Document Interpretation TutorialDocument Interpretation Ultimat.docx

Document Interpretation Tutorial
Document Interpretation: Ultimate Skill of the HistorianPrimary
Sources
Primary sources are generally first-hand accounts or records.
They may have been written or created during the time period
under investigation, or perhaps were written by someone who
lived during that time period. Most crucially, they have not
been interpreted by anyone else, though they may offer
interpretations of the events they describe. Below are four
examples of primary sources: a political cartoon, a page of
correspondence, the title page of Thomas Paine's Common
Sense, and a wartime poster encouraging women workers. As
you can imagine, however, there are many more types of
primary sources.
Countless items can be used by historians as primary sources.
Almost anything you can imagine could be used as a primary
source in some type of historical research. A fun exercise to
help you understand the immensity of available primary sources
is to look around the room you're in and ask yourself, "what
would historians view or study one hundred years from now to
understand the way we live and what we think today?"
The list below includes only a few of the types of primary
sources utilized by historians. How many more can you add to
the list?
letters • diaries • autobiographies • plays • novels • short
stories • poems
scholarly journals • newspapers • popular magazines
official memoranda • government documents • census data
religious tracts • song lyrics
photographs • cartoons • posters • paintings • murals
films • television shows • performing arts recordings
• email • musical recordings
clothing • political campaign signs • pottery • religious icons
• tools • furniture

Secondary Sources
Secondary sources analyze, interpret, or comment upon primary
sources. A secondary source says something about a primary
sources, often illustrating patterns of recurring themes.
Perhaps the best example of a secondary source is your
textbook. Open it to any chapter and read a couple of
paragraphs and you will find that the authors have conducted
extensive research utilizing primary sources. They have likely
consulted other secondary sources as well. They have then
written those paragraphs to explain what they have learned and
how they understand the people and ideas of the past. The
authors have interpreted the sources for you.
The list below includes some of the primary sources we’ve
already identified accompanies by secondary sources which
might, analyze, interpret, or comment upon them.
Primary Source
Secondary Sources
Abraham Lincoln’s personal letters
a biography of Abraham Lincoln
A popular magazine from 1910
an article about print advertising in the early twentieth century
The 1860 U.S. Federal Census
a PowerPoint presentation concerning U.S. population
distribution before the Civil War
The lyrics “We Shall Overcome”
a book examining the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s
Grant Woods’ American Gothic
an essay on American art and artists
An episode of I Love Lucy
a made-for-t.v. movie on the life of Lucille Ball
A Sioux blanket
a photo essay comparing Native American textiles
Questions to ask of any source..Who is the author?Who wrote or
created this? Is there a single or multiple authors? An author's
identity sometimes helps you answer the later questions.
What type of source is this?Is it a photograph or a poem? A

biography or a government document? This is a simple but
crucial step because you must consider what you can expect to
learn from the document.
What is the message of this source? What is the author
describing? What is happening in the text or image? What is the
story?
Who is the intended audience? Who is the author addressing?
Was the source intended for private or public consumption?
Identifying the audience will help you answer the next question.
Why was this source created? Does the author have an agenda, a
larger purpose? Is the author trying to persuade the audience? Is
the document or source simply a compilation of facts, or does it
include opinion, inference, or interpretation?
Is this source credible and accurate? Historians must examine
every source with a critical eye. What do you know about the
author? Does the document make sense? Do the facts presented
by the author or what you know about the time period support
the thesis, statement, assertion, or story the author is
conveying? Why should you trust, or distrust, this source?
How is this source valuable to me? How does the source relate
to other sources from the time period or along the same issue or
theme? Does it support or contradict them? Does it repeat
information from other sources or add new information? How
relevant is the source to your topic of inquiry? Does it
extensively cover your topic, or only marginally or not at all?
Remember, you should explore enough sources to obtain a
variety of viewpoints.
In these weekly assignments you will analyze primary sources
for yourself, rather than merely reading others' interpretations
in secondary sources. When analyzing any primary source, ask
yourself seven key questions about the source. In this
assignment, you will share your particular interpretation with
your group members and comment on their interpretations of the
document they chose.
MAPS
Maps are yet another valuable historical source, and there are

