L1: Introduction

Question 1

What is a theory?

Answer 1

body of knowledge that aims to explain phenomena (stable recurrent & general features of the world)

Question 2

what are the pros and cons of theories & models in psych?

Answer 2

pros:
- deeply practical
- predict and control our environment through strategic interventions & technologies
cons:
- toothbrush problem
- no shortage of theory but lack of coordination
- not enough formalized theories so hard to test
- not mathematical (psych theories are verbal which has limitations)

Question 3

what is the toothbrush problem?

Answer 3

everyone tries to think of their own theory (you dont want to share a toothbrush), no one wants to use anyone elses

Question 4

What is a model?

Answer 4

instantiations aka examples of theories, narrower in scope and often more concrete

Question 5

What is the prevalence & course of the disorders discussed?

Answer 5

lifetime prevalence: 1/2 ppl in the nl suffer from an anxiety/mood disorder at some point in their lives
1y prevalence: 1/4 ppl met criteria for any disorder in the 1y before the interview

Question 6

how has the prevalence of mental disorders changed over time?

Answer 6

• significant increase since 2007 but covid 19 does not explain this

Question 7

what are the proposed reasons for increase mental health problems?

Answer 7

• individualization (if something bad happens than its all ur fault)
• social media (constant comparison to your peers)
• increased pressure to succeed
• housing problems
• more recognition/acceptance of mental disorders/less stigma

Question 8

is all this attention to mental health really healthy?

Answer 8

yes
- openness ensures that ppl w complaints can be directed to help sooner
- ppl also better able to assess the severity of their ocmplaints & have a better understanding of if/when intervention is necessary

Question 9

what are the risk factors for 1y DSM-5 diagnosis?

Answer 9

• younger age
• gender (females had greater risk)
• living alone
• being unemployed
• low education
• lower income
• higher degree of urbanization

Question 10

what are the most prevalent mental disorders?

Answer 10

1. anxiety disorders
2. mood disorders
3. substance use disorders
4. adhd
   specifically the most common were: major depressive disorder, specific phobia, and alcohol use disorder

Question 11

what is the vulnerability paradox?

Answer 11

that in countries such as nl where on a surface level you have everything for good mental health (good schooling, safety, good social security…) but on an individual level we are more likely to score higher on depression or other mental health issues (suicide rates also)

Question 12

What is the difference between normal emotional experience & emotional disorders?

Answer 12

normal:
- adaptive response to loss
- feelings of emptiness and loss, but also positive emotions
- creates space to process
- recovers over time
abnormal:
- often in response to stressor (eg loss) but dysfuncitonal
- feelings of worthlessness
- inabilitiy to experience pleasure
- often recovers over time
in common:
- universal emotions (cross cultural/animals)
- interpersonal
- biological correlates (eg serotonin)

Question 13

whats a common myth about suicide?

Answer 13

most ppl who have suicidal thoughts dont want to die, they want to escape from their situation

Question 14

what is the prevalence of psychosis?

Answer 14

• 8% has psychotic experiences
• 4% psychotic symtpoms
• 2-3% psychotic disorder
• 0.6-0.7% diagnoses schizophrenia

Question 15

what is the prevalence of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts?

Answer 15

thoughts: lifetime: 8.3% / 12m: 1.1
plan: lifetime: 3.0% / 12m: 0.4
attempt: lifetime: 2.2% /12m: 0.1%

Question 16

What are transdiagnostic processes?

Answer 16

a factor that is present in multiple disorders (can be a risk factor or just a mechansim that plays a role in multiple disorders)
can find them by studying comorbidity

Question 17

what is the comorbidity between anxiety & mood disorders like? what do they have in common?

Answer 17

• high comorbidity (3/4 ppl) between depressive & anxiety disorders, usually starts w anxiety
• both internalizing disorders/emotional disorders
• response to the same treatments
• many transdiagnostic processes

Question 18

what are some examples of transdiagnostic processes?

Answer 18

• Genetics
• Brain, neurotransmitters
• Cognitive emotional learning
• Thinking (e.g., negative repetitive, intrusive)
• Youth and upbringing
• Interpersonal processes

Question 19

what are some transdiagnostic processes in GAD and MDD?

Answer 19

• Sleep disturbances
• Repetitive negative thoughts
• Restlessness
• Loss of concentration
• Irratible mood

Question 20

What are the basics of network perspective of mental disorders?

Answer 20

in mental disorders, symptoms are not independent of each other (vs in medical conditions symptoms are all caused by the underlying condition, but u dont have depression without symptoms) so the network perspective states “symptoms cause each other”