Depression is a major disorder that can begin at any age. Major depression may be characterized by a depressed mood most of each day, a lack of pleasure in most activities, thoughts of suicide, insomnia, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder) causes a person to experience periods of mania and depression. Concentration, memory, and organization are affected. In the manic phase, a person might experience inflated self-esteem and decreased need to sleep. In the depressed phase they lose energy and motivation.
Anxiety disorders can disrupt a person's ability to concentrate and cause hyperventilation, a racing heart, chest pains, dizziness, panic, and extreme fear.
Schizophrenia can cause a person to lose touch with reality, experiencing delusions and hallucinations. Concentration and organization are affected.
Some Considerations
Trauma is not the sole cause of psychological disabilities; genetics may play a role. With appropriate treatment, often combining medications, psychotherapy, and support, the majority of psychological disorders are controlled.
Common accommodations for students with psychological disabilities are exam modifications, alternative ways of completing assignments, time extensions, priority registration, taped lectures, and early syllabus.
Instructional Strategies
The following strategies are suggested to enhance the accessibility of course instruction, materials, and activities. They are general strategies designed to support individualized, reasonable accommodations.
- Include a Disability Access Statement on the syllabus (see Working with Students with Disabilities).
- Flexible deadlines.
- Allow student to tape record lectures.
- Assist the student with finding an effective notetaker.
- Lab assistants may be helpful.
- Allow the student the same anonymity as other students; avoid pointing out the student or the alternative arrangements to the rest of the class.