...Marcos Reyes COD-HUSR 243 Internet Search Paper Psychology Today http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/co-occurring-disorders I searched for this website via Google.com, searching “Co-Occurring Disorders.” This website offers information on a lot of different psychological problems. The website is for the magazine, “Psychology Today,” and offers the same articles in the magazine and additional resources related to Psychology. Psychology Today covers all aspects of human behavior and mental health. The specific link I used (as shown above) is specific to co-occurring disorders. It allows users to explore the definition, symptoms, causes and treatments. It defines Co-Occurring Disorders at the top of the page stating, “Formerly known as dual diagnosis or dual disorder, co-occurring disorders describe the presence of two or more disorders at the same time. For example, a person may suffer substance abuse as well as bipolar disorder.” I think that statement is a little misleading and would better be represented by stating “…co-occurring disorders describe the presence of one or more disorders and substance abuse.” That definition implies co-occurring disorders could be something like depression and anxiety, in which case it should actually be described as co-morbid. However, within the first few paragraphs of the definition page it then states, “Clients with co-occurring disorders (COD) have one or more disorders relating to the use of alcohol and/or other drugs...
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...a genetic component that leads to a predisposition to develop addiction, a disease model of addiction or as the result of self-medicating of a primary disorder. This paper will take a theoretical view of the causes of addiction as well as developing a working definition of addiction. Causes of Addiction There are numerous theories regarding addiction and the causes of addiction; however, for the purpose of this paper we will discuss three areas or models of addiction as it relates to substance and alcohol related abuse. Before delving into the causes of addiction we will develop an understanding of what addiction is and what it is not by viewing a few theories and definitions of addiction. We will also develop an understanding of what constitute a diagnosis of addiction and causes one to develop an addiction in the context of genetic predisposition, disease and the prevalence of addiction among individuals with co-occurring disorders stemming from traumatic experiences such as childhood abuse. Addiction Defining addiction is not a simplistic task as there are many theories and definitions of addiction and how addiction develops. In Drugs and addiction: an Introduction to Epigenetics, Wong, Mill, & Fernandes (2011) defines addiction as “a debilitating psychiatric disorder, with a complex etiology involving the interaction of inherited predispositions and environmental factors” (Wong, Mill & Fernandes, 2011, p. 480). One may agree...
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...Symptoms………………………………………………………………………………….…6. Diagnosis….…………………………………………………………………………………. 7. Treatment……………………………………………………………………………………..7. Epidemiology of Depression in Youth……………………………………………………….9. Contextualised issues pertaining to Depression in Adolescence……………………………10. The impact of Culture on Adolescent Depression…………………………………………...10. Abnormal behaviours associated with Adolescent Depression….…………………………..11. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………...11. References…………………………………………………………………………………...12. DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS 3. This research paper will address depression in adolescents. Depression is often labelled as ‘the sickness of our time’ due to its prolific nature. Some of the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of depression in adolescents as well as the contextualised issues, cultural implications and other abnormal behaviour associated with the disorder will be discussed. DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS 4. Background of Depression in Adolescence Adolescence is the period of transition from childhood to adulthood, a stage of major growth and development in which significant physiological, cognitive, psychological and behavioural changes take place. Understandably then, adolescence is a time of excitement and of anxiety; of happiness and of troubles; of discovery and of bewilderment; and of breaks with the past and yet of links with the future (Schmied & Tully, 2009). Research has revealed that depression is occurring earlier in life today...
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...Mental illness paper Athena M. Blythe HCA/240 December 14, 2014 Ismaila Ramon Mental Illness Paper There are several types of anxiety disorders. The anxiety disorder that I chose to write about is post-traumatic stress disorder also known as PTSD. A person with PTSD has experienced an overwhelming traumatic incident. Most think of veterans of war having PTSD. Actually PTSD is more common than you think. It can happen because of a car accident, a fire, a rape, child abuse, or even events like September 11,2001. Patients with PTSD experience the traumatic event repeatedly and can last for months or even years after the original event. Over the years there have been many studies to diagnosis and help treat patients with PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder was officially introduced in the psychiatric world in the 1980 according to the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) by The American Psychiatric Association (APA). However the signs and symptoms can be noted as far back as the fifth century. During the First World War soldiers were showing signs of fatigue, impaired vision, nightmares, confusions, and seizure like tendencies. Medical professional didn’t understand the cause and called this reaction “shell shocked” since there were no physical evidence of trauma and as a result the behavior was often perceived as being a coward. In fact some believed that based on the idea that soldiers were faking their psychological...
