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. (Links to an external site.)
• 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.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.)for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.