Evaluate and differentiate between an epistemological, a metaphysical and an ethical question 3. Understand and apply the criteria of correct philosophical reasoning

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The purpose of this assignment is to give you practice:

1. Identify and apply a variety of metaphysical theory

2. Evaluate and differentiate between an epistemological, a metaphysical and an ethical question

3. Understand and apply the criteria of correct philosophical reasoning

4. Understand the difference between a rhetorically good argument and a rationally good argument.

5. Identify, reconstruct and evaluation arguments posed by philosophers

Outside of this course, this will help you understand and apply good reasoning, spot problems in another person’s side of a debate (or spot them in your own) and know how to rephrase a person’s stance in better, more easy to understand ways.

Task:

In the reading as well as the modules, we have discussed many different reasons for the belief that there God exists. Here are the possible arguments:

The Design Argument

In this assignment you need to:

On this argument:

1. Explain one of the objections to the argument

2. Explain whether you think that the issue is damning (a major problem which the person trying to make the argument should be concerned with) or worth it (a minor problem which the person trying to make the argument doesn’t need to care too much about)

3. Explain why you think that

Each of these should take you around a paragraph to answer. Each of them is worth 5pts. Since this is worth 20pts, this is worth 5% of your total grade.

Example:

This is a bare outline of a possible paper, there is no explanations or anything like that in it:

One of the stances is the Ontological Argument.

Explanation of how the argument goes.

One of the drawbacks is that this argument will also work for a perfect taco/island/flying golden banana.

Examples of the argument working the exact same way with any one of those.

I think that this is not a damning objection.

The reason for this (not spoiling it for you, figure it out).

In this version, I would be able to do the entire paper in 3 paragraphs. If you go that route, make it clear to me where the individual parts are.

Submission:

To submit this assignment, I only accept .pdf, .doc, .odt, and .docx. I do not accept .pages. You can find where to submit in the upper right of this screen. As for all assignments in this class, the standard is Times New Roman, 12pt font, double spaced, 2-3 pages (that is, at least a few words onto the second page to the bottom of the third).

Explain how culture and diversity influence these disorders. Consider how gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and/or ethnicity/race affect the experience of living with an eating disorder.

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Both eating disorders and somatic symptom disorders involve a mind-body relationship. However, those living with somatic disorders tend to be highly sensitized to their body experiences in a different way than those with eating disorders. While eating disorders can cause individuals to lose their interoceptive awareness of the body, those with somatic disorders tend to have a magnified awareness, often coupled with preoccupation and a high level of anxiety that is deemed to be excessive to the cause.

These spectrums of illness require that social workers take an early-intervention, multidisciplinary, and biopsychosocial approach to treatment to be successful in supporting recovery. Both require knowledge and extensive communication with medical providers and other specialists. That priority for interdisciplinary knowledge and teamwork increases in importance given the mortality rates of eating disorders and the mind-body factors in both.

This week you analyze the impact of living with an eating disorder and the problems (nutritional, medical, social, and psychological) in the recovery process. You also consider current societal influences that impact the onset, recognition, and recovery process for eating disorders and somatic symptom disorders.

 

Through this week’s Learning Resources, you become aware not only of the prevalence of factors involved in the treatment of eating disorders, but also the societal, medical, and cultural influences that help individuals develop and sustain the unhealthy behaviors related to an eating disorder. These behaviors have drastic impacts on health. In clinical practice, social workers need to know about the resources available to clients living with an eating disorder and be comfortable developing interdisciplinary, individualized treatment plans for recovery that incorporate medical and other specialists.

For this Discussion, you focus on guiding clients through treatment and recovery.

To prepare:

  • Review the Learning Resources on experiences of living with an eating disorder, as well as social and cultural influences on the disorder.
  • Read the Case of O.

Post a 300- to 500-word response in which you address the following:

  • Provide the full DSM-5 diagnosis for O. Remember, a full diagnosis should include the name of the disorder, ICD-10-CM code, specifiers, severity, and the Z codes (other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention). Keep in mind a diagnosis covers the most recent 12 months.
  • Explain the diagnosis by matching the symptoms identified in the case to the specific criteria for the diagnosis.
  • Explain why it is important to use an interprofessional approach in treatment. Identity specific professionals you would recommend for the team, and describe how you might best utilize or focus their services.
  • Explain how you would use the client’s family to support recovery. Include specific behavioral examples.
  • Select and explain an evidence-based, focused treatment approach that you might use in your part of the overall treatment plan.
  • Explain how culture and diversity influence these disorders. Consider how gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and/or ethnicity/race affect the experience of living with an eating disorder.

