Psychology

PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

PsychologicalDisordersandTherapiesProjectObjective:Analyzethesymptomsofindividuals,
properlydiagnosetheirdisordersandapplyeachtherapytothesituationtohelptreatthe
patient.

Process:
1.Readtheassignedcasestudies
2.Accuratelydiagnosethepsychologicaldisorderineachstudy
3.Decidehoweachtherapywouldviewandtreatthedisorder
5.Usethetextbook,libraryresources,andtheinternetasresources

Paper:
1.Assumethereaderhasnospecificknowledgeofpsychologicaldisordersandtherapies.
2.UseproperMLAstylecitations
3.Besuretoincludeyourname(s),date,period,andcasestudynumbers
5.Eachsectionshouldincludeaheadingasshownbelow:Seeexampleatbottomofpage
Diagnosis
BehavioralTherapies
CognitiveTherapies
GroupTherapies
BiologicalTreatments

Grading:
WritingMechanics(propergrammar,propersentencestructure,correctspelling,etc.)
2ReferencesandMLACitationsperCaseStudy
AccurateDiagnosis
IdentifyTherapies
BehavioralTherapies
CognitiveTherapies
GroupTherapies
BiologicalTherapies

Timeline:
ThursdayIntroduceProject,AssignCaseStudies,andBegintoAnalyze
FridayStartReport,ConductResearch
WeekendFinishReport
DueMonday@11:59onSchoology(noclasstimewillbedevotedtothisproject)

CASESTUDY#1
Amarriedwoman,whoselifewascomplicatedbyhermotherlivingintheirhome,complained
thatshefelttenseandirritablemostofthetime.Shewasapprehensiveforfearthatsomething
wouldhappentohermother,herhusband,herchildren,orherself.Shehasnodefiniteideaof
whatitwasthatshefearsmighthappen.Shesuffersfromoccasionalattacksinwhichherheart

Psychology

PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

poundswithirregularbeatsshecannotseemtocatchherbreathwhenthishappens.Often
shebreaksoutinaprofuseperspiration.Hermouthseemstobealwaysdry,eventhoughshe
drinksagreatdealofwaterandbecauseofthisandherdiffuseanxietyshecannotsleep.

CASESTUDY#2
Aman,aged32,wasadmittedtoapsychiatrichospital.Twomonthsbeforecommitmentthe
patientbegantotalkabouthowhehadfailed,hadspoiledhiswholelife,thatitwasnowtoo
late.Hespokeofhearingsomeonesay,Youmustsubmit.Onenighthiswifewasawakened
byhistalking.Hetoldherofhavingseveralvisionsbutrefusedtodescribethem.Hestatedthat
someonewasafterhimandtryingtoblamehimforthedeathofacertainman,whohadbeen
poisoned,hesaid.Intheadmissionofficeofthehospitalheshowedmanymannerisms.Helaid
downonthefloor,pulledathisfoot,madeundirectedviolentstrikingmovements,againstruck
attendants,grimaced,assumedrigidpostures,refusedtospeak,andappearedtobehaving
auditoryhallucinations.Hewasatonceplacedinacontinuousbathwhere,whenseenlaterin
theday,hewasfoundtobeinastuporousstate.Hisfacewaswithoutexpression,hewasmute
andrigid,andpaidnoattentiontothosearoundhimortotheirquestions.Hiseyeswereclosed
andthelidscouldbeseparatedonlywitheffort.Therewasnoresponsetopinpricksorother
painfulstimuli.Forfivedaysheremainedmute,negativistic,andinaccessible,attimesstaring
vacantlyintospace,attimeswithhiseyetightlyclosed.

CASESTUDY#3
Thepatientwashospitalizedattheageof18.Duringtheprecedingyeartherehadbeena
gradualdisintegrationofpersonality,evidencedbyinappropriatelaughingandgiggling,bizarre
conversations,andfailureinschool.Thepatientsillnessbegansoonafterherfatherdeparted
fromhome.Asdescribedbythepatientsmother,Shestartedtoworryaboutayearago.My
husbandleftandshebegantothinkabouthimallthetime.Sheusedtotalkfunnyfunnythings
allthetime.Sheusedtohearanairplaneandstandonthekitchentablelookingattheceiling.
Shewouldlookoutofthekitchenwindowatchildrenwhowereplayingatschoolaboutamile
awayandaskediftheotherchildrencouldseeher.Shehelpedwiththehousework,butoften
stoodoutsidestaringatnothing.Shewouldsay.IdontknowwhetherIamaboyoragirl.Do
youthinkIwillevergetmarriedandhaveababy?Andshewouldsay,youarestayingyoung
andIamgrowingold.

CASESTUDY#4
Duringaninterview,the50yearoldfemalepatientexpressedbeliefscoveringalmosttheentire
rangeofdelusions.Shefeltthatherniecewasinonaplotwithotherrelativestotakeawaythe
propertysheownedin106countrieswhichshewasplanningtouse,aftertrainingreligious
missionaries,toestablishmissionstoconverttheheathens.Inspiteofthefactthatherhusband
wasaliveandvisitedherweekly,shemaintainedthatherhusbandwasdeadandthehehad
beenkilledbytheFBI.TheFBIhadsixagentsassignedtoheraloneandhadkilledher
husband.Shehadlearnedoftheirspyingandtalkingaboutherfromthetelevisionwherethey
wereportrayingherlifeinseveralofthecontinuingseriesprograms.Shehadlearnedother
thingsabouttheplotfromthevoicesthatcamebetweenthetelevisionprogramsandthe

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Mr.Ring

commercials.Shewasconvincedthatthehospitalattendantswereinontheconspiracyand
thatpoisonwasbeingplacedinherfood.Shewasalsoconcernedabouttheelectricalwaves
thatweremessinguphermind.

