I am not asking for HELP with my homework. Accually I was wondering if I could get some advice on my essay. Its not due for another week, so I have plenty of time for corrections. I know its long, but please if you have time read through it for me and tell me what you think.
Please keep in mind that my teacher specifically told us that he is NOT an english teacher, and is not interested in spelling, grammar, or mechanics. Thanks for taking the time for me :)



I chose to do my report on Bipolar, not only because I wanted to challenge myself when I heard from the teacher that students do not get good grades doing reports on psychosomatic deseases, but also because this is a disease that I myself suffer, and to research and know it better, I may be able to help myself better as well. Please note, unless otherwise noted, ALL of my resources come from NIMH (National Institution of Mental Health) where I read and studied the countless different articles on the subject of Bipolar, all simply listed as NIMH, rather than individual authors.


Bipolar had been known as 'manic depressive illness' in the past, and this term is still sometimes used. Bipolar is a chemical brain disorder that can cause severe changes in mood, behavior, activity levels, and energy levels, due to an imbalance in the hormone of Dopamine. Dopamine is a nurotransmitter that does many things for the brain, including behavior and cognition, motivation, movement, an inhibition of prolactin production, which plays a part in sexual gratification, sleep, attention, and mood.
Bipolar makes it difficult to carry out day to day tasks, and co-exist with peers. Bipolar comes in many variations, ranging from extreme highs (manic) to extreme lows (depressive).
Manic episodes can cause extreme excitement, high energy, explosive anger, agitation, increased sex drive, and having overly high expectations of self and those around them. The patient may speak quickly, and in a rush. Impulse control is also affected, and the patient suffers insomnia. Physical tremors may also occur. Depressive episodes, can cause exhastion, decreased sex drive, low energy, melancholy, paranoia, self hate, self harm, and suicide, or the thought of suicide.
Some people may have a mixed episode, called a mixed state, in which they are both manic, and depressed. This is very dangerous, as the suicide rate is extremely high at this point, due to the extreme low, depressed feelings, mixed with the high energy elation, making the depressed patient want to 'go out and do something about it', causing the patient to believe that death is the cure to the pain of depression, and at the same time also feeling excited about the prospect of death, due to the extreme high manic feeling.
Many Bipolar patients may also suffer from either substance abuse, alcohol abuse, or be victims of domestic violence. However, many may also be abusive to spouse or children, and often has trouble in school or work.

Bipolar runs in familys most often. Children with a parent or sibling who has bipolar are more likely to also have bipolar. A child without a family history of bipolar will most likely not have or develop it. There also seems to be a connection of time of year and day. Each person varies, but it seem patients can change their moods inline with the seasons. A patient with bipolar may seem extremely manic during the winter months, while another is more manic in the summer, and vise versa. Time of day also seems to be a factor, as most bipolar patients have insomnia, and seem to be more manic in the evening and over night, and depressive in the morning and early afternoon.
Bipolar affects patients of all ages. However, most patients are diagnosed before age 25, and most often after prepubecent years. With the majority of them during the teenage years. The younger the patient is when diagnosed or suspected, the more likely the patient has extensive bipolar history in their family. Early onset of bipolar often starts with frequent depressive episodes, and as such, is often misdiagnosed as depression.
Girls and women seem to be more associated with rapid cycling bipolar (several manic or depressive episodes in one year) and also are at greater risk to post-partum depression after pregnancy. During pregnancy, many women find their bipolar symptoms to be worse. This is due to the hormonal imbalance of pregnancy, also the fact that many women choose to stop taking their medications for fear of harming their baby, even when the doctor gives the OK to take a pregnancy approved medication. However, for some women, including myself, bipolar symptoms can seem to nearly completely disappear. This is believed to be due to the mothers hormones balancing themselves out during pregnancy, rather than going 'haywire' like in most pregnancys. (www.NAMI.com)

A patient who has several extreme manic episodes, can also have psychotic symptoms as well. Hallucinations or delusions, believing that 'they' are out to get them. These symptoms can reflect the person's extreme mood. Psychotic symptoms may include believing that he or she has magical powers, a lot of money or is famous. On the other side of the spectrum, a patient having an extreme depressive episode could believe that he or she has committed a crime when they have not, is ruined or penniless. These patients often become melencholy or morose. Consequently many patients with bipolar who have psychotic symptoms are wrongly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another mental illness that include hallucinations and delusions.

There are NO difinitive tests for bipolar. Blood tests and brainscans are also used, but to rule out other deseases or anomalies that may explain the patients symptoms, such as brain tumors, stroke, or a disorder known as hyperthyroidism, which can mimick bipolar symptoms, making diagnosis difficult without ruling out.
There had been a study under way, and published in Molecular Psychiatry, on Teusday, February 19th 2008, in which researchers, headed by Dr. Alexander Niculescu, III, a psychiatrist at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, believed that 10 genes that can be detected in the blood could provide a better way to assess a patients mental status, including bipolar. I was, however, unable to find the conclusion to this study, and the study may not have been succsessful. (Referance- NBC Feb. 25, 2008 news report)
The best, most reliable and standardized diagnosis tool is a structured interview called the SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV) which is a long series of questions administered by a trained professional. Because the SCID has predefined pathways for asking questions - the right questions are always asked and minimal important information is missed. The SCID is not perfect because it still depends on the judgement of clinicians - and despite the best training - differences of opinion can occur.
A meeting with a doctor, referral to a specialist, and a complete mental workup, is most commonly used to diagnose Bipolar. A specialist will factor in many issues, such as the mental health of the patients family and possibly ancestors as well. The doctor and patient will discuss close relations, such as spouse or adult children, and inquire of the patients homelife. As said before bipolar is often misdiagnosed as clinical depression, because when a patient is manic, they feel fine, more than fine even, they feel estatic, amazing, and full of energy. However, when the depression hits, that is when they seek help from a physician, and consequently, only relay the depression symptoms to the doctor, and NOT the manic sympoms. Therefor a full patient history is crutial to the patients healthcare. Unlike people with Bipolar, clinically depressed patients do not experience the elated highs of a manic episode.

Bipolar is a lifelong illness, and although there is no cure for bipolar, patients can find peace if they are able to balance the chemicals and hormones of the body that are not working together in sync. Even patients with severe cases of bipolar, boarderlining on psychosis, can find that balance with the help of many different factors.
Treatment often includes therepy, medications, and a family support system. Medication is prescribed by a psychiatrist. In some places, either a psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or advanced psychiatric nurse specialist.
Sometimes, medications do not always work as well as hoped, and many different types are tried before the right combination is found. This can be the most exhasperating point of treatment, as it can take years of trial and error.
In extreme cases, and especially in the past 100 years, patients with bipolar, or other mental disease, were treated with Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT is used today as a treatment for severe depression as a last resort, and also in the treatment of bipolar, in which the patient is mostly manic. It is also used in patients suffering from catatonia. It was first introduced in the 1930 and was used often in the 1940s and 1950s for several different disorders, phsyical as well as mental. It has been estimated that 1 million people in the world receive ECT in a year, over 6–12 treatments 2 or 3 times a week. (Wikipedia)
Mood stabilizers are usually what is tried first to treat bipolar. People with bipolar usually try mood stabilizers for years. With the exception of lithium, many of these medications are anticonvulsants, such as Tegritol. They also help control moods as well as seizures. Some examples of mood stabilizers are Valproic acid, or Depakene, Lamictal, Carbamazepine, or Tegretol, Gabapentin (Not FDA approved for bipolar, but has been used) Oxcarbazepine, or Topamax.
Atypical antipsychotic medicines have also been used to treat symptoms of bipolar. These include but are not limited to, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Abilify, and Risperdal. Often, these medications are taken with other medications. They are called "atypical" so that people can know the difference between antipsychotics from the past, called conventional or first-generation antipsychotics such as Haldol, or Stelazine. These were used for ALL mentally deseased patients, because doctors did not realise that mental disease of all kinds, varie from patient to patient.
Antidepressant have been used to treat symptoms of depression in bipolar. But in bipolar, an antidepressant is often used with a mood stabilizer as well because taking only an antidepressant can trigger severe manic episodes. Common Antidepressants include Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.
Some medications treat one type of bipolar symptoms better than another. Such as Lamictal, which seems to help depressive symptoms of bipolar more than others do.
Psychotherapy, or "talk" therapy, can also be effective in treating bipolar. It can provide support and guidance to people with bipolar and their loved ones. A few psychotherapy treatments used to treat bipolar include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), that helps people who have bipolar to change harmful thoughts and behaviors. Family-focused therapy includes family members. It helps familys recognize new episodes in their loved ones early and helping them better. This also helps to improve communication. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy helps the patient improve their relationship with others and manage their daily lives better.
Psychoeducation teaches people with bipolar about the illness and its treatment. This helps the patient recognize a relapse so they can get help early. This is usually done in a group, and may also be helpful for family members. A licensed psychologist, or counselor typically provides these types of treatment. They often work with the psychiatrist so that all caregivers are on the same page.


