# data[].attributes.body
Happy New Year to everyone, the vacation was worthwhile though let's be honest we wanted to have a longer break but reality and responsibilities can't be ignored. As for my main takeaway from Psych 155, is that common knowledge and understanding about Psychological Disorders are indeed limited and even disregarded. It happened in our family gathering on the mention of my nephew with down Syndrome, I have noticed that some people though sympathetic, they clearly have little understanding talking in whispers about being cursed and the nonsense of things, some would ask if he could even do the basic things despite the fact that i for one having helped in taking care of my nephew, can actually understand English and the mother tongue at an early age despite having the great difficulty to talk. As for others They are downright ignorant, thinking that his condition can be immediately remedied by medicine or by admitting to a mental hospital, what is even more heartbreaking is his very own grandfather, my uncle thinks the same and even suggested outrageous things that if only his mother left my nephew with him he would not have turned out that way.

In hindsight it is very clear that knowledge and understanding is limited to the common folk here in our country, but what is painful is the things people would actually say and worse do when they encounter someone with the Psychological Disabilities, so I could only hope that future studies and dissemination of information could be improved for the betterment in treatments, and assessing these cases.

# data[].attributes.body
While reading the "MAIN TAKEAWAY" from the LMS, I can clearly remember the Histrionic Disorder as I associate this with someone I know. I would like to ask if this is a delinquent behavior as I can remember them with the symptoms manifested by this disorder but, I think their life is not greatly affected by it which can cause distress or dysfunction. However, I familiarized this disorder quickly due to them.

Furthermore, I am thankful for the tips that you, Teacher Liz, insert in the lessons such as in managing trauma. I am also relieved to take this class when I was at one of my and I can say most, so far, under-par points in life, especially during the discussion of mood disorders. It is because it helped me to thrive every hour just so I cannot meet the symptoms presented in those disorders. Thankfully it did not affect me negatively, and I was like hit by reality when I scored low in the first LC because I really want to ace your quizzes.

Then, even though I, am still afraid of what might possibly happen if I feel like a person suffering from a mental disorder is exhibiting a symptom, I now recognize that we should be understanding towards them (but empathize and not sympathize) and there should be someone beside them to guide them to avoid what might trigger their episodes or trauma as something might happen if they will be left alone or no one will be there when they are learning.

I would also like to ask what to do if someone shares their experiences or hardships in life as I cannot sometimes stop myself from also sharing what I had gone through. This is because I saw posts that this can be invalidating for them.

-Dorothea Dix 155-2 :)

# data[].attributes.body
Personally, learning Abnormal Psychology has been a challenging and complex endeavor. This class highlighted to me the importance of making a sound diagnosis through a deep understanding of the disorders and careful consideration of the biological, psychological, and socio-cultural realities of an individual. It also taught me that psychopathology requires the ability to navigate through the complexities of different disorders, especially considering that some disorders may be comorbid with each other or exhibit similar symptoms.

📝 To be more precise, the following are some of my favorite takeaways:

1. Every individual responds to stressors differently, and what may be stressful for one may not be for another. In fact, the diathesis-stress model posits that individuals have different levels of vulnerability or predisposition to developing certain conditions or disorders when exposed to stressful events or situations.

2. “Psychological disorders encourage consideration, but they are not an excuse.” I once asked Ma’am Liz what is the best thing to do if a person who struggles with a mental disorder causes distress to others. She replied by saying it’s okay to have boundaries and protect our mental health kasi “baka imbes na isa lang ang may depression, naging dalawa na kayo.”

3. We have the power to overcome traumatic experiences through the right interventions. In the case of Karen (PTSD), she engaged in MMA to serve as an outlet for her anxiety and negative emotions. This implies that we are not completely hopeless in the face of adversity. We can find ways to overcome our struggles.

💭 Some questions!

