Team/Group Assignment #2 (Diagnosing Abnormality)

Due: Sun Oct 30, 2022 11:59pm

This is Team AAA is Group 8, comprising of 8 following members:

1. Catlinh Nguyen

2. Alexia Cortes

3. Aster Bailey 

4. Jordan Pascual 

5. Phyu Phyu Thant   

6. Andy Nguyen 

7. Alex Estrada     

8. Esmeralda Villatoro (Vanessa).      

Assignment details on Canvas: https://deanza.instructure.com/courses/26922/assignments/829304?module_item_id=2239385 

What do we need to do?

I think the whole group needs to give an example for each of the 3 features of Psy. abnormality: Distress, Dysfunction, and Deviance.

Execution plan proposal:

I can try writing the first draft on the 3 features for a particular disorder, then we take turns arguing for/against it. Our reference would be based on the 3 key features above and/or DSM V, including recommending a better way to assess if possible.

So it would be like a live debate. I (or anyone) can fire the first shot, then all chime in. I will write down all the debate/discussion and turn it into the final essay. If I fire the first shot, I would like to write about ADHD (as it is common enough for us to do research).

Note: Each person would need to give at least a citation. Let’s pick the MLA style for group consistency. Here is the citation link on Canvas: https://deanza.instructure.com/courses/26922/files/8154137?wrap=1 

Please chime in and state your opinion / feedback. Thank you. Catlinh.

If you agree to the above plan, click thumb-up.

If you would like to fire the first shot, please tell the group which topic you will write about.

oOo

CatLinh’s first shot on ADHD

Distress: An example of distress in people with ADHD is the stressful emotions followed by emotional eruption. They will breathe quickly with hand shaking, move up and down repeatedly, raise their voices.

Dysfunction: When facing an unexpected change such as Mom's decision to leave the park sooner, a child with ADHD will / cannot listen to Mom's irrational explanation. He/she may keep repeating "Why are you doing this?" and screaming. Another example is when the teacher plans a field trip, he/she will keep asking classmates, "What do we go" repeatedly, day over day, causing disruption in class. As a result, they often get timed out, impacting their study.

Deviance: A person with ADHD will have impulsive behaviors which are exacerbated due to lack of social skills. For example, while attending a funeral, he/she may point to the picture of the deceased and say "he looks dead." Another example is laughing when seeing a senior citizen fall. That behavior is not conforming to social norms, causing negative reactions from bystanders. Therefore it is out of deviance.

Aster’s start of the discussion:

    I think there is a lot that could be improved upon in the process of diagnosing psychological and mental abnormality. Most notably, the DSM-V can be rather biased, especially culturally, as ‘normal behaviors’ varies between cultures. This form of diagnosis is based on norms rather than scientific evidence. It also focuses on medication as the first form of treatment when other treatments may be an option. With this, there is a connection with the pharmaceutical industry with the intent of getting more money. As for the 3 key features, for the most part it makes sense to me but I’m sure it could be improved as well, like most things.

Ball, Jeff. “What Are the Most Problematic Issues with the DSM-5?: PCH.” PCH Treatment Center, 12 May 2022, https://www.pchtreatment.com/dsm-5-issues/. 

Alex’s start of the discussion: