Paper Summary:

This paper explores the many challenging aspects of psychological disorders, focusing on their characteristics and also how society treats the sufferers. First, the paper describes how people feel about those with psychological disorders, particularly how we interact with them. Then, several major disorders are described briefly with a general overview and a basic outline of their treatment. The paper concludes by stating that by discussing these these serious disorders of individuals with abnormal behavior will hopefully help to understand them better and not be so quick to judge.

Outline:

Eating Disorders
Substance Abuse
Personality Disorders
Gender Identity Disorder
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Substances like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, or even coffee or soft drinks are used in everyday life. People depend on these substances to make it through the day and to make life a little easier. However, these substances can be abused and used for all the wrong reasons. The DSM-IV-TR associates substance dependence with tolerance and withdrawal (as cited in Kring et al, 2007, 297). Those with substance dependence develop a tolerance for a certain substance and need higher dose to achieve desired effects or the substance taken has a markedly lessened effect when taken in a normal dosage (Kring et al, 2007). Withdrawal symptoms or negative physical and psychological effects occur when an individual decides to lessen amount of substance taken or stop taking the substance altogether (Kring et al, 2007). Substance abuse is a serious problem and is linked most often to individuals with personality disorders, which are named in the next section."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Courbasson, C., Rizea, C. & Weiskopf, N. (2008, July). Emotional Eating among Individuals with Concurrent Eating and Substance Use Disorders. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 6(3), 378- 388. Retrieved September 3, 3009, doi:10.1007/s11469-007-9135-z
• Kring, A., Davison, G., Neale, J., Johnson, S. (2007). Abnormal Psychology (10th Edition). Chapters 9-10 (pp. 270- 348) & 12-13 (pp. 386-448). USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Sass, H. & Junemann K. (2003, October 2). Affective disorders, personality and personality disorders. Acta Psychiatica Scandinavica, 108, 34. Retrieved September 3, 2009, doi:10.1034/j1600-0447.108.s418.8.x

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