1. Can humor serve as an intervention or coping mechanism for PTSD?

2. How does self-labeling impact our resilience? (i.e., labeling ourselves as victims or survivors).

To end, there have been many times in this class that I thought I had understood the material enough. However, I am always humbled by how much I don’t know or don’t understand fully when answering the exams/quizzes, or even during lectures. Nonetheless, I thank my confusion and curiosity for making me a more eager learner as the semester progressed. It has been an honor to both give and receive in this class. I have learned a lot, and I continue to learn even more by applying what I have learned in daily conversations and observations.

- Sol

# data[].attributes.body
I took this course because I found it interesting, and I finished it having gained a deeper understanding of myself and others.

I learned the value of taking a break and how I should never feel guilty about taking one. This is something that I always appreciate about the psychology electives that I take, there is always an emphasis on taking care of yourself and being more understanding towards others.

My biggest takeaway is truly understanding how Philippine society still has a long way to go in terms of truly understanding mental health and disorders. There is pretty much still stigma around it that prevents people from getting proper help for them, and more than that, these interventions tend to be expensive as well. Proper care cannot be made available for all who need it if there is still a general lack of understanding regarding these disorders. Nevertheless, I am confident that people who are knowledgeable and experienced in the field will continue to help fight the stigma and advocate for proper care for all.

# data[].attributes.body
When I entered the psych course, I stereotypically thought that we would be mainly learning psychopathologies, but, the countless research projects for other course subjects proved me otherwise. But, after 123456789, lo and behold, AB psy (finally) happened, and thank goodness it did not disappoint my expectations because you, Ma’am, helped us navigate this intricate subject with your effective teaching strategies. With that, I would like to express my deepest gratitude :))

Nonetheless, if I were to choose one main takeaway from this course, I would like to share my experience of learning the importance of differentiating empathy and sympathy. As a sympathetic (or sensitive idrk) person, I constantly find myself feeling drained every time we tackle about MHD, especially the first modules (i.e., mood disorders). However, as we progress in our lessons, I have observed how you talked about MHD lightly (but not disrespectfully), intellectually, and empathetically, which made me realize that we can talk about and learn sensitive topics (e.g., MH Disorders) without letting ourselves fall into the dark side of overly sympathizing. I learned that we—as a AB psy learner, a future clinician, or even as a friend/family—can only provide appropriate support to others if we can learn how to empathize to their experiences rather than sympathize with what they feeling. This is because it is only through empathy that we can have more sound judgment on how we can provide appropriate (social) support to others while keeping our own mental spaces in check.

—Just another student

# data[].attributes.body
Taking this course, I made some realizations and things that made me reflect on my own experience and how it affects my self-concept.

Prior to taking this course, I only knew a little about studying psychopathology, and I thought that to master psychopathology, you should be able to master the criteria of symptoms in the DSM 5. Although that may be true, it is only a narrow notion on studying psychopathology. I now realize that to be a well-rounded mental health practitioner, your talent must not be limited to your ability to perfectly recall the contents of DSM 5. One must also be able to be knowledgeable about possible etiologies and therapies that could be used. I realized as well that etiology is vital to consider so that we can infer the nature of an individual's diagnosis and think of a possible therapy that would be efficient and effective.

I also realized some things about diagnosing and assessment. I realized that to diagnosis, it must be done with care, sensitivity, and the intent to provide therapy. Although we learned throughout the course and the textbook idea would indicate that diagnosis must be done with prior intensive and holistic assessment, this idea felt more "tagos sa puso" and quite reflexive as someone who is living with a mental disorder and was diagnosed three times with three different disorders. I have my share of experiencing doctors carelessly assessing and diagnosing me in our first session, without considering other factors in my past experiences. Factoring this experience of mine, it felt more intense to me to be very careful and sensitive and think carefully before diagnosing an individual. It must be met with great clinical judgment and compassion, not just because you are able to "recall" the symptoms in the DSM 5 with vividness.

This course also slightly increased my conviction to pursue a career in either counseling or clinical psychology. Before entering the Psychology program, I had my eyes set on counseling/clinical psychology; probably because of my experience with my disorder, and I want to help people who are struggling just like me. However, my time here in the Psychology program made me consider other career paths. Although my future is unclear, it is great to know that a field I could possibly take is something I like---- que sera sera.