Note: You do not need to include an APA reference to the DSM-5 in your response. However, your response should clearly be informed by the DSM-5, demonstrating an understanding of the risks and benefits of treatment to the client. You do need to include an APA reference for the treatment approach and any other resources you use to support your response.

The Case of O PATIENT SUMMARY—O

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA: This was an emergency, voluntary admission for this 28-year-old single white female. This was her fourth psychiatric hospitalization. O lives with a 24-yearold female roommate in New York City. She has a bachelor’s degree in art history and is employed by a major New York museum. O is of Jewish ancestry. CHIEF COMPLAINT: “My therapist said I was decompensating because I broke my leg, and I was despondent.” HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS: O reported that she began an Optifast diet and, although she was supposed to be eating 600 calories a day, she was only eating between 200 and 400 calories a day. She also admitted to purging and frequent use of laxatives. O reported her weight was being monitored, and she had lab work done to be sure she remained healthy. In 3 months, O lost approximately 80 pounds. O reported that she has a very stressful job. She stated that approximately one month prior to admission, she started to “decompensate” and had difficulty maintaining control at work. She had several altercations with coworkers. One week prior to admission, O reported that her NA sponsor “said something nasty, and I lost it.” According to her mother, the sponsor made a reference to O being overweight. O reported that she was angry and “hit everything I knew I could—but that did not help.” She then kicked a brick wall, fracturing her right leg. O also reported being under stress due to applying for her master’s degree in art history and difficulties with her boyfriend. O complained of depression with insomnia and sleeping only a few hours per night, feeling confused, decreased concentration, irritability, anger, and frustration. She admitted to suicidal ideation. She complained of feeling paranoid over the past few weeks and believed the police were after her and that she heard them outside her door. She believed the police had her under surveillance. O also complained of a fear of dirt, taking time to frequently bathe and brush her teeth. O reported she was emotionally abused as a child and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, but she denied a history of flashbacks or nightmares. She also complained of panic attacks and reported that she controlled them by taking Klonopin, but there was no clear information about this. She reported a history of bulimia since the age of 17. O also reported a history of drug and alcohol use, but she stated that she has been clean and sober for two years. PAST PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY: O’s mother reported that O saw a clinical social worker briefly when O was 10 years old. O reported that she was hospitalized at a New York hospital 3 years ago for 3 months. Six months after that, O took an overdose of Halcion and was treated at the same hospital, and then was transferred to a state hospital. After discharge in the next month, O attended a partial hospitalization program for drugs and alcohol every day for 5 weeks. She also saw a psychiatrist for 2 years. Two years after that, O saw a clinical social worker and psychiatrist and continues to the present with them. O admitted to using marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and hallucinogens in the past. She denied IV drug use but admitted to “skin popping” cocaine. O has abused alcohol in the past. According to her mother, O has also abused prescription medications in the past. O reported that she has been sober for the past 2 years and attends AA and NA meetings regularly. MEDICAL HISTORY: At 17 years old, O suffered from bulimia with bingeing, purging, and the use of laxatives. She reported she had not purged for 3 years until she began the Optifast diet 3 months ago. Although O is currently not bingeing, she admitted to purging and using laxatives. O is allergic to penicillin and has a lactose intolerance. She wears glasses for reading. PSYCHOSOCIAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY: O’s parents were married when her mother was 19 years old, and O was born the following year. O’s mother described O as a wonderful, even-tempered, and happy baby. Two years later, O’s sister was born; mother stated O’s personality changed; she became stubborn and difficult. O’s mother said that O began biting and having temper tantrums and has been moody since then. O’s mother stated her marriage was conflicted because she has a communication problem with her husband and he was “never an active parent.” O’s mother reported that O “adores her father” because he is not the disciplinarian. O frequently caused conflict between her parents. When O was 12 years old, her parents separated for 2 weeks. O reported her mother quit college after O’s birth and returned to college after her sister’s birth. She said her father worked all the time, and there was a housekeeper who cared for the children. O reported that the family moved to Arizona when O was in sixth grade, where she began using marijuana that she reported stealing from her parents. The family returned to New York when O was in seventh grade. O’s mother reported that when O was in high school, her maternal aunt, who was dying of cancer, came to live with the family and that this was very stressful for O. During those years, O told the school counselor that her mother was abusive, and school officials visited the family. During the visit, O had a temper tantrum and there was no further investigation. O reported she was always an above-average student who rarely studied. She said she was always hyperactive and had difficulty sitting in school. O stated that in college she had a 3.8 GPA and was on the Dean’s list. O is currently applying for admission to graduate school and has taken some courses toward her master’s degree. O was always an athlete (soccer) in school, and according to her mother, she was a champion. O reported that in high school, most of her friends were athletes. She stated that she had one close friend. Currently, O is friendly with her roommate but does not have any other friends. “I don’t trust anybody.” O’s mother reported that when O lived in Connecticut during college, O had many friends and was active in NA and AA. O’s  mother stated that she was surprised when O returned to New York. O agreed that she was happy living in Connecticut and felt returning to Queens was “a stupid mistake.” O hoped to return to Connecticut in the future. O’s mother reported that when O returned to New York, she at first moved in with her parents. Conflict increased in the household, and O’s parents began marital therapy. O’s mother stated that she and her husband became united and finally asked O to move out. O’s mother stated that within 6 weeks of moving out, O was doing well and seemed happy. O’s mother felt O has difficulty accepting adult responsibilities and felt O needed to separate from her parents. O’s mother stated that they do not want O to return home to live, but O stated that she wants to return home. O’s mother reported O worked during summer vacation while in high school. She baby sat during college and worked as a graduate assistant. Since graduating from college, O has been employed by a museum. O reported that she currently has financial problems because of money owed to her therapist and the hospital in New York. MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION: O presented as an overweight, somewhat disheveled, white female who had a cast on her right leg. She was relaxed but very restless during the interview. Her facial expression was mobile. Her affect during the initial interview was constricted and her mood dysphoric. In subsequent interviews, her affect was full range and her mood very liable. O’s speech was pressured and often circumstantial or tangential, and she spoke in a loud voice. At times her thinking was logical, and at other times it was illogical. O denied hallucinations but complained of hearing policemen outside her door prior to admission. She denied homicidal ideation and initially admitted to suicidal ideation but in subsequent interviews denied this. O was oriented to person, place, and time. Her fund of knowledge was excellent. O was able to calculate serial sevens easily and accurately. O repeated 7 digits forward and 3 in reverse. Her recent and remote memory were intact, and she recalled 3 items after five minutes. O was able to give appropriate interpretations for 3 of 3 proverbs. Her social and personal judgment were appropriate. O’s three wishes were: “To be skinny, to have a big house where I can take in all the stray cats, and for a million more wishes.” When asked how she sees herself in 5 years, O replied, “Hopefully graduating from graduate school.” If O could change something about herself, she would “make myself thin.”

