Days 24-25 - Psychological Disorders - Introduction

Learning Targets - Students will be able to 

• Describe and analyze common symptoms, causes, and treatments for frequently diagnosed psychological disorders 

Opener - Introductory Reading - When minor imperfections lead to unthinkable consequences

Read through the brief case study found below and think about the following questions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iqU-u_fY8ytT8WJN0RrnP8sUpe209NiG4YK-4fF0WW8/edit?usp=sharing

1. What do you think might cause people like Robert to become so sensitive about their appearance?
2. Aside from our physical appearance, what other aspects of our lives do you think people are commonly sensitive about?

Activity #1 - Psychological Disorders - Introduction Mini-Lecture



Abnormal psychology — the application of psychological science to understanding and treating mental disorders — is appropriate, as more psychologists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorder than in any other endeavor, and these are probably the most important tasks psychologists face.

• The impact of mental illness is particularly strong on people who are poorer, of lower socioeconomic class, and from disadvantaged ethnic groups.

• People with psychological disorders are also stigmatized by the people around them, resulting in shame and embarrassment, as well as prejudice and discrimination against them. Thus the understanding and treatment of psychological disorder has broad implications for the everyday life of many people. 

A psychological disorder is an ongoing dysfunctional pattern of thought, emotion, and behavior that causes significant distress, and that is considered deviant in that person’s culture or society (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2007)

• Psychological disorders have much in common with other medical disorders. They are out of the patient’s control, they may in some cases be treated by drugs, and their treatment is often covered by medical insurance. Like medical problems, psychological disorders have both biological (nature) as well as environmental (nurture) influences.

Activity #2 - Jigsaw - Pt. 1

Below is a list of commonly diagnosed psychological disorders.  Match the card you have drawn with the corresponding disorder below.  Complete each of the following tasks for your assigned disorder:

1. List and describe the most common symptoms of your assigned disorder.
2. Approximately how many people are affected by this disorder.
3. What are the most common treatments today?

A's - ADHD
K's - Autism
Q's - Generalized Anxiety Disorder
J's - Bipolar Disorder
10's - Clinical Depression
9's - Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder

Activity #3 - Jigsaw - Pt. 2 - Four of a kind

Now find your classmates with the same card as you.  Quickly compare your findings.  Make sure you are in relative agreement before we move on.

Activity #4 - Jigsaw - Conclusion - Straight Flush

Now find your classmates of the same suit and each member should take turns sharing their findings with the group. This will serve as your "notes" for these disorders.


Close - Post at least 2 questions here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iKDtCmP_Q4AHlAjd2APb2qjx2U2xTSgqM71Hmvl9KK4/edit?usp=sharing

MAKE SURE THAT YOU CLICK THE APPROPRIATE TAB AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE