Psychological Disorders: Life Span Disorders

Introduction - In this final week of the course, you will review disorders that are common on both ends of the life span. First, you will examine the major disorders of childhood and adolescence. This survey will include information on disruptive disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). You will review symptoms, causal factors, and approaches to the treatment of these disorders. On the other end of the life span, you will examine disorders that predominate during old age, with an emphasis on disorders of cognition, such as delirium and mild/major neurocognitive disorder (dementia). Thus, in this final week of the course, you will explore the bookends of the life span, focusing on the psychological disorders that are most often encountered during these years.

Learning Objectives: You should be able to:

• Evaluate effects of various disorders encountered in old age.

• Analyze and apply symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.

• Identify and apply concepts related to the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of childhood, adolescence, and old age.

Readings-

• Comer, R. J. (2015). Abnormal psychology (9th ed.). New York, NY: Worth.

• Chapter 17, "Disorders Common Among Children and Adolescents

• Chapter 18, "Disorders of Aging and Cognition"

Web Sites

• Center for Autism and Related Disorders. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.centerforautism.com/The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) website includes a great deal of information about autism and other pervasive developmental disorders.

• Autism Speaks. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.autismspeaks.org/
The Autism Speaks website contains a plethora of resources on autism, including links to videos of children with this disorder.
Optional Resources

• Alzheimer's Association. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/index.aspThe Alzheimer's Association's website includes information about the disorder as well as resources for caregivers whose loved ones suffer from this disease.

Discussion - Impact of Disorders on the Elderly

In Chapter 18 of Abnormal Psychology, Comer reviews a variety of conditions that may impact functioning in old age, including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, substance misuse, psychotic disorders, and disorders of cognition. Each of these types of disorders presents significant life challenges to those who have them. In this week's Discussion, you will evaluate the potential impacts of these various conditions on the lives of the elderly.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the major disorders that affect the elderly, as outlined in Abnormal Psychology.

• Consider the possible effects of these disorders on the functioning of someone in "old age," defined in Abnormal Psychology as the years past age 65.

• Note the effects of these disorders across various domains of functioning, including cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal.

• Think about which of the following types of disorders you believe presents the greatest challenges to a person in old age: depression, anxiety disorders, substance misuse, psychotic disorders, or disorders of cognition.