1 - Psychopatholgy Flashcards
List the 4 definitions of abnormality
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health
Explain statistical infrequency
By examining descriptive statistics (mean, median and mode) we can define what is normal by referring to typical values. By using normal distribution curves we can display the typical values in the centre and the abnormalities lie at each end. If you fall in the top or bottom 2.5% of the population, you would be considered abnormal.
Evaluate statistical infrequency
+ application - useful as clinical evidence as it’s based on statistics. It looks at deviation from the statistical norm.
- application - not everyone benefits from being called abnormal - eg: if they’ve got a low IQ.
- application- not all applications need treatment - eg: high IQ
Explain deviation from social norms
Social norms - Created by groups of individuals, “normal behaviour” is deemed because there are adhered to within that social group. The majority of the individuals will partake in the “normal” activity.
Deviation from social norms - going against social norms.
Abnormality comes from deviating from the norms set by a social group.
Evaluate deviation from social norms
+ takes into account effect behaviour - relates to rest of society - validity
- cultural differences - different cultures have different social norms - validity
- human rights abuse - social norms change over time - segregation/dislike of minority groups/religions - ethics
Explain failure to function adequately
When someone struggles to cope with the demands of day to day life.
Eg: maintaining hygiene, basic nutrition etc.
Or harder stuff eg: can’t hold a job. This causes distress to themselves or others.
What were the 3 signs used to determine if someone is failing to function adequately and who proposed them?
Rosenhan and Selingham
1) when a person no longer conforms to the standard interpersonal rules.
2) when a person experiences severe personal distress.
3) when a person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others.
Evaluate failure to function adequately
+ app - attempts to include patient’s perspectives and experiences and therefore considers individual subjective examples.
+ app - it can be objective is using a criteria eg: WHODAS
- app - culture bias
- app - isn’t it just deviation from social norms. What about those with alternative lifestyles and CHOOSE not to do stuff (have a job etc.) This could be considered to limit personal freedom.
- app - judgements are subjective - therefore it’s someone’s job to decide if an individual is distressed or not. People could be misjudged.
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
It focuses on how we are deemed “normal” and then looks at people who deviate from this.
Who came up with the list of ideals?
Marie Jahoda (1958)
What are the 8 criteria in deviation from ideal mental health?
No symptoms or distress We are rational and perceive ourselves accurately We self-actualise (reach our potential) Can cope with distress We have a realistic view of the world We have good self-esteem and lack guilt We are independent We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure
Evaluate deviation from ideal mental health
+ app - the theory is comprehensive - it considers lots of different criteria regarding normal mental health and covers most reasons people seek help for mental health concerns.
- app - some classification of ideal health may be specific to Western culture. Some points don’t consider collectivist culture where “individual” success is not considered normal, but family is of high importance.
- app - sets unrealistically high standards for mental health - does anyone meet ALL standards all of the time?
+ app - positive approach to defining abnormality - it focuses on designing traits
What is the DSM-5?
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.
The most common manual used by clinicians for diagnosing mental illnesses. It contains all of the possible mental illnesses and the criteria required to be diagnosed.
What is a phobia?
Extreme and irrational fears of objects or situations.
They are categorised by excessive anxiety and fear towards something, which is out of proportion with the real danger the object of situation presents.
What are the 3 categories of phobias?
Specific phobia
Social anxiety (social phobia)
Agoraphobia
What is a specific phobia? Give an example
Fears about a specific object
Eg: literally anything
What is agoraphobia?
Non-specific phobia.
Where you fear and avoid open spaces/being public that might cause feelings of trapped ness, helplessness or embarrassment.
What is a social phobia?
Non-specific phobia.
A fear of social situations. The most common form of anxiety.
Eg: going shopping, talking on the phone.
What is a fear of spiders called?
Arachnophobia
What is a fear of school called?
School phobia
What is a fear of social situations called?
Social phobia
What is a fear of a lack of phone signal called?
Nomophobia
What is a fear of heights called?
Acrophobia
What is a fear of leaving a safe place called?
Agoraphobia
List 7 symptoms of having a phobia
Shaking, sweating, panic attacks, nausea, dry mouth, hyperventilating, increased heartbeat.
What are the 3 types of characteristics?
Behavioural
Cognitive
Emotional
List the 3 behavioural characteristics of phobias
Panic - running, screaming, crying etc.
Avoidance - people go out of their way to avoid scenarios
Endurance - enduring the phobia - met with high levels of anxiety for duration of exposure eg: flying
List the 2 emotional characteristics of phobias
Anxiety - a negative response with high stress, where sufferers are unable to relax or be positive.
Unreasonable emotional response - responses are often very unreasonable for the situation. This is very disproportionate to the actual danger.
List the 3 cognitive characteristics of phobias
Selective attention - people with phobias will focus more intently on phobic stimuli when it is present. This can be good for survival, however prevents individuals from focusing on anything else.
Irrational beliefs - sufferers may have irrational beliefs about the thing they are afraid of.
Cognitive distortions - individuals who have phobias of things are most likely to see those things in a distorted way.
Define depression
According to the DSM-V: depression is a mental disorder which is characterised by low mood and low energy levels.
List and define the 4 categories for depression, created by the DSM-V
Major depressive disorder - sever but often short-term depression.
Persistent depressive disorder - long-term or recurring depression, including sustained major depression and what used to be called dysthymia.
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder - childhood temper tantrums.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder - disruption to mood prior, to and/or during menstruation.
What is dysthymia?
Persistent mild depression
List the 3 behavioural characteristics of depression
Activity levels - often lower, feel lethargic, sometimes so severe they don’t leave their bed.
Disrupted sleep and eating - they may often be unable to sleep (insomnia) or wake up early. Appetite can be affected, leading to weight gain/loss.
Aggression and self-harm - they sometimes get very angry and may become verbally or physically aggressive, or aggressive to themselves (self-harm.)
List the 3 cognitive characteristics of depression
Poor concentration - they struggle to stick to tasks and find it hard to make decisions.
Attending to and dwelling on negatives - people are more inclined to pay attention to negatives when depressed. Also, more likely to recall negative events than healthy people.
Absolutist thinking - depression sufferers think in a black and white manner. They are unable to see that it’s not all good/bad. If something goes slightly wrong they tend to believe it’s a complete disaster.
List the 3 emotional characteristics of depression
Lowered mood - feelings of sadness are much stronger than ordinary daily sadness. Individuals often feel worthless and like they are empty inside.
Anger - often people feel irritable, suffer from intense anger which is frequently directed at themselves but may be towards others.
Lower self-esteem - how much you like yourself and in depressed individuals they don’t like themselves as much.
Define OCD
A disorder that is characterised by either obsessions and/compulsive behaviour
