Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Another days goal

I have completed my first draft of my research paper. Therefore, my goal today was to begin rechecking sources. To make sure I accidentally did not plagiarise and to make sure the in text citations are APA formatted. I was able to find out the appropriate way to do in text citations in which i corrected. Also, i began looking over my paper and comparing them to the sources. I was not able to go through all of them so this will be a task to complete either later today or tomorrow. Then when that is finished. I want to re read it a few more times in order to catch grammar mistakes and re-word certain sentences to help the flow of the paper.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Research Paper Goal

My goal today for research paper was to read and revise my previous sections I have written. I am almost done with the entire paper. Before beginning the last chunk of it, I wanted to feel comfortable with the beginning and middle. For next time, I hope to have my rough draft completed. Then during class I can revise and add new ideas in hopes of getting it better. I want to feel like my rough draft on Friday, would almost be acceptable for my final.

Monday, November 19, 2007

thesis and outline...

Thesis: The influence of media on society intermixed with the loose diagnostic procedures used in office visits are adding to the new craze of over prescribing psychotropic medications. America is becoming a society in which they believe a pill can fix it all or at least cover up their symptoms of a mental disorder.

Outline:
I. Diagnostic procedures
A. Doctor visits
1. Limitation of time
2. Unqualified doctors
B. Misdiagnosis
1. Quick exam
2. Misread of symptoms
II. Overwhelming number of disorders
A. Mental illness
1. Increase in diagnosis
2. Increase in adolescents and children
B. Self-medicated nation
1. Pill for everything
2. Ongoing list of illnesses
III. Media
A. Pharmaceutical companies
1. Money
2. FDA guidelines
B. Advertisement
1. Increase in spending
2. Commercials
3. Magazine ads

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Revision Plan

I would redo my introduction in order to make it flow better and be easier to understand by the reader. I would clean up the grammar errors as well. Also, I would state how misdiagnosing and diagnostic procedures are different.

Friday, November 2, 2007

A try at Annot-bib

Psychotropic Drug Prescriptions for Teens Surge 250% over 7 Year Period
Within the years of 1994-2001 psychotropic drug prescriptions for teenagers have increased 250%. Part of the reason for this increase is due to federal government allowing direct-to-consumer advertisement. Over 1.5 billion dollars were spent on commericals for pharmaceutical purposes. Most mood altering and psychotropic medication is not even approved for children under eighteen. Between fourteen and twenty-six percent of office visits did not provide an associated mental health diagnosis.
This article provides stats and data for my research paper. I would especially use the part about the drug companies increase in television advertisement. This would help show how much media does influence an individual. Also I would highlight the point of not all office visits providing the correct form of mental health diagnosis but still prescribing an increasing amount of psychotropic medication.

More Kids Given Antidepressants as Number of Diagnoses Rockets
The number of antidepressants prescriptions for children and teenagers has more than tripled over the ten year period of 1990-2001. This data comes from the U.S. National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Another alarming statistic is that through period of 1998-2001 for every 1000 office visits 42.6 left with a prescription. During 1990-1993 only 13 out of a 100 would leave with a prescription. Some patients who go under treatment have been found to have an increase in thought about suicide.
This article also provides a great deal of statistics and provides information about where the data is collected. I would use the information on increase in prescriptions per office visit. Also, that certain treatment has caused patients to have more increase in suicidal thoughts. This article will be good in proving how drug prescriptions are beginning to be a no big deal thing. In the idea that everything can be cured by medicine.