The best interpretation of the above EKG is:

Directions Choose one of the topics below and respond to it in essay form. Your essay should have a clear introduction and thesis statement, at least two focused body paragraphs that have topic sentences, and a conclusion. Support the ideas in the body paragraphs with specific examples from the stories. You will have two hours to complete the exam once you click below. At the end of the two hours, regardless of whether you have finished, the essay will be submitted. Remember that the exam allows for no electronic devices or other aids, unless these are required through an ACCESS accommodation request. Write your own responses to the questions and structure them as best as you can within the two-hour limit. This proctored final essay will be graded according to the following criteria: 20 points – Clearly articulated thesis statement (one or two sentences that responds to the prompt and gives the paper direction)                 10 points – Clear topic sentences in the body paragraphs                                              35 points – Specific details, discussion, and examples from the stories in the body paragraphs                                                                         35 points – Grammar, mechanics, and style adhere to standard conventions  Total Points:  100 points   Choose one of the following topics: The story “The Shawl” by Louise Erdrich is structured into three different sections: the story told about Aanakwad and her family, the story of the 13-year-old narrator who confronts his father, and the final brief section where the narrator describes the situation in the family now. How does this story develop the theme of healing from intergenerational trauma? Both “The Shawl” by Louise Erdrich and “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates feature adolescent protagonists (one is 13 and one is 15). What are these stories saying about the challenges of adolescence? How are both of these characters similar and/or different? In both The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka and “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, the protagonists find themselves alienated from their surroundings. Compare and/or contrast the ways the main characters, Gregor and Jimmy Cross, both in nearly unbearable situations, react to what is happening around them. In Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use,” Mama and Dee/Wangero have different perspectives about how cultural objects, such as the quilt and the butter churn, should be used. How are their perspectives different? Which one do you agree with and why? Joyce Carol Oates’ story “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?” can be read on three levels: a crime story, a modern fairy tale, and a story with biblical undertones. Discuss these three levels in the story, providing examples of its true crime, fairy tale, and biblical allusions.

Lynn, a 41-year-old female, was referred to a local hospital after an extensive gastrointestinal evaluation at a walk-in clinic. Tests showed abnormal levels of potassium, nitrogen, and creatinine. Lynn reported she had been feeling nauseous and had bouts of vomiting for the last several months. She said she had lost 15 pounds during that time. A stool examination revealed severe diarrhea. When Lynn was confronted with the results, she admitted she had been taking 30-40 laxatives tablets a day since her symptoms started. When asked why she started taking the laxatives, she said, “I really don’t know. When I started to lose weight, people started paying attention to me. They paid attention to me even more when they thought I was really sick.” And the likely diagnosis is…

Gladys is a 42-year-old Caucasian woman who lives with her husband of 20 years. Her senior year of college, she began experiencing occasional “anxiety” attacks. She described these attacks as a sudden need for escape, accompanied by dry mouth, trembling, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, tingling in her arms, and dizziness. She also feared losing control or going crazy. After graduation, her “anxiety” attacks remitted until recently. Nine months ago, she was shopping at a local grocery store when she had an “attack” with the same symptoms noted above. She felt severe anxiety and a sudden urge to leave. Since then, she became very afraid of having another attack. As a result, she refuses to leave her house. She does not want to be in a store, on a line, or in any public space. She is anxious about having another “attack” in public and looking silly or getting “trapped.” And the likely diagnosis is…

For the past two months, Brian has been increasingly worried about his job in a large manufacturing company. He feels he has been passed over for a promotion several times. Brian is preoccupied with many small events and conversations that have occurred at work and worries how his superiors will interpret them. He finds it difficult to control his worrying and finds that he is now worrying about a lot of other, non-work related things. During the day at work, he feels restless and edgy. At home, he is irritable and has difficulty sleeping. His wife asks him about work, but he doesn’t want to talk about it. “I want to stop worrying, but I just can’t”, he says. And the likely diagnosis is…

Eight months ago, Janice got stuck in an elevator at work. She started to sweat, feel nauseous, had heart palpitations, felt chest pains, and began to disassociate. It was an awful feeling. She is afraid of experiencing another episode in a closed space and constantly worries about having another episode where she can’t get help. She is so scared about being alone in either an open or closed area if an episode were to happen that she cannot bring herself to leave her house. The mere thought of leaving produces overwhelming panic. As a result, she has been housebound for the past seven months. She relies on family and friends to bring her groceries and other needed household items. And the likely diagnosis is…

Karen, a 28-year-old married Caucasian woman, came to you for counseling. She reported experiencing mood swings, tension, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, bouts of hypersomnia, and irritability for the 6-8 days leading up the start of her menstrual cycle. The symptoms stop after the beginning of each menstrual cycle. These episodes have occurred since the age of 20, in almost every menstrual cycle. She reported having a difficult time functioning during these “mood cycles.” And the likely diagnosis is…

Twenty-six-year-old Cindy-Lou is very concerned about cleanliness and hygiene. She spends a significant amount of time each day washing her hands or showering, especially after she touches a toilet seat, doorknob, or any other item she thinks may be dirty or contaminated. She explains she is concerned about becoming infected or sick from touching these objects. Cindy-Lou periodically acknowledges that her washing is excessive, but explains that she becomes very anxious when she tries to avoid washing and eventually feels compelled to wash even more to make up for the omission. Lately, she is feeling so anxious that life has become almost “unmanageable.” And the likely diagnosis is…

For the past three weeks, Donna has felt extremely tired and finds it difficult to concentrate at work. Her coworkers have noticed that “the typical funny, talkative Donna” is more irritable and withdrawn. She has called in sick five times in the last three weeks, which isn’t like her at all. On these days, she didn’t get out of bed all day but either watched TV or slept. Donna’s husband, Ned, has noticed changes as well. She doesn’t call her best friend anymore when she used to talk to her every night. She isn’t eating much these days and has lost 11 pounds, even though she didn’t need to lose weight and wasn’t even trying. He hears her crying, but when he asks her what is wrong, she says, “Nothing. Just leave me alone.” She hasn’t considered suicide but is dissatisfied with her life. She knows she should be “happy” but can’t seem to get rid of her sense of “doom and dread.” “And I feel sad almost all the time these days.” And the likely diagnosis is…

Lydia, a 29-year- old married mother of a young child age 2, came to your office presenting with a history of recurrent and disabling emotional distress and headaches. Several weeks prior to her appointment with you, she became overwhelmed with sadness, had difficulty moving, had diminished appetite, had crying spells much of the day, and felt guilty and suicidal. These feelings lasted 16 days. You gathered more information from her and learned that she has episodes of what she calls her “feel good days.” She says, “I love these days. I have so much energy, I get a lot done around the house, play with my children, spend quality time with my husband, and work on my sewing projects. During these “feel- good days”, I don’t need much sleep and tend to talk a lot. These periods usually last 4-5 days or so, but I wished they never ended. There are months at a time when I feel totally stable and don’t have all the ups and downs. I really wish these periods lasted forever.” And the likely diagnosis is…