Abnormal Psychology Flashcards
Categorical approach
The approach the DSM takes to defining and describing mental illness.
Illnesses are also categorized by general symptom clusters and the clinician decides if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria laid out
Polythetic Criteria
Criteria in the DSM don’t all have to be met to achieve a diagnosis
Allows for two people to have the same diagnosis with slightly different presentations. Accounts for heterogeneity of presentations
Nonaxial Assessment System
The DSM-5 got rid of the Axis system of diagnosing. Just list all medical and mental diagnoses together, with the primary diagnoses listed first
How to handle diagnostic uncertainty
Other specified - when you want to indicate why someone doesn’t meet criteria
Unspecified - when you don’t want to indicate why someone doesn’t meet criteria
Provisional - when person doesn’t meet full criteria but you believe they will in the future
Other specified disorders
When you want to list the reasons why someone doesn’t meet full criteria for another disorder
Unspecified disorders
When the clinician doesn’t want to list the reasons why a person doesn’t meet criteria
Provisional diagnoses
When someone is not meeting criteria for a disorder, but you believe they will in the near future
Assessment strategies for the DSM
Cross-cutting measures
Severity measures
WHODAS
Personality inventories
Cultural Formulation
Provides guidelines for assessing the clients cultural identity, cultural conceptualization of distress, stressors and cultural factors that contribute to distress, and cultural factors relevant to rapport
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Intellectual Disability Autism Spectrum Disorder ADHD Specific Learning Disorders Tourette’s Communication Disorders
Presentation of neurodevelopmental disorders typically manifest…
Early in development, often before the child enters grade school
Three diagnostic criteria for Intellectual Disability
Deficits in intellectual fxning, confirmed by standardized testing
Deficits in adaptive functioning
Must have onset in developmental period
Early signs of intellectual disability include…
Delays in motor development
Lack of age-appropriate interest in environmental stimuli
(May not make eye contact during feeding, less responsive to voice)
Etiology of Intellectual Disability
30% unknown 30% chromosomal and exposure to toxins 15-20% environmental 10% perinatal issues 5% acquired medical 5% heredity (Tay-Sachs, fragile X...)
Primary communication disorder
Childhood onset fluency disorder
Stuttering
Characteristics of Child-Onset Fluency Disorder
Disturbance in normal language fluency and time pattering
Involves repetition of sound and syllables, broken words, etc.
Inappropriate for the persons age
Course of child onset fluency disorder
Onset 2-7 years
Symptoms become more pronounced when speech performance matters
Severity of issue by age 8 is a good indicator of prognosis, 65-85% of children recover
Treatment for childhood onset fluency disorder
Reducing stress at home
Help child cope with frustration
Habit reversal training - relax muscles in throat and diaphragm
Diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Persistent deficits in social communication (reciprocity, difficulty understanding relationships, nonverbal comm issues)
Restrictive and repetitive interests or patterns of behavior
Early developmental period onset, impairments in many domains
Associated features with ASD
Intellectual deficits
Self-injurious behavior
Language abnormalities
Onset of ASD
Earliest signs are abnormalities of social orienting and responsivity
Apparent around 12 months of age
Prognosis of ASD
Generally poor
One third may obtain some independence as an adult
Best outcomes of ASD are associated with…
IQ above 70
Later onset of symptoms
Development of verbal communication abilities by age 5 or 6
Etiology of ASD
Associated with rapid head growth in first year of life
Brain abnormalities in amygdala and cerebellum
NT abnormalities (dopamine, serotonin)
Treatment for ASD
Special education
Parent management training
Social interaction and vocational skills
For communication: shaping and discrimination training
Diagnostic criteria for ADHD
At least six sx, last six months, onset before age 12, more than two settings
Hyperactivity
Inattention
Three specifiers in ADHD
Hyperactive type - six or more hyperactive sx, less than six inattentive sx
Inattentive type - six or more inattentive sx, less than six hyperactive sx
Combined - six or more inattentive, six or more hyperactive
Associated features of ADHD
For children
Intelligence is often avg to high average, but perform lower on IQ or standardized tests
Academic and social difficulties
Associated features of ADHD
For adults
Low self-esteem
Lower educational or occupational attainment
Problems related to social relationships
Prevalence of ADHD
5% for children
2.5% for adults
Males > females
(Males combined, females inattentive
Etiology of ADHD
Genetic component
Brain abnormalities in globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, and prefrontal cortex (lower than normal activity)
Behavioral disinhibition hypothesis for ADHD
Core feature of ADHD is an inability to regulate behavior to fir situational demands
(An alternative hypothesis said that it was an inability to regulate attention)
Treatments for ADHD
Methylphenidate or CNS stimulants are effective in 75% of cases
Behavioral treatments - parent and teacher training, positive reinforcement
Medical only and medical/tx have higher outcomes but only for short-term (similar improvement long term when compared to tx only)
Three domains of adaptive functioning deficits in Intellectual Disability
Conceptual
Social