CASESTUDY#5
Thiscasedealswithawomanof75whobelievedthathersoninlawplannedtoassaultandkill
her.Herreactiontothisideawasexpressedinmanyletterssenttofriendsandrelatives,
mailed,surreptitiously,andcausingthedaughterandsoninlawmuchembarrassment.Aside
fromthisidea,thewomanbehavednormallyandatnotimedidsheshowanytendenciesto
violence.Wheninterviewedinhersoninlawshomeshewassomewhatsuspiciousatfirst,
conversedlogicallyaboutimpersonalmatters,showednodefectsinmemoryororientation.As
shebecamefriendlywiththeexaminer,shebegantoverbalizeherdelusions,explainingthat
shebasedherideaonthefactthatarticlesinherroomweresometimesdisarranged,thatthe
soninlawwalkedpastherdoorunnecessarilyorlookedatherinstrangemanner.Thepatient
wasclearasidefromtheonedelusion,andherideaswereconsistentlyorganizedandacted
on.Insightwaslackingonlyintheoneareaoffunctioning,asshekeptbusywithgardening.

CASESTUDY#6
FredK.isa50yearoldmarriedmanwhodevelopedamarkedcontractureofhislefthand,and
apartialparalysisofhisarm.Heheldhisarmbentinfrontofhim,asifitwereinasling,andhis
fingerswerecurledinwardtowardthepalmofhishand.Hecouldraisehisarmtothelevelofhis
shoulder,andtherewasslightmovementinhisfingers.Thesymptomscanonsuddenly,and
beforehewasreferredforpsychologicaltreatment,thepatienthadundergonemedicaland
neurologicalworkupsbylocalphysiciansaswellasbyspecialistsatRochester,Cleveland,
Baltimore,andBoston.Manydifferentdiagnosesweremade,andmanymedicaltreatments
weretried,butthepatientdidnotrespond,andthesymptomsremainedunaltered.

CASESTUDY#7
Mrs.Mwasfirstadmittedtoastatehospitalattheageof38,althoughsincechildhoodshehad
beencharacterizedbymoodsswings,someofwhichhadbeensoextremethattheyhadbeen
psychoticindegree.Atonepointshebecamedepressedandaskedtoreturntothehospital
whereshehadbeenapatient.Shethenbecameoveractiveandexuberantinspiritsandvisited
herfriends,towhomsheoutlinedherplansforreestablishingdifferentformsoflucrative
businesses.Shepurchasedmanyclothes,boughtfurniture,pawnedherrings,andwrote
checkswithoutfunds.Foraperiodthereaftershewasmildlydepressed.Inalittlelessthana
yearMrs.Magainbecameoveractive,playedherradiountillateinthenight,smoked
excessively,tookoutinsuranceonacarthatshehadnotyetbought.Contrarytoherusual
habits,shesworefrequentlyandloudly,createdadisturbanceinaclubtowhichshedidnot
belong,andinstituteddivorceproceedings.Onthedaypriortohersecondadmissiontothe
hospitalshepurchased57hats.

Psychology

PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

CASESTUDY#8
Theyarefollowingme.Quick,hidebehindthestacks.Beth,anattractiveseventeenyearold,
draggedherstartledclassmatebythesleeveasshepeeredbetweensomebooksonthelibrary
shelves.

Whatareyoutalkingabout?askedherfriend

Bethcuppedahandoverherfriendsearandwhispered,Theywatchmeallthetime.They
dontthinkIrecognizethemjustbecausetheydisguisethemselvesasteachersorstudents.But
Icantell.Iseerightthroughtheirtricks.

TheothergirlbackedoffandtriedtogaugeBethsseriousness.

Bethsteppedclosetoherandsaidinaninsistentwhisper,It'stheSovietKGBandtheradical
terroristswhoareouttogetme.Theyshootelectronicwavesintomyhousetotrytobrainwash
me.Theydouseusallwithimpulsestosoftenourbrainsandourresistance,thentheypipe
preprogrammedthoughtsintoourheads.Itsallpartoftheirconspiracytogainworldwidemind
control.

Theothergirlwasbackedintothefarcornerofthestacksbynow,and,alittlefrightenedby
Bethsvehementaccusations,sheavoidedherpenetratinggaze.

You,mutteredBeth,pointingafinger.Theyalreadyownyou.Iseeitinyoureyes.

Beth,Ihavetogettoclass,saidthegirlasshetriedtosqueezepast.

Iknewitallalong,saidBeth,fleeingfromthegirl.Theyvegotyouintheirpowerjustlikethey
haveseventyfivepercentofthekidsinthisschool.

CASESTUDY#9
Edna,age20,asophomoreincollege,hadapronouncedfearofbeingleftalonewithaman,
whetherafellowstudent,professor,relative,oracquaintance.Sherefusedalldatesandnever
allowedherselftobeplacedinsituationswhereitwasnecessaryforhertogohomewith
someoneoftheoppositesex.Shecouldgivenogoodreasonforthisfear,butrecognizedher
problemyetthereseemedtobenothingthatshecoulddoaboutit.Recentlywhenitappeared
inevitablethatshemustgohomefromapartywithaboy,shetrembled,herhandsbecame
clammy,andshebecameveryfaint.Asaresultherhostessinvitedhertoremainforthenight.

CASESTUDY#10
An11yearboyinstitutedthefollowingceremonialbeforegoingtobed.Hedidnotsleepuntilhe
hastoldhismothereverylastminutedetailoftheeventsthatoccurredthatdaytheremustbe

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PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

noscrapsofpaperorotherrubbishonthecarpetofthebedroomthebedmustbepushedright
tothewallthreechairsmuststandbyitandthepillowsmustlieinaparticularway.Inorderto
gettosleephemustfirstkickoutacertainnumberoftimewithbothlegsandthenlieonhis
side.

