Mental Health Medications

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at http://www.nimh.nih.gov has published an excellent 30 page booklet entitled Mental Health Medications. The booklet, organized by disorders, details many of the psychiatric medications used today. The publication ends with an alphabetical listing of drugs.

The booklet can be viewed online at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/index.shtml and/or downloaded as a PDF file at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/nimh-mental-health-medications.pdf

Once again we are back to the 2000 version of Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life (11e) by Robert Carson, James Butcher, and Susan Mineka from Allyn and Bacon. On March 17th we posted information (http://teachinghighschoolpsychology.blogspot.com/2010/03/abnormal-case-studies.html)regarding three cases studies on the book's website.

Today we are writing about an activity found in the Teacher's Toolbox section regarding therapy. After students read through four short paragraphs describing the actions of a therapist, they must determine which type of technique (school) they use.

Please feel free to add examples in the comments section below. The therapy activity can be found at http://www.abacon.com/psychsite/tool_therapy.html

Carl Rogers Website

The Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center has developed a website devoted to the work of Carl Rogers. Below is the "About Us" page from the site.

The Carl Rogers website serves as a gateway to the work of Dr. Carl Rogers and the many disciplines he influenced. Its primary audience is scholars and practitioners. It is a project of Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, funded by the proceeds of the 2002 Carl R. Rogers Centennial Symposium.

The site includes a bibliography of books and articles by and about Rogers and the Person-Centered Approach (PCA) with links to those that are available online. It makes available a collection of rich media - selected audio and video archives that are streamed as WindowsMedia, as well as samples from the CD ROM Carl Rogers: A Daughter's Tribute and Howard Kirschenbaum's videotape Carl Rogers and the Person-Centered Approach. The audio collection is selected from the Carl R. Rogers archive at University of California at Santa Barbara. A comprehensive list of (and links to) world-wide organizations and training centers connected with Rogers and the Person-Centered Approach is included.

The Carl Rogers website is located at http://www.carlrogers.info/index.html

American Psychoanalytic Association

We will start our postings on Psychoanalysis with a quick stop at the website for the American Psychoanalytic Association. While the site at http://www.apsa.org/ is primarily designed for therapists, high school teachers can find some useful information.

Pay particular attention to the "About Psychoanalysis" section as well as the "Education Initiative" tab under the "Programs" section.

U of I Counseling Center - Self Help Brochures

To begin our Midnight Postings for the Treatment Unit we turn to the University of Illinois' Counseling Center who has published a number of self-help brochures.

The brochures cover many topics of interest to both high school and university students. Below we have included the links to some of the major brochures.

The brochures can be purchased and sent via UPS (click on the link below) or accessed online. The main listing can be found at http://www.counselingcenter.illinois.edu/?page_id=7

Self-Help Brochure Order Form

• Academic Difficulties
  • Dissertation Success Strategies
  • Overcoming Procrastination
  • Perfectionism
  • Test Anxiety
  • Time Management
  • A Student’s Guide to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Adjustment to College Life
  • Adjusting to College
  • Sleep Hygiene
  • Committed Relationships and School
  • First-Generation College Students
  • Cross-Cultural Journey for International Students
• Alcohol/Drug Abuse and Addictions
  • Adult Children of Alcoholics
  • Gambling and College Students
• Depression
  • Understanding and Treating Depression
  • Suicide Prevention
• Diversity and Cultural Differences
  • Asian American Psychological Wellness
  • First-Generation College Students
  • Coming Out
  • Cross-Cultural Journey for International Students
• Eating and Body Image Concerns
  • Body Size Diversity and Acceptance
  • Maybe I Have an Eating Problem
  • Maybe I Have a Friend with an Eating Disorder
  • Eating + Body Image Concerns
• Family Difficulties
  • Adult Children of Alcoholics
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse
  • Understanding Dysfunctional Relationship Patterns in Your Family
  • When Your Parent Has A Mental Illness
  • Your Parents’ Divorce
• Grief and Loss
  • Grief and Loss
  • Surviving Psychological Trauma
• LGBT Concerns
  • Coming Out
  • Committed Relationships and School
• Recovering from Trauma
  • Emotional Abuse
  • For Loved Ones Of Sexual Assault/Abuse Survivors
  • Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse
  • Surviving Psychological Trauma
• Relationship Problems
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Addictive Relationships
  • Being Assertive in a Diverse World
  • Loneliness
• Self-Awareness/Self-Care
  • Experiencing and Expressing Emotions
  • Self-Confidence
  • Sleep Hygiene
• Stress and Anxiety
  • Stress Management
  • Understanding and Treating Anxiety
• Student Concerns
  • Helping Distressed and Distressing Students
  • Group Psychotherapy
• Translated Brochures

Seven-Year-Old Schizophrenic and Oprah

Back in October of 2009, Oprah devoted a show to childhood schizophrenia. The primary storyline involved a young seven-year-old girl exhibiting a number of schizophrenic symptoms and how her families meets the challenges of this girl's disability.