Practical
Diagnostic criteria for Specific Learning Disorder
Deficit in an academic area for at least six months despite the provision of interventions
Academic abilities must be substantially below what’s expected given age
Begin during school years
Not attributed to other conditions or disorders
Three subtypes of SLD
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Most frequent comorbid disorder with SLD
ADHD
20-30%
Also have a higher risk for antisocial behavior
Course and prognosis of SLD
Continue to struggle from childhood through to adulthood
One third have psychosocial problems as adults
Prevalence of SLD (gender)
Males > females
Etiology of SLD
Genetic component
Incomplete hemispheric dominance or other abnormalities
Cerebellar-vestibular dysfunction
Criteria for Tourette’s Disorder
At least one vocal tic
Multiple motor tics
Onset before age 18, lasts at least one year
Less than 1yr = provisional // over 1yr = persistent (chronic)
Prognosis of Tourette’s
Frequency, severity, and disruptive ness of symptoms often decline in adolescence and adulthood
Most common associated symptoms with Tourette’s
Obsessive compulsive symptoms
Etiology of Tourette’s
Increase of dopamine, hypersensitivity to dopamine
In caudate nucleus
Treatment for Tourette’s
Antipsychotics (80% effective, bad SEs)
Antidepressants, stimulants
Comprehensive behavioral treatment for tics (CBIT)
(Habit reversal training, relaxation skills, psyched)
Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Tics
CBIT
Habit reversal
Relaxation training
Psychoeducation
Behavioral Pediatrics
Aka pediatric psychology
Concerned with the psychological aspects of children’s medical illnesses
(Compliance with medical regimens, coping with painful procedures)
Disclosure in behavioral pediatrics
Open communication with children about their medical issues is advisable (leads to better coping)
MUST be done with developmentally appropriate
Behavioral pediatrics and medical procedures
Stress inoculation techniques to help children cope with anxiety and stress
Ex. Modeling, reinforcement, breathing exercises, distraction, imagery, behavioral rehearsal
Impact of hospitalization on medically ill children
Ages 1-4 are at highest risk of distress due to separation from family
Can be prevented by “rooming in” programs (where parents are allowed to stay at the hospital)
Impact of medical illness on children’s academic adjustment
Children with chronic medical conditions have higher rates of school-related issues
Can be due to the medical treatments themselves, or the constant absences from school
Reason for medical noncompliance in children
Lack of knowledge or skill
Parent-child conflict or communication deficits
Developmental issues
Reasons for medical noncompliance specific to adolescents
Fear of peer rejection
Desire for nonconformity
Reduced parental supervision
Questioning credibility of medical provider
Delusions
False beliefs that are firmly held in the face of contradictory evidence
In schizophrenia, they are often persecutory or bizarre
Hallucinations
Perception-like experiences that occur without an external stimulus
Auditory are most common and take the form of pejorative or threatening messages, or are a running dialogue of the persons actions
Disorganized thinking
Loosening of associations (incoherence, answers to questions that are unrelated, or slipping from topic to topic)
Grossly disorganized or abnormal behavior
Unpredictable agitation
Catatonia
Markedly disheveled appearance
Clearly inappropriate sexual behavior
Negative symptoms
A restriction in the range or intensity of emotional expression
Alogia - diminished speech output
Anhedonia - inability to feel pleasure
Asociality - lack of interest in social interactions
Avolition - decrease in goal-directed behavior
Diagnostic criteria for delusional disorder
Presence of one or more delusions for at least one month
Functioning is otherwise fine, save for functional impairment relatives directly to the delusion
Erotomanic, grandiose, jealous, persecutory, somatic, mixed, unspec.
Types of delusions
Erotomanic - believes someone is romantically in love with them
Grandiose - great but unrecognized talent or discovery
Jealous - partner is being unfaithful
Persecutory - being conspired against, spied on
Somatic - has abnormal body functions or sensations
Mixed
Unspecified
Diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia
At least two active symptoms for one month
(Delu, halu, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, neg sx)
Duration for at least six months
One of the symptoms must my disorganized speech, del, or halu
Associated features of Schizophrenia
Inappropriate affect
Dysphoric mood
Disturbed sleep
Lack of interest in eating
Prognosis of schizophrenia
Chronic condition, with full remission being rare
Indicators of better outcomes in patients with schizophrenia
Later onset Good premorbid functioning Insight Being female Presence of a precipitating event Brief duration No family hx of schizophrenia
Prevalence of schizophrenia
0.3-0.7%
Predictors of relapse in schizophrenia
Family with high EE
Treatment noncompliance
Comorbid diagnosis commonly seen with schizophrenia
Substance abuse disorders
Tobacco Use disorder being particularly high
Onset of schizophrenia
Late teens to early 30s
Earlier onset for men, later onset for women
Concordance rates for schizophrenia
Identical twin with schizophrenia 48%
Both bio parents have schizophrenia 46%
Fraternal twin with schizophrenia 17%
Biological sibling with schizophrenia 10%
Strong evidence that schizophrenia is highly genetic
Relatives of individuals with schizophrenia aren’t just at a higher risk for schizophrenia, but for other schizophrenia spectrum disorders
(Especially schizotypal personality disorder)
