October Xtra Blog - American Pyscho

"There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable... I simply am not there." 

Imagine being hollow, yet full of of an almost emotion that you can't quite explain, all you know is that you're exhilarated. Patrick Bateman is not your typical Wall-Street Wolf looking to capture the American dream, he's looking to capture the very essence of life itself. 

Patrick Bateman is a sociopath, contrary to what the book is called. There is an explicit difference between Psychopaths and Sociopaths. 

Psychopaths feel a great deal of emotions that range from extreme bliss, to an unending depression. These wide array of emotional outputs tend to cause the sufferer to act out in uncontrollable ways. This is not Patrick Bateman.

Sociopaths are a better refined psychopath, and that is bad. Sociopaths are devoid of all emotion and moral integrity. Their empathy is non-existent and they have only their motives in mind. Sociopaths have to learn emotions through vivid observation and constant acting. When not in the presence of others, sociopaths tend to just be hollow, cold, suits of flesh. It is no wonder that a lot of high ranking officials in government and executive CEOs tend to be sociopaths. 

Bateman does the many horrors he does in the book because he knows no other way. In his hunt for emotion, he turns to violent crimes to ignite what is lost to him and what he may never be able to attain. From love lost to killing the ones he "loves", Patrick leaves a trail of blood in his wake, all during his never ending journey for emotional satisfaction.

Often times in Clinical Psychology, we often draw portraits of patients to represent what might be on the patient's mind at all times, so I drew the picture below because I believe it represents Patrick as a whole. A darkened, hollow heart giving guidance to a troubled individual. There is no salvation for him.

Blog 8 - Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

 

  - How might a clinical psychologist successfully implement change into the behavior and personality of someone suffering from a personality disorder or developmental disorder?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format. 

 EQ: How might a clinical psychologist successfully implement change into the behavior and personality of someone suffering from a personality disorder or developmental disorder?

•  Psychotherapy

•  Assisted/Applied learning

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

   - The Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders, a book detailing every known and diagnosed mental disorder ranging from drug induced disorders to developmental disorders has definitely been my top resource.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you doing mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

   - I'm mentoring with my father and his associates and I help people overcome their problems through Psychotherapy and applied/assisted learning. I help people in group therapy sessions, family interventions, and even in single one to one sessions. This adheres to my working EQ because this exposure and experience I'm getting to the work will help me decide which technique is more successful to the consumer.

Blog 7 - Independent Component 1 Approval

To get your idea approved now, please answer the following questions:

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

For my independent component, I plan to assist a consumer of mine throughout their day to day things, such as possible work, orders, and other regular procedures that must be accomplished throughout the day. I will advise them and be there for them both physically and emotionally.

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

As evidence of my 30 hours, I plan to take notes of their activities throughout the days, and show regular treatment reports on how far they have come since asking for our help. I will also take pictures of where we go and things that might be done on my end to assist them.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

What I will be doing will help explore my topic on a more in-depth spectrum because I will have my own consumer, a specimen of sorts, that I will be able to have first hand glances at what afflictions of the mental sort can do to a person socially and emotionally, and how I might take this knowledge and implement it into other sorts of rehabilitation plans I may have with other consumers.

Blog 6 - Second Interview

My father is one of my mentors and he works at CAPC as an assistant and caregiver for adults and children with a developmental disability. 

1. Why did you decide to go down this line of work?
2. What is one of the more chaotic of experiences you've had when working with a consumer?
3. What do you find most enjoyable in this line of work?
4. What are your hours during your line of work?
5. What is expected of an employee of CAPC and anyone who wishes to get into the field of psychology?

Blog 5 - Mentorship Reflection

Research

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?  If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search of a mentor.

My mentors were relatively easy to find considering that one of them is my biological father and the others are fellow colleagues and acquaintances in the trade. All I had to do was inquire with my father on whether or not I could study under his wing and of course, the answer was an affirmative.

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

The most important piece of writing I have read about my topic has probably been the DSM. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel on Mental Disorders) I say it is the most important piece yet because it details all known diagnosed mental disorders that psychologists have defined and identified with from days past to the present future. It gives an in depth analysis on each of the mental disorders, known treatments, symptoms from birth, and a plethora of other info. 

August Xtra Post

Went to the Pyschiatry: Industry of Death Museum in Hollywood and was unable to take sick shots because it's against the museum's rules though I took one anyway. The museum shows the darkside of psychiatry and psychology and the not so humbling roots of the practices. Diagrams, exhibits, and real medical equipment are all on display and the content of the museum is graphic. The museum is heavily biased so you should keep an open mind if you every find yourself walking amidst their facility.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

Interview

1.  I plan to interview my father, because he is my greatest resource into my senior topic. He's an instructor and psych. coordinator whose job is to treat issues that people with developmental and personality disorders may encounter in their life.

2. Questions:

1. Whether it be a personality disorder, or a developmental disorder, do you feel as though these mental disorders are highly overlooked as a huge issue in America, if not the world? Why?
2. Of the two and their different diagnoses, personality disorders and developmental disorders, which to you poses the most danger to oneself? 
3. Of the two and their different diagnoses, personality disorders and developmental disorders, which to you poses the most danger to others and those who may be involved in the consumer's life?
4. More states in the U.S. are getting accustomed to allowing psychologists the ability to prescribe medication to consumers? How might this be bad? How might this be good?
5. How difficult is it to keep personal problems and bias out of your professional life, especially during interventions and psychotherapy with consumers?