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...INTRODUCTION Addiction is specifically concern with the process by which drug-taking behavior, in certain individuals, evolves into compulsive patterns of drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior that take place at the expense of most other activities and the inability to cease drug-taking. THERE ARE FIVE THEORIES OF ADDICTION NAMELY; * MEDICAL MODEL * PSYCHODYNAMIC MODEL * SOCIAL MODEL * MORAL MODEL * BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL MODEL MEDICAL MODEL This involves * Addiction as a “brain disease” * Neurotransmitter imbalance * Disease model: * Agent: drug * Vector: dealers * Host: addict PSYCHODYNAMIC MODEL This involves the following * Drug abusers who are self-medicating * Drug abuse which is a symptom of underlying psychological problems * Drug use is also a maladaptive psychological coping strategy * Drug abusers also need to resolve internal conflict, and when they do, drug use will be unnecessary. SOCIAL MODEL This involves * Drug use as a learned behavior * People using drugs because drug use is modeled by others * Peer pressure * Environmental effects leading to drug use MORAL MODEL * Addicts are usually weak and can overcome a compulsion to use with willpower * Drug abusers are anti-social and should be punished for that * Drug are generally evil BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL MODEL * All the above are true, to greater or lesser degrees * Each person’s drug use is a result of some aspects of some or all...
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...child hood trauma and abuse (verbal and physical) possible PTSD, adult child of an alcoholic traits, father killed in alcohol related incident. Jason separates himself from his mother and siblings, his main focus is social gatherings of his choice that include the consumption of alcohol. Jason is being assess after his second arrest for drinking and driving (DUI/DWI), Jason has entered treatment at the advice of his attorney, his unsuccessful attempts to cut down has led to an increase in consumption of alcohol. Jason self-reports blackouts, excessive anger and remorse of how his drinking has affected his marriage. Serious evidence of impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological dependence exist. Possible dual diagnosis from physical and verbal abuse received as a child, PTSD may also be evident due to his father’s homicide during a drunken brawl. Signs of...
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...Alcoholism in Adult Magoha Mayagila Research Paper, Psych 2301 Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a non-curable mental disorder that’s affects millions of people worldwide. According to national institute on alcohol and alcoholism, 1 in 12 adults in U.S is suffering from AUD. If not diagnosed early, AUD can effects a person life psychologically, socially and economically. Despite affecting the general population, studies have shown men are two to three times more likely to develop AUD than women due to generic differences (Mettmann D 2014). The androgen receptor (AR) gene, located on X chromosome contains a common polymorphism involving cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats, which impacts disease and could contribute the unequal sex ratio in alcoholism (Mettman D 2014). Even though men are more susceptible to AUD, the effects of AUD on women health is enormous compared to men. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a psychological tool that have been used to collect mental disorder statistics since 1840. By 1952 American Psychiatric Association developed DMS-I to diagnose mental disorders. Prior to 2013, DMS-IV was the tool of choice for clinical diagnosis for alcoholism. DMS-IV categorized alcoholism into two distinct disorders, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency; and two distinct criteria, abuse and dependency based on 11 symptoms. Alcohol abuse is defined as a behavior at which a person drinking pattern leads to undesirable acts and behavior...
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...Mentally Ill in Prison PSCH/610 Mentally Ill in Prison Abstract The increase in incarcerated individuals with mental illness in the preceding decades has made the prison system a prevalent mental health provider even though they are not prepared or equipped for such task. Prison life is tough on an individual’s mental health; overcapacity, lack of privacy, violent behavior, lack of activity, inadequate health services, seclusion from family and friends, and the insecurity of what life holds after prison contribute to the inmate’s mental health. Inmates whose judgment is altered or impaired by depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other severe mental illnesses are impacted more severely by the tribulations of prison life. Inadequate mental health services is also something mentally ill inmates face, this absconds them undertreated or mistreated. Numerous prisoners do not receive proper psychotropic medication due to the lack of mental health services and care, further impairing their capability to function. The security mission of prisons tends to overlook mental health considerations. Prison rules and codes of demeanor teach staff about security, safety, supremacy, and power. Coordinating the needs of the mentally ill with prison regulations and goals is almost impractical. Factors of the sources and effects of the concern between prison and mental illness will be observed in this research proposal. Reforms will be provided to improve mental health...
