Core Concepts (Week 1) Flashcards
Legal Definition of Abnormal
An abnormal state of mind, whether of a continuous or an intermittent nature, is characterized by delusions, disorders of mood, volition, cognition, and perception.
For a mind to be classed as abnormal the sate must pose a serious danger to the health or safety of the person or others; or seriously diminishes the capacity of the person to take care of himself or herself.
Abnormality
Psychological dysfunction within an individual associated with distress or impairment in functioning and a response that is not typical or culturally expected.
Criteria
1) Dysfunction
2) Significant Impairment
3) Emotional Distress
4) Help - Seeking
5) Atypical
6) Not culturally expected
Dysfunction
A breakdown in cognitive, emotional or behavioural functioning.
Significant Impairment
> . But may be functioning well in spite of mental illness.
> . Impairment may be caused by other factors.
Emotional Distress
> . Not a feature of all mental illnesses.
> . Often present in the absence of mental illness.
Help - Seeking
> . Not a useful criterion in itself.
> . Some never seek help.
Atypical
> . Behaviour/thoughts/feelings that are extreme/statistically unusual?
> . Atypical not always the same as undesirable
. Violation of social norms?
> . Difference as ‘abnormal’ tricky concept – important but insufficient
Not Culturally Expected
> . Cultural: no universal definitions of abnormality
> . Historical: definitions of abnormality change dramatically over time e.g. homosexuality removed from DSM system in response to social, political and scientific changes
Guidelines
> . Severity and impact on functioning
. Duration
. Frequency
. Changes from ‘typical’
Irrationality & Dangerous
Most people with mental health issues are not dangerous.
Many people act in a dangerous way without having a mental illness.
>. Context!
Concept of rational/self-control – need to be aware that equating irrationality with insanity is a culturally relevant assumption.
Raphael 1992 — Mental Health
“The capacity of individuals within groups and the environment to interact with one another in ways that promote the subjective well-being, optimal development and use of mental abilities (cognitive, affective and relational) and achievement of individual and collective goals consistent with justice.”
DSM -5 (TR) Definition (2022 - APA)
“Behavioural, psychological or biological dysfunctions that are unexpected in their cultural context and associated with present distress and impairment in functioning, or increased risk of suffering, death, pain or impairment”
DSM- 5 (2013 Regular) Definition
“An expected or culturally approved response to a common stressor or loss, e.g. death of loved one, is not a mental disorder. Socially deviant behaviour (e.g. political, religious or sexual) and conflicts that are primarily between the individual and society are not mental disorders unless the deviance or conflict results from a dysfunction of the individual”
Clinical Description (3 groups) – Part 1
TIME-LIMITED- Single episode, may resolve in relatively short time period (possibly without treatment).
EPISODIC – Episode, may have recurring episodes BUT also manage their lives through therapy, medication and a change of lifestyle .
CHRONIC – Long-lasting; Those who do not ‘recover’; may spend time ‘institutionalised’?
