Psychology

Psychological Disorder Project

Mr. Ring

Psychological Disorders and Therapies Project Objective: Analyze the symptoms of individuals,
properly diagnose their disorders and apply each therapy to the situation to help treat the
patient.
Process:
1. Read the assigned case studies
2. Accurately diagnose the psychological disorder in each study
3. Decide how each therapy would view and treat the disorder
5. Use the textbook, library resources, and the internet as resources
Paper:
1. Assume the reader has no specific knowledge of psychological disorders and therapies.
2. Use proper MLA style citations
3. Be sure to include your name(s), date, period, and case study numbers
5. Each section should include a heading as shown below: See example at bottom of page
Diagnosis
Behavioral Therapies
Cognitive Therapies
Group Therapies
Biological Treatments
Grading:
Writing Mechanics (proper grammar, proper sentence structure, correct spelling, etc.)
2 References and MLA Citations per Case Study
Accurate Diagnosis
Identify Therapies
- Behavioral Therapies
- Cognitive Therapies
- Group Therapies
- Biological Therapies
Timeline:
Thursday - Introduce Project, Assign Case Studies, and Begin to Analyze
Friday - Start Report, Conduct Research
Weekend - Finish Report
Due Monday @ 11:59 on Schoology (no class time will be devoted to this project)

CASE STUDY #24

Psychology

Psychological Disorder Project

Mr. Ring

A 35-year-old mathematician gave a history of episodic palpitations and faintness over the
previous 15 years. There had been periods of remission of up to 5 years, but in the past year
the symptoms had increased and in the last few days the patient had stopped working because
of the distress. His chief complaints were that at any time and without warning, he might
suddenly feel that he was about to faint and fall down, or tremble and experience palpitations,
and if standing would cringe and clutch at the nearest wall or chair. If he was driving a car at the
time he would pull up at the curbside and wait for the feelings to pass off before he resumed his
journey. He was becoming afraid of walking alone in the street or of driving his car for fear that
these episodes would be triggered by it and was loath to travel by public transport. Although he
felt safer when accompanied, this did not abolish his symptoms. The attacks could come on at
any time of day or night.

CASE STUDY #29

Ken is plagued by constant worries that what he has planned will not occur as scheduled. He
makes hundreds of to-do lists each day and often checks these lists to make sure they are
correct. Ken incessantly reminds his colleagues of upcoming deadlines, sometimes 15 or 20
times each day.

CASE STUDY #35

Keshona is terrified of speaking in public. Although highly knowledgeable and competent,
whenever she has to address a gathering of adults, her heart pounds, and her mouth gets dry.

Names: Daniel Giles, Mikala Adelman

Period: 2

Psychology

Psychological Disorder Project

Mr. Ring

Date: 12/10/15
Anxiety and the Mind
Case Study # 24
This man most likely suffers from a panic disorder. Heart palpitations, like the ones this man
suffer from, can be caused by extreme emotional responses, including anxiety. A panic disorder
is the only anxiety disorder that can affect a person multiple times and without warning, much
like this mans experiences. The palpitations are a side-effect.
Some behavioral changes and therapies that can help with a panic disorder include relaxation
therapy as well as changes in diet and lifestyle to reduce stress and improve health.
Basic psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people with panic disorders.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy where the patient learns how to
recognize and deal with thoughts that can cause the disorder to surface. This can teach people
with panic disorders methods to keep themselves calm and what to do when they feel an attack
coming.
Counseling and support groups can help people with panic disorders prevent future panic
attacks.
Antidepressants and drugs that reduce anxiety would be the best medication to treat the
disorder. However, there is no medication to help the palpitations directly.
Case Study #29
It is very likely that Ken suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD. Some sideeffects of this disorder include a fear of making a mistake and an extreme need for order and
exactness. Kens obsession with time and schedules as well as his habit of reminding people of
deadlines fits this profile exactly.
Since it is very hard for a person with OCD to change their behavior, basic behavioral therapies
cant do much to help.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and electroconvulsive therapy are the most effective cognitive
therapies to deal with OCD. Electroconvulsive therapy is where the patient is put under and is
given an electric shock through the scalp to the brain, inducing an artificial seizure. This
practice, although controversial, is used to treat several mental disorders like depression and
schizophrenia.
Unfortunately, group therapies cannot help a person with OCD. Counseling the person with the
disorder about their problem will not do much good either. The best thing people who know a
person with OCD can do is provide emotional support.

Psychology

Psychological Disorder Project

Mr. Ring

The main types of drug used to treat OCD are antidepressants, such SSRI, and tricyclic
antidepressants, such as Anafranil. A patient with OCD might even need to take a combination
of these two types of drugs in order to treat their disorder.
Case Study #35
It is very likely that Keshona is dealing with Social Anxiety Disorder. This is an anxiety disorder
that makes a person incredibly scared and/or uncomfortable in social situations. People with this
disorder are terrified of doing anything social or in public, much like how Keshonas fear of
speaking in public and talking to adults. She might have difficulty with other social skills as well.
Therapists may encourage the patient to try doing social activities with family and friends.
However, since this is a disorder that requires professional help in order to get better, behavioral
therapies can only do so much.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is the most effective way to deal with this disorder. This therapy
will teach people with the disorder to relax and not be tense in social situations or with people.
Counseling and group therapies can be used to boost the self-confidence and self-esteem of
people with this disorder. This can help make social situations much easier for them.
A wide variety of drug can be used to treat this disorder. These include SSRIs, Paxil, Zoloft,
SNRI, and Effexor XR. Beta blockers can also be used to control adrenaline levels within the
patient.

References (In MLA format)

Mayo Clinic Staff. Diseases and Conditions: Heart Palpitations. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. April
2nd, 2014. December 10th, 2015.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-palpitations/basics/definition/con-20034780
Joseph Goldberg. Anxiety Disorders. WebMD. WebMD. February 8th, 2014. December 10th,
2015.
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders
Joseph Goldberg. Social Anxiety Disorder. WebMD. WebMD. February 13th, 2014. December
10th, 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-social-anxiety-disorder
Mayo Clinic Staff. Diseases and Conditions: Social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Mayo
Clinic. Mayo Clinic. September 12th, 2014. December 10th, 2015.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/basics/definition/con20032524

Psychology

Psychological Disorder Project

Mr. Ring

Joseph Goldberg. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. WebMD. WebMD. February 13th, 2014.

December 10th, 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder?page=1#1
Joseph Goldberg. Schizophrenia and Electroconvulsive Therapy . WebMD. WebMD. February
13th, 2014. December 10th, 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/electroconvulsive-therapy