The Anxiety Spectrum Slides The Anxiety Spectrum
Distinguishing Normal Worry from Clinical Disorders
Two Truths and a Lie
Mental Health Edition
On a piece of scratch paper, write down three statements about anxiety or mental health. Two must be facts and one must be a myth.
• "Anxiety is always a sign of a disorder."
• "OCD is more than just being tidy."
• "1 in 5 people will experience an anxiety disorder."
Be prepared to share and have the class guess your "lie"!
Criteria for Diagnosis: The 4 Ds
D1
Deviance
Thoughts or behaviors that are different from the social "norm."
D2
Distress
Unpleasant and upsetting to the person experiencing it.
D3
Dysfunction
Interferes with daily life (work, school, relationships).
D4
Danger
Risk of harm to self or others (not always present).
Video Exploration
Embedded media
Watch For:
1:13 - Defining Psychological Disorders
2:58 - "Neatness" vs. Clinical OCD
4:18 - Generalized Anxiety (GAD)
"Everything that is psychological is simultaneously biological."
The OCD Myth-Buster
Being Neat/Orderly
Preferences for organization
Feeling "good" after cleaning
Choice to be fastidious
Clinical OCD
Debilitating & unwanted rituals
Temporary relief from panic
Intrusive thoughts (Obsessions)
Clinical Case Studies
In your groups, analyze the assigned case files. Apply the 4 Ds to determine if the behavior represents a diagnosable disorder or normal variation.
1. Read the Vignette
2. Evaluate the 4 Ds
3. Make a Diagnosis
Final Reflection
"Why is language important when discussing mental health? How does using terms like 'psycho' or 'OCD' casually affect those who actually have these diagnoses?"
8 Minutes to Write
Diagnosis Dilemmas Vignettes Worksheet Diagnosis Dilemmas
Clinical Psychology Case Studies
Name: ________________________________
Date: ________________________________
The 4 Ds Reference Guide
DEVIANCE
Behavior that violates societal or cultural norms.
DISTRESS
Pain, discomfort, or emotional suffering for the individual.
DYSFUNCTION
Inability to maintain daily responsibilities (work, hygiene).
DANGER
Potential harm to self or others (aggression, self-harm).
Instructions: Read each clinical vignette below. For each case, evaluate whether the 4 Ds are present. Then, decide if the individual is likely experiencing a clinical disorder or normal behavior .
CASE #01
Sarah
Sarah is a 24-year-old teacher. Every morning, she spends 45 minutes checking her door locks exactly 20 times. Throughout the day, she washes her hands until they are cracked and bleeding because she feels "contaminated" by her students' papers. She has been late to school 5 times this month because of her checking rituals.
Analysis of the 4 Ds:
Deviance
Distress
Dysfunction
Danger
Notes on the 4 Ds...
Clinical Determination:
Clinical Disorder
Normal Behavior
Justification...
CASE #02
Marcus
Marcus is a high school senior with a 4.0 GPA. Every Saturday, he spends 4 hours cleaning his apartment, dusting his comic book collection, and alphabetizing his spice rack. He says he enjoys the feeling of a clean home and finds the organizing process relaxing after a busy week of school and sports.
Analysis of the 4 Ds:
Deviance
Distress
Dysfunction
Danger
Notes on the 4 Ds...
Clinical Determination:
Clinical Disorder
Normal Behavior
Justification...
CASE #03
Alex
Alex has an intense fear of bridges (gephyrophobia). To avoid the major bridge on her commute, she adds 90 minutes to her drive each way, making her 3-hour daily commute into 6 hours. When she thinks about crossing a bridge, her heart races and she feels she might faint. She has turned down two job promotions because they would require more travel.
Analysis of the 4 Ds:
Deviance
Distress
Dysfunction
Danger
Notes on the 4 Ds...
Clinical Determination:
Clinical Disorder
Normal Behavior
Justification...
CASE #04
Maya
Maya is a college freshman who describes herself as "shy." She feels nervous when meeting new people and usually lets her friends do the talking in groups. However, she attends her classes, works a part-time job at the library, and has a small circle of close friends. She says she "dreads" public speaking but successfully gave a 10-minute presentation last week.
Analysis of the 4 Ds:
Deviance
Distress
Dysfunction
Danger
Notes on the 4 Ds...
Clinical Determination:
Clinical Disorder
Normal Behavior
Justification...
Mindful Reflections Journal Prompt Mindful Reflection
PSYCHOLOGY CLINICAL JOURNAL
DATE: // 2026
JOURNAL PROMPT
"Why is language important when discussing mental health? How does using terms like 'psycho' or 'OCD' casually affect those who actually have these diagnoses?"
Consider the stigma mentioned in the video. Think about how clinical terms become "nicknames" for healthy behaviors and what that does to our collective understanding of mental illness.
Personal Response
Thoughtful Analysis
Personal Connection
Clinical Awareness
Anxiety Disorders Teacher Guide Answer Key Teacher Facilitation Guide
THE ANXIETY SPECTRUM: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Timeframe
45-50 Minutes
Target Grade
10-12 (HS Psych)
Subject
Clinical Psychology
Instructional Sequence
05
Warm-up: Two Truths and a Lie
Challenge common myths. Common "Lies" to expect: "Anxiety is always bad," "Only weak people get anxiety," "OCD is just about being super clean."
12
Direct Instruction: Video Viewing
Use the Anxiety Spectrum Slides . Focus on the distinction between clinical disorders and personality quirks. Key timestamps provided in slides.
20
Activity: Diagnosis Dilemmas
Distribute Diagnosis Dilemmas Worksheet . Students work in groups of 3-4. Circulate and ask: "Is this behavior *preventing* them from doing their job/school?" (Dysfunction).
08
Reflection: Mindful Writing
Individual reflection. Encourage students to think about the "human cost" of the stigma mentioned by Hank Green at the start of the video.
Case Study Answer Key
#1 SARAH (OCD)
Diagnosis: Clinical Disorder
Ds: Deviance (rituals), Distress (bleeding hands), Dysfunction (late to work).
#2 MARCUS (Normal)
Diagnosis: Normal Behavior
No distress (he enjoys it), no dysfunction (he is a 4.0 student), not deviant for a hobby.
#3 ALEX (Phobia)
Diagnosis: Clinical Disorder
Ds: Distress (racing heart), Dysfunction (6hr commute, turning down jobs).
#4 MAYA (Normal)
Diagnosis: Normal Behavior
Mild distress, but NO dysfunction (she has friends, work, and successfully speaks in class).
Questioning Framework
• "If Marcus's cleaning took 12 hours a day and he missed school, would your answer change?"
• "Can someone be deviant without being dysfunctional? Give an example."
• "How does a diagnosis actually help a patient, rather than just labeling them?"