Lastly, I feel like this course is a form of psychoeducation for me. I have shared before in class that I have Bipolar II. Learning more about my disorder, especially its etiology, feels like "validating" my effort on making sense of my disorder. For example, before we learned about the Social Zeitgeber Theory, I feel like my lack of sleep could affect my mood, and I feel like my hypomanic episode tends to be triggered if I lose a lot of sleep. After learning about this etiology in class, I feel validated and I feel my effort to monitor myself is done correctly. I feel that I am more secure in myself living with this disorder because I struggled in previous years to accept this fact and I tend to be in denial, especially with my bad experiences with my previous doctors.

-Ed Kenneth Palomaria, Psych 155-2

# data[].attributes.body
Out of all the courses I enrolled in during this semester, I was most excited about Abnormal Psychology, and my expectations were certainly not disappointed. I generally had a great time learning the extraordinariness of human psychology and life. My overall experience of the course was relatively a balance of critical thinking, enlightenment, sympathy, and growth. It also helped a lot how of my other courses during the sem were significantly overlapping in topics and application, which is not surprising as everything in the world and life is a product of human behavior and thus psychology is inextricable.

However, for my specific major takeaway from the AbPsych course, I have come to the conclusion that the world, especially the Philippines, still has much catching up to do in providing equity to its people. I specifically chose the term equity over equality because, after having learned more deeply and technically about various psychological disorders, I became more cognizant of the different circumstances people have and experience, which therefore require specific and exact resources and opportunities in order for all to achieve relatively equal normal lives.

It is inevitable, and I am hopeful, that the body of knowledge and research on abnormal psychology and the people whose lives are significantly influenced by it will grow and improve with time. However, my hope—and almost prayer—for better and more inclusive funding and resources, infrastructure priorities, and policy and process change is greater. This is because I feel and see the growth in visibility and awareness of abnormal psychology and the different life conditions surrounding and surrounded by it, but I also observe how actual daily life is still not much suited for a life with a psychological disorder. It is unfortunate enough that individuals are troubled internally; I sincerely wish that people were treated more kindly on the outside. Certainly, my passion for abnormal psychology will not end with the course or the semester. Bringing with me my acquired knowledge and skills, I promise to also play my part in achieving my hopes for a psychologically healthy and inclusive Philippines and world.

With love and light,

Edda~

# data[].attributes.body
Hello everyone!

I know this might be a bit late, but do you have any tips on how to memorize or remember all the symptoms of psychological disorders?

I want to remember the diagnostic criteria not only for the sake of passing the exams but also to deepen my understanding of mental health and give better support to those who might be struggling.

Thank you :)

# data[].attributes.body
Hello ma'am and everyone!

Just a question on Trauma and Stress Related Disorders.

If a person experiences the traumatic and stressful event of losing a loved one to suicide, can they be diagnosed with PTSD, ASD, or just adjustment disorder?

# data[].attributes.body
Familiarizing and studying the different manifestations of various psychological disorders made me realized that these disorders appear differently on every individual. Similarly, people’s issues are not always visible to the naked eye Thus, as helpers, as much as possible, we must be compassionate, empathetic, sensitive, and understanding of everyone we encounter.

While most our busy fighting their external problems, we should remember that there are some who were silently battling with their internal struggles.

Take care of yourself to help more people.

Radiate happiness and kindness for they’re highly contagious!

