midterm 1 Flashcards
what is etiology?
the study of the origins of psychopathology
why is it important to define mental illness?
- knowing the issue makes it easier to treat and standardize treatments
- destigmatization (within the self and among others)
- allows us to predict the course of the disorder based on common trends
where does the concept of syndromes come from?
- put forth by Thomas Sydenham (c. 1600s)
- borrowed from the medical model of physical illness (clusters of symptoms that present together)
what is a syndrome?
- a measurable entity that expresses itself as clusters of symptoms that present together
- symptoms either occur at the same time or have a predictable course
what does it mean when we say that mental disorders are taxonic in nature?
- they are measurable, real-world entities
- can be treated/classified like physical ailments
- categorical in nature (you have it or you don’t)
in what ways do we accept/reject the medical model of psychopathology today?
- accept the idea of syndromes
- accept that mental disorders are measurable and can be treated like physical ailments
- reject the idea that they are categorical in nature (we know now that boundaries are blurred and different severities exist)
- medical models have evolved over time to acknowledge illness as multifactoral and multiply determined
list the four kinds of approaches to differentiating between normative vs psychopathological behaviour
- medical model
- harmful dysfunction
- mental disorders as constructs
- multimodal approach
what is harmful dysfunction? who pioneered it?
- Wakefield (1992)
- looks to natural selection as the basis for mental disorder classification
- biological component: the brain is designed to perform many basic functions; problems with these functions indicates disorder
- social component: to be considered a disorder, dysfunction must cause harm/impairment within the social context
what is Lillienfeld’s critique of Wakefield’s harmful dysfunction approach?
- what constitutes a “natural function” is hard to define, since it’s difficult to differentiate between adaptations, adaptively neutral byproducts, and secondary adaptations
- natural selection depends on variability
- some disorders may represent adaptations, not maladaptations
what is an adaptively neutral byproduct?
- an ability that may be beneficial in certain social circumstances but which is not necessary for evolutionary continuation
- eg. ability to do art
define dysfunction
an organ system performing contrary to its design/intended purpose
what is the main point of the mental disorders as a construct approach to measuring psychopathology? who pioneered it?
- Widiger
- a construct is something that exists and has real world consequences but is arbitrarily delineated or categorized
- there is no single all-encompassing definition of psychopathology–the ways of conceptualizing it is constantly evolving
according to the multimodal approach to psychopathology, what are psychiatric disorders?
psychiatric disorders are…
- complex latent constructs
- multiply determined
- represent the sum of environmental influences + genetic susceptibility or biological abnormality
according to the multimodal approach to psychopathology, how can we measure disorders?
requires multiple modes of measurement:
- self-report
- neural functioning
- physiological responses
- behavioural responses
why is it important to have a classification system for disorders?
- description (highlights critical features, avoids subjectivity)
- prediction (informs about the course, treatment and response, and etiology of the disorder)
- theory (postulates how/why certain symptoms occur together and whether there is an underlying mechanism of illness)
- communication (eg. between clinicians; allows for standardization of treatment and understanding of ailments)
what do we mean when we say “diagnosis is prognosis”?
standardized diagnostic practices and categorization of mental disorders may allow for predictions about the course of the illness, possible treatments, response to treatment, and its etiology
what are the limitations of the classification system of diagnosis?
- loss of uniqueness (emphasizing common features more than the ways in which individuals vary)
- difficulty of boundary cases (i.e., people who sit right at the threshold)
what is a procrustean bed?
- comes from a story of an inn-keeper who only had one size of bed and would chop of the limbs that hung over the end
- used to describe the limits of the classification system of diagnosis when it comes to boundary cases
- illustrates the debate: should we fit the diagnoses to people, or fit people into to the diagnoses?
what 5 criteria do Robins and Guze propose for determining valid classification of disorders?
- clinical description: must be characterized by a common set of symptoms that cluster together
- course: people with the disorder should have a common trajectory and onset
- treatment response: valid disorders have similar treatment responses
- family history: heritability speaks to the validity of the diagnosis (operating on the medical model assumption)
- lab studies: useful in looking for biological, psychophysiological, and behavioural associations with the disorder
what are the advantages of a dimensional system of classification?
- everybody falls somewhere
- preserves more info about the individual
- high inter-rater and test-retest reliability
what are the disadvantages of a categorical system of classification?
- diagnostic criteria cut-offs tend to magnify small differences between patients
- lower inter-rater and test-retest reliability than dimensional systems
- difficulty with boundary cases/cases just below the threshold
what are the advantages of a categorical system of classification?