At http://www.oprah.com/showinfo/Exclusive-The-7-Year-Old-Schizophrenic you will find a number of video clips and articles surrounding this little girl. If anyone has developed handouts and/or discussion questions based on these clips, please leave a comment below.

Schizophrenia.com

Schizophrenia.com at http://www.schizophrenia.com is one of the better websites for information on schizophrenia. Listed below are the the many links from the site.

Schizophrenia Information

• Schizophrenia Overview
• Symptoms/Diagnosis
  
• Causes & Prevention
• Internet-Based Videos
  
• Schizophrenia Brain Pictures
  
• Schizophrenia Treatments
• Schizophrenia Success Stories
  
• Support Groups
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Recovery & Resources
• Assisted & Involuntary Treatment
• Managing Depression
  
• Preventing Suicide
• Schizophrenia Biology & Genetics
  
• Good Schizophrenia Books
  
• Good Schizophrenia Videos
  
• Famous People & Schizophrenia
  
• Join Research & Studies
  
• Facts and Statistics
  
• Poverty, Crime & Violence
• Schizophrenia Advocacy
  
• History of Schizophrenia
  
• Events & Conferences

Abnormal Case Studies

Published back in 2000, Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life (11e) by Robert Carson, James Butcher, and Susan Mineka from Allyn and Bacon, included three cases studies on the book's website. Each case study includes a detailed case history with written and audio interviews.

Unfortunately, the case studies are designed as an assignment for students in an Abnormal Psychology course using the text, so answers are not included. Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

The three case studies from Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life can be found at http://www.abacon.com/carson/case/index.html

The Hidden Paintings of Shirley A. Mason (a.k.a. Sybil)

In researching sites to include in the Midnight Postings for the Abnormal Psychology Unit, I came across a posting entitled "The Hidden Paintings of Shirley A. Mason - Sybil" at http://www.hiddenpaintings.com/. The site includes 24 paintings from Mason which, according to the website, were done prior to meeting Dr. Wilbur as well as during her therapy years.

As with anything on the Internet, I was a bit skeptical when I first discovered the website and its format didn't help my skepticism. There is previous little explaining the authenticity of the paintings and the address to order prints appears to be a residential house outside of Miami, FL. While I seriously question why someone would go through all the effort to present such a hoax, I still haven't been convinced. If anyone has further knowledge on this website, please leave a comment below.

MedicineNet.Com Slide Shows

MedicineNet.Com has put together over 27 different slide shows on various medical issues. Each show includes pictures and basic dialog surrounding the topic area. Below is a listing of slide shows specific to abnormal psychology.

Phobias
http://www.medicinenet.com/phobias_picture_slideshow/article.htm

Bipolar Disorders
http://www.medicinenet.com/bipolar_disorder_overview_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

ADHD in Adults
http://www.medicinenet.com/adhd_in_adults_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

Depression
http://www.medicinenet.com/depression_overview_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

ADHD in Children
http://www.medicinenet.com/adhd_children_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

For more information on MedicineNet.Com's slide shows go to http://www.medicinenet.com/slideshows/article.htm MedicineNet.com's homepage is located at http://www.medicinenet.com/slideshows/article.htm

ABC Nightline Segment on OCD

On 02/15/2010, ABC's Nightline did a short (8:56) segment entitled "The Dirty Work of Keeping Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Check" by John Donvan and Steven Baker.

The video clip and website, which can be found at http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/ocd-recovery-program/story?id=9822908, includes various aspects of OCD and its therapy

What You Need to Know about OCD

International OCD Foundation had developed a 24 page brochure entitled "What You Need to Know About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder". The information can be downloaded as a PDF file or viewed online.