Kyu Rie <3

# data[].attributes.body
Studying the different and various psychological disorders has been an enjoyable and enlightening experience for me. However, learning about these disorders has also kept me grounded and realistic. Therefore, I have developed more empathy for the people who live with these disorders, as well as for everyone else in general. I have also learned to be more empathic towards myself and to take better care of my mental health. Furthermore, knowing the different causes and factors that contribute to these disorders has reminded me how my past behaviors and habits could affect my well-being. For instance, I have realized how stress, trauma, and substance abuse can increase the risk of developing anxiety, depression, or addiction. I have also learned about the various treatments and interventions that are available for these disorders, especially the practical and immediate responses that can help me cope in the future. For example, I have learned to practice mindfulness, relaxation, and positive thinking to reduce negative emotions and thoughts. However, studying these disorders does not mean that I can diagnose myself or others. I understand that diagnosis requires professional assessment and evaluation and that self-diagnosis can be harmful and inaccurate. It is good that my classmates and I are aware of the various symptoms and signs of these disorders, but we should not use this knowledge to label or judge ourselves or others. Instead, we should use this knowledge to end the stigma and discrimination that surround these disorders and to promote the acceptance and support of the people who suffer from them. In conclusion, studying these disorders has taught me a lot about myself and others and has made me appreciate the importance of mental health. I hope this learning experience will help me become a more compassionate and responsible community member.

Sarah ;)

# data[].attributes.body
I really enjoyed this course. In fact, during our first year as psychology students, we were asked about the courses that we were most excited to take during our stay at the university. I did not hesitate to put Psych 155: Abnormal Psychology as one of my answers. I have come to the realization that I could even write a 10-page (or even more) report just to show how fruitful my learning experience in this course has been. I always have this goal: to proceed to medical school after my bachelor’s degree and to practice surgery. However, after taking Psych 155, I am now considering specializing in psychiatry.

Allow me to give my main takeaway from Psych 155—always do and express “care.” All of us deserve to be treated well, but remember that in taking care of people with mental disorders, we don’t pity them. Rather, we “empathize” with them. However, it is also important to note that you yourself should be well-equipped too. If you can’t handle their case, “connect” them to appropriate people who can give them support, but respect their confidentiality. No matter how close you are to that person, even if it will cost you your friendship or special bond, break it if it will help them in the best way possible. I am sure that the day will come when they will realize why you did that. Taking this course will open the door to being empathetic with people around you, at least for me. Still, Psych 155 will bring you to a world of different cases that will make you realize that indeed, “it is okay not to be okay.”

-Ethanz <3

# data[].attributes.body
Enjoyed abpsych so much kay damo damo "Ako gd ni" moments hahah

But it also changed the way I view people and the world. People with these disorders struggle every day just to continue surviving in this world and, sadly, not all people are aware of their circumstances. Thus, the best thing we can do is to help spread awareness and be of help to them to the best that we can.

Forda major major major takeaways!

1. Recalling the cases presented, the majority of those came from wealthy families, those who can afford treatment and medications as well as therapies. But think about how many people can not seek help because they do not have the capacity or the means to do so. Mental healthcare must not only be for the rich!

2. Take care of yourself also! You cannot give away something you do not possess. It is comforting to know that we should also prioritize ourselves and not let ourselves be lost at the expense of being there for others to the point that our mental health is at stake.

3. Children cannot choose their parents, and they cannot decide if they want to be born or not. But parents do. So when choosing someone to be your partner and become a parent someday, choose wisely for your child. Remember that genes are hereditary. SO PICK ME, CHOOSE ME, LOVE ME @! char

-Anjjjjj <3

# data[].attributes.body
Aside from the academic and technical terms and concepts that we have learned from Psych 155, here's what really stuck with me and I know will remain ingrained in my mind and heart long after this course ends:

I have realized the ease, convenience, and (un)conscious nature of self-diagnosis, most especially among psych students. We have witnessed how our case study reports throughout the semester depicted psych students like us becoming aware of their feelings and behaviors and having the agency, albeit not immediately, to seek help. Just from that, I believe we are more than fortunate to have been blessed with a quality education that enables us to discover, unpack, and identify these disorders and illnesses that cause distress to our daily lives. Consequently, we have become more sensitive, compassionate, and proactive in considering "What if" scenarios related to the interpretations we form when we encounter diverse emotional expressions and unconventional behaviors from others.

Additionally, with the multiple mental disorders and disabilities we have studied, I continue to acknowledge the continuous work that must be done in researching and investigating these conditions as well as their diagnostic appropriateness, relevance, and accuracy across different cultures and societies. A case in point would be the debate we had in class. Even though I was on the side that stood for Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) as a real disorder that deserved a spot in the DSM, it was still challenging to present foolproof facts when most of the disorders overlap in significant degrees.

