n this week’s activity you will have an opportunity to play a clinician and diagnose fictitious individuals with mental disorders. Please answer the questions below;
- Susan, a college student, is anxious whenever she must speak. Her anxiety motivates her to prepare meticulously and rehearse material again and again. Is Susan’s reaction normal, or does she have an anxiety disorder? Explain the criteria you used in arriving at your answer.
- In recent years, several best-selling books have argued that most emotional problems can be traced to an unhappy or traumatic childhood (an abusive or dysfunctional family, “toxic” parents, suppression of the “inner child”). What are two possible benefits of focusing on childhood as the time when emotional problems originate, and what are two possible drawbacks?
- Some mental health professionals (though not most psychologists) think that PMS should be classified as a mental disorder. Drawing on evidence from Chapter 5 of your textbook and information in Chapter 11, write a paragraph giving some arguments against this position.
This assignment must be submitted in “doc” or “ docx.” format. Additionally, it must be typed, double spaced, Times New Roman font (size 12), one inch margins on all sides. Type the question followed by your answer to the question. A title page is to be included. The title page is to contain the title of the assignment, your name, the instructor’s name, the course title, and the date.All assignments must be submitted in “Blackboard by by clicking on the Assignment link under the appropriate weekly unit and clicking on Browse to attach your work as a .doc or .docx.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, I am responsible for designing and conducting lectures, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback through examinations and assignments. One of the assignments that I have designed for my medical college students involves playing a clinician and diagnosing fictitious individuals with mental disorders. In this assignment, the students are required to answer three questions related to mental health. In this response, I will provide answers to each question separately.
1. Susan, a college student, is anxious whenever she must speak. Her anxiety motivates her to prepare meticulously and rehearse material again and again. Is Susan’s reaction normal, or does she have an anxiety disorder? Explain the criteria you used in arriving at your answer.
Answer:
Susan’s reaction to anxiety is normal, and this behavior is not considered a disorder. According to the criteria listed in the DSM-5, which is the standard diagnostic classification used in mental health, anxiety is considered a disorder when the individual experiences excessive anxiety and worry about several events or activities overall, and the anxiety persists for six months or more. Additionally, the individual experiences difficulty controlling the anxiety, and the anxiety causes impairment or distress in their social, occupational, or other significant areas of functioning. In Susan’s case, she experiences anxiety in specific situations, and her behavior is driven by the desire to be prepared. This is a common reaction to anxiety, and it does not meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder.
2. In recent years, several best-selling books have argued that most emotional problems can be traced to an unhappy or traumatic childhood (an abusive or dysfunctional family, “toxic” parents, suppression of the “inner child”). What are two possible benefits of focusing on childhood as the time when emotional problems originate, and what are two possible drawbacks?
Answer:
Two possible benefits of focusing on childhood as the origin of emotional problems are that it can help individuals gain insight into how their childhood experiences have influenced their behavior and lead to personal growth and healing. Focusing on childhood experiences can also inspire individuals to get help and address underlying issues that may be impacting their current wellbeing.
Two possible drawbacks of focusing on childhood experiences are that it can lead to blame and resentment towards parents or other family members. Additionally, some individuals may use their childhood experiences as an excuse for their behavior rather than taking responsibility for their actions. Overall, while it is important to acknowledge the impact of childhood experiences, it is essential to recognize that individuals have agency and the ability to change their behavior regardless of their past experiences.
3. Some mental health professionals (though not most psychologists) think that PMS should be classified as a mental disorder. Drawing on evidence from Chapter 5 of your textbook and information in Chapter 11, write a paragraph giving some arguments against this position.
Answer:
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is not considered a mental disorder by most psychologists. While it is common for individuals to experience emotional and physical symptoms before menstruation, these symptoms are typically not severe enough to impair daily functioning. Additionally, many of the symptoms associated with PMS, such as mood swings and irritability, are also common in individuals without menstrual cycles.
Moreover, research has not shown clear evidence that PMS is caused by a specific physical or psychological condition. PMS symptoms vary widely between individuals, and the severity of symptoms can change from cycle to cycle. This variability suggests that PMS is a natural part of the menstrual cycle rather than a mental disorder. Therefore, it is not appropriate to classify PMS as a mental disorder as it does not meet the standard criteria outlined in the DSM-5.
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