Describe the interventions discussed in the articles and explain how they addressed the psychosocial issues and needs of the individuals affected by the trauma.

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Trauma from war and from other types of disasters and everyday life events are grouped together in the DSM-5 as trauma and stressor-related disorders. It is important to remember that trauma responses can take many other diagnostic forms besides the well-known posttraumatic stress disorder. Such responses include, but are not limited to, dissociative disorder, anxiety, and depression.

This week you analyze evidence-based interventions for trauma and stressor-related issues. You also analyze the role social work and social workers play in addressing traumatic events. Finally, you consult on a trauma case when recommending an evidence-based treatment plan.

 

Individuals can experience trauma from public events at the national level or extremely private ones at the interpersonal level. In this Discussion, you analyze these two types of trauma, describing potential interventions and their effectiveness.

To prepare: Read the DSM-5 section on trauma and stressor-related disorders and review the Learning Resources on PTSD, disaster response, and trauma.

Then search the literature for studies related to an evidence-based intervention used to treat those suffering from trauma and stressor-related issues. Specifically, locate the following:

  • One study on treating symptoms resulting from a national traumatic event (e.g., natural disaster, mass shooting, war)
  • One study on treating symptoms resulting from an interpersonal trauma (e.g., rape, childhood sexual molestation, domestic violence)

Post a response in which you address the following:

  • Post the APA references for the two studies you located.
  • Provide a brief description of the traumatic events, including a summary of how they affected the individuals involved.
  • Describe the interventions discussed in the articles and explain how they addressed the psychosocial issues and needs of the individuals affected by the trauma.
  • Explain the effectiveness of the interventions, as stated in the articles.
  • Analyze and discuss the similarities and differences in the individuals’ needs depending on whether the issues occurred due to a national traumatic event or an interpersonal trauma.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Explain how you would manage Jake’s diverse needs, including his co-occurring disorders. Describe a treatment plan for Jake, including how you would evaluation his treatment.

