Abnormal Psychology - Lecture Seven Flashcards
Childhood disorders consists of common symptoms, aetiologies and treatments.
Neuro-developmental Disorders
Intellectual Disability, Learning Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD (also Externalising Disorders)
Behaviour Disruptive Disorders
Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder
Childhood disorders
Neuro-developmental Disorders, Behaviour Disruptive Disorders and Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Why is defining childhood disorders so difficult?
Children are more likely to act out rather than seeking help, certain degree if deviance and irrational behaviour is norma for children, some psychological disorders in children cause little/no conscious distress
Intellectual Disability
Present at birth and and persists throughout life
Diagnostic criteria for Intellectual Disability
Onset before age 18, deficits in intellectual functioning determined by intelligence testing and as appropriate for social and cultural context and deficits in adaptive functioning
Deficits in adaptive functioning
Communication, social and practical
Types of deficits
Mild, moderate, severe and profound
Genetic abnormality examples of Intellectual Disability
Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome
Metabolic abnormality examples of Intellectual Disability
Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Tay-Sachs Disease
Prenatal and Postnatal Complication examples of Intellectual Disability
Drug exposure (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), Anoxia at birth and Shaken Baby Syndrome
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Deficits in Social Communication
Restricted, repetitive behaviour pattern
Onset in early childhood
Ranges from mild to severe
Deficits in Social Communication
Nonverbal behaviours, development of peer relations, social and emotional reciprocity
Restricted, repetitive behaviour pattern
Stereotypic, repetitive speech, excessive adherence to routines, rituals, very restricted interests, with abnormal focus, hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input e.g. noise, excessive light, social crowds
Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD occurs in less than 1% of the population, symptoms are typically recognised during the 2nd year of life
4 times more common in boys than girls
In most cases there is no period of normal development; but developmental gains often occur in late childhood
Genetic aetiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder
90% Concordance rates for MZ twins
0% for DZ twins
Aetiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Genetics, brain abnormalities, prenatal and birthing factors and parenting/social stress
Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Modelling and operant conditioning
Communication training
Parent training
Community integration
Externalising Disorders
Neuro-developmental (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnostic criteria
Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity
Three types of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity
Predominantly inattentive type
Predominantly hyperactive-impulse type
Combined type
Inattention
Easily distracted Can’t sustain attention Makes lots of careless mistakes Difficulty listening Doesn’t follow through on instructions Difficulty organising Avoids tasks requiring attention Loses things Forgetful
Hyperactivity/impulsivity
Fidgets Leaves seat when sitting expected Runs and climbs excessively Difficulty playing quietly “On the go” as if “driven by a motor” Talks excessively Blurts out answers Difficulty waiting turn Interrupts or intrudes on others
Genetic aetiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
50-75% heritability rates
Structural abnormality aetiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Under-responsive prefrontal and striate regions - Dorsolateral region = attention executive
Neuro-transmitter abnormality of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Dopamine - associated with reward seeking
Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Biological and psychological
Biological treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Stimulant medications (e.g. Ritalin) Non-stimulant medications (e.g. Strattera [Atomoxetine])
Psychological treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Behaviour therapy
Oppositional Defiant Disorder symptoms
Early onset Argumentative Temper tantrums Authority problems Refusal to comply with rules Blame externalisations Anger and resentment
Conduct Disorder symptoms
More severe than ODD
Aggression to people and animals e.g. bullying, cruelty to animals, physical fights
Destruction of property e.g. vandalism, fire-setting
Deceitfulness or theft
Serious violation of rules
Childhood-onset (before age 10) and adolescent-onset (age 10 or later)
Limited Prosocial Emotions
Conduct Disorder patients show two or more of the following characteristics persistently over at least 12 months and in more than one relationship or setting
Lack of Remorse or Guilt
Callous-Lack of Empathy
Unconcerned about Performance
Shallow or Deficient Affect
Aetiology of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder
Genetic factors, familial risk factors, sociocultural risk factors and peer groups and past antisocial behaviour in combination is best predictor
Familial risk factor aetiology of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder
Child abuse and family conflict
Sociocultural risk factor aetiology of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder
Poverty, dangerous neighbourhoods and past antisocial behaviour