CASESTUDY#11
GeorgeT.,age35,anautomechanic,onseveraloccasionsfoundhimselfinamotionpicture
theaterafterhavinglefthometoreportforwork.Hewouldcometoinabewilderedfashionand
wouldgotoabarforafewdrinks.Eventuallyhewouldgohome.Asachild,Georgehada
patternofwanderingawayfromhome.Hecamefromaveryunhappyfamilyhisparentswere
divorced,andhewasleftathomewithhousekeepers.Hisfatherwasveryharshwithhimand
onseveraloccasionsgavehimsuchseverewhippingsthattheneighborscalledthepolice.His
motherwasahighlyemotionalpersonandtriedtodisciplineGeorgebyscreamingathimand
threateningtoplacehiminaboardinghome.Inadolescence,hetwicefoundhimselfgoingoffto
schoolandeventually,comingtoinaparkabouttwomilesfromhome.Inschool,Georgegot
alongwellwiththeteachersandotherstudents.Hewasapoorstudentandfailedboththe
secondandseventhgrade.Hequitschoolat16.

CASESTUDY#12
APortraitofErica

Ericaslookslikeherletterofintroduction.Themomentpeoplelaytheireyesonhershining
face,herlongblondehair,herbig,brown,alerteyes,theyrelaxedtheirnaturalskepticismmost
ofususetoprotectourselvesagainststrangers.Sheworehersmilelikeatastefulornament,
likeanexpensivepieceofjewelrythatcaughttheeyewithoutgaudiness.Thosewhowere
unmovedbyherlovelinessorbyherquicksmilealwayssuccumbedtoheringratiatingmanner.
Withacombinationofeasyeyecontactandsoftresponsiveness,shemanagedtogive
everyonewhomshehaddirectedherattentiontothefeelingthattheywereappreciatedand
important.

AnincidentthatoccurredwhileEricawasaseniorinhighschooltypifiedherantisocialbehavior.
Erica,whoisverybrightandarticulate,hadbeenexemptedfromsubmittingaresearchpaper
assignedinherhistoryclass.Sincediscussionwasanintegralpartoftheclassactivity,shehad
impressedheryoungbutwellqualifiedteacherwithherreadyopinionsandherwillingnessto
participate.

Thedaytheassignmentwasdue,Ericawenttotheschoolcafeteriaforlunchandhappenedto
sitnexttoagirlnamedVickiwhowasastudentinherhistoryclass.EricaoverheardVickitelling
oneofherfriendshowhardshehadworkedonherresearchpaper.

Ispentfourweeks,saidVicki,doingresearch,writing,andtyping.Agoodgradeonthisisthe
onlywayIllpassthecoursebecausethatteachercaughtmecuttingclass.

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PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

WhenVickiandherfriendleftthetabletostandontheservingline,Ericawassuddenlyinspired
andexcitedbyanidea.WithVickinomorethatafewfeetaway,Ericawentthroughthebooks
shehadleftatthetable,foundtheneatlytypedresearchpaper,andslippeditintoherown
notebook.ShestayedatthetableafterVickihadreturned,calmlyateherlunch,andevenmade
casualconversationwithVickiandherfriend.AssoonasVickiwasfinishedeating,sheandher
friendpickeduptheiremptytraysandbooksandsaidgoodbyetoErica.

Ericawaitedcoollyatthetable.Withinminutes,Vickiscurriedbacktothetable,herface
contortedwithworry.EricawasamusedwhileVickifranticallyscannedthetabletopandthen
gottoherhandsandkneestocheckthefloor.

WhatsupVicki?askedErica,nonchalantly.

Ilostmyresearchpaper,saidVicki,hervoiceshaking.

Badnews!AnythingIcando?

Thanksanyway,saidVicki,overhershoulder,asshehurriedfromtheroom.Ericahadabitof
alaugh.Thenshetookouttheresearchpaper,toreoffthecoversheetandinkerherownname
onthefirstpagewithoutevenbotheringtoreadthepaper.Vickididnotshowupforhistory
classthatday,andwhentheteachercollectedtheassignment,hewassurprisedwhenErica
submittedapaper.

Diditforextracredit,huh?hesaid.Iamimpressed.

WhenhecalledtheclasssattentiontoEricasapparentdiligencesasapositiveexampleto
follow,anumberofthekidswhoknewEricawelllookedsomewhatskeptical.

Theverynextdayinschool,allhellbrokeloose.Rightbeforehomeroom,Vicki,escortedbytwo
ofherfriends,interceptedEricainthehallway.

Youstolemyresearchpaper,snarledVicki,andyouhadthegutstoturnitinasyourown.
Youdbettertelltheteacherwhatyoudid,oryoureinbigtrouble.

Whatareyoutalkingabout?saidErica,thepictureofinnocence.

YouknowdamnwellwhatImtalkingabout.Youdjustbetteradmitittothatteacher.

Inaperfectposeofrighteousindignation,EricathrewbackhershouldersandlookedVickiin
theeye.Dontyouthreatenme.Iwontstandforit.Anddontyoudareblamemeforyourown
carelessness.NowgetoutofhereandleavemealonebeforeIreportyoutotheassistant
principal.

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PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

VickiandherfriendssneeredatErica,thenstalkedoff.

Althoughshewasnotreallyworried,EricalookedupMike,herformerboyfriend.Youwantme
todowhat?askedMikeaftershehadfoundhimoutsideoneofhisclassrooms.

Ericatouchedherhandtohisarm.JusttellmyhistoryteacherthatyouwerewithmewhileI
wasdoingresearchforthepaperandthatyouhelpedmetypeit.

Mikesangersoftenedwhenshegavehisarmalittlesqueeze.Hemethereyes.Whatareyou
uptothistime,Erica?

Oh,comeon,shesaid,flashingaseductivesmiletoweakenhisresistance.Foroldtimes.

Suddenly,hepulledfreeofhertouch.Oldtimes.Youmean,youwantmetolieforyouagain.
LikeIdidtoyourparentseverytimeyoubrokeyourcurfew.LikeIdidtomybosseverytimeyou
cameintohisstoreandshoplifted?NowayErica.Findyourselfanotherfool.Orhaveyou
alreadyusedupalltheguysinthisschool?Doeseverybodyknowyouretheonlyoneyoucare
for?

ThehistoryteacherwaiteduntiltheendoftheperiodtoconfrontErica.

StealVickispaper?saidErica,hervoicecontrolled,hermannerpoised.Thatisabsurd.Why
wouldIstealherpaperwhenIwasntevenrequiredtoturnonein?

Youtellme,Erica,saidtheteacher.

Idontlikebeingaccused,sir.Idohavemylegalrights,youknow.Sincethisisonlyyour
secondyearinthisschool,maybeyouarenotawareofhowthingsarerunaroundhere.

Theteacherdidnotflinchatherimpliedthreat.Erica,ifyoudonttellmewhyyoustoleVickis
paperandputyourownnameonit,hesaid,quietly,Iamgoingtobringthismattertothe
administration.

Ericaflashedoneofhersmiles.Nobigdeal.Theprincipalisapersonalfriendofmine.

Whydidyoudoit,Erica?persistedtheteacher.

Ericalaughed.Itwasajoke.Justaharmlessjoke.

Harmless!YoustoleVickispaperwhenyouknewsheneededittopassthisclassandto
graduate.Ajoke,yousay.

Whatsthedifference?saidErica.Vickiisaloseranyway.

Psychology

PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

CASESTUDY#13
Heather,a19yearoldcollegejunior,hasanintensefearofspeakingtopeopleshedoesnot
knowverywell.Duringherfirstandsecondyears,shechoselargelecturecourses,which
allowedhertohideinthebackofthelecturehallandnotspeaktootherstudentsorto
participateintheclassdiscussions.Heatherreceivedhighmarksinallofhercourses,earninga
placeonthedeanslistandthehonorroll.Inherthirdyear,Heatherisnowrequiredtotake
somesmallerupperlevelcoursesinwhichclassparticipationandsmallgroupdiscussionsare
mandatory.Sheissurethatshewilldosomethingembarrassing,suchasvomit,andotherswill
judgenegatively.Becauseofthesefears,Heatherhastroublesleepingatnightandis
consideringdroppingoutofschool.

CASESTUDY#14
AnenlistedmanintheAirCorpshadsomepreviousexperienceasaprivatepilot.Aftera
disagreementwithhiswife,hedecidedtopunishherbycommittingsuicide.Choosingthemost
dramaticmethodhecouldthinkof,hetookoffinalarge,unattendedaircraftandmadeseveral
passesatthelocalriver,eachtimepullingupbeforeheplungedin.Verysoon,allotheraircrafts
weredivertedtoothercities,andthelocalcontroltowerwasconcentratingontryingtopersuade
himtochangehismind.Hefinallyagreed,butthenhediscoveredthatalthoughheknewhowto
takeoff,hedidnotknowhowtolandtheunfamiliarplane.Aftersometenseinterchangeswith
thetowercontrol,however,hemanagedtogettheplanedown.Whenthemilitarypolicearrived
attheplane,hefoundhimselfunabletorememberhisnameoranythingabouthisidentity,his
presentsituation,ortheeventsleadinguptoit.

CASESTUDY#15
Tamara,a54yearoldfemale,movedtoSeattleabout6monthsagoandnowworksasa
cocktailwaitressinabar.Whenshefirstappliedforthejob,thenameonherdriverslicense
andsocialsecuritycarddidnotmatchthenameshewasnowusing.Sheexplainedthatshe
wasdivorcingandchangingbacktohermaidenname.Themanagerofthebarsawnoreason
toquestionherexplanation.Tamarawasaveryhardworkerwhogotalongwellwiththeother
employeesandthecustomers.Hercoworkerslikedherbutthoughtshewasoddbecauseshe
neverspokeaboutherpast.Whentheytookabreaktogether,Tamaralaughedandsmiledat
everyonesstoriesbutneveraddedanyofherown.Whendirectlyquestionedaboutherpast,
Tamaraonlysmiledandshrugged,occasionallystatingthatshecouldntremember.Onedayat
work,acustomerkeptstaringather.ThecustomeraskedanotherwaitressifTamarahada
sisterwholivedinMontana.Thewaitresssaidshedidntknow.Thiscustomerinsistedthat
TamaralookedjustlikeawomanfromMontanathatheknewabout.Thiswomanhadbeen
marriedwithtwochildrenandhaddisappearedabout6monthsbefore.Therehadbeena
massivesearchforher,butnothingwaseverdiscovered.Policesuspectedtheworstbecause
nothingelsehadbeenmissingexceptthewomanspurseandtheclothesonherback.

