated or energized does not mean we are manic. A bona fide manic episode is characterized by a
continuously heightened, exaggerated or irritable mood that is out of the ordinary for that person and
that lasts for a lengthy period of time (e.g., a week or two).
As in Alia’s case, someone in the midst of a manic episode will often display a host of other symptoms
including a greatly inflated sense of self-esteem or grandiose behaviour, reduced need for sleep,
excessive talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased purposeful activity and reckless participation in
enjoyable activities that can often get the person in trouble (e.g., spending sprees, sexual indiscretions
etc.).
The hallmark characteristic of bipolar disorder is cycling through periods of mania and then depression.
Like major depression, a variety of underlying physical conditions, medications and drugs can cause
symptoms similar to bipolar disorder, so these must be considered as well.
Bipolar Treatment
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Because bipolar is a life-long recurrent illness, it needs long-term treatment to maintain
control over its symptoms.
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This may include meditation and psychotherapy
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Also, mood stabilizing medications may be prescribed.
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Lithium (sometimes known as Eskalith or Lithobid) was the first mood-stabilizing medication
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1970s for treatment of mania.
It is often very effective in controlling symptoms of mania and preventing the recurrence of
manic and depressive episodes.
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Valproic acid or divalproex sodium (Depakote), approved by the FDA in 1995 for treating
mania, is a popular alternative to lithium for bipolar disorder. It is generally as effective as
lithium for treating bipolar disorder.23, 24 Also see the section in this booklet, "Should young
women take valproic acid?"
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More recently, the anticonvulsant lamotrigine (Lamictal) received FDA approval for
maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder.
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Other anticonvulsant medications, including gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax),
and oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) are sometimes prescribed. No large studies have shown that
Suicide
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Life with the psychological disorder can be so difficult that some individuals
choose to end it.
Suicide is not diagnosable but it is a tragic consequence of psychological
disorders most commonly depression and anxiety.
Individuals suffering from depression are also likely to attempt suicide more than
once.
Thinking about suicide is not necessarily abnormal; however, attempting or
completing the act is.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2004 32,439 people in the
United States committed suicide.
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Suicide is the third leading cause of death among children in the United
States ages 10 to 14.
Biological Factors
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Genetic factors appear to play a role in suicide which tends to run
in families.
Numbers of studies have linked suicide with low levels of the
neurotransmitter serotonin.
Individuals who attempt suicide and who have low serotonin
levels are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide again than are
attempters who have high levels.
Poor physical health especially when it is long-standing and
chronic is another risk factor for suicide.
Psychological Factors
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Psychological factors that can attribute to suicide include mental
disorders and traumas such a sexual abuse.
Struggling with the stress of psychological disorder can leave a person
feeling hopeless and affect the person's ability to cope with life's
difficulties.
Approximately 90% of individuals who commit suicide are estimated to
have a diagnosable psychological disorder.
An immediate and highly stressful circumstances such as the loss of a
loved one or job, flunking out of school, or an unwanted pregnancy can
lead people to threaten and or to commit suicide.
Substance-abuse is also linked to suicide
Sociocultural Factors
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Chronic economic hardship can be a factor suicide.
Cultural and ethnic context also related to suicide attempts in the United
States.
Adolescent suicide attempts vary across groups.
o More than 20% of American Indian/Alaska Native female adolescents
reported that they had attempted suicide in the previous year.
o Suicide accounts for almost 20% of deaths in 15 to 19-year-olds in
that category.
o African-American the non-Latino white males reported the lowest
incidence of suicide attempts.
o A major risk factor in the high rate of suicide attempts by American
Indian and Alaska Native adolescents is their elevated rate of alcohol
Sociocultural Factors
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Suicide rates vary worldwide:
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The lowest occur in countries with cultural and religious norms against ending one's own
life.
There are gender differences in suicide as well:
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Women or three more times likely to attempt suicide than men.
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However, men are four times more likely to complete suicide and women.
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Men are also more likely than women to use a firearm in a suicide attempt.
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The highest suicide rate is among non-Latino white men ages 85 and older.
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Although women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with depression, men are
more likely to commit suicide.
Dissociative Disorders
-Psychological disorders that involve a sudden loss of memory or change in identity due
to the dissociation individual’s conscious awareness from previous memories and
thought.
-Dissociation- Refers to psychology states in which the person feels disconnected from
immediate experience.