In conclusion, I believe Bipolar to be a very exhasting and excrusiating disease. It is difficult to live with, and difficult to manage, and it can destroy your life in the blink of an eye. However, I also see bipolar to be a very beautiful disease. It causes the patient to think in ways that no one else ever does. It makes it possible for the patient to be themselves, rather than blend in with 'the people' or 'jump on the bandwagon'. As much as bipolar can destroy your life, it can also build it up, and make it worth living for. I have learned much from writing this report, and I am very glad I chose this disease.

Jennie, I took out a lot of commas that weren't necessary and corrected a lot of spelling. Otherwise, I pretty much left it phrased as you had written it (only a few minor changes to make it clearer). And I was an English teacher... :D

I chose to do my report on bipolar illness, not only because I wanted to challenge myself when I heard from the teacher that students do not get good grades doing reports on psychosomatic diseases [Jennie, bipolar illness is not psychosomatic.], but also because this is a disease that I myself suffer, so I may be able to help myself as I learn more about it. Please note that ALL of my resources come from NIMH (National Institution of Mental Health) where I read and studied the countless different articles on the subject of bipolar, and are simply listed as NIMH rather than individual authors, unless noted otherwise.

Bipolar has been known as "manic depressive illness" in the past, and this term is still sometimes used. Bipolar is a chemical brain disorder that can cause severe changes in mood, behavior, activity levels, and energy levels due to an imbalance of a hormone called dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that does many things for the brain, including controls behavior, cognition, motivation, movement, and inhibits prolactin production, which plays a part in sexual gratification, sleep, attention, and mood. Bipolar makes it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks and coexist with peers. Bipolar comes in many variations, ranging from extreme highs (manic) to extreme lows (depressive).

Manic episodes can cause extreme excitement, high energy, explosive anger, agitation, increased sex drive, and overly high expectations of oneself and others. The patient may speak quickly, in a rush. Impulse control is also affected, and the patient suffers insomnia. Physical tremors may occur. Depressive episodes can cause exhaustion, decreased sex drive, low energy, melancholy, paranoia, self hate, self harm, and suicide, or the thought of suicide.

Some people may have an episode called a mixed state in which they are both manic and depressed. This is very dangerous, as the suicide rate is extremely high at this point due to the extreme low, depressed feelings mixed with the high energy elation. The depressed patient wants to "go out and do something about it," causing him to believe that death is the cure to the pain of depression, yet, at the same time, feeling excited about the prospect of death due to the extremely high manic feeling. Many bipolar patients may also suffer from substance abuse, alcohol abuse, or be victims of domestic violence. Many may also be abusive to spouse or children, and often have trouble in school or at work.

Bipolar runs in families. Children with a parent or sibling who is bipolar is more likely to be bipolar. A child without a family history of bipolar illness will most likely not have or develop it. There also seems to be a connection of time of year and day. It varies with each person, but it seems patients' moods change in line with the seasons. A bipolar patient may seem extremely manic during the winter months, while another is more manic in the summer, or vice versa. Time of day also seems to be a factor, as most bipolar patients have insomnia because they are more manic in the evening and overnight, then become depressive in the morning and early afternoon.

