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Psy 270 capstone

Psy 270 capstone

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PSY270 Complete DQ’s Week 1 to 9 (including Capstone)

Week 1/1

In defining psychological abnormality the four “D’s” are often examined first in the

attempt to assess behavior. An individuals’ behavior will be examined for deviance or behavior

which differs from the social norm. The particular culture in which the behavior is occurring

will aid in defining behavior as deviant as each culture has its own definition of normal and

acceptable behavior based upon the specific factors relating to the culture (history, values,

etc.). With regard to assessing behavior as deviant one must be careful to examine the specific

circumstances which may surround the onset of the behavior. For example: To take the life of

another human being would most likely commonly be deemed deviant behavior in our society.

However, the opinion may change if the individual were reacting in self-defense to a violent

attack (rape).

Behavior will also be assessed for level of distress. Here there is often a challenge as

many individual’s experience little, or no, distress accompanying mental illness. As our text

suggests Brad, who would seem to be suffering a psychotic episode (Schizophrenia), is

showing signs of distress. Brad feels anxiety and dread, he feels assaulted by the voices when

refusing orders from “them”, he is withdrawn and his ability to maintain his health is being

effected through dieting in preparation for the invasion. Here we see obvious signs of distress

yet some individual’s with the same diagnosis may not feel distress themselves while still

having severely abnormal behaviors, thoughts and ideas.

Dysfunction is the third “D”. Here the individual’s behavior is assessed to determine

the level at which his or her signs and symptoms are hindering normal functioning. If the

individual is unable to properly care for themselves or participate in social interactions, has

suffered a decline in work performance or lost employment, or suffered a family breakup

(divorce) the obviously the abnormal behavior has created a high level of dysfunction in his or

her life. When assessing dysfunction one is essentially asking “to what extent has this person’s

life been disrupted?”.

The final “D” is that of danger. Dangerous behavior would include the individual

experiencing thoughts of suicide or engaging in other harmful behaviors such as refusal to

eat, promiscuous behavior, drug or alcohol abuse. Obviously dangerous behavior easily

defines any individual who exhibits behavior which poses a threat to themselves or other

people.

Week1/2

The use of psychotropic medications has many positive benefits. For those suffering

from severe psychological disturbances these drugs aid in reducing many troublesome

symptoms thus enhancing the individual’s ability to function with more normality. For those

diagnosed with disorders such as schizophrenia or severe depressive disorders these

medications can often seem to be a lifesaver. The problem though is over prescribing of these

medications (often by a doctor who does not really understand what they are doing) to where it

has become “normal” to be on some sort of medication.

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For example: I went through a divorce years ago and it was rough… I was a bit

of a mess and having a tough time sleeping and eating and was having more frequent anxiety

attacks. I was sick and went to my general practitioner who then sent me off with a

prescription for Ativan which he prescribed to be taken 1 pill 3x day and 2 at bed time. Pardon

me?! If I took those as prescribed I would be unable to function at all. He also prescribed an

anti-depressant on top of this.

My thought is this… we all have good days and bad days, when crisis happens (death,

divorce) these things often result in feelings of sadness which is normal human response.

Does this require heavy sedation and anti-depressant medication to effectively avoid feeling?

Isn’t it more beneficial to work through these things as they come along (enter positive

psychology) unless the symptoms become extreme or unmanageable? I guess my point is that

psychotropic drugs have a plethora of positives when carefully and properly prescribed yet it

seems like anyone who isn’t having “the best day ever...every day” is given a pill to “fix” that.

I would also argue that general practitioner’s should not be prescribing these medications.

Week3/1

The psychodynamic perspective on anxiety disorders is that some anxiety during

childhood is normal; children will experience realistic anxiety in the face of real danger,

neurotic anxiety when impulses of the id become hindered, and moral anxiety as a result of

punishment or threat of punishment for expressions of id impulses. The psychodynamic view,

according to Freud, is that children with unresolved neurotic or moral anxieties are highly

likely to develop anxiety disorders as adults. Other theorists would disagree with Freud on

aspects of his theory yet continue to believe that strained relationships of early childhood may

factor in to later life anxiety disorders.

The humanistic theorists would suggest anxiety disorders to be the result of self-denial.

The inability to be self-accepting and honest about ones' self create anxious feelings and

hinder the individual’s ability to achieve a state of self-actualization. When children fail to

receive unconditional positive regard during childhood develop issues with conditions of

worth causing anxiety issues.

The cognitive perspective is that distorted thinking leads to anxiety. Maladaptive

assumptions lead to actions and reactions that are not appropriate which are the result of the

flawed thought processes. Second generation cognitive theorists suggest that individuals

positive and negative beliefs about worrying and that the individual focused on the negatives

will be more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders.

Biological theories of anxiety suggest anxiety is caused by biological factors. For

instance, this perspective would imply that if the individual has family members who suffer

from anxiety disorders the individual has a predisposition for developing the disorder

themselves. In addition, anxiety disorders may be caused by problems related to the neural

activity of the brain.

Honestly, there is no one perspective that I feel I agree with more so than the others as

each makes valid suggestions as to the root causes related to anxiety. I have an anxiety

disorder and can see how each perspective could be possible in explaining my anxiety. I can

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PSY270 Complete DQ's Week 1 to 9 (including Capstone) Week 1/1 In defining psychological abnormality the four "D's" are often examined first in the attempt to assess behavior. An individuals' behavior will be examined for deviance or behavior which differs from the social norm. The particular culture in which the behavior is occurring will aid in defining behavior as deviant as each culture has its own definition of normal and acceptable behavior based upon the specific factors relating to the culture (history, values, etc.). With regard to assessing behavior as deviant one must be careful to examine the specific circumstances which may surround the onset of the behavior. For example: To take the life of another human being would most likely commonly be deemed deviant behavior in our society. However, the opinion may change if the individual were reacting in self-defense to a violent attack (rape). Behavior will also be assessed for level of distress. Here there is often a challenge as many individual's experience little, or no, distress accompanying mental illness. As our text suggests Brad, who would seem to be suffering a psychotic episode (Schizophrenia), is showing signs of distress. Brad feels anxiety and dread, he feels assaulted by the voices when refusing orders from "them", he is withdrawn and his ability to maintain his health is being effected through dieting in preparation for the invasion. Here we see obvious signs of distress yet some individual's with the sa ...
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