CH 16- Psychological Disorders Flashcards
scientific study of psychological disorders
The 4 Ds
D— behaviour, thoughts, or emotions are unusual
D— to the person or close others
D— interference with daily functioning
D— most people with disorders are not a danger to themselves or others, but people who put themselves or others at risk may have a disorder
International Classification of Disease (ICD)
system used by most countries to classify psychological disorders
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DIsorders (DSM-IV-TR)
- manual used to detect mental disorders in North America
- provides a list of symptoms for all 400 mental disorders
identifying a disorder by its symptoms and other evidence
two or more disorders are present
5 Dimensions or Axes of DSM-IV-TR
- detailed criteria for the principle disorders
- criteria relating to longer term disorders (personality, learning)
- any medical or neurological problems that may be important in relation to current or past psychiatric problems
- records any recent major psychological social stressor (divorce, death)
- point detailed general functioning scale that the clinician uses to assess the clients’s current level of functioning, as well as his highest level of functioning in the past
Depression
low, sad state in which people feel overwhelmed
Mania
Elation an frenzied energy (bipolar disorder)
Major Depressive disorder
characterized by a depressed mood that is significantly disabling and is not caused by such factors as drugs and a general medical condition
Bipolar Disorder
periods of mania alternate with periods of depression
Major Depressive Disorder Symtoms
emotional- depressed mood
Motivational- loss of desire to do usual activities, lack of drive
behavioural- less active and productive, may move and speak slowly or seem physically agitated
Cognitive- negative self-evaluation, self-blame, pessimism, guilt, suicide
physical- headaches, indigestion, dizzy spells, pain, fatigue
Explanations for Major Depressive Disorders
Neuroscientists -genetic predisposition -high cortisol Socio-cultural theorists -social support -stressors Cognitive-behaviour theorists - learned helplessness - attributions-global, stable, internal causes negative thinking / dysfunctional attitudes
Bipolar Disorder
extreme highs and lows
Mania- inappropriate, dramatic positive mood
-emotional - powerful highs and lows
-motivational - seek excitement and companionship
-behavioural - may more and speak quickly
-cognitive - poor judgement and planning, optimism, grandiosity
- physical - energetic, require little sleep
Explanations for Bipolar Disorder
Neuroscientists
- Gene Abnormalities
- Irregularities in ions that allow neurones to communicate
Anxiety Disorders- Features
- disabling levels of fears or anxiety that are frequent, severe, persistent, or easily triggered
- most people with one anxiety disorder experience another one as well
- anxiety under most life circumstances; diffuse worry
- restlessness, edginess, easily tired
- difficulty concentration
- sleep problems
Social Anxiety Disorder- Features
- often begins in late childhood
- severe, persistent fear or embarrassment in social situations
- fear of talking in public
- general fear of functioning poorly in front of others
Explanations for Social Anxiety Disorder
cognitive-behaviour theorists
- unrealistic high social standards
- view oneself as socially unattractive
- social unskilled
- belief that one is in danger of behaving clumsily
- expects negative consequences for clumsy behaviour
Phobias
Features- persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity or situation
Explanations- classically conditioned fear, avoidance behaviour are reinforced through operant conditioning
Panic Disorder- Features
- Panic attack- periodic sudden bouts of panic
- changed in thinking or behaviour
- may interpret panic attack for a medical emergence
Explanations for Panic Disorder
- Malfunctioning brain circuit and excess norepinephrine
- misinterpretation of bodily sensation
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder- Features
- obsessions - persistent unwanted thoughts (wishes, impulses, doubts)
- Compulsive - repetitive, rigid behaviours or mental acts
- —— - diagnosed when obsessions or compulsions are severe, viewed by the person as excessive or unreasonable, cause great distress, consume considerable time, interfere with daily functions
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder- Explanations
Neuroscientists
- low serotonin activity
- overactive orbitofrontal cortex and caudate Nuclei
- Cingulate cortex and hypothalamus activates the OCD impulses
Post traumatic Stress Disorder- Features
- persistant depression, anxiety after a traumatic event
- hyperawareness
- easily startled
- sleep disturbance
- guilt, anxiety, depression, low concentration
