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PSY 215 Project One
Part One
Use this Project One Template to complete your blog post. You will first review the various psychological disorders
that you’ve learned about in the course and select 3 disorders from your textbook’s “DSM-5 Quick Guide.” Using a
minimum of 3 to 5 sentences per bullet for each psychological disorder, respond to each of the rubric criteria below
to structure your blog post. Support your answers with credible sources when appropriate.
Blog post headline: What disturbs your mind, body, and soul
Three selected disorders:
Premenstrual Dysphoric (PMDD)
Panic Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
•In your own words, identify and describe the main diagnostic features of each of the
disorders selected.
-Premenstrual Dysphoric: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form
of pain and discomfort during premenstration.
-Panic Disorder: Unprovoked panic attacks that come and go repeatedly for a period
longer than 2 months.
-Bipolar Disorder: Severe high and low mood changes.
•Consider biomedical factors: Describe what it means to characterize the disorders as
“diseases of the nervous system and the body.”
-Premenstrual Dysphoric: PMDD causes severe acne, back pain, bloating, breast
swelling, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramps, and headaches.
-Panic Disorder: Some symptoms are pounding or racing heart, sweating, chills,
trembling, breathing problems, weakness, or dizziness, tingly or numb hands, chest
pain, stomach pain, and nausea.
-Bipolar Disorder: Mood changes range from sadness, hopelessness, irritability,
impulsivity, depression, weight pain and insomnia.
•Consider clinical factors: Describe the similarities between the disorders selected. In
what ways might these similarities impact diagnosis and treatment?
-Premenstrual Dysphoric: Can be self-diagnosable or medical diagnosis. Treatment
includes medication and self-care.
-Panic Disorder: Medical diagnosis after mental health exam. Treatment includes
medication and therapy.
-Bipolar Disorder: Medically diagnosed after mental health exam. Treatment can
range from hospitalization, medication, and support groups. It appears all three
disorders can be treated with medication. The medical world is constantly advancing
so medication will be more advanced.
•Consider historical factors: Describe the ways deinstitutionalization has impacted patient
rights, levels of care, and access to treatment of the disorders over time.
-Deinstitutionalization was started to help patients by preventing them from spending
their lives in a mental institution and helping them integrate into normal society. The
idea itself was a good one but with the lack of clinics and funds deinstitutionalization
has cause more harm than good. Many patients become homeless or end up in
prisons with increased rates of suicide among individuals with mental disorders
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( Hooley, et al., 2019). For the patients who are admitted the quality of life and care
in those institutions are minimal, patients’ families worry if they are being cared for
correctly.
•Consider sociocultural factors: Describe the social and cultural changes that have caused
shifts in the public’s perception of the disorders over time.
-Today treatment is offered and accepted more openly because mental disorders are
more commonly talked about. There is even an entire month dedicated to mental
health and bringing more awareness to disorders. I think because there is proven
knowledge about mental disorders the world can understand and grow with the
constant flow of information.
Part Two
For Part Two, choose 1 disorder from the 3 you discussed in Part One. Respond to each of the three questions in a
minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Support your answers with credible sources when appropriate and address the rubric
criteria.
One selected disorder: Bipolar Disorder
Consider the mind-body connection: Describe whether a discernible bidirectional relationship
exists between the disorder and physical illness. If so, explain.
-I do believe that a discernible bidirectional relationship exists between bipolar
disorder and physical illness. When someone is bipolar, they suddenly get angry and
yell and have constant mood swings that could put others at harm. If someone has an
episode in public then people in the surrounding area would consider that person as
crazy without knowing their disorder.
Consider the impact of language and messaging: Describe how the words we use (e.g., in casual
conversation, in media communications) when discussing a disorder influence our willingness or
ability to manage the disorder.
-The words we use daily to discuss disorders largely impacts others with the disorder
and if they feel comfortable enough to share. If someone were to overhear a group of
friends speaking negative about the disorder it would discourage that person and
possibly send them into an episode. On the other hand, a person could hear the group
and decide to educate them on the disorder.
Consider the effect of lifestyle choices: Describe the small, but significant, changes in
attitude/behavior we can make that could help us to manage the symptoms of the disorder.
-Small but significant changes in attitude or behavior we can make to help manage
symptoms would be gaining emotional intelligence. Being able to practice self-care
and recognizing and understanding the emotions of others. When you are around
someone with a disorder you must be aware of what their triggers are. Being able to
understand and express your interest in the well being of others lets them know that
you care.
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Reference
Hooley J. M., Nock M. K., & Butcher J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (Subscription). [MBS
Direct]. Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780135190968/
