Write a reflection discussing your reactions to the book in the context of the existing research on the topic. For example, “it makes sense that XX struggled with nightmares after her history of abuse, because that is a common symptom of PTSD”, or “it’s saddening that XX family didn’t support her as a queer person, more research is needed on this topic because experiences with XX disorder have mostly focused on heterosexual individuals”.
Criteria:
Write a 4-6 page reflection synthesizing what you learned from the book. Contextualize the paper within the current research on the topic.
Cite at least 5 peer-reviewed articles on the mental illness(es) of focus
Your focus should be on the mental illness(s) covered in your book. For example, if the topic was anxiety, discuss how the portrayal of anxiety in the book mapped onto what you’ve learned in class. Your writing should be professional, but you may use first-person language to reflect in this paper- it would be hard not to!
The paper should include:
Introduction to the book (1 paragraph)
What book did you read?
Introduction to the mental illness(es) of focus (1 paragraph)
What were the mental illness(es) discussed?
What are the main symptoms of that condition?
Discussion of how the book compared to, and added to, your understanding of the mental illness(es)
Optional questions to answer:
What in the book matched your existing understanding of the condition?
What conflicted with your existing understanding of the condition?
Discussion of topics that were particularly interesting to you, and what research exists on this topic
Examples of what this could include (feel free to pick from this list, or choose your own relevant topic):
How diagnosis was discussed in the book.
How the author was (or wasn’t) treated for their diagnosis. Did they go to therapy? Did they get help from friends? Did they try medication?
How the author’s background, identities, and/or personal experiences contributed to the way they experienced their diagnosis.
What was the author’s attitude about their diagnosis? What myths did they, or did others in their life, believe about their diagnosis? What barriers did they face to getting treatment?
Any other aspects, related to their diagnosis, that felt interesting to you.
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