Abstract This paper discusses the physiological roots of bipolar disorder (commonly known as "manic depression") including neuroanatomy and neurotransmitters. It also discusses common treatments of bipolar disorder, and how medication available affects neurotransmitter levels and so inhibits symptoms.
Abstract In this paper aversion therapy is studied as a therapy employed in the treatment of alcoholism, smoking, compulsive gambling, and sexual deviations. Aversion therapies are described and critically assessed. Many deficiencies are pointed out and suggestions for improvements are made. It is suggested that the future of aversion therapy lies in the complete comprehension of the procedure.
From the Paper "A therapy, which employs classical conditioning, is known as aversion therapy. In aversion therapy a negative emotional reaction is conditioned to a maladaptive behavior that a subject perceives as pleasurable (Liebert & Spiegler, 1998, p. 516). In this approach the problem behavior, known as the conditioned stimulus (CS), is paired with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). The unconditioned stimulus (UCS) can be administered in such forms as chemical or electrical aversion. The unconditioned stimulus (UCS) results in the unconditioned response (UCR), which may be anxiety, fear or nausea. After numerous pairings of the problem behavior (CS) with the aversion therapy (UCS) the problem behavior (CS) will elicit fear, anxiety or nausea (CR). "
Abstract A descriptive essay about the effects of Alzheimer's Disease and how to best treat the patients. The author discusses the mental, behavioral and emotional difficulties experienced by carriers of the disease, exposing the roles to be played by the caretakers.
From the Paper "Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive disease affecting an estimated 4 million people in the United States. According to GW Small in a consensus view on Alzheimer's Disease, ?between 6% and 8% of all persons over 65 have the disease.?(1) Caring for a parent with Alzheimer's Disease can be one of the most challenging positions a person can experience. The person who was once the primary caregiver is now dependent on the child as their caregiver. Although the caregiver still loves this parent, she begins to dislike and resent the person her parent has become. The behavior changes associated with Alzheimer's Disease can cause embarrassment and anger at the parent's behavior. This confusion in emotions can cause much anguish for the caregiver. The immediate family will also be affected by Alzheimer's Disease as well. Children and spouses may feel neglected because they?re not receiving the caregiver's full attention. The caregiver should prepare herself by knowing what the impaired person can and cannot do and anticipating problems by planning ahead. The caregiver should also know where to go for help. Family or another means of support become a necessity. Alzheimer's Disease is a debilitating disease that can rob not only the quality of life from the victim, but the caregiver as well. Knowing what to expect and how to respond will help the caregiver function successfully in her role."
Tags: sick, ill, old, elder, care, patient, hospital, mental, emotional, slow, behavior, doctor
Abstract An examination of the advantages and the disadvantages of using self-efficacy counseling based upon the client's gender. The author analyzes whether issues of self-efficacy should be used in counseling depending on the gender of the patient due to the differences between men and women's reactions.
From the Paper "The self-efficacy theory is based on the statement that people deal with the environment and various situations based on their self-judgments of how well they can perform in a given scenario and how well they can cope with a given behavior. Self-efficacy also determines how long the individuals will persist at facing an obstacle and how much effort will be put in overcoming it (Bandura, 1982)."
Abstract An analysis of the writings of psychologist John C. Searle and his philosophy of the mind. Includes a deep probing into the mind-body debate and an analysis of Searle's concepts and ideas.
From the Paper "Searle's answer to the mind-body problem is a radical adjustment in how we view mental and physical phenomena in regards to the philosophy of the mind. In fact, his solution demands a complete shift in the language we use to approach the mind-body problem. Searle asserts that we must no longer partition phenomena into either the mental and the physical. What we observe as mental phenomena are actually higher-level views of physical events taking place in the brain and perhaps the central nervous system. The workings of the brain do not exist in two separate domains that are related by rules, programs, or processing of information. To even consider one big all-inclusive domain would be wrong. Searle's whole point is to discard the language we have used to describe the workings of the brain. Our language reflects our approach towards the problem, and by using the terms "mental" and "physical" we unnecessarily compartmentalize the observations we make about the mind. A philosophy of the mind does not need to incorporate a mysterious mental component that is seemingly detached from the physical."