Types of Dissociative Disorders:
Dissociative Amnesia
Dissociative Fugue
Dissociative Identity disorder
Video: http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/dissociativedisorders.html#lesson
Dissociative Amnesia
Amnesia- The inability to recall important events
-Amnesia can result in the blow to the head that produces trauma in the brain.
Dissociative Amnesia- is a type of amnesia that is characterized by extreme
memory loss that is caused by extensive psychological stress.
-A person experiencing dissociative amnesia still remembers things like how to
hail a cab or use a phone. Only aspects of their own identity and
autobiographical experiences are forgotten.
Dissociative Amnesia
Case:
One case involved a 28 year old who had given birth to her
sixth child. After she had delivered the child, her family noticed
that she did not acknowledge her newborn as her own baby and
that she had neither recollection of having given birth nor a sense
of her own identity. She had maintained the belief that although
she had been pregnant, she had not given birth.
Dissociative Amnesia
Treatments:
Psychotherapy- type of therapy for mental and emotional disorders
Medication- There is no medication to treat dissociative disorders
themselves, but people with this disorder also suffer from anxiety and
depression and may benefit from the medication.
Dissociative Fugue
Dissociative disorder in which the individual not only develops
amnesia but also unexpectedly travels away from home and
sometimes assumes a new identity.
-The difference between dissociative fugue from amnesia is the
tendency to run away.
Dissociative Fugue
Symptoms:
* Sudden and unplanned travel away from home
* Inability to recall past events or important from the person’s life
*Confusion or loss of memory about his or her identity, possibly
assuming a new identity to make up for the loss.
* Extreme distress and problems with daily functioning
Dissociative Fugue
Case Study: Commonly, individuals who experience the onset
of dissociative fugue are found wandering in a dazed or
confused state, unable to recall their own identity or
recognize their own relatives or daily surroundings. Often,
they have suffered from some post-traumatic stress, as in
the case of a 35-year-old businessman who disappeared more
than 2 years after narrowly escaping from the World Trade
Center attack in 2001, leaving behind his wife and children.
The man was missing for more than 6 months when an
anonymous tip helped police in Virginia identify him.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
(DID)- Formerly called multiple personality disorder, a dissociative
disorder in which the individual has two or more distinct
personalities or identities, each with its own memories, behaviors,
and relationships.
- Most dramatic, least common and most controversial dissociative
disorder
- One identity dominates at one time, another takes over at another
time
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Symptoms:
* Feeling like more than one person
* Feeling unreal
* Hearing voices inside their head that are not their own
* Not recognizing themselves in the mirror
* Dissociation
* Blackouts
* Often being accused of lying
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Facts:
* DID is diagnosed 9 times more often in females than in males
* A history of severe abuse is thought to be associated DID
* DID had been portrayed in the media in productions like The Three Faces of
Eve
Treatment:
*
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*
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Hypnosis
Psychotherapy
Medication
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Schizophrenia
Define-A severe psychological disorder
characterized by highly disordered thought
processes, referred to as psychotic because
they are so far removed from reality.
-Disorder is referred to as “psychotic”
because it is far removed from reality
-Powerful medications are one of the few
ways to control such a disorder
http://educationportal.com/academy/lesson/schizophrenia.h
tml#lesson
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Positive Symptoms are marked by a distortion or an excess of normal function. (They reflect something
added above and beyond normal behavior).
Hallucinations-Sensory experiences in the absence of real stimuli.
-usually auditory(hearing voices)
-visual( seeing things that are not there)
-smells and tastes
ex.)seeing bugs crawling over the bed even tho they are not actually there
Delusions-False, unusual, and sometimes magical beliefs that are not part of an individual’s culture.
-seem completely illogical, but the experience is all too real
ex.)someone might think they are Jesus Christ
Referential Thinking-Ascribing personal meaning to completely random events.
ex.)someone might believe that the traffic light turned red because they are in a hurry
Catatonia-State of immobility and unresponsiveness for long periods of time.
ex.)run up and down a flight of stairs repeatedly
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms reflect social withdrawal, behavioral deficits, and the
loss or decrease of normal functions.
Flat affect-The display of little or no emotion-a common negative symptom
of schizophrenia.
