QUESTION 1
In order for someone’s behavior to be called abnormal or for them to get a diagnosis of a mental disorder the behaviors have to meet the criteria (not necessarily all) of the 4 Ds: dysfunction, distress, deviance, and dangerousness. Examine the case below and state what behaviors being portrayed by Monique would qualify her as having abnormal behavior or a mental disorder. Explain what criteria (one of the 4 Ds) each behavior that you address would meet.

Monique is a 24 year-old law student. She is attractive, neatly dressed, and clearly very bright. If you were to meet her, you would think that she had few problems in her life; but Monique has been drinking since she was 14, and she smokes marijuana every day. Although she describes herself as just a social drinker she drinks four or five glasses of wine when she goes out with friends and also drinks a couple of glasses of wine a night when she is alone in her apartment in the evening. She frequently misses early morning classes because she feels too hungover to get out of bed. On several occasions her drinking has caused her to black out. She is fearful about possible academic problems and being put on probation. Although she denies having any problems with alcohol, Monique admits that her friends and family have become very concerned about her and have suggested that she seek help. Monique, however, says, “ I don’t think I am an alcoholic because I never drink in the mornings”. The previous week she decided to stop smoking marijuana entirely because she was concerned that she might have a drug problem. However, she found it impossible to stop and is now smoking regularly again. Monique has been complaining about tightness in her chest especially when she smokes and severe headaches that sometimes turns into migraines. Monique has also been pulled over by the police once when coming home from the club and charged for drunk driving and reckless endangerment.

QUESTION 2
Read the following scenario and conceptualize Roger’s case from the cognitive-behavioral perspective and any other one of the psychological perspectives that we have discussed in class What in Roger’s story would you emphasize (from that perspective) that may be the cause of his depression. How would you treat him? (Note: I am expecting you to talk about 2 different perspectives ).

Roger comes to your office because he has recently been laid off from his job as a store manager. He is concerned because he has started to drink heavily as a result of this and finds himself feeling incredibly sad and depressed. His wife is supportive but he is afraid that she will get tired of dealing with his moods and leave. Although she says she won’t, he is becoming preoccupied with the idea of her leaving him. He tells you that his father abused alcohol and that his mother ended up leaving when she couldn’t take it anymore. His father always drank, according to Roger, would get really down, and, on at least one occasion, talked about suicide. Roger doesn’t want to become like his father but finds himself acting in similar ways. He is thinking that maybe he should just tell his wife to leave him, then move on to another state, and start over.

QUESTION 3
Brian is an 18 year old freshman, in his second semester at Bowie State University majoring in engineering. He is also on scholarship on the basketball team. Brian is your roommate and he recently began complaining that there are noises in his head and he is unable to get a decent night’s sleep. You have noticed that Brian’s eating has changed and he is only eating foods that have a lot of sugar. His appearance has become somewhat disheveled and he is not taking care of his grooming and hygiene as he used to. He also complains of difficulty concentrating such that his grades are falling. You suspect that something is going on with Brian and he says he is not using drugs or alcohol. You remember that Brain once mentioned that his mother said that his grandfather suffered from schizophrenia and a cousin on his mother’s side also has paranoid schizophrenia. You know that Brian is under a lot of pressure to do well in school and maintain his scholarship, plus he is the first one in his family to go to college.

A. Explain to Brian what may be going on with him using the Diathesis-Stress Model. Make it simple enough that he can understand your concerns.
B. Conceptualize Brian’s case from the bio-psycho-social perspective and state what may be the cause/s of his disorder.
C. Explain how you would attempt to help Brian from the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Prevention perspectives.

QUESTION 1 In order for someone’s behavior to be called abnormal o...