Lastly, I think the most remarkable takeaway I have from Psych 155 is the crucial role of a healthy child-rearing environment as most of the disorders we have studied trace back to the damaging impact of childhood abuse and neglect. It made me come to a point wherein I had a promise to myself that I would strive to provide a nurturing and healthy childhood for my nieces, nephews, and perhaps [juice colored] my future children.

May we always find mental peace and stability. <3

-Ann Clarice Alvior

# data[].attributes.body
My main takeaway from Psych 155 is that being able to report about the different cases by applying the knowledge we learned from class helped me better understand each of the psychological disorders we discussed. The reports helped me become more critical of the way I think about other people, especially those who live with disorders that I am now familiar with. They also led me to reflect on how much struggle these individuals had to go through not only because of their condition, but also because of the lack of professional help and social support, as well as the stigma associated with their condition. Moreover, by taking Psych 155, my appreciation and respect for mental health practitioners who are genuine and dedicated to helping their clients have increased even more.

- Rhyne Roxas

# data[].attributes.body
Here are the three key insights that have resonated profoundly with me during the Psych 155 lectures:

1) Mental and neurodevelopmental disorders are complex in nature that they require a holistic approach that considers the interplay of various factors. Understanding their multifaceted nature enables clinicians to provide a comprehensive and nuanced approach to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Examples of these factors encompass biological, psychosocial, psychological, and sociocultural elements. For instance, in PTSD, biological factors like reduced serotonin receptors and elevated levels of norepinephrine and cortisol play a role. Sociocultural factors, such as the reserved nature of traditional Filipino families in discussing mental health, contribute to perceived social support inadequacies, perpetuating the condition.

2) During the lecture, crucial treatments for individuals with psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders were discussed. However, it is disheartening to observe limitations in resources, including specialized practitioners, facilities, government budgets, and the socioeconomic status (financial constraints) of those experiencing these disorders in the Philippines. Government intervention is imperative to address these challenges, requiring resource allocation, policy reforms, and educational initiatives. Culture also shapes our understanding of these disorders, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging its role while remaining open to findings from dedicated researchers and practitioners.

3) In addition to systemic changes and government interventions, we have a pivotal role in fostering a compassionate and informed society. Those with knowledge about mental disorders bear the responsibility not only to be kinder and more understanding but also to dispel misconceptions and educate those around them.

- Sylph Danica T. Train

# data[].attributes.body
There is so much I want to say about how this course has helped me become enlightened. It also could be triggering at times, but that is the risk I'm willing to take because, even though there's a lot to memorize on this subject, I find it very interesting all the time. In a way, it also helped me become a better listener and extended my patience towards myself and others. Learning about the different kinds of disorders, some familiar and some not, really took a toll on me personally. As someone diagnosed with Bipolar disorder I and not having professional support, I guess it felt like a punch to the stomach not having resources and how much better my life would be if I had the treatments and interventions mentioned during the topic. But as a psych student, this has widened my knowledge about the different kinds of disorders and improved my skills in understanding the complexity of diagnosing a patient and providing treatments and interventions that could possibly help them. This course has also helped me realize that I am very passionate about counseling and not so much about research, because I am enjoying this course so much more than any other I have taken so far.

-Anonymous

# data[].attributes.body
‼️ Trigger warning: mentions of disorders and symptoms ‼️

They say, “Ignorance is bliss,” but maybe what they're trying to say is that too much awareness can be overwhelming. For instance, being too self-aware can lead to criticizing oneself and can even lead to mood disorders, such as depression (Travers, 2023). How about too much awareness of the surroundings? It could be a form of hypervigilance, or extreme sensitivity, which is a symptom of anxiety, posttraumatic disorder, and schizophrenia (Gotter, 2023).