The brochure can be found at http://www.ocfoundation.org/uploadedFiles/WhatYouNeed_09.pdf and the homepage for the International OCD Foundation is at http://www.ocfoundation.org/

AllPsych Online: The Virtual Psychology Classroom

AllPsych Online website has a large section on Psychiatric Disorders. Over 60 psychiatric disorders are detailed including the etiology, symptoms, treatments options and prognosis for each.

Below you will find links to the major disorders in the DSM within the AllPsych website. The homepage for psychiatric disorders can be found at http://allpsych.com/disorders/index.html with the homepage for AllPsych Online at http://allpsych.com/

Categories

• Psychiatric Disorders Home

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV)

• Disorder Index / DSM-IV Codes

• Adjustment Disorders

• Anxiety Disorders

• Dissociative Disorders

• Eating Disorders

• Impulse-Control Disorders

• Mood Disorders

• Sexual Disorders

• Sleep Disorders

• Psychotic Disorders

• Sexual Dysfunctions

• Somatoform Disorders

• Substance Disorders

• Personality Disorders

National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

The Department of Veteran Affairs established the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the late 1980's. For the past twenty years the center for PTSD has provided assistance to both veterans, the public and researchers.

While their website is designed primarily for veterans and their families, much can be of use in studying anxiety disorders. The whole website has a wealth of information, but be sure to check out the section entitled, "Veterans and the General Public". A few of the fact sheets come in a PDF format for easy printing.

The National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is located at
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp

OCD Online Screening Quiz

Dr Grohol's PsychCentral includes a twenty question online Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder quiz. After answering the questions, participants are given a score of the likelihood of them having OCD.

While the quiz is not meant to be a diagnostic tool, it can give students a good perspective of OCD. The OCD online quiz can be found at http://psychcentral.com/ocdquiz.htm

The homepage for PsychCentral is at http://psychcentral.com/

Anxiety Disorders Association of America

The website for the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) includes basic information about the various anxiety disorders. Make it a point to check out the "Understanding Anxiety" section which includes information on the symptoms, treatment and research for each disorder. Also, make it a point to read through the personal stories in the "Living with Anxiety" area.

The home page for the ADAA can be found at http://www.adaa.org/

Phobia Puzzles

Yesterday, the Midnight posting concerned the many, many online lists of phobias. Today we center in on possible uses of those lists in class.

Below you will find a number of links to different types of phobia puzzles.

New York Times Crossword Puzzle: "What are You Afraid of?"
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/xwords/20011015.html

Two short crossword puzzles on Phobias
http://www.flocabulary.com/crosswordpuzzles/phobiacross1.pdf
http://www.flocabulary.com/crosswordpuzzles/phobiacross2bank.pdf

Phobia Word Search
http://www.cluesearchpuzzles.com/PHOBIAS.html

Online Phobia word find
http://officediversions.com/games/word-search/phobia-names-1.html

A Listing of Phobias

Creating an online listing of Phobias seems to be a "hobby/interest" for a number of people/groups. Below you will find the first six responses for a Google search of "list of phobias".

The Phobia list of over 500 phobias
http://www.phobialist.com/

Phobia List - An A to Z List of Phobias from About Psychology.com
http://psychology.about.com/od/phobias/a/phobialist.htm

List of Phobias from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_phobias

The List of Phobias
http://www.listofphobias.org/

Phobia Guide.com
http://www.phobiaguide.com/

A Complete List of Phobias
http://www.phobias-help.com/complete_list_of_phobias.html

NIMH Publications

The National Institute of Mental Health has a large number of excellent mental health publications. They come in booklet, easy to read, or fact sheets formats.

Almost all of the publications can be downloaded as a PDF file and printed for classroom use. Many of the publications can be ordered in limited quantities from the NIMH.

At http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/index.shtml
you will find a search function for all the mental health publications at the site.

Below you will find a selection of NIMH's booklets on the major mental disorders.

Publications » Booklets

Anxiety Disorders

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders)

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens: A Parent’s Guide

Depression

Eating Disorders

Men and Depression

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Schizophrenia

Women and Depression: Discovering Hope

DSM-IV-TR Classification Listing

From what I can determine, one of the Prentice Hall Abnormal Psychology Textbooks includes an online appendix to the book which details the classification and assessment system of the DSM-IV-TR.

The first eight pages of the PDF document includes a detailed listing of all the mental disorders with their code numbers. The second part of the appendix provides a basic explanation of the multiaxial assessment system.

The appendix detailing the DSM's systems can be found at http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/219/225111/CD_DSMIV.pdf