Essays and Research Papers on Abnormal Psychology

This 8 page paper discusses the mystery of savant behavior. A small percentage of developmentally disabled and/or autistic individuals exhibit skills, knowledge or talent in one specific area at the genius level in spite of their inability to function in other areas. These individuals have never been taught the knowledge or trained in the skill ...

This 6 page paper discusses some of the treatment approaches used with autistic individuals. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that typically occurs in infancy. There is no cure. The writer first describes what autism is and its incidence rate. The essay then presents the general approaches to treating autism, which include biochemical, neurosensory pscychodynamic ...

2 pages in length. This is a very interesting review of an article about depression. The article is based on the arguable viewpoint that explores the possibility depression is also caused by a physical abnormality as well as a chemical one.

This 10 page paper discusses the treatment programs available in New York. In 1975, a lawsuit was brought against Willowbrook State Hospital for inhumane treatment of patients. The resulting Willowbrook Consent Decree changed how services were planned and delivered. The system has changed dramatically since then, moving to a community-based care and treatment model. The ...

This 1 page paper presents an overview of just what insomnia is and provides some treatment options. Three types of insomnia are defined. Bibliography lists 2 sources

This 14 page paper discusses narcissistic personality disorder. This disorder is characterized by excessive needs for admiration, grandiosity, a lack of empathy, envy, arrogance and a number of other things. The DSM-IV definition and criteria for diagnosis are provided. Different theories regarding the etiology of the disorder are discussed in depth, including the psychodynamic theory ...

This 25 page paper provides a descriptive analysis of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), also called multiple personality disorder. This paper outlines the DSM-IV description and diagnosis, the etiology, as well as procedures and clinical cases that correspond with this disorder. Bibliography lists 20 sources.

This 15 page paper that discusses the family dynamics when one member is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Specifically, topics include an introduction in which schizophrenia is explained along with the myths, incidence of the illness, characteristics of the schizophrenic and what he or she struggles with, the family and their feelings and fears, family intervention techniques ...

A 12 page paper which discusses the concept of Freud's work reading like a novel. The works of Freud's that are used to illustrate this are his studies involving "Rat Man" (Ernst Lanzer) and "Dora" (Ida Bauer). Freud was incredibly opinionated and in his case studies he often put in his own words, rather than the words of the ...

Transient global amnesia (TGA) involves the sudden loss of memory of recent events and a transient inability to retain new information. This 10 page paper provides an overview of TGA. Bibliography lists 15 sources.

A 7 page paper reviewing this person's crimes and investigating personality traits that may be able to explain his motives. Dahmers's murderous and cannibalistic ways provided a measure by which he could have control over some part of his life, as well as gain control over others. In addition, he sought to prevent selected ...

A 7 page discussion of Sigmund Freud's views on mental illness. Encapsulates his belief that the outward manifestation of all mental illness revolves around our inner savagery or repressed sexuality. Contrasts this belief with the modern belief that mental illness is a biochemical malfunction and addresses the question as to whether disease has ...

A 5 page paper. A great deal of research into these two mental illnesses has concluded they are diseases of the brain. While there is no cure for either, progress has been made in determining their causes. In each case, it would seem that monoamine neurotransmissions play a role. This concept is discussed. The writer ...

A 7 page paper. A great deal of research into these two mental illnesses has concluded they are diseases of the brain. While there is no cure for either, progress has been made in determining their causes. In each case, it would seem that monoamine neurotransmissions play a role. The paper begins with an ...

6 pages in length. There exist myriad influences that can prompt a person into sidestepping what is considered to be normal behavior. Susanna Kaysen's "Girl, Interrupted" strives to answer the long-standing and elusive question: What is normal? When Kaysen was eighteen years old, even then at such a young age she realized ...

This 6 page paper considers the role of DSM –IV in recognising and treat alcohol abuse of both alcoholics and their families during the abuse and afterwards whilst the condition is in recession. The bibliography cites 5 sources.

An 11 page paper discussing whether a link between learning disability and delinquency truly does exist. There is substantial argument against any link existing between LD and delinquency, but there is far greater evidence in favor of its existence. Despite some researchers' efforts to discredit that link, it appears to be very real and certainly worthy of ...

This 7 page paper provides an overview of insomnia, including a DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, the presentation of symptoms, prevention methods, and current treatments. This paper discusses how insomnia is assessed and treated. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 8 page paper. This paper provides a general overview of major, or unipolar depression. Issues discussed include incidence, diagnosis, and treatment. Also includes an overview of how recent technologies and scientific knowledge helps towards understanding the etiology. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 8 page analysis of the character presented by Thomas Hardy in his novel "Silence of the Lambs". Utilizes the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychological Association IV" to classify Hannibal Lecter's mental disorder. Concludes that , although Lechter does exactly "fit the mold" for any one disorder outlined in the ...

A 6 page review of the injustices associated with the mental health arena as presented by Sue Estroff. Estroff approaches her subject from the eyes of the patient in the institutional setting and because of this she illuminates many aspects of the interaction between the mental health patient, mainstream society, and the ...

This 5 page paper critically evaluates Frith's "Autism: Explaining the Enigma." Autism is discussed in a general sense. No additional sources cited.

A 10 page discussion of the psychosocial condition labeled 'conduct disorder'. Defines the condition using DSM IV criteria and the work of researcher Alan E. Kazdin. Distinguishes between conduct disorder and commonly confused conditions such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. Points out both the strengths and weaknesses of ...

This 60 page paper provides an overview of the process of psychological criminal profiling, defining the specific connection between types of crimes, types of criminals, and the development of psychological assessments. This paper integrates a view of psychological principles, as well as specific issues related to crime and sociology in order to determine why ...

7 pages in length. Patients with schizophrenia seem to lose their energy, their ambition, their will to live, and nothing seems to be important to them. Oftentimes they will withdraw from people and stay fairly isolated. There are many opinions on how best to treat this yet puzzling disease. This paper ...