Research a psychological disorder

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Research a psychological disorder of your choice.
• At the top of your assignment, use bullets to list the symptoms of the disorder and your
references.
Imagine what it would be like to have that disorder. How would you think? How would you
behave? How would you interpret your surroundings? How would you feel?
In 1st person perspective, write a one page paper imagining what it would be like to have that
disorder.
• Use your creativity and imagination. The main point is to exhibit symptoms of the disorder and
how they may be played out in the real world.
o Here are some examples of how someone might approach the assignment.
▪ What would the first day of starting a new school be like for someone with
generalized anxiety disorder?
▪ Enter the mind of someone with narcissistic personality disorder starting a new
job.
▪ What are the thoughts of someone who suffers from anorexia nervosa when at
a family dinner?
▪ How does someone with depression convince themselves to get out of bed in
the morning?
▪ What is it like for someone with schizophrenia to ride a bus?
▪ The disorder and circumstance are up to you. From the symptoms you
researched, try to portray what it would be like to enter the mind with someone
suffering from that disorder.

Sample Solution

Psychological Disorder: Schizophrenia Symptoms:

  • Delusions: False beliefs that are not supported by reality, even when presented with contradictory evidence.
  • Hallucinations: Seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, or tasting things that are not there.
  • Disorganized thinking and speech: Jumping from topic to topic, difficulty concentrating, and using illogical or nonsensical language.
  • Negative symptoms: A decrease in motivation, pleasure, or social interaction.
  • Movement disorders: Abnormal movements, such as restlessness, tics, or repetitive movements.

References:

  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Schizophrenia

Imagine What It Would Be Like to Have Schizophrenia

I wake up in the morning, and the first thing I hear is the voices. They’re always there, whispering in my ear, telling me all sorts of things. Sometimes they’re nice, but most of the time they’re mean and scary.

I get out of bed and go to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I look in the mirror, and I see someone else staring back at me. It’s a person I don’t recognize, but I know it’s me.

I get dressed and go downstairs to eat breakfast. My parents are already sitting at the table. They look at me with worried expressions on their faces.

“How are you feeling today, honey?” my mom asks.

“I’m fine,” I lie.

I know they’re worried about me, but I don’t want to talk to them about the voices. I’m afraid they’ll think I’m crazy.

After breakfast, I get ready to go to school. I’m not looking forward to it. The other kids at school don’t understand me. They think I’m weird.

I walk into the classroom and take a seat in the back. I try to focus on the teacher, but it’s hard. The voices are getting louder.

“You’re stupid,” one of the voices says. “You’re a failure.”

I try to ignore the voices, but it’s no use. They’re too loud.

Start panicking and feel like I’m going to have a panic attack.

I get up and run out of the classroom. I go to the bathroom and lock the stall door. I sit on the floor and put my hands over my head.

The voices are still there, but they’re not as loud now. I try to calm down, but it’s hard. My heart is racing, and I’m breathing heavily.

After a while, I start to feel better. I stand up and wash my face. I look in the mirror, and I see the person I recognize again.

I take a deep breath and leave the bathroom. I walk back to the classroom, but I don’t go inside. I can’t face the other kids.

I go to the library and sit down in a corner. I try to read a book, but I can’t concentrate. The voices are back, and they’re louder than ever.

“You’re worthless,” one of the voices says. “You’re nobody.”

I close my eyes and try to block out the voices, but it’s no use. They’re too loud.

I start to cry. I feel so alone and scared.

I don’t know what to do. I’m trapped in this nightmare, and I don’t know how to escape.

(This is just a short example of what it might be like to have schizophrenia. The experience can vary greatly from person to person.)

 

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