Psy630: Week 1 – Assignment Select A Topic For Your Critical Review

Select the topic for your Critical Review, which is due in Week Six,  and briefly analyze its key features and pathophysiology. You may select  from any of the following psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia (or  schizotypal disorders), bipolar disorder, depression, any of the anxiety  disorders, PTSD, chronic pain disorders, Alzheimer’s disease,   Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorder, seizures, ADD/ADHD,  autism, OCD, any personality disorder, brain trauma, stroke,  encephalitis, meningitis, or migraines.  Other topics may be chosen,  with approval of your instructor.

Other topics may be considered but require prior approval by the  instructor. However, addiction is not the emphasis of the course.  Critical Reviews focusing on addiction, or drugs of addiction, will not  be accepted. Your paper must focus on drug treatment and not on other  modes of treatment. Papers that discuss psychotherapy, other than in  passing, will not be given credit. Ask your instructor for  clarification.

Explain your chosen psychiatric disorder in terms of neurotransmitter  and receptor theories. Describe the symptomology of the disorder and  its relationship with the neurotransmitters involved. Discuss the  anatomic changes seen with the disorder. Explain the relationship  between neurotransmitter and anatomic features and resultant symptoms.  Summarize the interaction(s) between the behavioral, neuroanatomical,  and neurotransmitter changes seen within the selected disorder.

The paper:

• Must be three to five double-spaced pages in length (not including  title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as  outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a separate title page with the following:
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted
• Must use at least three peer-reviewed sources from the Ashford  University Library. These may include the required articles for the  assignment.
• Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.