Bipolar affects people of all ages. However, most are diagnosed before age 25 and most often after prepubescent years with the majority during the teenage years. The younger the patient is when diagnosed or suspected, the more likely the patient has extensive bipolar history in his family. Early onset of bipolar often starts with frequent depressive episodes, and as such, is often misdiagnosed as depression.

Girls and women seem to be more susceptible to rapid cycling bipolar (several manic or depressive episodes in one year) and also are at greater risk to post-partum depression after pregnancy. During pregnancy, many women find their bipolar symptoms to be worse. This is due to the hormonal imbalance of pregnancy, including the fact that many women choose to stop taking their psychotropic medications for fear of harming the baby, even when the doctor gives the OK. However, for some women, including myself, bipolar symptoms seem to nearly completely disappear, perhaps due to the mother's hormones balancing themselves out during pregnancy, rather than going "haywire" like in normal pregnancies. (www.NAMI.com)

A patient who has several extreme manic episodes can also have psychotic symptoms as well, that is, hallucinations or delusions whereby the individual believes that "they" are out to get him. These symptoms can reflect the person's extreme mood. Psychotic symptoms may include believing that he has magical powers, a lot of money, or is famous. On the other side of the spectrum, a patient having an extreme depressive episode could believe that he has committed a crime when it hasn't happened or has become ruined or penniless. These patients often become melancholy or morose. Consequently, many bipolar patients who have psychotic symptoms are wrongly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another mental illness that includes hallucinations and delusions.

There are NO definitive tests for bipolar. Blood tests and brainscans are used, but only to rule out other diseases or anomalies that may explain the patient's symptoms, such as brain tumors, stroke, or a disorder known as hyperthyroidism, which can mimic bipolar symptoms and make diagnosis difficult without ruling it out.

There was a study underway, published in Molecular Psychiatry, on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, in which researchers, headed by Dr. Alexander Niculescu, III, a psychiatrist at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, believed that 10 genes detected in the blood can provide a better way to assess a patient's mental status, including bipolar. I was, however, unable to find the conclusion to this study, so the study may not have been successful. (Reference--NBC Feb. 25, 2008 news report)

The best, most reliable, and standardized diagnosis tool is a structured interview called the SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV), a long series of questions administered by a trained professional. Because the SCID has predefined pathways for asking questions, the right questions are always asked and minimally important information is skipped over. The SCID is not perfect because it still depends on the judgment of clinicians, and, despite the best training, differences of opinion can occur.

A meeting with a doctor, referral to a specialist, and a complete mental workup is most commonly used to diagnose bipolar. A specialist will factor in many issues, such as the mental health of the patient's family and possibly ancestors as well. The doctor and patient will discuss close relations, such as spouse or adult children, and inquire into the patient's home life. As said before, bipolar is often misdiagnosed as clinical depression because when a patient is manic, he feels fine--more than fine even!--ecstatic, amazing, and full of energy. However, when the depression hits, that is when a physician's help is needed, but unfortunately only the depression, NOT manic, symptoms are mentioned to the doctor. Therefore, a full patient history is critical to the patient's healthcare. Unlike people with bipolar, clinically depressed patients do not experience the elated highs of a manic episode.

Bipolar is a lifelong illness, and although there is no cure for bipolar, patients can find peace if they are able to balance the chemicals and hormones of the body that otherwise don't work together. Even patients with severe cases of bipolar, borderlining on psychosis, can find that balance with the help of many different factors.

Treatment often includes therapy, medications, and a family support system. Medication is prescribed by a psychiatrist. In some places, either a psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or advanced psychiatric nurse specialist may have prescription privileges.

Sometimes medications do not work as well as hoped, and many different types are tried before the right combination is found. This can be the most exasperating part of treatment, since it can take years of trial and error to find the correct medication and dose level.

