Mental Health Flashcards
What are the 3 chose historical explanations
Trephination
Mesopotamian and Egyptian Papyri
Psychoanalysis
What is the time period for trephination
As early as 6500 BC
Describe the trephination explanation
Supernatural explanation
Idea that mental illnesses are caused by evil spirits trapped in the skull
Treated by surgical drillings into the skull to release them
Evaluate trephination in
It is unethical
It is reductionist (can be good as a good explanation - treated epilepsy but not cause of spirits )
What time period is Mesopotamian from
1900 BC
Describe the Mesopotamian explanation
Women suffering from mental illness is due to a uterus dislodged and atf her to parts of body like liver which led to painful symptoms
Somatogenic treatments used of strong smelling substances to guide it back
Evaluate Mesopotamian
It is reductionist
What time period is psychoanalysis from
1900 to 1950’s
What is the explanation for psychoanalysis
Mental illness caused by unresolved trauma / conflict often from childhood
It was the first talking cure where trauma identified in unconscious mind and patients made consciously aware of
Evaluate psychoanalysis
It is holistic - takes into account internal and external - personal expenrienves and unconscious mind
Not scientific - can’t be proved wrong
What are the 3 ways of defining abnormality
Statistical Infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Define the statistical infrequency explanation
The mathematical method for defining abnormality, its is when something occurs rarely then it is considered abnormal (based on standard deviations) the top and bottom 5% is considered abnormal
What are the strengths of statistical infrequency
It is objective - what is abnormal and what isn’t is very clear - no opinions or bias involved
Population validity - it looks at the whole population so can get useful insight
What is a weakness of statistical infrequency
Validity issues because some statistically infrequent behaviours can actually be desirable but still seen as abnormal by this explanation - ie a high iq or low depression score
Describe the deviation from social norms
There are unwritten rules that members of society regard as abnormal behaviours and any deviation from them is considered abnormal
What are 2 strengths of deviation from social norms y
Validity - it distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviours ie low depression scores aren’t abnormal
Also flexible
What is a weakness of devotion from social Norms
Temporal validity- what is consisted normal changes over time
Lack of consensus between different generations
Extremely subjective
Describe failure or function adequately
Is they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently in society (rosenhan and seligman)
Strength and failure to function adequately
It considers how the individual feels so what is abnormal is based entirely on them
It is observable
Weakness of failure to function adequately
Abnormality doesn’t always stop a person from functioning - they could appear fine to others but have inner distress which others can’t see
Subjective features like too vivid which can lead to reduced consistency within psychologists
What are 2 features of failure to function adequately
Unpredictably and loss of control
Irrationality
Suffering and distress
3 headings of dsm 5
Diagnostic classification
Diagnostic criteria sets
Descriptive text
What happens in diagnostic classification
A list of mental disorders and all the similar disorders are grouped together for example anxiety disorders, each disorder also has a code
The disorder that is chosen is based on the one that best reflects the signs and symptoms of the patient
What happens in diagnostic criteria tests
Diagnostic criteria sets for each disorder show what symptoms must be present and how long for as well as what symptoms rule out that disorder
Descriptive text
Has additional information which psychologist can use to make sure they are making an accurate diagnosis
For example any information involving culture related diagnostic issues ( symptoms found in specific cultural groups )
Differential diagnosis ( other disorders with overlapping symptoms )
What is an anxiety disorder
A group of mental disorders characterised by significant feelings of anxiety or fear
What is a phobia
A strong president and irrational fear of an object
What are 3 characteristics of a phobia
Fear is out of proportion to the risk
Fear of anxiety is persistent typically lasting 6 months or more
The object is actively avoided or endured with insured fear or anxiety
What is an affective disorder
A disorder where the mood / emotional state that prevents individuals from living a normal life
What is depression
A depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities
What are 5 characteristics of depression
Depressed mood
Appetite loss or gain
Reduced concentration and loss of energy
Recurrent thoughts of death
Excessive sleep or insomnia
What is time period for depression
More than a 2 week period
What is a psychotic disorder
A loss of contact with reality
What is schizophrenia
A severe disruption in psychological functioning and a loss of contact with reality
Characteristics of schizophrenia
Hallucinations
Delusions
Disorganised speech
Negative symptoms
Disorganised or catatonic behaviour
Duration of symptoms for schizophrenia
At least one month of active symptoms
6 months of symptoms
Evaluation for schizophrenia
Validity - checklists for accuracy
Reliability - all use same checklists
Weakness
Differential diagnosis - overlap with symptoms of mania
Comorbidity - more than one disorder existing alongside another
Evaluate phobias
Validity - same checklist
Reliable - consistent
Effective treatment - systematic desensitisation
Weakness
Comorbidity - anxiety depression bipolar cause phobia
Medicalising normal life
Depression evaluation
Validity and reliability and practical application
Weakness - subjective judgement
Differential diagnosis - symptoms over lap ie negative symptoms in schizophrenia