Psychology

PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

CASESTUDY#16
Duringaroutinephysicalexamination,Nick,a25yearoldsinglemale,suddenlystartedcrying
andblurtedoutthathewasextremelydepressedandthinkingaboutasuicideattempthehad
madeasteenagerwhenhefeltthisway.Hewasreferredtopsychiatrist.Hegoestothe
psychiatrist,dressedinawhitesuitwitharedroseinthelapel.Whenaskedwhyhehascome
foranevaluation,hereplieslaughinglythathehasdoneittoappeasehisfamilydoctorwho
seemedworriedabouthim.Hehasalsoreadabookontherapyandhopesthatmaybethere
issomeoneveryspecialwhocanunderstandme.Idmakethemostincrediblepatient.Hetells
thepsychiatristthatheplansonbeingafamousactor.Hehashadlittlepreviousacting
experience,butheissurethatsuccessisonlyamatteroftime.Whenaskedabouthislove
life,Nicksayshehasnoloverandthisisbecausepeoplearejustsuperficial.Herecently
datedawomanthatheadoredbutthenrealizedshewasuglyandwasanembarrassment
becauseshedressedtoopoorly.Nickthenexplainsthatheownsover100necktiesandabout
30suitsandisproudofhowmuchhespendsonputtingmyselftogether.Hehasno
relationshipswithmalefriends,consideringmostothermenasmindlessandwithoutaesthetic
sense.Theonlypeoplewhohaveunderstoodhim,hesays,areoldermenwhohavesuffered
asmuchashehas.Nicksfatherwasverycriticalofhimandwasrarelyaround.Hismotherwas
likeafriend.Shewaschronicallydepressedaboutherhusbandandturnedtoherson.When
hewas18,Nicksmotherstartedanaffairofherown.Nickthenfeltabandonedandmadea
suicideattempt.Attheendoftheinterview,Nickrequestedareferraltosomeonewhowould
offerhimfreetreatment,seeingnoreasonforpayinganyoneasthetherapistwouldbegetting
asmuchoutofitashewould.

CASESTUDY#17
Anindividualhadprovidedthefollowingdescriptionofhowtheyhavebeenfeelingoverthelast
severalmonths.Thereisaparticularakindofpain,elation,loneliness,andterrorinvolvedin
thiskindofmadness.Whenyourehigh,itstremendous.Theideasandfeelingsarefastand
frequentlikeshootingstars,andyoufollowthemuntilyoufindbetterandbrighterones.
Shynessgoes,therightwordsandgesturesaresuddenlythere,theabilitytocaptivateothersa
feltcertainty.Thereareinterestsfoundinuninterestingpeople.Sensualityispervasiveandthe
desiretoseduceandbeseducedirresistible.Feelingofease,intensity,power,wellbeing,
financialomnipotence,andeuphoriapervadeonesmarrow.But,somewhere,thischanges.The
fastideasarefartoofast,andtherearefartoomanyoverwhelmingconfusionreplacesclarity.
Memorygoes.Humorandabsorptionuponfriendsfacesarereplacedbyfearandconcerns.
Everythingpreviouslymovingwiththegrainisnotagainstyouareirritable,angry,frightened,
uncontrollable,andenmeshedtotallyintheblackestcavesofthemind.Youneverknewthose
caveswerethere.Itwillneverendformadnesscarvesitsownreality.

CASESTUDY#18

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PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

Mybreathingstartsgettingveryshallow.IfeelImgoingtostopbreathing.Theairfeelslikeit
getsthinner.Ifeeltheairisnotcomingupthroughmynose.Itakeshortrapidbreaths.ThenI
seeanimageofmyselfgaspingforairandrememberwhathappenedinthehospital.Ithinkthat
Iwillstartgrasping.Igetverydizzyanddisoriented.Icannotsitorstandstill.Istartpacing.
ThenIstartshakingandsweating.IffeelImlosingmymindandIwillflipoutandhurtmyselfor
someoneelse.MyheartstartsbeatingfastandIstartgettingpainsinmychest.Mychest
tightensup.Ibecameveryfrightened.Igetafraidthatthesefeelingswillnotgoaway.ThenIget
reallyupset.Iffeelnoonewillbeabletohelpme.IgetveryfrightenedIwilldie.Iwanttorunto
someplacesafebutIdontknowwhere.

CASESTUDY#19
A34yearoldwomandescribestheordealofsomeofherweeklyactivities.OnceIhave
attainedcontrolofthecar,Ihavetheburdenofgettingintoitandgettingingoing.Thiscanbea
bigprojectsomedays,lockingandunlockingthedoors,rollingupanddownthepower
windows,puttingonandofftheseatbelts,sometimescountlessly...SometimeswhiledrivingI
mustdoovertlygooddeeds,likelettingcarsoutofstreetsinfrontofme,orstoppingtolet
peoplecross.Thesearethingseveryoneprobablyshoulddo,butthingsImustdo....Mytripin
thecarmaytakeustothegrocerystore.InsideIhavecertainritualsImustperform.Iam
relativelysubtleabouthowIdothemtoavoiddrawingattentiontomyself.Certainfoodsmust
havetheirpackagesreadseveraltimesbeforeIamallowedtopurchasethem.Somethings
needtobetouchedrepetitively.Therearecertaintilesonthefloormustbesteppedonbymy
familyandmyself.Illfindmyselfhavingtogofromoneendofanaisletotheotherandback
again,justtomakeeverythingalright.Ifearbeingaccusedofshopliftingsometimesbecauseof
thewayIbehaveandthewayIamalwayslookingaroundtoseeifpeoplehavenoticedmy
actions.

