Abstract
This paper examines the movie "Don't Say a Word", directed by Gary Fleder, and focuses particularly on its deeply disturbed protagonist, Elizabeth. The young lady manifests a number of mental problems, so many and so variable that her psychiatrist becomes suspicious that she is faking. The paper points out that she is indeed partially faking her symptoms. At the same time, she is a troubled young woman and does suffer from depression and related problems because of certain traumatic events. The paper adds that the link between the events and her reaction is clearly made and serves to show her portrayal to be realistic. The paper takes a close look at how well she mimics certain problems so convincingly, enough to fool even medical professionals. Ultimately, she is diagnosed with counterfeit schizophrenia. The paper concludes, however, that the severe traumas in her life might have led to the onset of real disorders.

From the Paper
"Schizophrenia may be the most severe of the psychiatric disorders, and this problem leads to a disability resulting from negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, which may at times include delusions and hallucinations. These symptoms are in keeping with what psychiatrists in the film see when they examine Elizabeth. The modern conception of schizophrenia was made first by German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin at the beginning of the twentieth century, and in 1959, Schneider offered a set of first rank symptoms of the disease. These symptoms included audible thoughts, hearing voices arguing, hearing voices commenting on one's actions, the feeling of influences on the body, thought withdrawal, delusions, and the belief that one's feelings and volitional acts are influenced by others (Stefan, Travis, & Murray, 2002, pp. 12, 15)."

Tags:schizophrenia, manic, depression, trauma, psychiatry, cognitive, distortion, catatonia

Abstract
This paper examines how globalization is transforming the world in many different realms. In particular, it considers how in the wake of these phenomena, many questions are arising regarding the impact of these changes on mental health around the world. In the article "Globalisation and Mental Disorders", researchers investigate the subject of globalization in relation to its contribution to stress and depression. This paper provides a summary of key points and analysis of this article.

From the Paper
"As commonly understood, globalization is transforming the world in relation to influences from business and commerce, politics, entertainment, the media, and much more. In the wake of these phenomena, many questions are arising regarding the impact of these changes on mental health around the world. In the article Globalisation and Mental Disorders, researchers investigate the subject of globalization in relation to its contribution to stress and depression. The following discussion provides a summary of key points and analysis of this article."

Tags:globalization, mental health, depression

Abstract
This paper defines violence and mental disorders and discusses the correlation between the two. It discusses whether people suffering from mental disorders have a predisposition to violence and if there is a higher rate of violence in mental disorder patients than the general population. The paper examines the contemporary view of mentally ill patients and whether or not mental illness is a contributor to violence in the society.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Defining Violence and Mental Disorders
Classification of Mental Disorders
Categories of Mental Disorders
Relationship between Mental Disorder and Violence
Conclusion

From the Paper
"From the various studies conducted in attempting to determine the link between mental disorders and violence, it is concluded that severe mental disorders do not independently predict violence, but these findings challenge perceptions that mental illness is a leading cause of violence in the general population. People with mental illness, however, do report violence more often, mostly because they show other factors associated with violence. Consequently, determining the link between violence and mental disorder requires consideration of its association with other variables, such as substance abuse, environmental stressors and a history of violence."

Tags:psychotic, anti-social, attack, crime

Abstract
Throughout the history of the discipline of psychology, there have been numerous paradigmatic shifts in viewing the human mind and the human psychological condition. Today, much lip service has been paid to the idea that all psychological mental disorders are holistic in nature. In other words, it is assumed that individuals are not "all body" or "all mind", in accordance with the traditional Cartesian mind/body duality. This paper looks at the current theory that an individual's genetic makeup, past history, and current physical and psychological environment are all engaged in a complex series of intricate interactions that produce "the self" that the therapist must treat, to the best of his or her ability, with the tools of therapy, medication, and analysis, depending upon his or her field of expertise.

From the Paper
"Eating disorders are an interesting example of how important it is to examine causality and treatment through a variety of guises, as what seems to "cause" the disorder, such as a low serotonin level present in anorexics, may be a symptom of starvation. However, serotonin is also linked to chemical reasons for the development of depression, which may also be linked to the reasons for the eating disorder being developed in the patient as a coping strategy. Low serotion levels may have genetic roots in the development of the disorder as well, which cause parents to place pressure upon the child because of their own inability to deal with stress. (Misra & Soka, et. al, 2003)"

Tags:Freudian, psychoanalysis, ADHD

Abstract
This paper examines the current state of scholarship with regard to how language and culture can impact the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. The paper contends that there is much research but still relatively little in the way of concrete guidance for the therapist in everyday practice. The paper claims that is necessary for behavioral health professionals to first look at their own attitudes toward diversity and then for them to recognize and accept the reality of difference in the people they will deal with. The paper asserts that before a therapist can accurately create either a diagnosis or a treatment plan, he or she must understand where the subject comes from, not only as far as personal history but with respect to the cultural views that shape response to whatever happened to the person individually.