- simplifies clinical communication
- potentially better-suited for making clinical decision (eg. hospitalize/treat or don’t)
what is inter-rater reliability?
measures consensus among different people who rate the same patient
what is test-retest reliability?
measures consistency when testing a patient over a period of time
when was the first edition of the DSM released?
1956
when was the DSM-II released?
1968
what were the main differences between the DSM-I and the DSM-II?
the DSM-II attempted to establish a scientifically grounded, standardized, and shared definition of mental illness for the first time, as well as broad descriptions of disorders
when was the DSM-III released?
1980
what were the main differences between the DSM-II and the DSM-III?
- DSM-III = biological empirical approach; DSM-II = psychoanalytic approach
- addition of inclusion criteria (what symptoms you need to have and how many) and exclusion criteria (what symptoms rule out a diagnosis), and duration criteria (how long you need to exhibit these symptoms)
- addition of multi-axial classification
- big jump in the amount of categories
describe the multi-axial classification system
- major clinical disorder (MDD, PTSD)
- personality disorders (BPD, NPD)
- medical conditions that might contribute to or be relevant to treatment
- psychosocial stressors (environmental context)
- global assessment of functioning (GAF) - summary score out of 100 for severity
what assumptions are implicit in the DSM-III?
- biological empirical approach is the most valid
- symptoms are the most useful basis for assessment (as opposed to freudian etiology)
- locus of pathology is in the individual rather than social/environmental
what is nosology?
diagnostic system
when was the DSM-IV introduced?
1994
in what ways did the DSM-III and the DSM-IV differ?
DSM-IV introduced “clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning” as a requirement for diagnosis
when was the DSM-IV-TR released?
2000
what were the main differences between the DSM-IV and the DSM-IV-TR?
- DSM-IV-TR provided more info about each diagnosis
- DSM-IV-TR provided a broad definition of mental illness for the first time
when was the DSM-V introduced?
2013
how did the DSM-V differ from the DSM-IV(-TR)?
- DSM-V removed the multi-axial system
- re-introduced dimensional assessment to certain disorders (as opposed to categorical) (eg. ASD)
- re-classified some disorders and removed others (eg. OCD from anxiety disorders to OC and related disorders; PTSD from anxiety disorders to trauma and stressor related disorders); removed nearly half the categories
which version of the DSM removed nearly 150 categories of diagnoses?
DSM-V
which version of the DSM first provided a broad definition of mental illness?
DSM-IV-TR
which version of the DSM first considered diagnosis based on impairment to daily life/functioning?
DSM-IV
which version(s) of the DSM included the multi-axial system?
- DSM-III (-R)
- DSM-IV (-TR)
which version of the DSM first shifted the focus of diagnosis from etiology to symptomology?
DSM-III
which version of the DSM first incorporated inclusion criteria?
DSM-III
which version of the DSM first incorporated duration criteria?
DSM-III
which version of the DSM first incorporated exclusion criteria?
DSM-III
which version of the DSM saw dramatic changes from its predecessors based on popular demand for a more biological and empirical approach?
DSM-III
which version of the DSM was dominated by the psychoanalytic paradigm?
DSM-II
what does heterogeneity mean, in regards to diagnosis and classification? what is its implication?
- heterogeneity illustrates how different people with the same diagnosis may have different symptom profiles
- represents a challenge to the categorical classification symptom, as people within one category do not look alike, and may experience symptom overlap with other disorders
what are the two main challenges to the categorical system of diagnosis present in the DSM-V?
- heterogeneity
- comorbidity
what are the consequences associated with comorbidity?
- affects the course, development, presentation, and treatment response of a disorder
- comorbid patients tend to have worse outcomes
how common is comorbidity?
- of people who currently meet criteria for one disorder, 50% qualify for more than one
- lifetime prevalence of comorbidity (for those already meeting one diagnosis) is as high as 75%
list the theories as to why comorbidity exists
- chance
- sampling bias
- problems with diagnostic criteria
- poorly drawn diagnostic boundaries
- causal explanations
- shared etiological risk factors
explain the theory that says that comorbidity exists due to chance. what evidence supports/refutes this?
- odds of acquiring two different disorders may overlap in the same person (eg. 20% chance of MDD and 20% chance of anxiety disorder -> 4% chance of having both)
- but, comorbidity arises at a greater rate than chance alone would suggest, indicating that this is not a strong enough explanation
explain the theory that says that comorbidity exists due to sampling bias. what evidence supports/refutes this?
