A tale of mental illness Schizophrenia
• Use the TWO videos below for essay.
• Watching the videos: Be sure to watch each video to the end. I’ve tried to choose the most informative, yet brief videos so that you can get the most out of this assignment. Take note of important elements in the video so that you can discuss them in your essays. You will be comparing the person in the video to descriptions in the book, so make sure you take notes while watching your video. This is part of your final grade, so please take it seriously.
• Writing your essays: Essay must be constructed as a comprehensive essay, please keep in mind that you must still address each of the topics above for each video. I don’t like to limit creativity or comprehensiveness, so I typically don’t dictate all of the element that are necessary for full credit on an essay. That said, you must have at a minimum the following information in your essays about EACH VIDEO. Please don’t simply answer the questions individually.
o Who was the person in the video and what was their disorder?
o How does their experiences/descriptions compare (similarities/differences) to the book’s description of this disorder (use specific examples).
o What elements of psychotherapy (and what kind) were discussed in the video (if any)? If you were to recommend therapy to this individual, what kind of therapy would you recommend, and why?
o What are your personal feelings about this video? Did it help you understand the disorder better or change how you view the disorder? In what way?
• Using sources: remember, this is in lieu of having to complete essays on your final exam. You can watch the videos with other students and even discuss the videos with each other, but do not plagiarize. If you give a definition or description from the book or website, cite the book or website (APA). I’m not going to be super-strict about APA, but I DO want you giving credit to sources for original work.
Video:
Living with #OCD-Smantha Pena
A tale of mental illness Schizophrenia – Elyn Saks
Sample Solution
The first video features Samantha Pena, a 23-year-old who has been living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) since she was 16. She describes her condition as having intrusive and unwanted thoughts which often lead to irrational fears such as contamination or harm coming to others. In terms of treatment, she does not take medication for OCD but rather focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) techniques which have helped her challenge her current thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
In contrast to Samantha’s experience, the book Anxiety Disorders by Richard Heimberg & Jessica Hamblen (2019) provides an in-depth look at how OCD is typically defined by clinicians. It states that “Individuals with OCD struggle with recurrent obsessions and compulsions that interfere significantly with their ability to function in various domains of life” (Heimberg & Hamblen 2019). This definition aligns closely with Samantha’s own description of her symptoms–recurrent intrusive thoughts leading to fear & anxiety which interferes with day-to-day functioning.
In regards to therapy, Samantha discusses how CBT has helped her work through certain situations without needing medication–such as when she had difficulty entering a public restroom due to fear of contamination. She also mentions engaging in ERP exercises where she gradually confronts situations that scare her such as riding the subway or going on trips alone–which helps build up confidence & eventually reduce negative emotions associated with these activities.
If I were recommending therapy for Samantha I would likely suggest continuing CBT/ERP sessions as this approach addresses distorted beliefs/fears while gradually exposing individuals to feared stimuli under controlled settings. Additionally, it could be beneficial for her to explore mindfulness techniques like meditation or yoga which can help alleviate stress levels & provide tools towards establishing self-care practices within daily routines.