Outline
Introduction
The Scope of the Issue
Language
Cross-cultural Prevalence of Mental Disorders
Methodology
Review of Literature
How Well is the Issue Being Addressed?

From the Paper
"These issues do not just present treatment problems. How can one ethically diagnose and treat someone he or she does not understand? It becomes a most serious matter of being incompetent to provide adequate treatment to the Asian or Arab immigrant. It is also frequently the case that, as professionals, counselors are not aware that the African-American or Hispanic-American person sitting across the desk, comes from a different cultural perspective even though he or she may have been born and raised in this country. Bluntly, incompetence is not acceptable in any health care setting. It would seem that it is now necessary for members of the behavioral health professions to develop new skills and tools if they are to deserve the confidence and trust of the people they will be treating."

Tags:foreign, psychotherapy, immigrant

Abstract
This paper discusses how those afflicted with mental illness are the most likely to be victims of violence as well as being the most feared by society. The paper reviews the issue of public perception versus clinical reality and explores the factors that increase the likelihood of violence. The paper also explains the conduct of law enforcement officers when responding to distressed mentally ill individuals and their role in reducing violence.

Tags:mental disorders, violence, law

Abstract
The paper discusses amnestic syndrome, an abnormal mental state where all cognitive functions are intact except memory and learning.
The paper also looks at Alzheimer's disease, a tragic, progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory, their ability to learn, reason, communicate and carry out daily activities. Additionally, the paper examines mild mental retardation, phenylketonuria (PKU), functional enuresis and encorpresis and autism.

From the Paper
"Amnestic disorders can be either transient or persistent and can be caused by accidents, trauma, seizures, alcohol, tumors, encephalitis, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other conditions. There are some fascinating clinical cases on record where after severe brain trauma, an individual was completely unable to lay down new memories at all. There are also popular movies about amnestic syndromes. One of the most interesting is the movie, Memento, in which the main character has to tattoo notes all over his body to help him function because he has lost his memory and cannot retain new memories."

Tags:amnesia, Alzheimers, retardation, autism

Abstract
Using ADHD as an example, this paper discusses issues related to living with mental disorders. Diagnosis and medical concerns are addressed. The reality of living with such a disorder and its impact on various aspects of daily living, such as school, work and social functioning are examined.

From the Paper
"For many years the field of psychology has had medical guidelines set for it in the diagnosing of mental disorders. The DSM-IV lists symptoms and criteria required to diagnose certain mental disorders and it explains how those disorders manifest themselves medically. Once the disorder is diagnosed however, there are often daily life adjustments and implications that are discovered as well. The treatment of a mental disorder involves not only a proper and thorough diagnosis but also treatment that understands the daily implications of having a mental disorder."

Tags:DSM-IV, ADHD, schizophrenia, bi-polar, inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity

Abstract
The paper explains that clinical psychology is centered on the processes of diagnosis and therapy, with disorders falling under a set of classifications, specifically, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The paper provides a brief background on the philosophical and academic development of clinical psychology to shed light on its impetus and primary objectives, and to highlight what distinguishes it from experimental psychology. The paper then addresses anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, eating disorders as well as mood, schizophrenic and substance related disorders.

Outline:
Anxiety Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Eating Disorders
Mood Disorders
Schizophrenic Disorders
Substance Related Disorders

From the Paper
"Clinical psychology focuses on the ways in which this responded to philosophical convention in equal part to its basis in science. Thus, clinical psychology is not just correlated to the academic advances of the field, but also beholden to what may be described as worthy humanist interpretations of man in intellectual history, evolving as consideration of these interpretations evolved with sociological change. Ellenberger provides the example that "whereas, in the eighteenth century, the prevailing myth was that of the "noble savage," of the vigorous, primitive man living in his forest and fighting for his freedom, there was now an inverted myth of a "corrupt civilized man," weakened and sophisticated." (Ellenberger, 282) The reflection of society has played a hand in our abilities to define ourselves.
"Though the future of clinical psychology would coincide with its commercial interests particularly with respect to the use of pharmaceutical treatment, its history is one very much founded in the above implied notion that the mind is not simply a part of the body but also a far more complex embodiment of an abstract entity that constitutes the psyche. Here, the unique stratification of impulses, its impossible to replicate individualities and its vulnerability to the conceits of its origin make the human mind a thing still beyond the empirical set of considerations which have sought to pigeonhole it."

Tags:anxiety, dissociative, disorders, anorexia, bulimia, mood, schizophrenia, substance, absue