Abstract An analysis of the dangers of obedience in younger generations. The author discusses the influences on obedience from adults and peers and the issues and controversial debates about adolescent obedience.
From the Paper "Everyone in the country of the United States of America faces authority and obedience everyday of their life. Adults come upon authority and obedience every day whether it be from a boss or being the boss with their children, teens and adolescents look to other teens and peers for their guidance and their sense of obedience. Adolescents find their authority and obedience in groups which can be healthy but can also be dangerous depending upon what groups they choose. Church groups, school clubs, and after-school clubs are considered by the public to be positive groups to join during adolescent. Gangs or groups who do drugs, have sex, and listen to hard-core music are considered by the public to be negative groups to join during adolescents."
Abstract An analysis of PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder in Holocaust survivors. The author investigates the type of war-related stress experienced by Holocaust survivors including a diagnosis and assessment of this disease.
From the Paper "The atrocities surrounding the events known as the Holocaust are well documented. It is also well known that over 6 million Jews were executed during World War II. What became of the survivors, though, and how do they deal with their memories? By exploring the effects of the Holocaust on the people who were involved, one may also discover how to deal with the pain caused by their long-term suffering and severe trauma. The central goal of this work is to provide information on war-related traumatic stress, particularly in diagnosis, assessment, and forensic psychology."
Abstract This paper looks at all that is involved when changing genders. The author looks at both the surgical procedures along with the psychological implications. Detailed discussion of the surgical procedure is included -- and we therefore warn anyone before purchasing this paper that graphic accounts are given.
From the Paper "Transsexualism is defined in the Mosby's Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Dictionary as "a condition in which a person has an intense desire to discard one's biologic sex and live as a member of the opposite sex. It is considered a psychiatric disorder if the condition continues for more than 2 years. Some transsexual individuals crossdress and seek medical or surgical help to change their physical sex characteristics". Transexualism is marked by the belief of the individual that he or she was born into the wrong sex and should be the other. This is a conviction that usually dates back as far as the individual can remember and does not seem to be subject to change through life experiences. It can also be defined as extreme gender dysphoria. There is also a set of terminology created by the transgendered community that is now being adopted by the medical community. For example, a femisexual is a transsexual who crosses the gender barriers from male to female, having completed genital surgery whereas a mascusexual is a female-to-male transsexual who has completed genital surgery. Complisexual is a broad term to refer to individuals who are either femisexual or mascusexual. Treatment of transsexualism is aimed at helping the individual match their "inner sense" to their outward appearance and body, usually through hormone therapy and surgery. There are several theories as to what causes one to be a transsexual. Some are neurobiological while many older ones are psychosocial."
Abstract This paper deals with suicide in young males. Tracing some of the causes, like depression, the author attempts to provide an in-depth account of suicide. Quoting many experts on the subject, the author is able to provide facts and figures on the subject as well as lending a personal subjective account.
From the Paper ?The etiology of suicide among young males is complex. Factors that contribute to suicide among the general population also are largely accountable for suicides of young males. However, some particular etiologies tend to be especially relevant in explaining suicide among both male teens and young adults. These include: untreated depression, substance abuse, and a connection with birth trauma, psychosocial factors and helplessness.?
Abstract Each year, 17.4 million adults experience a mood disorder. Major depression is often called unipolar disorder, while manic depression is often called bipolar disorder. This paper looks at the causes, cures, and medications used in treating these disorders.