many different kinds of maps.
Political maps show the names and boundaries of countries, or
political units within countries, such as states, counties, or
parishes.
Physical maps use shades of gray or various colors to illustrate
the locations of mountains, valleys, rivers, etc.
Topographic maps are similar to physical maps, but use contour
lines to show elevation differences, and usually also include
locations of rivers, cities, etc.
Thematic maps provide information relative to particular topics,
such as population or temperature zones.
Census maps are a form of thematic map which include not only
population distribution, but other details such as age or income.
Satellite maps are produced by computers which analyze
satellite data.
Atlases contain a wealth of information about an area and can
combine features of the other maps. Perhaps the most common
type of atlas is the road atlas, which focuses on an area’s
roadways.
Those which were either actually created in the past or modern
maps which illustrate historical events, such as a map of Civil
War battlefields in the U.S.
Identifying the type of map you are using will help you
understand what information it can offer. For example, if you
wanted to identify the largest U.S. cities in 1920, a satellite map
would be of no use. But a census map or political map of 1920
would be very valuable.
The Basics
Map analysis requires some very basic steps. First, locate the
title of the map. Second, locate the scale of the map, which tells
you the proportion of the map, generally in miles or kilometers.
Third, locate the map’s legend, which explains the meaning of
various colors, symbols, or graphic elements used on the map.
Seven Questions
Once you’ve completed those steps, the seven questions used to
analyze primary source documents are also useful in analyzing a

map. You will need to determine, if possible:
who created the map
the type of map
what the map is describing
the intended audience
the reason for its creation
the credibility and accuracy of the information
the value of the source to your study
Details, Details, Details
Map analysis is often complex, depending upon the amount of
information a map’s creator is attempting to describe. A sharp
eye for detail is often your best map analysis tool. It is also
important to keep in mind that determining a map’s limitations
(what it cannot tell you) is just as important as identifying its
purpose (what it can tell you).
A Note on Historical Maps
Historical maps, specifically those created in the past rather
than modern maps which portray the past, have a value beyond
the information which they convey. Rare and antique maps are
highly valued as art and are appreciated for their beauty. As a
result, these maps are often used as primary sources not only to
interpret historical events but as part of art history, as well.
An Example of an "A" paper for you to see
Class,
This is a former student's final assessment. While it isn't 100%
perfect or everything you will need until
week 5, I do recommend you look at the assignment instructions
and then look at this paper. The
student has allowed us to share this paper (and it isn't a

character or historical figure we will use in our
class, but you can see how well each item is addressed and the
types of information to include in each
section). The purpose of providing this paper is to give you an
example of an "A" assessment. Do be
sure not to plagiarize as it has been put into TurnItIn.
Buzz Aldrin-Psychological Report
Student’s Name
PSY303
Instructor’s Name
Date

Buzz Aldrin-Psychological Report
I. Identifying Information
Name: Buzz Eugene Aldrin
Sex: Male
Gender Identity: Male
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Age: 85
Date of Birth: January 20, 1930
Ethnicity: European American of Scottish, Swedish and German
Ancestry
Occupation: Astronaut (currently retired)
Location of current residence: Los Angeles, CA USA

II. Chief Complaint/Presenting Problem
Mr. Aldrin began experiencing some marital difficulties and
contemplated divorce from his first wife and
marriage to a woman he was having an affair with (Aldrin &
Abraham, 2009). His list of complaints
included feelings of despair, stress, and tiredness; he also
complained of shoulder and neck pain (Aldrin
& Abraham, 2009). The immense amount of distress caused by
the emotions of these events may have
been the reason for his suffering.
III. Symptoms
Mr. Aldrin showed signs of depression with his symptoms of
extreme low moods, not wanting to get out
of bed, irritability and emotional indifference towards family
and friends, and the increasing pain in his
shoulder and arm (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Mr. Aldrin also
began drinking heavily which often
exacerbated his symptoms of depression (Aldrin & Abraham,
2009). His depression seemed to improve
for short periods of time but returned with similar symptoms
(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). This suggests

that his depressive disorder may be what is termed Dysthymia, a
persistent form of depression that
typically last a few years but can continue indefinitely
(Getzfeld& Schwartz, 2014).
Culture and genetics can play a role in the health of an
individual. The possible presence of mood
disorders which resulted in the suicide of Mr. Aldrin’s mother
and grandfather suggests that there may be
an inherited factor (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). The cultural
aspect of living with a parent who routinely
showed symptoms of depression may also have played a role in
the way Mr. Aldrin chose to deal with his
emotional upsets. It is not known whether Mr. Aldrin’s mother
or grandfather had a challenge with
alcohol consumption but if they did this might also have been a
factor for his alcoholic tendencies.
IV. Personal History
Buzz Aldrin was born in Montclair, New Jersey on January 20,
1930 (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, 2014). He
grew up in the New Jersey area and attended schools there as a

child (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises,
2014). Mr. Aldrin had a younger sister who could not
pronounce the word “brother” and called him
“buzzer”; his family shortened the name and began calling him
Buzz, which he made his legal first name
in 1988 (Buzz Eugene Aldrin, 2014).
Edwin Aldrin, Buzz Aldrin’s father, was a Colonel in the U.S.
Air Force (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, 2014).
His mother, Marion Moon, also came from a military family;
her father was an Army Chaplain (Buzz
Eugene Aldrin, 2014). Military lifestyle has a culture all its own
which no doubt influenced his life
choices.
Mr. Aldrin spent his childhood in New Jersey where he
graduated a year early from Montclair High
School and went on to West Point Military Academy (Buzz
Aldrin Enterprises, 2014). In 1951, he
graduated third in his class with a BS in mechanical engineering
(Buzz Eugene Aldrin, 2014). Education
seemed to bring out a motivational side to his character that
drove him to excel in his academics.

Considering the high placement in his classes, Mr. Aldrin
obviously did very well in his academics. After
joining the Air Force, Mr. Aldrin attended MIT where he
received his Doctorate of Science in
Astronautics (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, 2014). The compilation
of his educational experiences propelled
him into his life as an astronaut providing all the mental and
emotional aspects necessary for this type of
demanding career.
By all accounts, Mr. Aldrin had no challenges getting along
with his co-workers (Aldrin and Abraham,
2009). His ability to work well with others enabled him to enjoy
the mission to the moon and gave him a
once in a life time experience. He has been able to maintain
lifetime friendships with his fellow astronauts
and military connections (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).
Buzz Aldrin has been married three times (Buzz Eugene Aldrin,
2014). He admits to a marital affair in
which he contemplated marriage (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). He
went on to marry two other women, the
last one in 1988 which he is currently married to (Buzz Eugene
Aldrin, 2014). He maintains a friendly

relationship with his first wife Joann despite their rocky
relationship and eventual separation (Aldrin&
Abraham, 2009). Romantic relationships seem to come and go
in the life of Mr. Aldrin, but his ability to
maintain friendships appears to be one of his strengths.
V. Family History
Buzz Aldrin’s father was born in 1896 and his mother was born
in 1903 (Findagrave.com). This would
make them 34 and 27 respectively when Buzz was born. Buzz
was raised by his natural parents with one
other sibling. His father was extremely influential in his life
choices but not forceful in his decision
making. Mr. Aldrin admits that there were many career moves
he made that were opposite of what his
father wanted for him, but he received support nonetheless.
Mr. Aldrin’s mother was often very unhappy and unfortunately
took her own life not long after his rise to
fame. He stated that he carries a portion of guilt regarding his
mother’s death. In addition to his mother,
his maternal grandfather, as well as other distant family
members, also committed suicide. This fact has

caused him to question whether he would ever follow this
direction of emotional turmoil.
Considering the fact that he was raised in a military family,
Buzz Aldrin did not move as often as most
military families. He was raised in the New Jersey area which
enabled him to go to school in his
community (Buzz Eugene Aldrin, 2014). This most likely had
an impact on his ability to excel in life. The
feeling of community connections can provide a sense of
belonging that promotes an individual’s overall
well-being. He has a strong healthy relationship with his sister
that no doubt stems from his strong ties to
his culture (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).
Mr. Aldrin was raised in a Christian faith and his religious
training seemingly followed him to the moon
when he performed a religious communion ceremony to
commemorate the momentous occasion (Aldrin&
Abraham, 2009). With both parents from military families the
influences of military culture had the
opportunity to impact his life as well. The two cultures taught
aspects of honesty, strength, commitment,

and determination. The strong influence of these cultures may
be what helped him conquer his mental and
emotional challenges.
VI. Therapy History
When Mr. Aldrin first began experiencing feelings of
depression, along with shoulder and neck pain, he
enlisted the help of Dr. Carlos Perry who treated him for his
neck and shoulder complaints and directed
him to Dr. Don Flinn (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Although
these two doctors were instrumental in getting
him the help he needed it was Colonel John Sparks the chief of
psychiatry at Wilford Hall who was able
to diagnose and treat Mr. Aldrin.
Dr. Sparks began treatment by attempting to get Mr. Aldrin to
verbalize his feelings about why he thought
he was feeling this way (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Along with
psychiatric treatment, Dr. Sparks used
relaxation techniques and medication to help improve the
depression issues of Mr. Aldrin (Aldrin&
Abraham, 2009).

For an individual coming from a culture where men are
expected to be in control of their emotions this
type of treatment was not easy for Mr. Aldrin (Aldrin &
Abraham, 2009). However, it is sometimes the
barriers of a culture that promote the growth of emotional
challenges and breaking through those barriers
can produce changes that allow healing (Getzfeld & Schwartz,
2014).
The treatment and therapy lasted approximately four weeks with
the ultimate diagnosis of depression
(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). It seemed to be successful, and gave
Mr. Aldrin the opportunity to understand
why he had these feelings and what he could do to help himself
in the future (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).
Eventually these feelings of depression came back and Mr.
Aldrin began adding the element of alcohol to
his mental and emotional challenges (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).
Through the support of Alcoholics
Anonymous Mr. Aldrin has been able to control these issues and
lead a normal life (Aldrin & Abraham,
2009). The techniques used for the treatment of depression and
alcoholism seem to be successful and
have allowed Mr. Aldrin to manage his mental and emotional

state.
VII. Medical Conditions
All research indicates that Mr. Aldrin has good physical health
other than the mental and emotional
aspects of alcoholism and depression (Aldrin & Abraham,
2009). Due to the privacy issues of an
individual’s medical history no other information is available at
this time regarding any other medical
conditions.
VIII. Substance Use
The largest issue of substance use, according to Mr. Aldrin, has
been his overuse of alcohol (Aldrin &
Abraham, 2009). By his own account he used alcohol as a tool
to deal with the emotional challenges of
his personal and public life (Aldrin& Abraham, 2009). As with
drug abuse, alcoholism is a disorder that
can lead to extreme physical and emotional issues if left
untreated (Uhart, et al, 2006).

IX. Collateral
After dealing with some psychological issues with their son,
Buzz Aldrin and his wife Joan enlisted the
services of Dr. Robert Prall who quickly decided that their
marital challenges were due to Mr. Aldrin’s
behaviors (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Dr. Prall found Mr.
Aldrin to be temperamental and indifferent to
those around him (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).
Buzz Aldrin and his wife continued to have marital difficulties
and he began having an affair with another
woman (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). When Mr. Aldrin confided
to his sisters that he was contemplating
leaving his wife and marrying a woman named Marianne they
voiced their concerns about his mental
state and his ability to make rational decisions (Aldrin &
Abraham, 2009).
While under a doctor’s care for possible depression, Mr. Aldrin
visited close friend Merv Hughs who
seemed surprised at the amount of alcohol that Buzz was
consuming (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). That
same weekend, Mr. Aldrin confided to a minister friend, Dean
Woodruff that he was suffering from

depression (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Mr. Woodruff was
surprised to hear the news because he did not
feel there were signs of this disorder in Mr. Aldrin’s behavior
(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).
There seemed to be a common understanding between Mr.
Aldrin’s close friends and family about his
behaviors. Those close to him observed his abnormal behaviors
and were concerned for his well-being
(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Acquaintances who were not close,
or those who had not seen him for a
while, did not seem to notice anything unusual about his
behaviors (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Mr.
Aldrin seemed to be able to maintain a positive demeanor in the
public eye but not with those close to
him.
Other than the psychological issues with his son, Mr. Aldrin did
not seem to have any dealings with other
individuals who were dealing with issues of depression or
alcoholism (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). By his
own reports, Mr. Aldrin’s challenges were due to his inability to
deal with the disappointments in his life
(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).

Mr. Aldrin and his wife were involved in a very serious
automobile accident that could easily have taken
their lives (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Although there was no
official police report regarding the cause of
the accident, Mr. Aldrin admits that alcohol was involved and
was likely the reason for the accident
(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). It is possible that this event had an
impact on his awareness of his condition
and behaviors.
Personality and intelligence testing was performed on Mr.
Aldrin when he first joined the military. By all
accounts he was healthy and did not show any signs of distress
at the time of the tests (Aldrin &
Abraham, 2009). Because of the privacy factor, these reports
are not available to view. However, Mr.
Aldrin did well in school and was very successful in his military
career (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises,
2014). It can be concluded that prior to his career he did not
show signs of depression or alcoholism.
X. Results of Evaluation