CASESTUDY#20
RuthLangelywas30yearsoldwhenshesoughthelpfromatherapistafterexperiencing
longstandingfearsofcontamination.Shestatedthatshebecameintenselyuncomfortablewith
anydirtonherselforinherimmediateenvironment.Afternoticinganydirt,shefeltcompelledto
carryoutelaborateandtimeconsumingcleaningprocedures.Thisusuallyinvolvedthoroughly
washingherhandsandarms.Moreover,ifshefounddirtinherapartment,shewascompelled
toscrubherapartmentmethodically,inadditiontoshoweringinaveryregimentedmanner.Her
cleaningritualshaveseverelyrestrictedherlife.Shenowwashesherhandsatleastfourorfive
timesanhour,showerssixorseventimesaday,andthoroughlycleansherapartmentatleast
twiceaday.

CASESTUDY#21
Mike,a32yearoldman,performedmanyactsthatwereprecededbyafearofharmingother
people.Whendriving,hehadtostopthecaroftenandreturntocheckwhetherhehadrunover
people,particularlybabies.Beforeflushingthetoilet,hehadtochecktobesurethatalive
insecthadnotfallenintothetoilet,becausehedidnotwanttoberesponsibleforkillingaliving
thing.Athomeherepeatedlycheckedtoseethatthedoors,stoves,lights,andwindowswere

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PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

shutorturnedoff....Mikeperformedthesesandmanyothercheckingbehaviorsforan
averageof4hoursaday.

CASESTUDY#22
Margaretexplainedtohertherapistthatsheoftenhearsavoicetellinghertosaythingsanddo
things.Itwas,shesaid,aterriblevoicethatsometimesthreatenedtotakeovercompletely.
WhenitwasfinallysuggestedtoMargaretthatsheletthevoicetakeover,sheclosedher
eyes,clenchedherfists,andgrimacedforafewmomentsduringwhichshewasoutofcontact
withthosearoundher.Suddenlysheopenedhereyesandonewasinthepresenceofanother
person.Hername,shesaid,wasHarriet.WhereasMargarethadbeenparalyzed,and
complainedoffatigue,headacheandbackache,Harrietfeltwell,andsheatonceproceededto
walkunaidedaroundtheinterviewingroom.ShespokescornfullyofMargaretsreligiousness,
herinvalidism,andherpuritanicallife,professingthatsheherselflikedtodrinkandgopartying
butthatMargaretwasalwaysgoingtochurchandreadingtheBible.But,shesaidimpishly
andproudly,ImakehermiserableImakehersayanddothingsshedoesntwantto.At
length,attheinterviewerssuggestion,HarrietreluctantlyagreedtobringMargaretback,and
aftermoregrimacingandfistclenching,Margaretappeared,paralyzed,complainingofher
headacheandbackache,andcompletelyamnesicforthebriefperiodofHarrietsreleasefrom
prison.

CASESTUDY#23
Lonnie,a38yearoldchemicalengineerforalargepharmaceuticalcompany,soughta
consultationattheurgingofhiswife,Maria.HetoldthepsychologistthatMariahadgrown
exasperatedoverhislittlebehavioralquirks.ItseemsthatLonniewasacompulsivechecker.
Wheneverthetwoofthemwouldleavetheirapartment,hewouldinsistonreturningtocheck
andreachedthatthegasjetswereturnedoff,thewindowswereshut,thedoorwassecurely
locked,andtherefrigeratordoorwastightlyshut.Sometimeshedgetasfarasthegarage
beforethecompulsiontoreturntotheapartmentwouldstrike.HewouldapologizetoMariaand
leaveherfuming.Whenretiringtobedatnight,heperformedanelaborateritualofchecking
andrecheckingtoseethateverythingwassecure.Buteventhen,hewouldoftenboltoutofbed
tocheckeverythingagain,whichwoulddisturbMariassleep.Leavingforvacationwas
especiallytroublesome,asitrequiredcheckingritualsthatconsumedthebetterpartofthe
morning.Yethewouldstillbebotheredbynaggingdoubtsthatwouldplaguehimthroughouthis
trip.Lonnierecognizedthathiscompulsivebehaviorwaswreckinghismarriageandcausing
himemotionaldistress.However,hefearedthatgivinginthemupwouldleavehimdefenseless
againsttheanxietiestheyhelptoease.

CASESTUDY#24
A35yearoldmathematiciangaveahistoryofepisodicpalpitationsandfaintnessoverthe
previous15years.Therehadbeenperiodsofremissionofupto5years,butinthepastyear
thesymptomshadincreasedandinthelastfewdaysthepatienthadstoppedworkingbecause
ofthedistress.Hischiefcomplaintswerethatatanytimeandwithoutwarning,hemight
suddenlyfeelthathewasabouttofaintandfalldown,ortrembleandexperiencepalpitations,

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Mr.Ring

andifstandingwouldcringeandclutchatthenearestwallorchair.Ifhewasdrivingacaratthe
timehewouldpullupatthecurbsideandwaitforthefeelingstopassoffbeforeheresumedhis
journey.Hewasbecomingafraidofwalkingaloneinthestreetorofdrivinghiscarforfearthat
theseepisodeswouldbetriggeredbyitandwasloathtotravelbypublictransport.Althoughhe
feltsaferwhenaccompanied,thisdidnotabolishhissymptoms.Theattackscouldcomeonat
anytimeofdayornight.

CASESTUDY#25
Susanwasayoungwomanplacedbyherschoolinaclassfortheemotionallydisturbed.She
talkedatlengthaboutherinterestsandoccupations.Shesaidshemadearobotinthe
basementthatranamokandwasabouttocauseagreatdealofdamage,butshewasableto
stopitbyremotecontrol.Sheclaimstohavebuilttherobotfromsparecomputerparts,which
sheacquiredfromthelocalmuseum.Whenpressedondetailsofhowthisworked,shebecame
increasinglyvague,andwhenaskedtodrawapictureofoneofherinventions,drewapictureof
anoverheadrailwayandwentintowhatappearedtobecomplexmathematicalcalculationsto
substantiatethestructuraldetails,butwhichinfactconsistedofmeaninglessrepetitionsof
symbols(eg:plus,minus,divide,multiply).Whentheinterviewerexpressedsomegentle
incredulity,sheblandlyrepliedthatmanypeopledidnotbelievethatshewasasupergenius.
Shealsotalkedaboutherunusualabilitytohearthingsotherpeoplecannothear,andsaidshe
wasincommunicationwithsomesortofcreature.Shethoughtshemightbehaunted,or
perhapsthecreaturewasabeingfromanotherplanet.Shecouldhearhisvoicetalkingtoher
andaskingherquestions.

