Abnormal Psychology and Therapy Essay Example for Free

Abnormal Psychology and Therapy Essay Teresa Neal Abnormal Psychology and Therapy Paper In a world where nothing seems to be considered normal anymore, psychology tries to draw the line between what it is and what is not. The different schools of thought have their own perspective on the definition, origin, and treatment of abnormal behavior and this paper will cover a few, trying to make it possible to have a clear difference between normal and abnormal psychology. Normal and Abnormal Psychology Specifically defining behavior as normal or abnormal is a contentious issue in abnormal psychology. To try to distinguish between normal psychology and abnormal psychology, psychologists use three criteria; whatever is infrequent, maladaptive, and deviant from the cultural norm, falls under the category of abnormal behavior (Spoor, 1999). Mental health, also known as normal psychology, and mental illnesses and disorders, also known as abnormal psychology, have been defined in many ways, but should always be viewed in the context of ethnocultural factors and influence because what is considered normal in some environments may be considered abnormal in others. A person with a normal behavior and mental processes has the ability to adapt and cope with adversity, has a correct perception of reality, accepts self, avoids harm, and experiences continual psychological growth and development (Kowalski Westen, 2009). Abnormal psychology, on the other hand, is characterized by unusual patterns that some people might show in their behavior, thought process, and expression of emotion, patterns that are associated with distress or disability and can cause harm and an unreasonable response to a particular situation. Mental Disorders Daily functions such as the ability to think, read, remember, plan, and understand rely on an individuals cognitive skills (Medalia Revheim, 2002). Cognitive disorders are disorders of thinking or memory that signify an evident change from the personal former level of functioning. In certain situations the exact origin of the disorder can be identified, other cases the cause is unclear. Even though these disorders are biologically founded, the environment and psychological factors play significant roles in shaping the effect and extent of disabling symptoms in addition to the personal capacity to deal with them. (Nevid, et a. 2008). The most common cognitive disorders are amnestic, delirium, and dementia disorders. Amnestic disorders are a cognitive impairment relating a failure to develop new memories and the failure to remember old memories. Delirium is a severe, and reversible state of mental disorder, which involves confusion, and the lack of ability to focus on information or the surrounding environment. Individuals that suffer from delirium may suffer frightening hallucinations, particularly visual hallucinations. The loss of memory and understanding usually associated with behavior and personality changes describes dementia disorders. Different forms of dementia exist, depending on the cause; therefore; some types of dementia may be reversed with treatment. For example; those cases that are caused by brain tumors. Dementia caused by the disease Alzheimer’s cannot be reversed (Nevid, et al. 2008). On a personal note; these patients are difficult, they have to watch be continually as they can do harm to themselves and others. Mental Illnesses Although diagnoses of ADHD are based on behavioral symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity, evidence suggests that children with ADHD also show important cognitive weaknesses in areas that are necessary to daily functioning at home work and school. Particularly research studies indicate that children with ADHD often have problems in; Executive functions (for example, planning a project, keeping attentive to a task, ignoring irrelevant information) Working memory (which is often considered an executive function) speed of information processing (children with ADHD process information more slowly than their peers) Many of these cognitive processes are often interrelated. For example problems in working memory can negatively affect other executive functions, or slow processing speed may lower an individual’s ability to recall and organize information. ttp://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmed/15499890 From the cognitive perspective, theorists suggest that a person diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorders suffer from impaired information-processing. The impairment is present in defined categories and boundaries that are maladaptive and result in an over-structuring of input but there is no evidence to show that this is the c ause, rather than a consequence of OCD symptoms. Another cognitive theory suggests that OCD fear structures are especially various and a large number of stimuli can become associated with threat or danger. Passive avoidance of such a large number of stimulus associations can be extremely difficult and compulsions become necessary for the individual to feel safe. Although cognitive theories do provide insight into the outward aspect of OCD, they fail to clearly define how and why OCD and this cognitive impairment can arise. Similarities between the Schools of Thought There are quite a few similarities between the different schools of thought in treating mental disorders. All but the Psychodynamic therapies are short term usually lasting a year or less and most all therapies have the client or patient facing the therapist and are conversational. All therapies also look to help the client or patient change behaviors or thought patterns that are causing problems of one kind or another. Cognitive-Behavioral therapies help patients with behavior and cognitive problems. The therapist helps the patient focus on the problematic behavior and helps him or her find ways in which to address these behaviors and learn skills to change them. These therapies use a variety of techniques to help patients with phobias, social skills, accomplishing goals, anxiety disorders, and the like. Psychodynamic therapies both examine the patient’s thought patterns to get to the bottom of the undesired behavior or emotional responses. Humanistic therapies including Gestalt and Client-Centered therapies focus on the patient’s feelings and to experience themselves as they really are. Family, Marital, and Group therapies use group communication either one- on-one or in a group to help with problematic relationships and behaviors. Self-help groups are another type of group therapy that aims to help people either cope with undesired behavior, loss of a loved one, addictions, and disease. [ (Kowalski, 2009) ] The common thread here with most therapies, the approach is a warm relationship with the therapist who shows empathy for the patient or client and giving him or her hope or efficacy in coping with their problem [ (Kowalski, 2009) ] Differences between the Schools of Thought While each school of thought has common factors in treatment methods, each school has developed different ways of addressing psychological problem. For instance, Psychodynamic therapies rely on two principles: the role of insight and the role of the therapist-patient relationship (Kowalski Western, 2009). It is believed that in order for therapeutic change to occur, a person must understand his or her own psychological processes. When in therapy it is one on one; the patient is either face to face with the therapist or lying on a couch with the therapist sitting behind them. Psychodynamic therapy emphasizes the notion that the patients problems stemmed from childhood. These problems follow the child into adulthood causing a conflict within new relationships. This transfer of emotion from past experiences is called transference, one of the techniques psychotherapies rely on. The two main treatments, psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy, are a long term process that focuses on developing awareness of these unconscious feelings. Psychodynamic therapy, like psychoanalysis, consists of three days a week over a long period of time. It is considered that patients who meet at least twice weekly benefit more than those who do not. Unlike psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the person’s life as it is now; the current and conscious thought patterns and behavior. They are not concerned with exploring and altering underlying personality patterns or unconscious processes (Kowalski Western,  2009). The focus is on the present feelings and not the childhood experiences. Cognitive-based therapies are relatively short term and direct. Specific recommendations are made to bring about change in behavior. The sessions are well structured with questioning, and the patient usually is sent home with an assignment (Mote, 2011). While most cognitive behavioral techniques try to alter behavior, such as classical conditioning, cognitive therapy focuses on changing dysfunctional cognitions (Kowalski Western, 2009). These behaviors are automatic, and not unconscious. Therapy is a process of identifying and altering these automatic thoughts. Cognitive therapy techniques such as rational-emotional behavior therapy recognize the behaviors and works to mediate between the activating conditions and the emotional reactions. As each of the other therapies are more therapist-patient, Humanistic therapies focus on the world of the patient and qualities that make him or her unique (Mote, 2011). The therapy techniques that are used, Gestalt therapy and Roger’s client centered therapy, are primarily based on becoming aware of one’s own emotions, values, and motivations to bring about change. With group therapy, the individuals are concentrated on the individual dynamics and their reactions in the group process. Family therapy is centered on the structure of the family, and the main roots of conflict in family interaction.

