Critical Thinking Exercise

Psychological Disorders and Stigma

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Psychological Disorders and Stigma

Before beginning this activity, reflect on the following questions: What comes to mind when you hear the terms attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder? How about bipolar disorder? Most likely, you automatically think of the characteristics or stereotypes associated with those disorders. Maybe you know someone with one of the disorders, or you yourself have one of them. Most individuals approach and have different perspectives when regarding what are considered medical disorders and what are considered psychological disorders. Now, what comes to mind when you think of high blood pressure or diabetes? Which type of disorder do you think is worse—a psychological disorder or a health-related disorder?

Despite many decades of research on psychological disorders, false beliefs about mental illness continue to persist (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Compared to most health-related disorders, mental illness is often associated with stigmatizing, or reflecting negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have mental health disorders. Stigmatization, in turn, can lead to prejudice and discrimination. People tend to fear or avoid what they do not understand, which further perpetuates misunderstanding and misinformation regarding mental illness.

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Conduct an online search of stigmas associated with mental illness. List five negative outcomes or harmful effects associated with such stigmas. Include the URL of any Websites you used to answer this question.
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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Using research in Chapter 13 as a guide, which psychological disorders do you think carry the most stigma, and why?
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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How might stigma surrounding mental illness affect an afflicted individual’s willingness to seek treatment?
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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One way to “normalize” mental illness is to show the public that people with psychological disorders are not violent, crazy, untreatable, or unemployable. To illustrate how common psychological disorders are, look up two famous people—alive or deceased—who were diagnosed with some type of mental illness. Make sure to include the URLs of all Websites used to answer the questions below.

a. Name each individual and indicate the mental disorder that he or she has/had.
b. Look up and briefly summarize a common treatment for each disorder listed above.
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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Do you think that celebrities who go public with their mental health problems help to reduce stigma and discrimination? Do you think that celebrities with mental health issues are not classified or treated in the same manner as lay people with similar diagnoses? Why or why not?
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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According to your textbook, a psychological disorder refers to a pattern of behavioral or psychological symptoms that causes significant personal distress, impairs the ability to function in one or more important areas of life, or both. However, when a psychological disorder is diagnosed, it is also important to consider
According to your textbook, a psychological disorder refers to a pattern of behavioral or psychological symptoms that causes significant personal distress, impairs the ability to function in one or more important areas of life, or both. However, when a psychological disorder is diagnosed, it is also important to consider

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Mathias experiences persistent, chronic, and unreasonable worry and anxiety. He is stressed out about school, work, his family, his future, and even past choices. His anxiety seems stable across settings—for example, he feels anxious in class, at home, and when surrounded by family and friends. According to your textbook, Mathias likely has
Mathias experiences persistent, chronic, and unreasonable worry and anxiety. He is stressed out about school, work, his family, his future, and even past choices. His anxiety seems stable across settings—for example, he feels anxious in class, at home, and when surrounded by family and friends. According to your textbook, Mathias likely has

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In media accounts and in casual conversation, a person with blank
is often mistakenly described as having “a split personality.”
In media accounts and in casual conversation, a person with blank
is often mistakenly described as having “a split personality.”