Writing Homework Help

PS 380 Clinical Psychology

Please read the following chapters in your text:

Chapter 7: “Diagnostic and Classification Issues”

Chapter 8: “Clinical Interviewing”

Discussion Board

Diagnosis and Definition of Abnormality

“Molly felt like there were bugs crawling below her skin. She tried to get others to take her medical symptoms seriously, but no one would. Her MD said there was no medical reason for her symptoms. She would scratch at the “bugs.” She tried to collect little black threads that she said came from under her skin and take them to a governmental lab to have them evaluated. She even tried to cure her skin condition by spraying her broken skin with Raid and other bug sprays. Then, she had a toxic reaction to the bug spray. Therefore, her psychiatrist admitted her in a mental hospital because she was delusional. Her husband even had her committed several times, petitioned the courts to take away her children, divorced her, and managed to take virtually all the community property away from this mentally disordered woman.”

First, please respond to the following, based on the scenario above:

What do you think about this woman’s condition and disorder?

Who should define abnormality?

What motivations, if any, might encourage various groups to seek to influence this definition?

Next, please take the time to read the following article

Clinical, Epidemiologic, Histopathologic and Molecular Features of an Unexplained Dermopathy

Then, please respond to the following:

Now, what do you think about Molly, the client?

What issues in diagnosis does this raise? What other psychological diagnoses does this information bring into question for you?

Below are additional sources for Morgellon’s Disease that can be found in the library. Simply type the word Morgellons in the search box and check the box labeled peer reviewed, then click search.

Harth, W., Hermes, B., & Freudenmann, R. (2010). Morgellons in dermatology. Journal of the German Society of Dermatology, 8(4), 234-242.

Textbook-Pomerantz, A. M. (2013). Clinical Psychology: Science, Practice, and Culture: DSM-5 Update.

Robles, D.T., Olson, J.M., Combs, H., Romm, S., & Kirby, P. (2011) Morgellons Disease and Delusions of Parasitosis. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 12(1), 1-6.