Psychological research and study have created basic theories of
behavior that aid in personality
development. Sigmund Freud created the psychoanalytical
theory which explains the human psyche as an
unconscious and conscious mind consisting of the “id”, the
“ego” and the “super ego” (Getzfeld &
Schwartz, 2014, Psychoanalytic Theory, par. 3). The idea that
each of these three parts of human thought,
work together to create the conscience, morals and personality
of an individual may explain how a
personality forms but is not necessarily inclusive of
environmental factors and makes it difficult to
explain Mr. Aldrin’s depression disorder.
Behaviorists expound a bit more on how the actions of an
individual can impact their emotional state by
evaluating the results of the behaviors (Getzfeld & Schwartz,
2014). Unfortunately, this idea is also
lacking in the ability to understand Mr. Aldrin’s behaviors
because it lacks the element of environmental
factors. Cognitive Behaviorism, however, accentuates the value
of conscious thought as it relates to active
behaviors (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). This idea supports the

theory of social learning and can be used
to explain the irrational thoughts of worthlessness that Mr.
Aldrin felt after the euphoric experience of
landing on the moon was deflated by the adoration given to Neil
Armstrong for being the first man on the
moon (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). The maladaptive behaviors
shown by Mr. Aldrin after this event
showcase the social and cultural aspects of this theory in his
attempts to attach himself to the public light
shown to Neil Armstrong. The lack of recognition was an event
that led him to believe he deserved more,
and the ultimate consequence altered his ability to cope with
reality.
The theory of learned helplessness suggests that an individual’s
behaviors are reflective of the human
environment they are raised in (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014).
This theory does help to share how the
cultural aspect of Mr. Aldrin’s family life had an impact on his
ability to deal with emotional conflict. The
suicidal tendencies of his mother most likely had a negative
impacted on his desire to overcome
emotional stress and yet the strict military discipline of his
father seems to have had a positive impact on

his ability to recover from stressors. The conflict between the
two would seem to be a possible source of
his emotional turmoil.
Using the learned helplessness theory can help to explain some
of the irrational behaviors and thought
processes of Mr. Aldrin as he lived through the turmoil of
emotional stress and disappointments of life.
Evaluating each of the events that led to his breakdowns can aid
in the understanding of his mental and
emotional state.
For example, the death of his mother led him to doubt his
ability to cope with life stressors and he often
wondered if he could be capable of committing suicide as well
(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). This self-
doubt is an indicator that his emotional weakness was directly
related to the environment of his childhood
and how it affected his view of his own character. The negative
side of this self-doubt inhibited his self-
esteem which promoted the behaviors that led him to feelings of
depression.
The deterioration of his marriage can also be seen as a factor
that led to his depressive state. Serious

emotional upsets can cause an individual to doubt their value as
a person and cause them to exhibit
behaviors that are contrasting to their basic character (Getzfeld
& Schwartz, 2014). In addition, the stress
of emotions can lead to substance abuse, such as alcohol or
drugs and cause further erratic behaviors
(Almeida-filho, et al, 2007). Mr. Aldrin’s increased alcohol
consumption is evidence that he was having
difficulty dealing with life stressors and exhibited the symptoms
of alcoholism.
The decline in his publicity was also a great source of Mr.
Aldrin’s frustration. His behaviors of
aggression (punching a camera man), leaving his wife for
another woman (who ended up marrying
someone else), and excessive fatigue (sometimes staying in bed
for days) were all signs of depression and
an eminent need for medical attention (Aldrin & Abraham,
2009). His numerous attempts to reach out to
doctors for a diagnosis that would eliminate his chronic pain
and explain some of his feelings of
frustration are an indicator that he realized he needed help. His
family’s realization that his abnormal
behaviors were increasing were instrumental in his eventual

diagnoses.
Based on the personal information provided, Mr. Aldrin issues
with depression and alcoholism are a
result of cultural environments (mother with emotional issues,
unexpected fame), and personal family
issues (deterioration of marriage, expectations of his father)
(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). There is also
hereditary evidence (family suicide incidents) that may have
made him more susceptible to a depressive
disorder and issues with alcohol abuse (Aldrin & Abraham,
2009).
XI. Diagnostic Impression with Differential Justification
Stress can be a defining factor for numerous challenges and
illnesses. Alcoholism is a disease that can
begin for a variety of reasons (Uhart, Oswald, McCaul, Chong
& Wand, 2006). Besides family history,
stress can be a factor that promotes alcoholism and its behaviors
(Uhart, et al, 2006). The stressful
challenges of being an astronaut, dealing with the fame of being
one of the first men on the moon and the

