Question

*Psychology Essay *:

The text of your essay must be approximately 1500-2000 words in length (not including references), written in clear and grammatical English, and submitted as double-spaced typed stapled hard copy with a cover page (there are staplers in the Library).   You must have a minimum of three Psychology references, not including the textbook, websites etc. Use APA format for citations and quotations. The references should be listed in APA style on a ‘References’ page at the end of your essay. You do not need an Abstract. Your Psychology references should be psychology journal articles (ejournals are fine) or serious psychology books, not newspapers, magazines, general dictionaries, pop books or Wikipedia (You can use these but they won’t count towards the 4 major references!). You might wish to cite some non-Psychology sources (eg. biographies), depending on the topic you choose. Please include a word count at the end (you will not be penalized for going over the word count as long as this adds helpfully to your work).

Choose ONE of the following types of topics:

A biography of someone with a history of psychological disorder – e.g. musicians Kanye West, Lana Del Rey, Kurt Cobain, Franz List etc.; Senator Romeo Dallaire; psychiatrist Carl Jung etc. You might also consider biography of someone as known through a character in literature (ex. Jane Eyre, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) OR known through public media (actor, politician) (Anyone whom you find interesting!). Consider the piece as if it was a case study, from the perspective of Abnormal Psychology. What sort of disorder is illustrated (use DSM-5 criteria)? List the diagnostic criteria and show how the case meets each one. Discuss what is currently known about the disorder. What causes, or vulnerability factors might be involved? How may these factors act synergistically to increase vulnerability (perhaps consider a particular perspective i.e. biopsychosocial)? What forms of treatment might be suggested (or what might you not suggest? Consider NOT just the disorder but also the individual and their particular contexts)? What is the prognosis in this case (are there some protective factors or particular vulnerabilities)? Is the disorder as represented in the work a typical or unusual case? You will need to be familiar with the diagnostic criteria, etiological theories, assessment methods and standard treatment approaches for the disorder. Please note that I have a keen eye for what is authentic i.e. what is your own vs. some else’s analysis).

OR it would be great to choose from these:

1. One of the following topics:
   • A critique of the framework of abnormal psychology
   • Research in positive psychology and strategies for mental health (be critical and delve a little into the research)
   • The history of mental health treatment in Canada
   • Perspectives on mental health and mental illness in a premodern era, such as the Renaissance or the Roman Empire
   • Gender and the perception of mental illness
   • Perspectives on mental health and mental illness in a non-Western country or region, compared with the West
   • The history of demonic possession as an explanation for mental disorder
   • The development of the DSM, from 1952 to the present
   • Prediction and prevention of suicidal behaviour
   • New technologies for the treatment of mental illness
   • Controversies surrounding drug companies and the treatment of mental illness
   • Treatment of psychological problems using presently illegal or restricted drugs (eg. LSD, MDMA, Ayahuasca)

Marking Criteria:

Clarity (did you communicate what you’re trying to say?)

Knowledge (have you surveyed your topic well and is it accurate?)

Analysis (have you thought critically and deeply about your topic rather than just summarizing the thoughts of others?)

Format (have you complied with the requirements including APA and references?)

Answer 1

Mental illness refers to wide range of mental health conditions that affect person's mood, thinking and behavior. It is associated with a significant burden of morbidity and disability. Life time prevalence rates of any kinds of psychological disorders are higher than previously thought, are increasing in recently cohort and affect nearly half the population. Only 2 in every 5 people experiencing mood, anxiety or substance use disorders seeking assistance in the year of the onset of disorder. Overall rates of psychiatric disorder are identical for men and women but striking gender differences are found in pattern of mental illness.

Gender that is one of the prime determinants of the differential power and status factors that influence the degree of control that both men and women have over their socio-economic situation and social position in the society. They play a critical determinant of mental health and mental illness. Gender differences occur particularly in the rates of common mental disorders-depression, anxiety and somatic complaints. These disorders in which women predominate, affects around 1 in 3 people in the community and constitute a serious public health problems. Gender differences are also apparent when it comes to substance abuse, alcohol abuse and dependence will occur 2.5 times more frequent among men than women. It can vary to a degree between cultures but sex difference is generally found.

Depression is not only the most common mental health among women but may be more persistent than men.Women being domestic target of male based violence. This factor gives the higher number of women with post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). Unipolar depression, predict to be second leading cause of global disability burden in 2020, is twice common among women. Gender bias can be seen while differentiating the mental disorders and can also occur in both the diagnosis and treatment of mental condition. Reason can be woman are more likely to be open and to disclose their problems to a heath care professional than a man. This may be due to the general perception of the gender stereotype. It is more socially acceptable for a man to have an alcohol problem. According to World Health Organization(WHO) the reason of gender bias can be as "doctors are more likely to diagnose depression among women compared with men, even when they have similar score in standardized measure of depression or present with similar symptoms."  Women are expected to be more emotionally labile than men. These pattern of behavior in both public and health professional go a long way towards gender inequality.

Conclusion

We have considered some of the evidence related to the gender differences in presentation of mental illness. We have established that women represent the greatest element of morbidity in overall consideration of mental illness. There are gender differences in society and therefore it clearly comes as no surprise that these differences are reflected in health generally. The women in different cultures are assume to play so many roles, each with different level of pressure, which can create stress. The effect of these negative stressor can be seen migrating to their mental illness.