From the Paper "Research shows that there has been a dramatic and steady increase of mental disorders. ?An estimated 22.1 per cent of Americans ages 18 and older-about 1 in 5 adults-suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.?1 This translates into 44.3 million people, according to the 1998 U. S Census residential population estimate. The burden of these mental disorders on health and productivity in the United States has been underestimated. Five of the ten leading causes of disability are mental disorders. Nueropsychiatric disorders such as unipolar or major depression, and bipolar depression, account for a combined 46.9 per cent of disease and disability in the world2. Depressive illnesses, and Bipolar disorder, are major contributing factors in disease and disability, affecting the productivity of American culture. Institutions such as the World Health Organization, World Bank and Harvard University, confirm that mental health problems account for 15 per cent of the burden of disease in established market economies.3 The World Health Organization along with the Division of Health and Human Services of the United States government, predict that in the year 2020, Depression will be the second leading cause of disability in the world."
Abstract This paper looks at the sickness, bulimia. The author shows how bulimia reflects the afflicted's need to feel in control. It is an ongoing battle they encounter with perfection. The characteristics of a bulimic and the disease itself are looked at in-depth.
From the Paper "Everybody eats. We do so both because we need to and because we enjoy it. However, as with all human behavior, there are huge differences between people. Some eat more, some eat less, some put on weight easily, others do not. And some people go to such extremes that they harm themselves, by eating too much or too little. As a result, they may harm their health and come to the attention of doctors. Here, we will discuss the issue of bulimia."
Abstract The paper looks at the overtones of anxiety in John Irving's "The World According to Garp". The paper explains how an imaginary monster dubbed the "Under Toad" personifies this theme.
From the Paper "John Irving's novel, The World According to Garp, is permeated with an acute sense of anxiety. This apprehension and vague premonition of death - or worse - is personified by an imaginary monster called "the Under Toad"(341). For the main character, T.S. Garp, and his wife Helen Garp, "the Under Toad [becomes] their code phrase for anxiety"(341). Many times throughout the story "Garp and Helen [evoke] the beast as a way of referring to their own sense of danger"(341). This monster continues to disturb the family until it claims its ultimate prize, Garp himself."
Tags: according, anxiety, garp, irving, john, literary, themes, world
Abstract This paper is a step by step account of the murders committed by Jack the Ripper in the late 1800s. The author takes us through each one chronologically including a detailed look at the most cruel and ruthless murder, the fifth and final one.
From the Paper "Jack the Ripper terrorized the East End of London with his heinous acts of senseless violence in the Nineteenth century. The perpetrator who committed these malicious murders in which the victim's body was viciously mutilated is under speculation. By analyzing each murder, acknowledging the characteristics of the murderer, and providing a scenario, which links Prince Eddy to the murders, it establishes that he is a likely suspect to be Jack the Ripper."
Abstract This paper examines Durkheim's anomie concept in relation to human nature, its social context, and its relation to suicide. The paper also discusses Durkheim's contemporary protegees and takes a look at how the anomie concept is viewed today is assessed.
From the Paper "In attempting to understand the origins and consequences of Durkheim's conception of anomie, it is important to consider his view of human nature. Coser (1962) points out that Durkheim believed there is no human nature without society. What people thought, how they perceived the world, how they conceived of their relationship to the world?all these things were shaped by participation in society."
Abstract This paper deals with a child's ability to communicate without words. The author traces the development of the child through the first 44 months of life.
From the Paper "The earliest efforts of children to communicate are entirely nonverbal. At the beginning of the first two years of life, the child is unable to use language to express feelings, needs, or desires. Therefore, an adult must learn to understand the expressions and emotions of the child to some degree to have a successful relationship and to fulfill the child's needs thought their nonverbal behaviors. In the first two years of life, the child moves away from a world that is entirely nonverbal to one that is progressively more filled with syllables, words, pairs of words, and sentence. One researcher, Ph.D. McCarthy, estimated that only 26 percent of the verbal responses of children aged eighteen months were comprehensible. Even at this age, however, children may understand many nonlinguistic aspects of conversation. For example, fifteen-to-eighteen-month-old children sometimes hold "babbling. conversations" with each other, complete with gesturing, but without recognizable words(McCarthy1930, p308)."