discontent of family life may have played a role in the alcoholic
tendencies of Mr. Aldrin. His inability to
control the amount of alcohol he drank is a clear indicator of
the progression of this disorder.
The dysphoria created by attempting to be someone you are not
can prove too overwhelming for some
individuals. Many people suffering from elements of dysphoria
begin to show signs of depression
(Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). The concern of his family and
close friends is an indicator that Mr. Aldrin
was headed towards the potential for depression and its
maladaptive behaviors. The brief stay in a
psychiatric ward is also an indication that Mr. Aldrin had
difficulty dealing with his emotions which can
be a result of depression.
In reviewing the evidence, it can be concluded that Buzz Aldrin
showed signs of depression and
alcoholism. Both of these disorders create challenges with
mental and emotional stability (Almeida-filho,
et al, 2007). With proper care and continued support from his
family it is probable that Mr. Aldrin will be
able to maintain a normal, healthy, functional life

XII. Recommendations
Based on the information provided, it is recommended that Mr.
Aldrin begin treatment for Persistent
Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) and alcoholism. There are
several methods used for the treatment of
these disorders. For depression, much success has come from
both drug and psychological treatments
(Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). In the past, tricyclic
antidepressants have been used with some degree of
success, but recent studies have shown that selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) preform just as
well with much milder side effects (Getzfeld& Schwartz, 2014).
Severe cases may require the use of
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) if other methods do not show
results (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). This
does not seem to be a necessary option for Mr. Aldrin.
Psychological treatments such as Interpersonal Psychotherapy
(IPT) and cognitive-behavioral treatment
are recommended to help Mr. Aldrin deal with life stressor and
determine how his feelings promote
inappropriate behaviors. IPT is structured to help individuals

view how social issues impact their personal
relationships; cognitive behavior therapy helps individuals
identify negative thoughts that could foster
negative feelings that lead to depression (Getzfeld & Schwartz,
2014).
Recent studies have shown that combining both drug and
psychological treatments have greater positive
results than using each treatment alone (Blais, et al, 2013).
However, research also shows that there are
numerous side effects from psychotic drugs such as Paxil
(Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). Treatment for Mr.
Aldrin should begin with IPT and cognitive behavior therapy
and the addition of Paxil if the symptoms
persist for more than one year.
Mr. Aldrin’s substance abuse with alcohol seems to stem from
his depression disorder. As a result this
condition needs to be monitored as well. The recommended
treatment for this issue is first, a
detoxification treatment that will enable his body to control his
alcohol cravings. Second, it is

recommended that he join a support group such as Alcoholics
Anonymous to maintain his sobriety and
give him the social support he needs to remain sober.
Alcohol is a natural depressant, so it is vital for Mr. Aldrin’s
depression issues that he eliminates all
alcohol consumption. This is not an easy task and has its
structural complications. People with alcohol
addictions, much like drug addictions, tend to go through stages
of positive maintenance and then relapse
into abuse again (Ukachi, 2013). To ensure that Mr. Aldrin is
able to maintain abstinence from alcohol is
essential that he have the support of his family and friends. This
familial support can be as important as
prescription drugs or therapy. With proper support and
treatment, Mr. Aldrin has a great chance of
success in managing both of his disorders.
References

Aldrin, B., & Abraham, K. (2009). Magnificent Desolation.
New York, NY: Harmony Books
Almeida-Filho, N., Lessa, I., Magalhães, L., Araújo, M. J.,
Aquino, E., & de Jesus Mari, J.
(2007). Co-occurrence patterns of anxiety, depression and
alcohol use disorders.
European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience,
257(7), 423-431.
Blais, M. A., Malone, J. C., Stein, M. B., Slavin-Mulford, J.,
O'Keefe, S. M., Renna, M., & Sinclair, S. J.
(2013). Treatment as usual (TAU) for depression: A comparison
of psychotherapy,
pharmacotherapy, and combined treatment at a large academic
medical center. Psychotherapy,
50(1), 110-118. doi:10.1037/a0031385
Buzz Aldrin Enterprises. (2014). Biography. Retrieved from
http://buzzaldrin.com/the-man/biography/
Buzz Eugene Aldrin. (2014). The Biography.com website.
Retrieved from
http://www.biography.com/people/buzz-aldrin-9179894.
Findagrave (n.d.) Grave search. Retrieved from
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-

bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=32487286
Getzfeld, A.R.& Schwartz, S (2014) Abnormal psychology
DSM-5. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint
Education.
Uhart, M., Oswald, L., McCaul, M. E., Chong, R., & Wand, G.
S. (2006). Hormonal responses to
psychological stress and family history of alcoholism.
Neuropsychopharmacology, 31(10), 2255-2263.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1301063
Ukachi, M. (2013). Motivational interview; evidence based
strategy in the treatment of alcohol and drug
Addiction. IFE Psychologia, 21(3-S), 174-196.
http://buzzaldrin.com/the-man/biography/
http://www.biography.com/people/buzz-aldrin-9179894
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-
Running head: COLLATERAL INFORMATION
Collateral Information 2
Collateral Information

Lisa M. Buentello
PSY 303: Abnormal Psychology
Instructor: Yolanda Harper
April 4, 2016
Collateral information in psychology refers to the information
about a patient from those close to the patient like friends,
employer or family members (Hersen & Thomas, 2009). This
type of information helps to identify whether what the third
parties will say about the client is similar to the clinical
information gathered during the patient interview or other
clinical tests. Collateral may assist in identifying other areas
about the patient that may require further investigations.
I interviewed friends and family members of Joan, who
described her as a person who for some time has been suffering
from alcoholism and mood swings. They noted that Joan usually
consumes alcohol after being in conditions of sad or angry
feelings. However, these third parties could not state or identify
the reasons why Joan engaged in excessive alcohol
consumption. They also described her as being abusive to all
people who are close to her at some point in time. Joan is also
very obsessive with certain things like cleanliness and would
highly insist until the things were done the way she thinks they
should be done to perfection.
The information collected also showed great commonalities
between the collateral sources and the original diagnosis. The
commonalities include experiences of abuse as a child, suffering
from bipolar disorder and sudden and extreme changes in
feelings and moods. Joan's mood swings were shaped by the

conditions of her mother when she was a child where the mother
would treat her with mixed emotions. Joan's daughter shared
this information.
There is no evidence from the information collected from the
collateral sources that provide any new psychological issues
that could have an effect on the patient’s problem. From the
collateral sources, Joan’s problem arose from the need to feel
wanted and successful. She needs constant attention and
confirmation of her successes.
References
Hersen, M., & Thomas, J. C. (2009). Handbook of Clinical
Psychology Competencies, Volumes 1-3. Berlin: Springer
Science & Business Media.
Running head: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Psychological Assessment
2

Lisa M. Buentello
PSY 303: Abnormal Psychology
Instructor: Yolanda Harper
March 28, 2016
Identifying Information
Name: Joan Crawford
Gender: Female
Sexual orientation: Attracted to males
Age: 72
Race: Caucasian
Occupation: Actress
Location of residence: U.S.A, California, Western Region
Chief Complaint/ Presenting Problem
Joan is a 72-year-old Caucasian lady has a history of poor
work performance and anger management. She has been
diagnosed with three mental disorders, one of them being
Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental heal issue
diagnosed during adolescence and early adulthood. It is defined
as a disorder where an individual experiences episodes of
maniac and alternating with major depression. It involves a
sudden change in one’s moods from high peaks to low depths
(Kiesbye, 2010). Bipolar disorder has been associated with
alcohol abuse and in the last two decades there have been
numerous clinical and epidemiological studies that have proved
this relationship.

The order disorder that Joan is suffering from is Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder which is an anxiety disorder where an
individual experiences persistent, unwanted, intrusive impulses
or thoughts.
The last disorder is alcoholism whereby Joan became a
heavy drinker. Alcoholism is a mental and physical condition
that changes behaviors and reactions (Borowski, 2013). Those
that become alcoholics use alcohol as a means to cope with or
distant themselves with reality.
Symptoms
There are various symptoms that Joan exhibits which show
the mental disorders she is suffering from. Joan’s daughter
Christina remembers her mother dragged her from bed at night
when she was just nine years old. Her mother beat her with a
can of scouring powder simply because she left streaks of soap
on the bathroom floor (Lowe, 2007). This is a symptom of OCD
in that Joan was obsessive with cleanliness. Her mindset is
fixed on perfection and ultra-cleanliness. The bizarre behaviors
like cleaning hands and scrubbing clean floors assist Joan in
reducing her anxieties and fears. One result of these behaviors
is over-reaction to minor issues that she faces (Kiesbye, 2010).
This tendency expects an individual and others around him or
her to be perfect. She always wants things to be done in a
particular way or her way.
Joan also exhibits some symptoms of Bipolar disorder.
There are several occasions when Joan’s moods would just
change out of nowhere. An example is when she was kissing her
children goodnight and then looks at Christina’s closet where
she finds a dress that's hanging on a wire hanger. She is
overcome with rage and begins ripping all the cloths off the
hangers. She then hits Christina with the wire hanger and tells
her to pick up the mess. Joan’s tantrums are wild and violent for
instance when she is fired by her studio boss from MGM after
the theatre owner branded her as box office poison (Lowe,
2007). In the middle of the night she forces her children to
watch her and flies into a bitter rage. She goes ahead to hack