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...Outline The overall objective of this research paper is to identify and address those aspects of alcoholism, which contribute to it as a medical disease. True, alcoholism has many ramifications for society as well as the economy, but the focus of this paper shall be, for the most part, on the medical aspects. In the way of background, alcoholism refers to the drinking of alcoholic beverages to such a degree that major aspects of the individual’s life -such as work, school, family relationships or personal SAFETY AND HEALTH, above all, are seriously and repeatedly interfered with. Alcoholism is considered a disease, meaning that it follows a characteristic course with known physical, psychological, and social systems. The alcoholic continues to consume alcohol despite the destructive consequences. Alcoholism is serious, progressive, and irreversible. If not treated, it can be fatal. It is generally thought that once the disease has developed, the alcoholic will not drink normally again. An alcoholic who abstains from drinking, however, can regain control over the aspects of life with which ALCOHOL interfered. The alcoholic is then said to be “recovering” not “cured” of the disease. It is important to note that the particular symptoms and pattern of DRINKING PROBLEMS may vary with the individual. ALCOHOLISM is, therefore, a very complex disorder, and it is this very complexity which has led some recent researchers to question the accuracy of the disease concept of alcoholism...
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...High-Risk Family Assessment and Health Promotion Paper Corey Hollmann University of Phoenix NUR/542 6/30/2014 Danielle Patrick High-Risk Family Assessment and Health Promotion-Suicidal Ideation Suicide and ideation to commit this final act, is a grave public health concern that is multifaceted and responsible for significant family risk. Suicide is a behavior that has worldwide resulted in nearly one million fatalities annually. Suicide is commonly an act driven by impulsivity and followed by thoughts of hopelessness and doom. In the United States, firearms, particularly handguns, are the most common means of suicide. Despite extreme notoriety, suicide and suicidal ideation remained stigmatized and hidden behind shadows of shame. Acts of deliberate self-harm and unsuccessful attempts remain largely underreported (Fleischmann et al., 2008; Freedenthal, 2007). Summary of Suicide Risk Health Profile The incidence of suicide has remained a significant health risk across multiple demographics, cultures, and sexes. In between the years 1999 and 2008, the suicide rate increased 10.5% and from 10.5 to 11.6 people per 100,000 population. Male's record rates that are four times greater than females while non-Hispanic whites recorded 14.1 suicides per 100,000 (National Vital Statistics System, 2008). Suicide is a behavior that exudes complexity that is characterized by methods to potentiate intentional termination of one's own life. The World Health Organization (WHO) has...
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...Final Paper: Autism in Children: Conceptualizing the Complexities Genesis Cuesta The Chicago School of Professional Psychology December 13, 2012 Autism is a disorder that is becoming more and more common in our everyday society, despite a lack of everyday knowledge on this multifaceted disorder. Children are diagnosed with a range of autism disorders, fearing the consequences that come with it. In a short amount of time, the fields of medicine and psychology have advanced tremendously in their knowledge of this disorder and how it affects the development of children. In this paper, we will explore aspects of autism, from the different causes offered by researchers, common symptoms, and the latest treatments to combat this complex disorder. Overview Autism is not one disorder, but rather a group of developmental brain disorders, collectively referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) (2011) the term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment, or disability that children with ASD can have. As indicated by Johnson and Myers, Leo Kanner, a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins University first described autism in a small group of children in 1943 (as cited in Kanner, 1943). Kanner documented that they showed extreme aloofness and total indifference to other people. In 1944, Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician published an...