In extreme cases, and especially during the past 100 years, patients with bipolar or other mental diseases were treated with electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). ECT is used today as a treatment for severe depression as a last resort, and also in the treatment of bipolar in which the patient is mostly manic. It is also used in patients suffering from catatonia. It was first introduced in the 1930s and continued being used during the 1940s and 1950s for several different physical as well as mental disorders. It has been estimated that 1 million people in the world receive ECT in a year, meaning over 6–12 treatments 2 or 3 times a week. (Wikipedia)

Mood stabilizers are usually what is tried first to treat bipolar illness. People with bipolar usually try mood stabilizers for a long time. With the exception of lithium, many of these medications are anticonvulsants such as Tegritol. They also help control moods as well as seizures. Some examples of mood stabilizers are Valproic acid, Depakene, Lamictal, Carbamazepine, Tegretol, Gabapentin (not FDA approved for bipolar, but it has been used) Oxcarbazepine, or Topamax.

Atypical anti-psychotic medicines have also been used to treat symptoms of bipolar. These include but are not limited to Zyprexa, Seroquel, Abilify, and Risperdal. Often these medications are taken with other medications. They are called "atypical" so that people can know the difference between current medications and anti-psychotics from the past, called conventional or first-generation anti-psychotics such as Haldol or Stelazine. These were used for ALL mentally diseased patients because doctors did not realize that mental diseases of all kinds vary from patient to patient.

Antidepressants have been used to treat symptoms of depression in bipolar illness. But in bipolar, an antidepressant is often used with a mood stabilizer as well because taking only an antidepressant can trigger severe manic episodes. Common antidepressants include Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. Some medications treat one type of bipolar symptom better than another. Lamictal, for instance, seems to help the depressive symptoms of bipolar more than others do.

Psychotherapy, or "talk" therapy, can also be effective in treating bipolar. It can provide support and guidance to people with bipolar and their loved ones. A few psychotherapy treatments used to treat bipolar include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps people who have bipolar to change harmful thoughts and behaviors. Family-focused therapy includes family members. It helps families recognize new episodes in their loved ones early in order to help them sooner. This also improves communication. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy helps the patient improve the relationship with others and manage daily life better.

Psycho-education teaches people with bipolar about the illness and its treatment. This helps the patient recognize a relapse so they can get help early. This is usually done in a group, and may also be helpful for family members. A licensed psychologist or counselor typically provides these types of treatment. They often work with the psychiatrist so that all caregivers are on the same page.

In conclusion, I believe bipolar to be a very exhausting and excruciating disease. It is difficult to live with, difficult to manage, and it can destroy one's life in the blink of an eye. However, I also consider bipolar to be a very beautiful disease. It causes the patient to think in ways that no one else ever does. It makes it possible for the patient to be himself rather than blend in with everyone else or be on "the bandwagon." As much as bipolar can destroy a life, it can also build it up and make it worth living. I have learned much from writing this report, and I am very glad I chose this disease.

Thank you for the corrections hon! It looks great!
I thought bipolar was psychosomatic because it means that it effects both mind AND body, and bipolar can do both. This website says...

(for manic)
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Deceased need for sleep
Insomnia; stays up all night
Increased appetite
Sudden weight loss
Increased sexual drive (often to point of hypersexuality)
Catatonia (psychotic stage)

(for Depressive)
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Insomnia or sleeping too much
Loss of appetite or eating too much
Feeling slowed down or too agitated to sit still
Extreme fatigue and lack energy
Decreased sexual drive
Catatonia (psychotic stage)



But I could be misudnerstanding. Are these still mental symptoms?

thank you for the corrections hon! It looks great!
Most of it is your work. I just fancied it up by removing a lot of commas and a few words you don't need.

I thought bipolar was psychosomatic because it means that it effects both mind AND body, and bipolar can do both. This website says...
Good thing I went to (psychology) grad school for three years, so now I can answer your question. :D

Psychosomatic means an overactive mind creates pretend or real medical problems in the body. For instance, if I think I have cancer, every ache or pain inside my body tells me something is wrong with me and that it's probably cancer. I worry, lose sleep, stop eating right, don't go to the doctor to get checked out. I start drinking and smoking. Time goes by. I finally drag myself to the doctor two years later. The doctor checks me and says the pain is probably an ulcer, so let's set you up to get a colonoscopy. I don't want to believe him because I'm sure it is cancer. I figure he is lying to me so I don't get unhinged.