down her prize rose garden and goes ahead to chop down a tree
dressed in a ball gown.
Joan was a very heavy drinker and as an actor she went to
many parties and this is most likely where her addiction begun.
After drinking, she would at times become violent, a common
characteristic of alcoholics. An example of a scene in the movie
is after going to a party with her boyfriend at that time. She
goes on drinking at home and they get into a fight. Her
boyfriend ends up breaking up with her and she becomes very
furious. However, when she realizes that the relationship is
coming to an end, she begins to seduce him into staying. This is
an example of OCD where Joan shows the desire to control her
boyfriend and bipolar where she exhibits an abrupt change in
moods (Johnson, & Diamond, 2008). These two disorders are
enhanced by the alcohol that she is taking.
Personal History
Joan Crawford whose real name is Lucille Fay Lesueur was
born in San Antonio. This is where she was born and brought up
where she experienced the Caucasian culture. Joan came from a
dysfunctional family where her parents had separated before she
was born. Her mother ended up getting married again to the
theatre owner Harry Cassin. However, this relationship did not
last long as her mother and step father ended up splitting.
Joan’s school life was quite interesting, she attended two
private schools. She ended up working on the premises in order
to be able to pay for her tuition and also got harsh treatment.
She received corporal punishment for any perceived misdeeds.
She had a huge workload which made it difficult for her to
attend classes that made her scholastic record to be faked.
Family history
Joan did not grow up in a stable home because first, her
parents separated before her birth. Secondly, after her mother
remarried, that marriage did not last. This shows that Joan did
not grow up in a good environment where she could be brought
up with good guidance. This is among the factors that
contributed to the development of the mental disorders that she

suffered in her adulthood. When it comes to her medical
history, it is reported that Joan had difficulties in breathing
during her infancy stage. Joan also suffered from migraine
headaches that would have been linked with the development of
Bipolar disorder. Joan also suffers from alcohol abuse whereby
she started drinking at a night out in a party in Hollywood.
After this experience, she ended up being addicted to alcohol.
Her drinking started as a social thing and then escalated to a
regulatory source.
When interviewing people who were in contact with Joan,
they described her as an alcoholic who is abusive, obsessive
with cleanliness and seemed to also suffer from bipolar
disorder. There are some common things between collateral
sources reports which are Bipolar disorder, child abuse, and
OCD. Christina shared a childhood memory, whereby it was
shaped with violent mood swings of her mother. This ranged
from one moment being bought extravagant dresses and the next
minute getting a hard spanking. There is no evidence from
collateral sources that indicate any psychological issues that
might have increased the patient’s problem. From the
evaluation, we can conclude that Joan’s lacked attention when
she was growing up from her parents as well as the constant
reminder that she needs to be accepted and have some sense of
belonging.
References
Borowski, M. (2013). Psychological Sciences; Addiction as a
Disease. European Researcher, 55(7-2), 1945-1964.
Johnson, D. L., & Diamond, C. (2008). Mommy Dearest. Dale
City, VA: Reluctant Press.
Kiesbye, S. (2010). Bipolar disorder. Farmington Hills, MI:
Greenhaven Press/Gale Cengage Learning.
Lowe, C. (2007). The everything health guide to OCD:
Professional advice on handling anxiety, understanding
treatment options, and finding the support you need. Avon, MA:
Adams Media.

Document Interpretation TutorialDocument Interpretation Ultimat.docx

Document Interpretation TutorialDocument Interpretation Ultimat.docx

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Document Interpretation TutorialDocument Interpretation Ultimat.docx

Similar to Document Interpretation TutorialDocument Interpretation Ultimat.docx (20)

More from elinoraudley582231

More from elinoraudley582231 (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Document Interpretation TutorialDocument Interpretation Ultimat.docx