Discussions are fundamental to shared learning, so please be sure to participate early and often! After you have completed the Reading, and without reviewing your classmate's responses, post your initial response to the following Discussion. Your post should be at least 300-350 words in length and should extend the discussion of the group supported by your course materials and/or other appropriate resources. After you have submitted your initial post, review some of your classmates’ posts and respond to at least 2 of your classmates. Your responses to others should be at least 100 words in length and substantive. Refer to your Discussion Board Rubric in Course Resources for specific grading explanation.

Diagnosis & Definition of Abnormality

"Molly felt like there were bugs crawling below her skin. She tried to get others to take her medical symptoms seriously, but no one would. Her MD said there was no medical reason for her symptoms. She would scratch at the "bugs.” She tried to collect little black threads that she said came from under her skin and take them to a governmental lab to have them evaluated. She even tried to cure her skin condition by spraying her broken skin with Raid and other bug sprays. Then she had a toxic reaction to the bug spray. So her psychiatrist admitted her in a mental hospital because she was delusional. Her husband even had her committed several times, petitioned the courts to take away her children, divorced her, and managed to take virtually all the community property away from this mentally disordered woman.”

What do you think about this woman's condition and disorder? Who should define abnormality? What motivations, if any, might encourage various groups to seek to influence this definition?

Please take the time to review the following article:

Pearson, M., Selby, J., Katz, K., Cantrell, V., Braden, C., Parise, M., Paddock, C., Lewin-Smith, M., Kalasinsky, V., Goldstein, F., Hightower, A., Papier, A., Lewis, B., Motipara, S. & Eberhard, M., (2012). Clinical, Epidemiologic, Histopathologic and Molecular Features of an Unexplained Dermopathy. Retrieved from Plos One:http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0029908

Now, what do you think about Molly, the client? What issues in diagnosis does this raise? What other psychological diagnoses does this information bring into question for you?

Below are additional sources for Morgellon's Disease that can be found in the library. Simply type the word Morgellons in the search box and check the box labeled peer reviewed, then click search. As always don't hesitate to contact me if you need assistance locating the articles.

Harth, W., Hermes, B., & Freudenmann, R. (2010). Morgellons in dermatology. Journal Der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft=Journal of the German Society of Dermatology: JDDG, 8(4), 234-242. doi:10.1111/j.1610-0387.2009.07219.x

Robles, D.T., Olson, J.M., Combs, H., Romm, S., & Kirby, P. (2011) Morgellons Disease and Delusions of Parasitosis. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 12(1), 1-6.