4. Psychopathology

Question 1

In ancient civilisations how were symptoms of psychopathology manifested?

Subsequently how were they treated?

Answer 1

Supernatural forces:
- spirits
- devils
- deities
- witchcraft

Treatment required exorcism to force the ‘demon’ out, by…
- torture
- flooding
- starvation

Question 2

How did the greek philosopher Hippocrates see mental lllness?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

How did Rene Descartes see mental problems?

Answer 3

They must be located in the brain: min and body are seen as separate

Question 4

How did Emil Kraepelin see mental illness?

Answer 4

Seen in the basis of patterns of symptoms: divided up to help classify

Question 5

How does the biological approach explain mental illness? (broad explanation)

Answer 5

Believes that mental illness is a product of the brain

Question 6

What are the two biological explanations to mental illness?

Answer 6

• Acquired brain lesions
• Neurochemical imbalances

Question 7

What are the four psychological explanations to mental illness?

Answer 7

• Psychodynamics (childhood memories-Freud)
• Behaviour and learning (Skinner)
• Humanistic
• Cognitive factors e.g dysfunctional thinking

Question 8

How does the biopsychosocial approach explain psychopathology?

Answer 8

Combines theories. Known as diathesis stress model.

Psychology - Diathesis: vulnerability - Biology - Environmental stress - Social factors

Question 9

How does the statistical approach help define psychopathology?

Answer 9

Having an attribute/behaviour that deviates substantially from the ‘norm’
This helps offer objectivity and measurability e.g IQ

Question 10

What are issues with the statistical approach in explaining psychopathology?

Answer 10

• Measurement error e.g with things such as feelings
• Extreme variables don’t always imply issues
• Cut off can be subjective

Question 11

How does the functional approach help define psychopathology?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What are issues with the functional approach in explaining psychopathology?

Answer 12

• Assumes universal needs
• Maladaptive behaviours don’t always indicate mental illness

Question 13

How does the distress-based approach help define psychopathology?

Answer 13

Based on an individuals inability to cope with experiences or problems, therefore not a universal explanation

Question 14

What are issues with the distress-based approach in explaining psychopathology?

Answer 14

• Doesn’t provide standards
• Risk of medicalizing normal reactions to adverse circumstances e.g not dealing with trauma does not necessarily equal mental illness

Question 15

Is poor mental health a big issue in university students?

Answer 15

Yes- highest reason for students wanting to drop out

Question 16

What are the main reasons for students delay in seeking help for MH at university?

Answer 16

Stigma- internal/external negative beliefs about a society

Question 17

How can did unis try to lead to healthcare stigma being reduced? Did this work?

Answer 17

They launched a targeted poster campaign, to normalise mental health issues within males.
Lead to a 6% rise in men approaching the counselling service.

Question 18

What is the ‘p’ factor

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

What did Caspi et al do to assess the ‘p’ factor?

Answer 19

Sampled 1000 PPs via clinical interviews assessing the presence of symptoms for varying disorders. such as alcohol/drug dependance

Question 20

What 4 groups of symptoms did Caspi et al find?

Answer 20

1. Externalising group: loadings from alcohol, cannabis, drugs, smoking and conduct disorder
2. Internalising group: loadings from major depressive disorder, GAD and fears/phobias
3. Thought disorder group: loadings from OCD, mania and Sz
4. General psychopathology (‘p’ factor)

Shows that at some level disorders are linked.

Question 21

Explain co-morbidity

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What is the network theory?

Answer 22

The idea that we should think more fluidly about disorders, by making a network of symptoms.