PSY 215 4-2 project one

PSY 215 Project One Template Use the following article to support you in writing your blog post: Tips for Writing Popular Blog Posts . Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the relevant information. 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. 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 You Need to Know: Mental Disorders Three selected disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) Bipolar Disorder Mental Health Disorder #1 Mental Health Disorder #1 is: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)  In your own words, identify and describe the main diagnostic features of the disorder selected. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition where the individual experiences excessive worrying about normal daily tasks and situations. “Healthcare providers diagnose GAD when your worrying happens on most days and for at least 6 months.” (Johns Hopkins University, 2023) Some of the most common symptoms related to GAD are restlessness, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, trouble with sleep, and muscle tension.  Consider biomedical factors: Describe what it means to characterize the disorder as “diseases of the nervous system and the body.” GAD is a psychological disorder that can be genetic, a neurotransmitter abnormality, or a chemical imbalance in the brain. GABA, serotonin, and norepinephrine are all neurotransmitters that play a part in GAD. (Hooley et., al 2019) There are several different categories of medications that can be used, along with talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, to treat GAD. Mental Health Disorder #2 Mental Health Disorder #2 is: Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)  In your own words, identify and describe the main diagnostic features of the disorder selected. Depression, also commonly known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mental disorder where an individual may “experience a loss of energy, too much or too little sleep, decreased appetite and weight loss, an increase or slowdown in mental and physical activity, difficulty concentrating, irrational guilt, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.” (Hooley et., al 2019) Individuals must not have experienced a manic or hypomanic episode. Some individuals who the criteria of major depressive disorder may also display patterns of symptoms which are called specifiers. These specifiers are with melancholic features, with psychotic features, with atypical features, with catatonic features, and with seasonal pattern. (Hooley et., al 2019) An individual with major depressive disorder may also have common comorbid diagnoses such as diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders and pain. This is because the diagnosis of one illness or disorder may influence the diagnosis of another. (aan het Rot et., al 2009)  Consider biomedical factors: Describe what it means to characterize the disorder as “diseases of the nervous system and the body.” Much like GAD, major depressive disorder can be a neurotransmitter abnormality or genetic. It can also be due to environmental factors such as stress. “Scientists have not identified a gene or a series of genes that cause depression. Rather, certain variations in genes, called polymorphisms, may increase risk for depression. Genes can predispose individuals to major depressive disorder in many ways.” (aan het Rot et., 1

al 2009) Individuals with major depressive disorder may also have a chemical imbalance or a neurotransmitter abnormality where serotonin levels are lower than someone without major depressive disorder. Mental Health Disorder #3 Mental Health Disorder #3 is: Bipolar Disorder  In your own words, identify and describe the main diagnostic features of the disorder selected. There are two different types of bipolar disorder. What differentiates these two disorders is the type of manic episode the individual has. An individual with bipolar I disorder “experiences episodes of mania and periods of depression.” (Hooley et., al 2019) The periods of depression do not meet the criteria for major depressive disorder. An individual with bipolar II disorder experiences hypomania and periods of depression that do meet the criteria for major depressive disorder. The symptoms of a manic episode are elevated mood, euphoria, with random moments of irritability. Hypomania features softer variations of the same symptoms. Hospitalization is normally not needed during a hypomanic episode, but it may be required during a full manic episode. Common symptoms that are associated with bipolar disorder are “depressed mood, anxiety, guilt, and suicidal thoughts.” (Hooley et., al 2019)  Consider biomedical factors: Describe what it means to characterize the disorder as “diseases of the nervous system and the body.” There are several biomedical factors of bipolar disorder. “These factors include genetic, neurochemical, hormonal, neurophysiological, neuroanatomical, and biological rhythm influences.” (Hooley et., al 2019) The gene that it transmitted from bipolar disorder is polygenetic. Studies show increased levels of norepinephrine and dopamine during manic episodes. Serotonin levels are low during both manic episodes and depression periods. During manic episodes, individuals get significantly less sleep. On the other hand, they tend to over sleep during depression periods. Environmental factors such as stressful life events or low social support can be factors. For the following questions, please refer to all three of the mental health disorders above:  Consider clinical factors: Describe the similarities between the disorders selected. In what ways might these similarities impact diagnosis and treatment? There are several similarities between these three disorders. Anxiety disorders and depression disorders have many of the same symptoms such as problems with sleep, difficulty concentrating, fatigue or loss of energy, etc. It is common for individuals with one of these diagnoses to also have the other. The factor that differentiates bipolar disorder with depression and anxiety is the manic episodes that occur. However, symptoms of bipolar I and II are like those of anxiety and depression because of the cycling that an individual goes through. They will experience highs, known as manic episodes, and lows, known as depression periods. The similar symptoms can make it difficult to diagnose, but certain traits of each disorder helps distinguish the three of them.  Consider historical factors: Describe the ways deinstitutionalization has impacted patient rights, levels of care, and access to treatment of the disorders over time. There are several ways to look at how deinstitutionalization has impacted patient rights, levels of care, and access to treatment. The first way is to look at the positives associated with deinstitutionalization. Deinstitutionalization has made it easier for individuals with severe mental illness to receive referrals to outpatient care and maintenance care such as talk therapy or medication assistance. However, there are many negatives that have come from deinstitutionalization. “The changes that led to this lack of space, as well as changes to the institutionalization process, have made it impossible for people with severe mental illness to find appropriate care and shelter, resulting in homelessness or “housing” in the criminal justice system’s jails and prisons.” (Yohanna, 2013) It is difficult for individuals to find providers that have availability. Many people wait months for an appointment, unless they check themselves in for a 72-hour hold.  Consider sociocultural factors: Describe the social and cultural changes that have caused shifts in the public’s perception of the disorders over time. During the early year of mental disorders, many believed that an individual with mental disorders had been possessed by a demon or god, or that it was magic or witchcraft. Individuals were sent to asylums where they were tortured and experimented on, and some were even killed. Over the last several decades, there has been new information discovered about mental disorders that has shifted the public’s perception. There are now specific protocols and procedures that must be followed to ensure the individual is receiving proper 2

aan het Rot, M., Mathew, S. J., & Charney, D. S. (2009). Neurobiological mechanisms in major depressive disorder. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne, 180(3), 305–313. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.080697 Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). Retrieved on January 27, 2023, from, https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033 Johns Hopkins University. (2023). Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved on January 27, 2023 from, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/generalized-anxiety-disorder Silver, Natalie. (2019). What Are the Long-Term Effects of Bipolar Disorder on the Body? Healthline. Retrieved on January 27, 2023 from, https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/long-term-effects-on-the-body\ Yohanna, D. (2013) Deinstitutionalization of People with Mental Illness: Causes and Consequences. AMA Journal of Ethics. Retrieved on January 27, 2023 from, https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/deinstitutionalization- people-mental-illness-causes-and-consequences/2013-10 4