Does that mean being too aware of Abnormal Psychology can also lead to mental health conditions? Not really. In my opinion, you can never be too aware of certain fields of knowledge. Only when you spend your whole life studying a particular field. But then again, the more you know, the more you know that there are more things about it that you are yet to discover, things that may be worthy of research. When you think of too much awareness of a certain field in a bad light, you might think of an obsession, which is another thing. Obsessing diagnoses, with romanticization of mental illness, can lead to self-diagnosis, which is frowned upon, especially when you're studying Abnormal Psychology. However, we can't deny that at some point in the semester, we have checked ourselves if we have certain symptoms of a disorder we think we might have.

Nonetheless, being aware can be more of a good thing than bad, provided that it is moderated and what you do with this awareness matters. For instance, if you think you fit with certain diagnostic criteria, it is important to consult a mental health professional, rather than self-diagnose and self-medicate. Mental health awareness fosters understanding and patience toward fellow individuals, especially those experiencing mental illnesses, as they face both internal and external battles in life.

Studying Abnormal psychology made us aware of various disorders that we only initially knew little about. We knew how these disorders can co-occur and how their symptoms can overlap, hence, the importance of differential diagnosis. However, we also know how it is important not to treat the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders as a bible, as it serves only as a guide, and professionals should not necessarily be restricted to solely using that manual.

There’s a question about a certain case I was not able to ask about. In Stephanie’s case of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is it possible that she was experiencing a specific phobia of cars (e.g., amaxophobia)? Does PTSD cause phobia or does phobia cause PTSD?

- Jane Marie Sarmiento, Psych 155-2

References
Legg, T. J. (2023, March 21). Hypervigilance: Symptoms, causes, and treatment. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/hypervigilance

Travers, M. (2023, June 15). Could more self-awareness be a bad thing? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/social-instincts/202305/is-your-quest-for-self-awareness-harming-you?amp

# data[].attributes.body
Before taking this course, I was ambivalent—both excited and anxious. I always consider learning as a life-long journey of self-discovery and growth. However, I was particularly worried that this course might open unresolved emotions and unprocessed experiences.

Now that it's almost over, I could say that it made me hopeful and compassionate—to others and especially to myself. Diagnoses do not exist to put labels and decrease our humanness to a disorder. But, to allow an informed healing or management process towards fulfilling and meaningful lives. Also, it was emphasized to me that acceptance is not a passive act. It is not indifference or tolerance; it's an active act of support through a genuine attempt at understanding (even when it seems it is beyond our ability to understand) and a patient intervention. For instance, in Autism Spectrum Disorders, we cannot just tolerate their maladaptive behaviors as a form of "understanding" and "kindness," but we can try to facilitate how they can better function, especially in social contexts.

Moreover, I also realized how vital it is to consider culture and context in tailoring interventions. In the case of Lisa, the doctors suggested an in-patient treatment. However, their financial constraints only allowed outpatient treatment. Aside from considering such a reason, I believe that community-based treatments—allowing them to function in society while receiving treatment could be more effective (in some circumstances such as Lisa's), rather than further isolating them.

Perhaps one of the curiosities that this course sparked in me is: Given the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders due to also increasing etiological factors we are exposed to, would it be possible that most of us will be diagnosed, until what is currently the "norm" becomes the deviance?

Another, with the growing openness of people to mental health intervention and treatments, what measures can be taken to avoid exploitation?

Access to healthcare, including mental health, is so expensive. Also, I noticed that Psychiatry is deemed superior to Psychology (because of the stereotyped prestige associated with the intervention through medicine) but most of the treatments discussed in class are suggesting treatments beyond medications (i.e., Psychological Treatments).

Finally, childhood plays a critical role in how mental health disorders develop. Hence, it made me realize that perhaps proper parenting could be one of the meaningful legacies one could leave in this world.

-Maia Aranas

# data[].attributes.body
It was mentioned that ODD has criteria of vindictiveness as well as temper outbursts, and CD also has very similar criteria. With this, I would like to ask what is the 'identifier' that separates ODD from CD and to what extent the criteria mentioned above (on ODD) should be present until it is considered a conduct disorder. - sent by a learner via email