CASESTUDY#26
Ittakesthegreatestefforttogetoutofbedinthemorning.Iamtiredallday,yetwhennight
comes,sleepevadesme.Istareattheceiling,wonderingwhathashappenedtomylife,and
whatwillbecomeofme.Nothingisgettingdoneatwork.Ihaveprojectstocomplete,butIcan't
think.Itrytofocusonmywork,andIgetlost.Ikeepwonderingwhenthebosswilldiscoverhow
littleIhaveaccomplished.Mywifedoesnotunderstand.Shekeepstellingmeto"snapoutofit."
I'mirritableallthetime,andyellatthekids,thenIfeelterriblelater.Nothingisfunanymore.I
can'tread,andthemusicIusedtoenjoysomuchdoesnothingforme.Iambored,butIfeel
likedoingnothing.Therearetimes,whenI'malone,thatIthinkthatlifeishopelessand
meaningless,andIcan'tgoonmuchlonger.

CASESTUDY#27
Inaninterviewa30yearwomansitsanddescribesherunhealthyfascinationwithherlooks.I
satinfrontofmymirrorseveraltimestodayandpickedatmyface.Matt,myhusbandsawmy
redpuffyfaceandgotupset.Heonlycaresbuthedoesnotunderstandthatitisnotaconscious
decisiontositthereforanhourandpickatmyface.Andisitreallythatabnormaltostareat
yourbreastsfortenminutesandgooverandoverinyourheadthattheyarenotthesamesize?
IamsotiredoffeelingcompelledtolookinthemirrorwheneverIpassbyone.IhatethatI
cannotnotlookintherearviewmirroratmyselfwhiledriving.IhavetoknowwhatIlooklikeno
matterwhatIamdoing.IhatethatIthinkofmybulgingstomachover30timesaday.Ihate

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Mr.Ring

alwaysthinkingaboutmynoseandchinandmyeyebrows,myhair,myboobs,mystomach,do
Ismell?Ismyhairfrizzytoday?Cananyoneelsetellthatmyrightboobisbiggerthanmyleft?
Great,IpickedatmyfaceandnowIhavetogobacktoworkredandpuffy.Ihavetomakesure
anddomyeyelinersothatmyrighteyedoesn'tlooksomuchsmallerthanmyleft.Iamsotired
ofbathingwithseveraldifferentsoapsinoneshowerandthenusingagoodsmellinglotionand
bodypowder.Iamsickofwashingmyfacetwoorthreetimesatonce.Itfeelsbettertogetitall
out.

CASESTUDY#28
Mr.A,anextremelyintelligent,shy,butarrogant25yearoldman,wasacollegestudentand
camefortherapybecausehehadsufferedfromdepressionforseveralyears.Althoughan
exceptionallycompetentstudent,heconstantlyfeltunappreciated.Hetendedtodevotehistime
inlecturesto"givingtheteachersandprofessorsahardtime"bycriticizingthem,andasking
"impossible"questionsinordertoprovetheirincompetenceandmakethemembarrass
themselvesinpublic.Hedescribedhimselfasextraordinarilysuperiorwithfeelingsofdisdain
andconfusiontowardpeopleheexperiencedasdifferentfromhimselfpeoplewhohefelthad
lowerstandardsanddifferentvaluesthanhe.Healsodescribedhimselfasintellectuallyunique,
stressinghisspecifictheoreticalandphilosophicalperspectivesandhighacademicstandards.
Hehadseveralclosefriendsamonghismalepeers,butadmittedthatheexperiencedsevere
problemsinrelatingtoyoungwomen,haddifficultyconnecting,andfeltshyandinsecure.Mr.A
camefromaverycompetitiveandsuccessfulfamilybackground.Hisfatherwasafamous
lawyerinhisearly60s,andMr.Adescribedhavingacomplicatedrelationship,withmixed
feelingstowardthefather.Ontheonehandhehighlyadmiredandidealizedhisfatheronthe
otherhandhedespisedthefather'sdemands,valuesandexpectations,andtendedtotake
everyopportunitytoprotestagainsthim.Whileheenviedhisfatherandfantasizedabout
becomingassuccessful,Mr.Aalsofeltinferior,andbelievedthathewouldneverbecomeas
successfulashisfather.Oftenhefeltdeeplymisunderstoodbyhisfather.Aftersuccessfully
graduatingfromcollege,Mr.Adecidedtoworkasapizzadeliverer,adecisionthathe
consideredtobeunusuallyriskybutinlinewithhis"uniqueapproach"tolife.

CASESTUDY#29
Kenisplaguedbyconstantworriesthatwhathehasplannedwillnotoccurasscheduled.He
makeshundredsoftodolistseachdayandoftencheckstheseliststomakesuretheyare
correct.Kenincessantlyremindshiscolleaguesofupcomingdeadlines,sometimes15or20
timeseachday.

CASESTUDY#30
Brianappearstobeamildmannered20something,buthesometimesbelievesheisateenage
femalenamedSuzywhoisamemberofahighschooldanceteam.Atthesetimes,hedresses
invariousmatchingoutfits,carriespompoms,andpracticesvariousdanceroutines.Brianis
confusedaboutwhyhesometimesawakensdressedinstrangeclothing.