That how anxious thoughts in your brain can actually make you sick. I didn't end up with cancer, but did end up with an ulcer from the worry. That's psychosomatic illness.

And, yes, the symptoms you listed are legit for bipolar illness. My grandmother and uncle had it. I know it well.

Jennie I thought your essay was well researched and written, I wondered if you could post the module descriptor of the essay,my reason is the title of your post,introduction to health care,just in case they mean you to give an over view of health care and not focus one area.

I don't want to take away from the work you have done,its excellent,just to clarify that in the module discriptor,you can pick a specific area in healthcare,or clarify with your tutor.

jennie i thought your essay was well researched and written, i wondered if you could post the module descriptor of the essay,my reason is the title of your post,introduction to health care,just in case they mean you to give an over view of health care and not focus one area.

i dont want to take away from the work you have done,its excellent,just to clarify that in the module discriptor,you can pick a specific area in healthcare,or clarify with your tutor.
I love you dearly, but I have NO idea what you are talking about, so I'm guessing Jennie doesn't either. What's a module descriptor? Please rephrase this whole thing.

I absolutely have NO idea what your talking about red :P lol. Sorry.

Thanks WG! I definitely misunderstood that lol. I thought psychosomatic meant a disease that affected both mind and body. Thanks for telling me so I can take that out. What could I replace that with? Is it a psychosis disease?

OH by the way, sorry its off topic, but I WAS going to send out a christmas card to yoU! And I thoght I did. BUT, today I found my box of christmas cards, sealed, addressed, and unstammped under my desk LOL. I'm going to send it out as soon as I have stamps :P

I love you dearly, but I have NO idea what you are talking about, so I'm guessing Jennie doesn't either. What's a module descriptor? Please rephrase this whole thing.


Sorry guys...

As both of you know in each course you do, example... social care,healthcare... its divided into sections,so over the course of the year you cover certain aspects of the course you are doing,you might do 3 modules (parts) of the course in 3 months the next 3 modules the following 3 months until you have completed the course and receive your certifcate,dipolma,degree.

There is a description of what you are required to do,example,a paper on youth clubs,that's what we call the decriptor ( describing what it is you need to do to get marked correctly)

Am I making any sense?

What I was wondering,was,in jennies introduction the opening post was titled "introduction to healthcare"... I wondered if jennies paper allowed her the freedom to pick an aspect of healthcare,or was the tutor looking for an over view of healthcare.

what i was wondering,was,in jennies introduction the opening post was titled "introduction to healthcare"...i wondered if jennies paper allowed her the freedom to pick an aspect of healthcare,or was the tutor looking for an over view of healthcare.
Thanks for explaining, red. Now I understand! (Like my mom says, "Ah! I see, said the blind man.")

I understood the assignment was that Jennie could choose any aspect of health care, not just ramble on about it generally. She didn't post the assignment, though. Hmmmm...

Jennie, what is the assignment? How is it worded -- for health care in general or for a specific thing or doesn't it matter? I'm thinking she can keep what she has written, but she may have to tweak it a bit, depending.

Thanks for explaining, red. Now I understand! (Like my mom says, "Ah! I see, said the blind man.")

I understood the assignment was that Jennie could choose any aspect of health care, not just ramble on about it generally. She didn't post the assignment, though. Hmmmm.......

Jennie, what is the assignment? How is it worded -- for health care in general or for a specific thing or doesn't it matter? I'm thinking she can keep what she has written, but she may have to tweak it a bit, depending.

Agree,also to quote her sources of information,websites etc.

I also thought if jennie stated the aim of the assigment or objectives,she could re jig what she has written in the form of introduction,aim,objectives,(main body) and recommendations,conclusion and sources..


Its easier for tutors to mark and looks more professional.

agree,also to quote her sources of information,websites etc.

i also thought if jennie stated the aim of the assigment or objectives,she could re jig what she has written in the form of introduction,aim,objectives,(main body) and recommendations,conclusion and sources..


its easier for tutors to mark and looks more professional.
I gathered that, if the teacher already told her he isn't interested in good grammar and spelling, he probably isn't too interested in high-quality, organized papers in general.