Religion Essay -- The Catholic Church

Long believed relationships between society’s culture and the ability to sustain a democratic form; have been evaluated over the years. Other cultures or religions have been proven to exhibit more conduciveness of democracy than others. Persistence of democracy within a religion falls under choice of assumptions, actions and costs toward others. As a religious institution, democracy applies also to cultural perspectives. The American Catholic Church could analyze democracy with ongoing tensions as social competitors of power or resources. Seeking the related aspects of Catholicism and democracy, the actions and words of the clergy directly influence political outcomes. The circumstances of the life of modern man have been so profoundly changed in their social and cultural aspects that we can speak of a new age of human history (Gaudiam ET Spes). Linking democracy and Catholicism, accounts for many elements of valued tensions within its religious system. â€Å"By and large. Catholic cultures have not been leaders in discovering and designing the institution of democracy or the protection of human rights but have come rather late to these traditions. Further, Catholic cultures seem on the whole rather more vulnerable to the traditional style of a single person leadership, as in the monarchies of old and in the dictatorships of today. † Churches deal with different states, but more importantly the churches address the potential shape of public opinion on political matters. Networks such as schools, religious orders, trade unions, political parties have made a force in the world of Catholic democracy. The spirit of democracy unleashed by the revolution inspired individuals to become involved. Emerging from this revolution brought forth a ... ...rch as a big ship on the sea, or a toolbox, continuity with Catholics all over, proves within this paradox, you are never alone. Today, the human race is involved in a new stage of history. Profound and rapid changes are spreading by degrees around the whole world. Triggered by the intelligence and creative energies of man, these changes recoil upon him, upon his decisions and desires, both individual and collective, and upon his manner of thinking and acting with respect to things and to people. Hence we can already speak of a true cultural and social transformation, one which has repercussions on man's religious life as well (Gaudium ET Spes). Look at the change over time, what all has happened and the evolution of the church. Reapplied to new situations, it can be said that the church does not change; the church is just refined through changes in the world.

