Ideas for my Abnormal Psych project.

seanr1221

seanr1221

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Ok so in my abnormal psych class we can choose to be either a presenter or observer. A presented picks a dissorder, gives a couple page paper to everyone in the class with a made up person that hints to what dissorder they have, then one day in class they come in as this person, tell the class about themselves, and answer questions.

Observers have to pick 5 presenters and do a short write up on what each has and why.

So anyway, I am a presenter. My dissorder is I get panic attacks when I give public speeches. So far what I'm going to do is come into the class out of breath (Like I was just running up and down the steps to get the presentation off my mind). Then I'm going to make little to no eye contact shortly after I begin talking, followed by rubbing the back of my neck, nervous pacing, increased breathing and taking hits from an empty flask ;)

So I wanted to ask some fellow CAGers what they think I could do in adition to this...just keep in mind we cant say anything mean to students or touch them :whistle2:#
 
Symptoms of a Panic Attack

* raging heartbeat
* difficulty breathing, feeling as though you 'can't get enough air
* terror that is almost paralyzing
* nervous, shaking, stress
* heart palpitation, feeling of dread
* dizziness, lightheadedness or nausea
* trembling, sweating, shaking
* choking, chest pains, distress
* fear, fright, afraid, anxious
* hot flashes, or sudden chills
* tingling in fingers or toes ('pins and needles')
* fearful that you're going to go crazy or are about to die
 
Thank Ikohn, but I know that stuff ;) What I'm asking is if anyone has any clever ideas like my flask one. (Drinking 'alcohol' to calm myself down)
 
[quote name='seanr1221']Thank Ikohn, but I know that stuff ;) What I'm asking is if anyone has any clever ideas like my flask one. (Drinking 'alcohol' to calm myself down)[/QUOTE]


drench your armpits with water to make it look like you're sweating. grab a bottle of aspirin and fumble around with it, spilling pills all over the place. repeat words a lot...say "uummmm" in between everything you say...possibilities are endless?
 
well I worked with someone who had panic attacks at work and they would come out of no where. She would be fine and then she would start hyperventilating and having trouble breathing. I dunno if you plan to be that extreme, but you could always have a paper bag and and a spray bottle of water. So you act normal then bend down behind something spray your face and start breathing really hard into the bag.
 
I do like the paper bag idea. See, my backstory is I'm this amazing, rich doctor. While I do fine when it is just the patient and myself, I cannot stand being around larger groups of people. In my write up I hint around by saying I was a loner in college...I hate the monthly meeting the doctors have and usually drink some alcohol right before we get together, etc.

So I'm going to come in all neat and tidy and then just fall apart :D
 
I've already taken abnormal psych. I don't think there's any problem, but ditch the flask. It's unrealistic that a person would bring alcohol to a public speach and may be viewed by the professor as mocking the disorder. Same with aspirins. Though it would probably be fine if you do it before actually speaking, as a way of coping with the upcoming issue. I'm not sure what why someone with panic attacks would take aspirin though.

Though make frequent confused/scared pauses when you speak, speak softly and have your voice trail off into a mumble. Be very uncertain of yourself and have your speach lack cohesiveness.
 
I've already taken abnormal psych. I don't think there's any problem, but ditch the flask. It's unrealistic that a person would bring alcohol to a public speach and may be viewed by the professor as mocking the disorder. Same with aspirins.
Click to expand...

Actually I ran the idea by my teacher and she loved it :) And besides, I might be like Doctor House, arrogant and doesn't give a fuck what people think of me :D
 
Yell at yourself when you mess up and when someone says something say "CAN I FINISH? CAN I FINISH? PLEASE, CAN I FINISH!? ...Ok I'm finished." Yeah I'm watchin the south park movie now.
 
Start your presentation by asking for a quick bathroom break then repeat mulitple times during the presentation.

And make sure you use umm and studder a lot.
 
i say randomly cut off your sentances in mid speach... and occasionally go up to one of the class room walls and rub it a few times, then return to your seat.
 
[quote name='alonzomourning23']I don't think there's any problem, but ditch the flask. It's unrealistic that a person would bring alcohol to a public speach and may be viewed by the professor as mocking the disorder. Same with aspirins. Though it would probably be fine if you do it before actually speaking, as a way of coping with the upcoming issue. I'm not sure what why someone with panic attacks would take aspirin though.[/quote]

I completely agree with that. Its just ridiculous to think that someone, especially a doctor, would whip out a flask in the middle of giving a speech just because he/she is nervous. And I'm not even sure what the aspirin is about.

My suggestion would be to convey to your audience that you have "cotton mouth". People who are nervous when speaking always have that.
 
At one point, and with great effort, look up. Then, looking extremly frightened, mutter "Oh God....." and look like you're about to seriously lose it. Compose yourself and continue.
 
[quote name='seanr1221']Actually I ran the idea by my teacher and she loved it :) And besides, I might be like Doctor House, arrogant and doesn't give a fuck what people think of me :D[/QUOTE]


Wow, then your teacher's an ass. I can tell you, as a person who lives with someone with panic/anxiety disorder and a college professor, that belittling or even seeming to belittle a disorder (and by the way only one s is used in that word) is demeaning to those people who may be sitting in class fighting that disorder while you are speaking. While you'll probably get the laughs, it's a gimmick and someone's expense.

Think, "must be sensitive to other students," as it might help.
 
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