CASESTUDY#31

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Mr.Ring

Oneday,Karl,anativeofHawaii,wakesupinNebraska,withnomemoryofwhoheis,howhe
gotthere,orfromwherehecame.

CASESTUDY#33
JuliobelievesheisanalienwhohasbeenleftbehindonEarthbyhispod.Heisoftendifficult
tounderstand,becausehespeaksfrequentlyinrhymeandmakesuphisownwords.

CASESTUDY#34
Drivingbackfromaconcert,GerrifellasleepatthewheelandcrashedherJaguarconvertible.
Herbestfriendperishedinthecrash.Eversince,althoughdoctorscanfindnothingphysically
wrong,Gerrihasbeenparalyzedinthearmwithwhichshewassteering.

CASESTUDY#35
Keshonaisterrifiedofspeakinginpublic.Althoughhighlyknowledgeableandcompetent,
whenevershehastoaddressagatheringofadults,herheartpounds,andhermouthgetsdry.

CASESTUDY#36
Tuanhasbeenarrestedonnumerousoccasionsfordisturbingthepeaceandforillegally
producingandsellingalcoholanddrugstominors.Althoughanumberofhisclientshavedied
fromoverdoses,hefeelsnoremorse.

CASESTUDY#38
WhileshewasonavisittotheMidwest,Samanthasresidencewasdemolishedbyatornado.
Eversince,shehasbeenplaguedbyterriblenightmaresandoccasionalflashbacks.

CASESTUDY#39
Dongoesthroughperiodswhenhefeelshejustcantlose.Hegoesongamblingsprees,
launchesnewgetrichquickschemes,andengagesinpromiscuousbehavior.Atothertimes,he
feelssodownthathecantevengetoutofbed.Lifeseemspurposeless.

CASESTUDY#40
Nomatterwhatheisdoing,Simbaalwaysfeelsalittletense.Theapprehensionhasno
apparentcause.Evenduringweekendsandvacations,heexperiencesconstantuneasiness.

____________________________________________________________________________
PaperStructureExample

Name(s)DevinPaceandAlexMartin
Period2
Date12/10/2015

Psychology

PsychologicalDisorderProject

Mr.Ring

Title

CaseStudy#18
DiagnosisandExplanation
Webelievethismanhassomatoformbecausehegoestothehospitalwithachronicillnessbut
hescompletelyhealthy.Healsohasgeneralanxietydisorder,aswellashypochondriasisand
healsohasacombinationofstressaswellashistrionicpersonalitydisorder.

Behavioral&CognitiveTherapies
Focusonchangingnegativepatternsandthoughtsandfeelingsthatcanpotentiallycausethe
somaticdisorderpartofhisissues.Theywilltrytochangedysfunctionalthoughtsofhowhis
bodyfeels.Therapiessuchashelpingmakeadifferencebetweenwhataretrueworriesand
whatarentreallytheretoworryabout.Therapieswillworkalotonbehavioralstress
managementsothatpeoplecanlearntocontroltheirthoughtprocessandunderstandhowto
controlthemselvesunderstress.Alsotohelpacceptinevitablefatesinlifesuchasdeathand
illness.

GroupTherapies
sometherapistwillusegrouptherapyforpatientswithsomatoformandhaveotherstalkabout
theircondition,inthehopethatthebodyandmindwillbecomestrongerknowingtheyhavea
supportsystemsothereforenothavingasmanychronicillnesses.

BiologicalTreatments
thereisntanymedicinethatcuressomatoformbuttherearesomemedicine
sthatwillcangivethebodyenergyandsortofsetyouremotionsbackinplace.

CaseStudy#26
DiagnosisandExplanation
generaladaptationsyndrome,andbipolar,hehasradicaloutburstofmixedemotionsandcant
controlhimselfattimes.hehasexcessiveemotionssoisayhehasaformofschizophreniabut
onlyintheformofhistrionicpersonalitydisorder.Ialsosayheismostlikelysleepdeprivedand
verystressedout.

BehavioralTherapies

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Mr.Ring

therapistsusuallyhaveatalktherapyapproachtogetthepatienttotryandtalkabouttheir
feelingsandrelievesomebuiltupemotions.

CognitiveTherapies
thetherapistwilltryandteachthepatientonnormalwaystoreacttosituationsandhowto
properlycontroltheiremotions.

GroupTherapies
mostpeopledontusegrouptherapiesbecausepatientsusuallydrawattentiontothemselves.

BiologicalTreatments
therehasntbeenadrugapprovedbythefdaforthiscondition

CaseStudy#30
DiagnosisandExplanation
Brianhasdissociativeidentitydisorderwherehehasdifferentpersonas.

BehavioralTherapies
grouptherapiesinvolvetalkingaboutthepastandpainfulmemoriesofthisdifferentpersonasto
tryandconnectthembacktooneself.

CognitiveTherapies
thecognitivetreatmentissimplytotryandreteachlifeskillsandstopdysfunctionalthinking.

GroupTherapies
thereisntmuchgrouptherapysinceeveryonehasdifferentlevelsofseverityanddifferent
symptomsaswell.

BiologicalTreatments
thereisntanymedicineorremediesthathavebeenknowntocurethisdisease/

Reference
(inmlaformat)
AmericanPsychologicalAssociation.somatoform,bipolar,andgeneraladaptivedisorder
www.apa.org
,12February.2010.14December2015.
ClevelandClinic.
DissociativeIdentityDisorder(MultiplePersonalityDisorder)
clevelandclinic.org,18April.2012.14December.2015.