4. Psychopathology Flashcards
In ancient civilisations how were symptoms of psychopathology manifested?
Subsequently how were they treated?
Supernatural forces:
- spirits
- devils
- deities
- witchcraft
Treatment required exorcism to force the ‘demon’ out, by…
- torture
- flooding
- starvation
How did the greek philosopher Hippocrates see mental lllness?
Saw it to be caused by 4 humours:
1. blood
2. yellow bile
3. black bile
4. phlegm
The idea that too many of any of these fluids would lead to mental illness.
How did Rene Descartes see mental problems?
They must be located in the brain: min and body are seen as separate
How did Emil Kraepelin see mental illness?
Seen in the basis of patterns of symptoms: divided up to help classify
How does the biological approach explain mental illness? (broad explanation)
Believes that mental illness is a product of the brain
What are the two biological explanations to mental illness?
- Acquired brain lesions
- Neurochemical imbalances
What are the four psychological explanations to mental illness?
- Psychodynamics (childhood memories-Freud)
- Behaviour and learning (Skinner)
- Humanistic
- Cognitive factors e.g dysfunctional thinking
How does the biopsychosocial approach explain psychopathology?
Combines theories. Known as diathesis stress model.
Psychology - Diathesis: vulnerability - Biology - Environmental stress - Social factors
How does the statistical approach help define psychopathology?
Having an attribute/behaviour that deviates substantially from the ‘norm’
This helps offer objectivity and measurability e.g IQ
What are issues with the statistical approach in explaining psychopathology?
- Measurement error e.g with things such as feelings
- Extreme variables don’t always imply issues
- Cut off can be subjective
How does the functional approach help define psychopathology?
If someone cant function in society, they may be maladapted/impaired in some way
E.g not able to pay bills, feed themselves properly etc
What are issues with the functional approach in explaining psychopathology?
- Assumes universal needs
- Maladaptive behaviours don’t always indicate mental illness
How does the distress-based approach help define psychopathology?
Based on an individuals inability to cope with experiences or problems, therefore not a universal explanation
What are issues with the distress-based approach in explaining psychopathology?
- Doesn’t provide standards
- Risk of medicalizing normal reactions to adverse circumstances e.g not dealing with trauma does not necessarily equal mental illness
Is poor mental health a big issue in university students?
Yes- highest reason for students wanting to drop out
What are the main reasons for students delay in seeking help for MH at university?
Stigma- internal/external negative beliefs about a society
How can did unis try to lead to healthcare stigma being reduced? Did this work?
They launched a targeted poster campaign, to normalise mental health issues within males.
Lead to a 6% rise in men approaching the counselling service.
What is the ‘p’ factor
The general factor of psychopathology: tendency to experience psychiatric problems as persistent and comorbid.
Describes how likely it is that data would have occurred randomly by chance.
What did Caspi et al do to assess the ‘p’ factor?
Sampled 1000 PPs via clinical interviews assessing the presence of symptoms for varying disorders. such as alcohol/drug dependance
What 4 groups of symptoms did Caspi et al find?
- Externalising group: loadings from alcohol, cannabis, drugs, smoking and conduct disorder
- Internalising group: loadings from major depressive disorder, GAD and fears/phobias
- Thought disorder group: loadings from OCD, mania and Sz
- General psychopathology (‘p’ factor)
Shows that at some level disorders are linked.
Explain co-morbidity
The simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions in a patient - there is lots of overlap between disorders.
Majority patients will have more than one disorder.
What is the network theory?
The idea that we should think more fluidly about disorders, by making a network of symptoms.