-Have trouble reading the emotions of others
-Lack of positivity
-No ability to plan
-Goal-directed behavior
ex.)a man discusses a murder he committed without showing any feelings
toward himself or the victim
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Cognitive Deficits
-difficulty sustaining attention
-problems holding information in
memory
-inability to interpret information
and make decisions
-quiet and subtle symptoms
-symptoms often only noticed
through neuropsychological tests
Causes of Schizophrenia
Biological Factors
Heredity(Association of Genes with Schizophrenia)
-partially caused by genetic factors
-a genetic similarity to a person with schizophrenia increases risk of disease
Structural Brain Abnormalities
-MRI scans show enlarged ventricles in the brain
ventricles:fluid-filled spaces, enlargement results in deterioration of other brain tissue
-small prefrontal cortex and lower activity in this area of the brain
-planning, decision making
-people with schizophrenia lack glial cells
Problems in Neurotransmitter Regulation
-excess dopamine production
-drugs reduce dopamine levels quickly but the delusional beliefs take much longer to disappear
-time, experience, therapy
Causes of Schizophrenia
Psychological Factors
Diathesis-stress model-View of Schizophrenia emphasizing that a
combination of biogenetic disposition and stress causes the disorder.
“diathesis”-physical vulnerability or predisposition to a particular
disorder.
-genetic characteristics might produce schizophrenia only in the case that the
individual experiences extreme stress
Sociocultural Factors
-not the cause, but affect course of disorder
-influence how disorder progresses
Living with Schizophrenia
Facts:
-Approximately 2.5million Americans are living
with Schizophrenia
-More common in Men than in Women
-Occurs late teens-mid 30’s
-Nobody knows exactly how or why
Schizophrenia happens
Treatment:
-Medication and Therapy
-Doctor, nurse, therapist, social worker,
pharmacist
-Family, friends, support groups
-Ongoing process, striving to reach personal
goals
Healthy Brain vs. Brain with Schizophrenia
-the hippocampus is involved in short-term and long-term memory
-increased metabolism
-reduced size in Schizophrenic patients
http://www.smallerquestions.org/blog/2013/4/16/science-highlights-neuro-addition.html
Schizophrenia Case Study
Jack is a 27 year old man diagnosed with schizophrenia. He has been referred to Top Quality Rehabilitation (TQP) to
provide supported employment services.
Jack graduated from high school and got a job working in a video store. After working for about 6 months Jack began to
hear voices that told him he was no good. He also began to believe that his boss was planting small video cameras in
the returned tapes to catch him making mistakes. Jack became increasingly agitated at work, particularly during busy
times, and began "talking strangely" to customers. For example one customer asked for a tape to be reserved and
Jack indicated that that tape may not be available because it had "surveillance photos of him that were being reviewed
by the CIA".
After about a year Jack quit his job one night, yelling at his boss that he couldn't take the constant abuse of being
watched by all the TV screens in the store and even in his own home.
Jack lived with his parents at that time. He became increasingly confused and agitated. His parent took him to the
hospital where he was admitted. He was given Thorazine by his psychiatrist, this is a very powerful psychotropic
medication. However, he had painful twisting and contractions of his muscles. He was switched to Haldol and had
fewer side effects. From time to time Jack stopped taking his Haldol, and the voices and concerns over being watched
became stronger.
During the past 7 years Jack was hospitalized 5 times. He applied for and now receives SSI, and with the assistance of a
case manager has moved into his own apartment. He is now a member of a psychosocial "clubhouse" for people with
mental illness. He attends the clubhouse 3 times a week. He answers the phone, and helps write the clubhouse
newsletter. He has a few friends at the clubhouse, but he has never had a girlfriend. Jack told his case manager he
would like to get a job so he can earn more money and maybe buy a car.
Jack is very worried about looking for a job. He doesn't know how to explain his disorder to a potential employer, and he
is afraid of becoming overwhelmed. He likes movies and would like to work with them in some manner.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fiws.collin
Duties & Content
Each of us were responsible for finding information about our own topic,&
making & presenting respective slides.
Rachel: Abnormal Behavior, Therapy- Topic #1 & 8
Felicia: Mood Disorders- Topic #3
Megan: Dissociative Disorders- Topic #4
Mackenzie: Schizophrenia- Topic #5
Quiz Answers/Blank Fill-Ins
1) E
2)B
3) A
1. Abnormal Behavior
2. Biological Therapies
3. Depressive Disorders
4. Bipolar Disorder
5. Depression
6. Major Depressive Disorder MDD
7. Bipolar Disorder
8. Dissociation
9. Dissociative Amnesia
10.Multiple Personality Disorder
11.Schizophrenia
12.Positive Symptoms
Outside Information