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Veterans returning from a conflict zone may use recreational substances to moderate strain. The process of returning home can easily add to the strain the veteran is already experiencing from exposure to war trauma. In this Discussion, you diagnose and plan treatment for a veteran.

To prepare: Review the Learning Resources on trauma treatment for veterans, and conduct research for additional resources on the topic. Then read “The Case of Jake Levy.” (ATTACHED)

In Jake’s case, the social worker has made several errors that delay Jake’s ability to get substantial help for some time and actually endanger his reaching a positive outcome.

Post a response in which you address the following:

  • Provide the full DSM-5 diagnosis for Jake. Remember, a full diagnosis should include the name of the disorder, ICD-10-CM code, specifiers, severity, and the Z codes (other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention). Keep in mind a diagnosis covers the most recent 12 months.
  • Explain the diagnosis by matching the symptoms identified in the case to the specific criteria for the diagnosis.
  • Identify the first area of focus you would address as Jake’s social worker, and explain your specific treatment recommendations. Support your recommendations with research.
  • Explain how you would manage Jake’s diverse needs, including his co-occurring disorders.
  • Describe a treatment plan for Jake, including how you would evaluation his treatment.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Include a transcript and/or edit closed captioning on your video to ensure your presentation is accessible to colleagues of differing abilities. See the document: How to Upload a Video and a Transcript (PDF) in the Week 1 Resources.

Jake Levy (31) and Sheri (28) are a married Caucasian couple who live with their sons, Myles (10) and Levi (8), in a two-bedroom condominium in a middle-class neighborhood. Jake is an Iraq War veteran and employed as a human resources assistant for the military, and Sheri is a special education teacher in a local elementary school. Overall, Jake is physically fit, but an injury he sustained in combat sometimes limits his ability to use his left hand. Sheri is in good physical condition and has recently found out that she is pregnant with their third child. As teenagers, Jake and Sheri used marijuana and drank. Neither uses marijuana now but they still drink. Sheri drinks socially and has one or two drinks over the weekend. Jake reports he has four to five drinks in the evenings during the week and eight to ten drinks on Saturdays and Sundays. Neither report having criminal histories. Jake and Sheri identify as being Jewish and attend a local synagogue on major holidays. Jake’s parents are deceased, and he has a sister who lives outside London. He and his sister are not very close but do talk twice a year. Sheri is an only child, and her mother lives in the area but offers little support. Her mother never approved of Sheri marrying Jake and thinks Sheri needs to deal with their problems on her own. The couple has some friends, but due to Jake’s recent behaviors, they have slowly isolated themselves. My first encounter with Jake was at an intake session at the Veterans Affairs Health Care Center (VA). During this meeting, Jake stated that he came to the VA for services because his wife had threatened to leave him if he did not get help. She was particularly concerned about his drinking and lack of involvement in his sons’ lives. She told him his drinking had gotten out of control and was making him mean and distant. Jake had seen Dr. Zoe, a psychiatrist at the VA, who diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Zoe prescribed Paxil to help reduce his symptoms of anxiety and depression and suggested that he also begin counseling. During the assessment, Jake said that since his return to civilian life 10 months ago he had experienced difficulty sleeping, heart palpitations, and moodiness. He told me that he and his wife had been fighting a lot and that he drank to take the edge off and to help him sleep. Jake admitted to drinking heavily nearly every day. He reported that he was not engaged with his sons at all and he kept to himself when he was at home. He spent his evenings on the couch drinking beer and watching TV or playing video games. When we discussed Jake’s options for treatment he expressed fear of losing his job and his family if he did not get help. Jake worked in an office with civilians and military personnel and mostly got along with people in the office. Jake tended to keep to himself and said he sometimes felt pressured to be more communicative and social. He was also very worried that Sheri would leave him. He said he had never seen her so angry before and saw she was at her limit with him and his behaviors. Based on the information Jake provided about his diagnosis and family concerns, we agreed that the best course of action would be for him to participate in weekly individual sessions with me and a weekly support group that was offered at the VA for Iraq veterans. I then offered a referral for couples counseling at the local mental health agency. I also printed out a list of local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in his area if he decided he wanted to attend in order to address his drinking. He would continue to follow up with Dr. Zoe on a monthly basis to monitor the effectiveness of his medications. The following session, I spent time explaining his diagnosis and the symptoms related to PTSD. Jake said that he did not really understand what PTSD was but thought it meant that a person who had it was “going crazy,” which at times he thought was happening to him. He expressed concern that he would never feel “normal” again and said that when he drank alcohol, his symptoms and the intensity of his emotions eased. I explained to Jake that PTSD is a severe anxiety disorder that develops after a person has experienced an event that results in psychological trauma. The event may involve the threat or perceived threat of death to oneself or to someone else. I also explained that the disorder is characterized by re-experiencing the traumatic event, including the symptoms of increased arousal, and by the desire to avoid stimuli associated with the trauma. We talked about how his behaviors fit into this cycle of hyperarousal and avoidance, including his lack of sleep and irritability and the isolation and heavy drinking. He talked about always feeling “ready to go.” He said he was exhausted from being always alert and looking for potential problems around him. He told me he always felt on edge and every sound seemed to startle him. He shared that he often thinks about what happened “over there” but tries to push it out of his mind. It is the night that is the worst as he has terrible recurring nightmares of one particular event. He said he wakes up shaking and sweating most nights. He then said drinking was the one thing that seemed to give him a little relief. I gave him a handout on PTSD and reviewed the signs and symptoms. Jake seemed relieved to receive the information. I told  him that naming the issue or concern was often helpful in the healing process. During the first few sessions my goal was to help Jake feel safe and validate his feelings. We consistently assessed his feelings of safety, including any potential suicidal ideation. He was reluctant to attend AA at that time, so we began monitoring his drinking and his behaviors after several drinks.  Jake began his individual sessions practicing techniques I had   shown him to help reduce his anxiety symptoms. We used deep breathing and guided meditation to help him remain calm and in the moment. We started to chart when he had intrusive thoughts about the war, potential triggers to his hyperarousal, and when he tried to dissociate or numb in reaction to these episodes. Jake slowly began to share his experiences while in combat. I helped to gently guide him through the events that seemed to haunt him the most. I explained that telling one’s story in effect helped him “own it,” and in turn it would be integrated into his life on his terms. I told him that the act of telling his story can actually change the processing of the traumatic event in his brain. I was careful through this process not to push him into talking about events that seemed too traumatic for fear of re-traumatizing him. There were many sessions in which he started to share a specific event and then stopped mid-story and had to begin his relaxation exercises. During this time he had also started participating in the veterans’ support group. Jake reported that he was uneasy during the first couple of meetings because he did not know anyone, but that the other vets were supportive. He said it was helpful to hear from others who experienced the same feelings he had since he returned home. He said he no longer felt alone nor did he feel “crazy.” Jake also shared that he had started attending AA meetings. While I did not participate in the couples’ sessions, Jake felt it was important that I hear about how these sessions were going. He told me the social worker at the local mental health clinic helped Sheri understand what he was going through by teaching her about PTSD. The social worker explained how PTSD affected not only the individual, but the whole family and, in turn, the home environment. Jake said Sheri admitted that she did not understand what he was going through but that he was not the same person when he returned home from Iraq, and this scared her. Jake said Sheri seemed to be empathetic toward him and appeared to be relieved when the social worker explained his diagnosis. Jake said he and Sheri worked together to address her main concerns. She felt he drank too much, was not communicating with her, was isolating himself from the family, and appeared to be depressed. She was particularly concerned about his lack of interaction with his sons and lack of interest in the current pregnancy. She worried that he would be uninvolved in caring for this new baby just as he was uninvolved with his boys. Jake shared that in another couples’ session, Sheri talked about wanting to be able to communicate with Jake without feeling that she was “nagging him” or fearful that she was making him withdraw. She said she avoided asking him things or talking to him for fear it would “set him off” and make him retreat to the basement on his own. As it stood, she did not think she could talk with Jake about her concerns. She told him she missed socializing with friends and having family outings and felt isolated. Jake said just keeping his intrusive thoughts at bay took all the energy he could muster, so making small talk with friends was not something he felt he could do right now. Sheri admitted that she did not know that socializing affected him that way. He said the social worker explained that for veterans with PTSD, oftentimes crowds, loud noises, and open spaces triggered intrusive memories and caused anxiety attacks. He said that he and Sheri had developed a plan that would improve their communication. He said they were going to slowly begin planning outings that he felt he could handle, and that they also agreed that if at any time he felt uncomfortable while out that they would leave. Through individual, group, and couples sessions, Jake was able to address his trauma and his PTSD symptoms abated. He realized that drinking was being used as a way to avoid his feelings and attended AA meetings regularly. He has been able to maintain his sobriety and found a sponsor who is also a veteran. Sheri gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and Jake shared pictures of his son. He continues to attend group sessions and has become involved in some mentoring with young vets here at the VA. He feels strongly in giving back and has suggested that the VA begin a program that has been piloted in another state.