- individuals with more (severe) symptoms are more likely to seek treatment
- but, we find high rates of comorbidity in community samples as well, not just clinical samples, indicating that sampling bias cannot account for all comorbidity
explain the theory that says that comorbidity exists due to problems with diagnostic criteria. what evidence supports/refutes this?
- the idea is that many criterion sets may overlap, leading to diagnosis of more than one disorder
- eg. suicidal ideation is a symptom of MDD, schizophrenia, BPD, AUD, and SUD
- still can’t totally account for such high rates of comorbidity
explain the theory that says that comorbidity exists due to poorly drawn diagnostic boundaries. what evidence supports/refutes this?
- multiformidy: disorders can express themselves in many ways–some of which can mimic other disorders
- eg. people with MDD frequently have panic attacks
- evidence that comorbid disorders may in fact reflect a third independent disorder
what is multiformidy?
the idea that disorders can express themselves in many ways–some of which can mimic other disorders (eg. people with MDD frequently have panic attacks)
explain the theory that says that comorbidity exists due to causal explanation. what evidence supports/refutes this?
- claims that one disorder is a risk factor for another disorder
- eg. GAD sometimes leads to MDD
- eg. conduct disorder may lead to substance disorder
explain the theory that says that comorbidity exists due to shared etiological risk factors. what evidence supports/refutes this?
- claims that multiple disorders may arise from one event or risk factor, which is why comorbidity exists
- eg. childhood maltreatment is a strong predictor for many forms of psychopathology
what are two alternative approaches to the DSM-V’s categorical system that have been proposed?
- hierarchical system (eg. HiTOP)
- RDoC (research domain criteria) approach
describe the hierarchical system of diagnosis. who proposed it?
- put forth by Achenbach
- proposed alternative to the categorical system
- looks at symptoms/disorders that often co-occur in an effort to explain comorbidity
- eg. HiTOP
- two underlying dimensions: internalizing and externalizing
what are the main criticisms regarding a hierarchical approach to disorder classification?
- neglects to address disorders that don’t fit into the structure
- internalizing and externalizing symptoms/disorders are frequently correlative and overlapping
describe the research domain criteria (RDoC) approach to diagnostic classification
- proposed alternative to the categorical system
- talks about dysfunctions of core systems that are thought to be central to human functioning, rather than focusing on diagnosis (aka transdiagnostic approach)
- better for research than for treatment
- domains include negative valence systems, positive valence systems, cognitive systems, systems for social processes, and arousal and regulatory systems
what is a transdiagnostic approach to classification
- an approach that focuses on dysfunction across diagnoses
- eg. RDoC
what are the domains present in the RDoC approach to classification?
- negative valence systems
- positive valence systems
- cognitive systems
- systems for social processes
- arousal and regulatory systems
what is epidemiology?
- study of the frequency and distribution of traits in a population
- looks at demographic correlates of disorders
what is prevalence? how does this differ from incidence?
- prevalence: percent of people in a pop with a disorder during a specific time period
- incidence: percent of people in a pop who develop a disorder for the first time during a specific time period
- prevalence = incidence x chronicity
which class of disorders are the most common in terms of lifetime prevalence?
anxiety disorders (27%), closely followed by mood disorders (21%)
describe the environmental model of etiology
- learning experiences/environment are responsible for the emergence of psychopathologies
- based in Freudian theories (schizophrenic or refrigerator mother)
describe the notion of the refrigerator mother
- freudian/environmental model of etiology
- idea that a mother who lacked genuine warmth causes autism
describe the notion of the schizophrenic mother
- freudian/environmental model of etiology
- idea that a mother who is alternating between overprotective and rejecting is responsible for the emergence of schizophrenia
describe the genetic model of etiology
- genes are not deterministic but are probabilistic
- researchers have identified dozens of genes that, in certain combinations, lead to symptoms of different forms of psychopathology (i.e., polygenic symptoms)
what does polygenic mean?
- influenced by many genes
- according to the genetic model of etiology, the amount of specific genes you have determines where you fall on the spectrum of vulnerability or of the expression of a disease
describe the diathesis-stress model of etiology
- combines nature and nurture
- diathesis = predisposition or vulnerability (often genetic)
- stress = exposure to experiences or factors to an organism’s ability to maintain homeostasis
- stress + diathesis = unwell; presence of only one = well
what are the main critiques of the diathesis-stress model of etiology?
