Name That Disorder

1. Name That Disorder This activity presents case studies in which individuals suffer from symptoms of psychological disorders. Acknowledgements: This activity was written by Antoinette R. Miller, Clayton State University

2. Case Study 1 • Irene occasionally experiences unpredictable episodes of intense dread, accompanied by chest pains and a sensation of smothering. Her symptoms have no apparent physical cause.

3. Case Study 1: DIAGNOSISIrene suffers from • obsessive-compulsive disorder • panic disorder • agoraphobia • posttraumatic stress disorder • antisocial personality disorder

4. Case Study 2 • Jason is so preoccupied with staying clean that he showers as many as 10 times each day.

5. Case Study 2: DIAGNOSISJason suffers from • major depressive disorder • paranoid schizophrenia • panic disorder • bipolar disorder • obsessive-compulsive disorder

6. Case Study 3 • Although she escaped from war-torn Iraq two years ago, Lila still has haunting memories and nightmares. She is also severely depressed.

7. Case Study 3: DIAGNOSISLila suffers from • bipolar disorder • antisocial personality disorder • post-traumatic stress disorder • major depressive disorder • agoraphobia

8. Case Study 4 • One day Matt felt optimistic, energetic, and on top of the world. A few days later he felt hopeless and lethargic. He thought that the future looked very grim.

9. Case Study 4: DIAGNOSISMatt suffers from • panic disorder • agoraphobia • major depressive disorder • antisocial personality disorder • bipolar disorder

10. Case Study 5 • Claiming that she heard a voice commanding her to warn other people that eating is harmful, Sandy attempts to convince others restaurant patrons not to eat. The psychiatrist to whom she is referred finds that Sandy’s thinking and speech are often fragmented and incoherent. In addition, Sandy has an unreasonable fear that someone is “out to get her.” Consequently, she trusts no one.

11. Case Study 5: DIAGNOSISSandy suffers from • paranoid schizophrenia • panic disorder • bipolar disorder • post-traumatic stress disorder • antisocial personality disorder

12. Case Study 6 • Bob has never been able to keep a job. He’s been in and out of jail for charges such as theft, sexual assault, and spousal abuse.

13. Case Study 6: DIAGNOSISBob suffers from • post-traumatic stress disorder • major depressive disorder • bipolar disorder • antisocial personality disorder • obsessive-compulsive disorder

14. Case Study 7 • Sadie is so fearful of being overwhelmed by anxiety that she rarely steps outside her apartment. The thought of going shopping and getting lost in a crowd terrifies her, so she has her groceries delivered. Because of her fear, she earns her living as a freelance writer and works at home.

15. Case Study 7: DIAGNOSISSadie suffers from • obsessive-compulsive disorder • agoraphobia • bipolar disorder • major depressive disorder • panic disorder

16. Case Study 8 • For the last month Gabrielle has felt lethargic and has been unable to get out of bed in the morning. She has withdrawn from friends and family because she feels worthless and unlovable.

17. Case Study 8: DIAGNOSISGabrielle suffers from • major depressive disorder • antisocial personality disorder • paranoid schizophrenia • post-traumatic stress disorder • bipolar disorder

18. A Concluding Thought • A medical model is when a disease has physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and, in most cases, cured. • With psychological disorders, the medical model assumes that these mental illnesses can be diagnosed on the basis of their symptoms and cured through therapy, which may include treatment in a psychiatric hospital.

19. Consider This… • How do we define “abnormal behavior”? • Why are personality disorders different from the other “common” psychological disorders? • Can you truly make a diagnoses based on short descriptions such as these?