Abnormal Psychology

NEWSLETTER AND REMINDERS

October 23, 2000:  As we begin to discuss eating disorders, read this report on a possible rise in eating disorders in men.  As you read the article, answer these questions:  Does the phrase "closer to twenty percent" mean that the rate of eating disorders in men has doubled from the current ten percent?  Is the observation that the majority of new memberships in a health club are male actually evidence that the rate of eating disorders in men is increasing?  Of the many possible reasons for the questionable rise in male rates, which do you find most compelling?  Why?

September 29, 2000:  On Monday, we will consider post-trauma disorders, and we have already discussed some of the cultural factors in mental disorders.  This article discusses the role of trauma in psychiatric disorders in general, and focusses on populations who have experienced trauma in different cultures.

In addition, this study shows that exercise may be as effective as one medication in treating depression.

September 27, 2000 : We have seen that social phobia and panic disorders typically begin in adolescence.  The prognosis for adolescent patients is hurt by their relative lack of access to mental health services.  This article describes the problem of access for adolescents in connection with another disorder, depression.   As you read it, note especially the risk factors for depression.

August 30, 2000: One of the issues in diagnosis centers on validity: Do the diagnostic labels and the symptoms used to assess them really measure an underlying condition or disorder?  Is there really such a thing as schizophrenia, or depression, or social phobia?  One diagnosis which has consistently been controversial is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or AD/HD.  (That is the DSM-IV label; some clinicians and organizations persist in using an earlier label, Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD, as seen in the linked article.) This article outlines some of the controversy.

Archive of prior year links
April 10: Here are several links to news stories and articles that touch on recent or future topics in the course:
1. Recall that drug treatments for schizophrenia often have unfortunate side effects, including Parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia.  These effects appear to be lessened with lower doses, but then the schizophrenia symptoms are harder to control.  However, this article suggests that there may be an effective compromise:Lower Doses Just As Effective In Treating Schizophrenia- Doctor's Guide, 3/31/00.

2.  This article may give you some new ideas about anorexia: Taste of pills dampens appetite, studies indicate- Mercury, 4/4/00.

3.  Substance abuse, strokes, and trauma may damage the brain.  Can anything be done? Rewiring The Damaged Brain- Science Daily, 4/6/00.

4.  Soon, we will discuss disorders of childhood, including seizure disorders.  Treating Childhood Seizures- ABC News, 3/31/00.

5.  Another childhood disorder deals with reading difficulty:  Better reading in the blink of an eye: Student research makes progress in early detection of dyslexia- USA Today, 4/6/00.

6.  Here is a fairly new problem that fits into our discussion of substance-induced disorders: Chemotherapy may weaken memory, thinking, study says- JSOnline, 4/2/00.

7.  Here is another story on substance-induced conditions: Frequent marijuana use affects brain blood flow- Fox, 4/4/00.

8.  Here is another perspective relevant to our discussion of mood disorders: The growing scientific debate on happiness- ABC News, 4/5/00.

9.  To round out our understanding of suicide, consider this summary: Myths about suicide keep facts hidden- U-Wire, 4/5/00.

March 22: Shortly, we will be considering the biological theories of depression. This news report evaluates newer antidepressant drugs. We will also be considering suicide, and this article on suicide in Ireland may help us understand on of the hypothesized causes.

In early April, we will be considering personality disorders (Axis II). One of them, Antisocial Personality Disorder, included some behavior patterns which are criminal. This article offers a provocative new hypothesis about an etiology for criminal behavior.

And speaking of new hypotheses about etiology, try this one: Automobile crashes!

March 5: In our discussion of eating disorders, we will encounter the possible relationship of anorexia and bulimia nervosa to being teased about one's body or weight. This news story from the Philadelphia Inquirer reports on an article in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (in our library, if you want to follow up) on teasing themes in adults.

February 26: First, read this news story on the prognosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Then, read this summary of the article, published by the journal. Finally, have a go at the full text of the article.

PTSD for British soldiers returning from peacekeeping duty in Bosnia was investigated in this interesting controlled experiment.

Here is a brief example of the use of the biological technique of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for etiological and prognostic purposes in the diagnosis of schizophrenia.

January 19: The first project, an outline, is due next week on the 27th. There is now a link on the course website to a sample of the first project, an outline on depression. Should you choose to do your outline on depression, you will have to use different journal sources from the one used in the sample outline.

Nov. 20: Here is an article on a new drug treatment for chronic depression. Another interesting article picks up the depression-exercise link, which is related to the class discussion of the role of doing something to combat depression. And for a bit of review, read this article on treatment of chronic pain, and connect it to our discussion of Pain Disorder.

Nov. 19: For Web page development, Jonathan Sheldon has some advice, including some useful links for graphic images. In addition, the text for the web publishing workshop of last week is available.

Nov. 16: Further to our discussion of PMS, here is a news release on a new study linking severe Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder to a history of physical and sexual abuse. As you read it, consider especially the sample sizes and the means of recruiting participants. What would you suggest as an alternative?

And for our discussion of suicide, read this article about why women are less likely to commit suicide.

Notice the link below to study materials by Comer, as well as the new link on the course page to a website for our textbook.

A website is available for another textbook, this one by Comer. It has a nice set of multiple choice questions, which you may find useful for general study, quiz preparation, and GRE preparation.
 
 

If you have any comments on ways to improve this newsletter, the course website, or even the humor, please send me an e-mail.

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