Scenario
You have been hired to put together some educational research on psychological disorders. The company you work for asked you to construct a chart that can be used as a quick reference on three disorders of your choice. The chart must include:
- Symptoms of the disorder
- The population affected (including age and gender)
- Possible co-occuring disorders
- Cultural importance
- Influence of heredity/biology
The company has specifically asked that you also write a narrative that explains how each selected disorder might affect a person’s ability to be employed. The company plans to share this information with employers in hopes of increasing education and reducing stigma surrounding psychological disorders.
Directions
Choose three of the psychological disorders listed below. Then using the template provided, fill out each column with the information needed. Use the example given in the template (Dissociative Identity Disorder) as a guide for the three disorders you choose. After completing the table and receiving feedback, you will write your narrative.
- Major Depression
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Suicide
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Specific Phobia (Choose a specific phobia)
- Substance Use Disorder (Choose a specific substance)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Personality Disorder (Choose a specific one from Cluster B)
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Solution Preview
| Disorder | Symptoms | Population affected (include age & gender) | Possible co-occurring disorders | Cultural importance | Influence of heredity/biology |
| Example: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) | Two or more distinct personalities; severe trauma in childhood; memory lapses of everyday events, symptoms cause issues with social or daily functioning, it is not part of a religious practice; it is not due the effects of a substance (APA-1, 2013) | Diagnosis tends to be more in females, likely due to males being less likely to seek treatment and admit the symptoms occur (APA-1, 2013). Trauma must take place prior to a specific age in childhood, but there is little understanding of why at this time. | PTSD, Alcohol Use Disorder (possibly by an alter but not the host); Substance Use Disorder (possibly by an alter but not the host); Other Anxiety Disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Personality Disorders (APA, 2018) | Largely only recognized in the United States; Some cultures may consider this solely coping while others may consider it a religious experience or possession (APA-1, 2013) | Currently there is no connection biologically as the condition requires a traumatic event to develop; however there is some evidence that there is a possibility someone will utilize this coping mechanism if they have witnessed a parent utilize it. |
| Major depression | Feeling sad and at times feeling irritated, less interest in activities that one enjoyed in the past, restlessness, worthlessness or guilt, challenges in concentrating or thinking or making decisions, thoughts of harming self…. |