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...process to achieve this ideal. While survivors of mental illness are encouraged to disclose related concerns to their employer, such sharing of personal information remains daunting. Similarly, employers attempting to assist the process are often awed by the extent of collaborations involved in integrating employees with mental health issues back to work as well as concern about compliance with human rights legislation. Needed accommodations in terms of approach to the work itself are often simple; however substantiating the need for adjustments is more complex. This case study introduces a model to support the development of shared goals and shared understandings for return to work (RTW) among workers with mental health concerns, employers, co-workers and therapists. The model of occupational competence is used as a basis to guide dialogue, identify challenges and generate solutions that take into consideration a worker’s preferences, sensitivities, culture and capacities in relationship to the occupational demands in a given workplace environment. A case study is used to demonstrate the potential utility of the model in assisting stakeholders to strengthen collaborations and partnering to achieve a shared understanding of worker and workplace needs. 1. Introduction Disclosure of mental health issues in the workplace is influenced by multiple factors including intrinsic and extrinsic issues. While there is legislation that protects a worker’s right not to disclose health information...
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...Bipolar Disorders Abstract A particular celebrity has received recent media attention for his behavior. There has been much speculation as to whether his behavior could be explained by a diagnosis of bipolar. Approximately one to three percent of the world’s population has been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. (Merikangas, ?) Americans have a higher occurrence of over four percent. (Merikangas, ?) Bipolar disorders do not discriminate between genders and is being more frequently diagnosed in children. This paper will explain what bipolar disorders are and how they affect the individual’s ability to function. Bipolar Disorders Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic -depression, causes shifts in a person’s mood, energy, perception, and ability to function in a consistent day-to-day life. If untreated, it can cause a person to lose friends, jobs, money, and, in the worst cases, their life. Fortunately, there are treatment options and ways a person with a bipolar disorder can manage their life with minimum episodes to maintain a good quality of life. There are four diagnostic bipolar disorders all differing in types, severity, and frequency of episodes. The four types of bipolar disorders are Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. The disorders involve a history of Manic Episodes, Mix Episodes, or Hypomanic Episodes usually accompanied...
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...Major Depression Disorder Major Depression Disorde The topic of this case study is Major Depression Disorder (MDD). This disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, which occurs in both the young and old. Of all of the types of depression MDD is prominent due to the extent and duration of the most severe form of depression. It is second to heart disease in the extent it collaborates to the lower qualities of life. MDD is characterized by the effects it causes during such extent, leading it to be the most severe form of depression. In this paper the details of MDD, diagnosis, treatment, family, and psychosocial aspects will be covered. MDD as described by the DSM-IV TR is said to have 5 of the 9 disabling condition characteristics. Symptoms of MDD include but, are not limited to depressed mood, lack of interest, weight changes, sleep patterns, concentration issues, suicidal tendencies and thoughts. This disorder is characterized from other forms of depression such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and grief. For example, forms have less magnitude and shorter durations due to circumstantial situations related to the cause. MDD can be distinguished from other types of depression such as dysthymia and loss which, involve long-term chronic symptoms that do not disable and individual but, keep them from feeling good. The majestic of MDD can be conveyed by the social and occupational functioning. The downiness exemption to MDD need to...
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...Research Paper Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Challenges Prepared by Ms. Rawan Al-Juweed Introduction Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a degenerative disorder of the brain that leads to memory loss1. AD affects 5.3 million Americans and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. There are two main forms of the disease. Familial AD affects people younger than 65, accounting for nearly 500,000 AD cases in the United States alone1. The remainder of AD cases occur in adults aged 65 and older and is classified as sporadic AD. The prevalence of AD varies among many different factors, including age, co-morbidities, genetics, and education level. There is no way to definitively diagnose AD without performing an autopsy. There is no cure for AD, however promising research and development for early detection and treatment is underway. Abstract Alzheimer’s disease was discovered in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer, a German neurologist and psychiatrist2. The disease was initially observed in a 51-year-old woman named Auguste D. Her family brought her to Dr. Alzheimer in 1901 after noticing changes in her personality and behavior. The family reported problems with memory, difficulty speaking, and impaired comprehension. Dr. Alzheimer later described Auguste as having an aggressive form of dementia, manifesting in memory, language and behavioral deficits3. Dr. Alzheimer noted many abnormal symptoms, including difficulty...
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