Classification And Models Of Mental Disorders

Question 1

What are the advantages of classifying mental disorders?

Answer 1

• Helps determine clinical features
• systematises diagnosis
• shared understanding

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of classifying mental disorders?

Answer 2

• stigmatised
• pigeon holing
• natural vs constructional categories

Question 3

What are the 5 models of mental disorder?

Answer 3

• biological
• behavioural
• cognitive
• psychodynamic/psychoanalytic
• social

Question 4

What is the biological model?

Answer 4

Mental disorder is a consequence of physical/chemical changes/deficits in the brain

Question 5

What is the behavioural model?

Answer 5

It is defined by the symptoms and behaviours

Question 6

What is the cognitive model?

Answer 6

Peoples view/perception of their world is determined by their cognition (thinking/schemata + expectations)

Question 7

What is the psychodynamic model?

Answer 7

• it is open to the social context
• pattern of feelings, we are unaware of many feelings
• structured approach to tap into unconscious feelings
• important feelings ➡️ emotional reactions for therapist to pick up on =transference

Question 8

What is the social model?

Answer 8

Mental disorders are triggered by life events, independent of the disorder

Question 9

What is the integrated model?

Answer 9

1) several levels of functioning
2) mental disorders
3) predominant level of dysfunction may change
4) each model has one level of functioning
5) effective treatments involve matching treatment type to model for most predominant level of disturbance

Question 10

What are the 5 criteria in the Family resemblances approach to “abnormality”?

Answer 10

1) statistical infrequency
2) unexpectedness of response
3) norms violation
4) personal distress
5) disabling (maladaptive to normal functioning in life)