Hazara people Essay

The book is superior to the film in many ways. Both of these versions of the story are very well fulfilled, however I believe that book has more detail and explains the story better. The book is superior to the film because the author described various facets of Amir’s emotional world, it showed Baba dying, and included important parts of the struggle Amir and Sohrab went through to get to America together. In the book, the author gets into the detail of Amir’s feelings and inner conflicts between himself and Hassan. In the movie it only shows a few scenes that you can truly point out his guilt towards what he had done to Hassan. In the book it says, â€Å"I hit him with another pomegranate, in the shoulder this time. The juice splattered his face. ‘Hit me back! ’ I spat. ‘Hit me back goddamn you! ’I wished he would. I wished he’d give me the punishment I craved, so maybe I could finally sleep that night. † (92) This quote is proof that Amir still feels guilt inside of him for leaving Hassan the day he got raped by Assef. It also demonstrates Hassan’s loyalty towards Amir. Assef was the older boy who picked on Hassan and Amir because Hassan was Hazara. Amir wanted him to punish him for not standing up for him like Hassan had done since they could walk. This was the point in the film that you could tell that Amir was feeling guilt from not helping Hassan. In the book however, there was much more detail and I could tell that he was feeling guilt from this situation and when he told his father that Hassan couldn’t go on the trip with them because he had a cold. Also, in the book I could predict why Baba never wanted to let go of Hassan and Ali. The author gave hints that there was something going on between Hassan and Baba up until the part Amir found out Hassan was his half-brother from Rahim Khan. In the movie, it was hard to tell there was a reason Baba wanted to keep Hassan and Ali until Amir asked what he thought about getting new servants. By Baba’s reaction in the movie it just seemed that he wanted to keep them because he and Ali had grown to be the best of friends. However, it was not really Ali Baba was trying to save. In the book Baba says, â€Å"‘Hassan’s not going anywhere. ’† This was the biggest sign that I thought the author gave. This quote is only one example of when the author gave a clue that Hassan meant more than a normal servant did to Baba. The book is superior to the film by the suggestions given by the author about Hassan meaning a lot to Baba. The next reason the book is superior to the film is because the movie skipped important parts of Baba’s sickness. First of all, the film did not even say Baba was sick. The author made sure that he stated Baba had cancer and that he had to live with Amir and Soraya so that they could take care of him and give him his pain medication. In the film it only showed Baba coughing once and the scene that he died in. In the book, the author included many different incidences that Baba was suffering and coughing. Also, in the chapter that Baba died you could tell that he was dying and when he said he didn’t want his medications that night I knew he was going to die. However, in the film it did not show Baba until Amir brought him to sleep. Baba was one of the main characters in the story and I believe that the film should have shown him suffering, and dying. Later on in the story Amir gets a call from Rahim Khan saying that he needed him to come to Pakistan. When Amir got there Rahim Khan told Amir a heartbreaking secret that everyone knew except him. Rahim Khan told him that he had to go and get his nephew in Kabul. In the novel, the author explains the whole story that Amir and Sohrab went through so that Amir could take Sohrab back to America to live with him and Soraya. The film missed all of the trouble they went through to get him there. In the book, the two of them went through troubles including when Sohrab tried to kill himself. This was another turning point of the novel. It was a huge event that I think should have been included in the film. When Sohrab attempted to kill himself I thought that was his way of showing that he could not trust Amir anymore and that he didn’t want to go to America no matter what it took. But when he found out that he didn’t have to go back to an orphanage he was truly happy to go with Amir. In the film, it cut out everything, even though these were important events. In the novel it says, â€Å"‘We’re going to America! ’ I pushed the door open. Stepped into the bathroom. Suddenly, I was on my knees, screaming. Screaming through my clenched teeth. Screaming until my throat would rip and my chest explode. † (343) This was the part of the novel that Sohrab tried to kill himself. This quote was very important in the novel. I think this because you do not know what exactly Amir is screaming about, but you know it’s bad. The author did a good job at this part because it almost forced you to continue reading to see what happened to Sohrab. The book was able to capture all of the details about the characters and their emotions and the situations they were in. However, the movie skimmed the interactions of Amir, Hassan, Baba, and Rahim Khan at times. In conclusion, the book is superior to the film. The AUTHOR did a beautiful job writing the story about Amir’s life and his guilt and the redemption he experienced.

Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate - 939 Words

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate Many parents stress over the choice of deciding whether or not to vaccinate their children. The reason why deciding to vaccinate children is so difficult is due to the wide range of myths and side effects that are connected with vaccinations. Myths spread to parents all over the United States that the diseases don’t even exist anymore, rumors of vaccinations weakening a child’s immune system, and the risk of a child becoming autistic due to thimerisol in vaccinations. Side effects also scare parents out of getting their children vaccinated like brain damage, seizures, or allergic reactions, but then parents are pulled back to the thought of the possibility of†¦show more content†¦Because of advancements in medicine, vaccinations are becoming a widespread medium in the prevention of disease. They have provided the eradication and immunity to many deadly diseases such as smallpox, polio and rubella. Although there is no law that mandates the vaccination of child ren, they are necessary to prevent the infliction of disease and harm. By making the decision to vaccinate their children, a parent has the potential to save their lives. Vaccinations are considered to be the greatest health development of the 20th century. Because of advancements in medicine, vaccinations are becoming a widespread medium in the prevention of disease. They have provided the eradication and immunity to many deadly diseases such as smallpox, polio and rubella. Although there is no law that mandates the vaccination of children, they are necessary to prevent the infliction of disease and harm. By making the decision to vaccinate their children, a parent has the potential to save their lives. I stand firmly in believing that getting my children the recommended vaccinations for their age or what grade they are going into is the right thing. I do not believe the myths, I never have. I also do not feel there is enough evidence to show that autism is linked to vaccines. These vaccines are not only protecting my children but they are protection children around them including family and school. Today’s society with some many people movi ng to the UnitedShow MoreRelatedTo Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate1031 Words   |  5 Pages  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A lot of parents stress over the choice of deciding wither or not to vaccinate their children. The reason why deciding to vaccinate children is so difficult is due to the wide range of myths and side effects that are connected with vaccinations. Examples of myths spread to parents all over the United States is that the diseases don’t even exist anymore, rumors of vaccinations weakening a child’s immune system, and the risk of a child becoming autistic due to thimerisol in vaccinationsRead MoreTo Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate Essay1140 Words   |  5 PagesTo Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate The topic I chose for discussion is whether I would chose to follow the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) recommendations for having my child vaccinated against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Although no federal laws exist for mandatory vaccinations, each state has a group of required vaccines for children, prior to the enrollment in public and some private schools. So basically, if you’d like your child to go to school, they must be vaccinated. FortyRead MoreTo Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate? Essay1158 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Standard immunization currently averts an estimated two to three million deaths every year in all age groups† (â€Å"General Information†). Children along with adults should be vaccinated because these Inoculations prevent diseases, even deaths, from going around, along with keeping the environment a safer place. As people know, kids get vaccinated from the time born to about the time the child reaches teen years, although getting immunized does not precisely stop at any age. In fact, required vaccinationsRead MoreDon t Wait Vaccinate !1886 Words   |  8 PagesDon’t Wait Vaccinate! Children are one of the most precious gifts from God that an individual can receive. Since the lives of children are so important, parents do their best to take good care of their children during their youth, because they are vulnerable to many diseases due to their weak immunity. 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I would definitelyRead MoreWhy Parents Do Not Vaccinate Their Children2085 Words   |  9 Pagesindirect societal costs (CDC, 2014). Although many benefits stem from childhood vaccination, there is still a copious amount of people who do not and will not vaccinate their children which has led to a heated debate over the whether or not vaccines are ultimately necessary (Stinchfield, 2001). There is a myriad of reasons why parents do not vaccinate their children; although, according to Matthew Daley and Jason Glanz, both of whom are pediatricians and researchers at Kaiser Permanente’s Institute forRead MoreShould You Vaccinate Your Child? Essay1813 Words   |  8 PagesKaylee Davidson English 101 Dr. Smith 14 February 2016 Should You Vaccinate Your Child? The Center for Disease Control describes vaccines as the greatest development in public health since clean drinking water. For several decades, vaccines have saved countless lives and helped eradicate some fatal diseases. The push to do away with vaccines will not only endanger our youth, but our society as a whole. Vaccination is needed to maintain a healthy balance within our country. Vaccines provide the immunityRead MoreA Parent s Refusal And The Decision Making Process1336 Words   |  6 PagesA Parent’s Refusal to Vaccinate By Michelle Whitley The word vaccinate tends to bring up controversy among parents in today’s society. For most parents vaccinating is a medical necessity when you are raising a child. Then there are a small percentage of parents who believe that vaccines are dangerous and refuse to have their children vaccinated. Why is that you might ask? There are many reasons a parent may decide not to vaccinate their children. It is not hard to find bad information on