Do you mean that Jennie should preface each section with headings such as Introduction, Objectives, etc. or keep those in mind as she sets up her paper that way?

I gathered that, if the teacher already told her he isn't interested in good grammar and spelling, he probably isn't too interested in high-quality, organized papers in general.

Do you mean that Jennie should preface each section with headings such as Introduction, Objectives, etc., or keep those in mind as she sets up her paper that way?

As she is doing the paper,linking her conclusions back to her stated objectives... I just think its wraps the whole thing up nicely.

Although you right,if the tutor is not interseted in good grammar,spelling he is not going to be interested in the layout.

I just think it sets a good standard for other papers and gets you into the habit of laying out the paper,makes research easier.

I often feel once you have your objectives the rest just falls into place.

In saying all this,we have to wait for jennie to come back to confirm the assignment specifics.

I'm sorry guys! Your right I didn't tell you what the assignment was.

Its only 10% of our final grade, and he didn't give an assignment sheet or anything on it. Basically he said 'i want you to choose a disease, and write me a paper on it. No more than 5 pages long, I'm not worried about mechanics, spelling, grammar, writing ability. This is a research exercise. I want to know the who what where when why of your disease. And then conclude with your opinion. I will warn you not to choose diseases of the mind, especially bipolar, psychosis, or schizophrenia. Any student of mine who has ever written a paper on a disease like that, has not done well. Usually get a 5 (out of 10) score. "

My goal is a little anal, and a little petty I suppose. But simply BECAUSE he told us not to choose those, I chose it on purpose lol. My goal is to wow him. I would be happy with anything more than 5, but I am aiming for 8, and hoping for 10.

Most of it is your work. I just fancied it up by removing a lot of commas and a few words you don't need.

Good thing I went to (psychology) grad school for three years, so now I can answer your question. :D

Psychosomatic means an overactive mind creates pretend or real medical problems in the body. For instance, if I think I have cancer, every ache or pain inside my body tells me something is wrong with me and that it's probably cancer. I worry, lose sleep, stop eating right, don't go to the doctor to get checked out. I start drinking and smoking. Time goes by. I finally drag myself to the doctor two years later. The doctor checks me and says the pain is probably an ulcer, so let's set you up to get a colonoscopy. I don't want to believe him because I'm sure it is cancer. I figure he is lying to me so I don't get unhinged.

That how anxious thoughts in your brain can actually make you sick. I didn't end up with cancer, but did end up with an ulcer from the worry. That's psychosomatic illness.

And, yes, the symptoms you listed are legit for bipolar illness. My grandmother and uncle had it. I know it well.


Ooh OK that makes sense. Thanks hon! So someone with munchausen syndrom may be psychosomatic. (but not all of them, and I'm not saying that munchausen IS psychosomatic, only that the patient may become that way)

Hey jennie,your paper fits his discription then.

I would only suggest to perhaps to make your finding clear and adda little more to the conclusion.

Also,the state your sources.

ooh ok that makes sense. thanks hon! so someone with munchausen syndrom may be psychosomatic. (but not all of them, and im not saying that munchausen IS psychosomatic, only that the patient may become that way)
Munchausen's is a deliberate attempt (acting sick) to get attention. A psychosomatic illness is not usually deliberate, but is unconscious, unintended, unplanned. A person's mind takes over and imagines illness. Anxiety or worry may cause actual illness.

Even worse is Munchausen's by proxy in which a parent will imagine illness in her child or even cause her child to be sick in order to get attention. An example would be a mother putting a string across the top of a short flight of steps so the child trips (and doesn't know the mom put string there) and ends up bruised or even with something broken. The mother rushes the child to the ER and basks in all the attention the doctors and nurses give her and the child.

Thanks red

Yeah I agree MP is even worse. I saw a medical show about a mom mixing pine sol in her 4year old sons food to make him violently sick.

Part of me wants mothers like that to die a horrible death. But the bigger part of me feels so bad for both mom and child because the child is being used in such a painfull horrible way, and the mother just, can't seem to stop herself for some reason.
But it still ticks me off LOL.