Dopamine hypothesis for schizophrenia
Overabundance of DA or oversensitivity of DA receptors
Role of DA May differ for the expression of positive and negative symptoms though
Brain abnormalities in schizophrenia
Enlarged ventricles
Decrease activity in the frontal cortex and prefrontal cortex
Smaller globus pallidus, amygdala, and hippocampus
Prenatal exposure to the influenza virus may be connected to what diagnosis
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia vs Schizoaffective vs Mood w psychotic features
Schizophrenia - mood symptoms are brief, do not meet full criteria, and are not present during active phase
Schizoaffective - predominant mood sx will occur with psychosis and at least two week period where psychotic sx only
Mood w psychotic features - psychotic symptoms only occur during the course of a mood episode (MDD or BD)
First generation vs second generation antipsychotics
First gen - fluphenazine and haloperidol - positive sx only - bad SEs (tardive dyskinesia)
Second gen - risoeridone and clozapine - positive and negative sx - loss likely to develop TD
Psychotherapy for schizophrenia
Good results when paired with medical treatment
Family interventions (if high EE), psychoed, CBT, social skills training, vocational work…
Examples of high EE
Being over emotional or overprotective
Being openly critical or hostile towards the person
Diagnostic criteria for Schizophreniform Disorder
Same as for schizophrenia, but for less than six months and more than one month
Prognosis of schizophreniform disorder
Two thirds eventually meet criteria for schizophrenia or Schizoaffective disorder
Diagnostic criteria for Brief Psychotic Disorder
One or more of delu, halu, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior (one must be one of the first three)
More than one day, less than one month
Prognosis of brief psychotic disorder
Return to premorbid functioning common
Usually occurs after a significant life stressor
Schizoaffective criteria
Concurrent schizophrenia and mood symptoms
For at least a two week period, there should be psychosis only (without any mood symptoms)
Mood symptoms are depression or mania that meet diagnostic criteria
Age as a suicide risk factor
Highest number of suicides in 45-54 age range
This is highest in women, in men it’s 75+
Gender as a risk factor for suicide
Men 4x more likely to die by suicide
(More lethal means)
Women 2-3x more likely to attempt
Ethnicity/Race as a risk factor for suicide
Alaskan Natives and American Indians age 15-34 have the highest rates (2.5x higher than the national average)
Then whites
Marital status as a risk factor for suicide
Divorced, separated, widowed are highest
Then single
Lowest rates for married persons
Statistics for suicidal thoughts and behaviors
60-80% have had a previous attempt
80% give a definite warning of their intention
Early warning signs of suicide
Threatening self harm or suicide
Talking or writing about death or suicide
Seeking means for suicide
Making preparations (will, giving away possessions, saying goodbye)
Among adolescents, completed suicide is often mmediately preceded by…
Interpersonal conflict (social or romantic rejection, argument with a parent)
Psychological disorders and suicide
MDD or BD dx are 15-20x more likely than the general population
With depression, suicide is most commonly seen after about three months of symptom improvement
Personality correlates of suicide
Hopelessness biggest predictor
Perfectionism may also be a predictor when coupled with high life stress
Biological predictors of suicide
Low levels of serotonin and 5-HIAA (serotonin metabolite)
How to decide appropriate intervention for someone who is suicidal
Outpt psychotherapy, outpt crisis intervention, or inpatient hospitalization
Depends on the level of risk, clients preference, and the potential benefits of each approach
When is hospitalization an appropriate intervention for suicide
When someone has just attempted or has a plan with access to lethal means
(+ impaired judgment, no social support, SMI or chemical dependency, history of previous attempts)
Always encourage voluntary first, then initiate a hold if need be
When is outpatient crisis intervention appropriate for suicide
Moderate risk clients - plan with a lack of access
Fair judgement, social support, decision making abilities, willingness to comply with treatment recommendations
Tx will focus on decreasing isolation, relieving sleep issues, coping skills for anger, addressing ambivalence about suicide
When is outpatient psychotherapy appropriate for suicide
Follow-up to hospitalization, or
For initial interventions for those who are at low risk (no prev attempts, good judgement, adequate support…)
Tx: CBT, CBT, IPT, Problem-Solving Therapy
Diagnostic criteria for Bipolar I Disorder
At least one manic episode
Marked impairment in functioning, requires hospitalization, may include psychotic symptoms
May include one or more episodes of depression or hypomania
Manic episode
For at least one week
At least three of: inflated self esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, excessive talkativeness, flight of ideas
Associated diagnoses with Bipolar I Disorder
Anxiety
Substance abuse
Prevalence of bipolar I disorder
0.6 percent
Men:women
1.1:1
Concordance rates for Bipolar I
0.67 to 1.0 for monozygotic twins
.2 for dizygotic twins
(Strongest genetic loading out of all the disorders)
Treatment of Bipolar I
60-90% effectiveness with Lithium
(Noncompliance due to mania highs and side effects)
May also use anti-seizure meds
TCAs may trigger mania if taken with a mood stabilizer (not so much with an SSRI)
Diagnostic criteria for Bipolar II Disorder
At least one hypomanic episode and one depressive episode