- doesn’t acknowledge etiological heterogeneity
- assumes diathesis and stress are independent, though evidence shows that a gene-environment correlation exists
what is diathesis?
- predisposition of vulnerability
- often genetic but not always
- eg. neural response patterns, attachment styles, etc.
describe the vulnerability-stress correlations model of etiology
- stress and vulnerability are non-independent in important ways
- vulnerable people may behave in ways that produce stress (eg. excessive reassurance seeking)
- vulnerability may shape the perception of stress
- “scars” (i.e., having been ill in the past) can exist as a vulnerability factor by changing the way you think about things
what is equifinality?
- when many people get the same diagnosis through multiple pathways or root causes
- makes the study of etiology very difficult and complex
- can be due to comorbidity and heterogeneity of disorders
what is the notion of a final common pathway?
- the idea that multiple etiological factors converge into one final step or final cause of a disorder
- suggests a potential intervention point for treatment
- eg. family history OR stress patterns -> specific neurological processes -> MDD
what is multifinality?
- the idea that a single risk factor can lead to many different outcomes
- eg. child abuse is associated with almost all forms of psychopathology
describe the difference between classification and diagnosis
- classification: the overarching taxonomy of mental illness
- diagnosis: the act of placing an individual into a category within the existing taxonomy
- classification is a prerequisite for diagnosis
what is the difference between signs and symptoms?
- signs = observable indicators
- symptoms = subjective indicators
describe the difference between pathology and etiology
- pathology: the underlying pathophysiology (the abnormal changes in body functioning) that may accompany a condition
- etiology: the cause of a condition
what is the difference between syndrome vs disorder vs disease
- syndrome: constellations of signs/symptoms that co-occur across individuals or that point to an underlying etiology
- disorders: syndromes that cannot be explained by other conditions
- diseases: disorders in which pathology and etiology are understood
according to Robins and Guze, what are the 4 requirements for establishing the external validity of psychiatric diagnoses?
- clinical description
- lab research
- natural history
- family studies
what is the statistical model or disorder? what are its shortcomings?
- equates disorder with statistical rarity
- but, it offers no guidance as to where to draw the line between normality and abnormality, no guidance as to which dimensions are relevant to abnormality, and misclassifies high scores on certain adaptive dimension (intelligence, creativity, etc) as being inherently abnormal
what is the subjective distress model of disorder? what are its shortcomings?
- psychological pain is the key feature distinguishing disorder from non-disorder
- but, it fails to recognize that some disorders cause minimal psychological distress, since people with these conditions could see nothing wrong with their behaviour
describe the biological model of disorder and its shorcomings
- disorder is defined in terms of its biological/evolutionary disadvantage that it poses to the individual
- but, while many disorders do support this model, many counterexamples exist in which the disorder poses no threat to longevity, and many non-illnesses can pose this threat
what is the need for treatment model of disorder? what are its shortcomings?
- disorders are a class of conditions characterized by a perceived need for medical intervention
- but, many counterexamples exist that require medical intervention but are not disorders (eg. pregnancy)
what is the roschian analysis model of disorder?
belief that disorders are intrinsically undefinable, since their features and boundaries are necessarily vague and blurry
what is theoretical agnosticism? what version of the DSM pioneered this approach?
- when diagnosis does not require ties to a specific etiology
- first introduced in the DSM-III, as many freudian approaches were left behind
which version of the DSM introduced culturally specific disorders?
DSM-IV
what are the four main criticisms that the DSM-V faces?
- extensive comorbidity (symptom overlap can lead to diagnostic overshadowing or underdiagnosis)
- medicalization of normality (due to lower diagnostic thresholds)
- does not address the attenuation paradox (i.e., that higher reliability can lead to lower validity)
- unsupported retention of a categorical model (claims that no disorder is completely discrete, yet it follows a categorical model)
what is the attenuation paradox?
higher reliability can lead to lower validity
what are retrospective studies?
- type of longitudinal study
- involves collecting a sample of people with a disorder and then trying to determine what preceded it
- through self-report or existing archival data
what are follow-up studies?
- type of longitudinal study
- follows people with the disorder over time to see what happens
- uses an already-ill sample
- useful for examining the course of a disease, but difficult to derive etiological explanations
what are high-risk studies?
- type of longitudinal study and type of prospective study
- identifies people who are likely to develop a disorder and follow them over time
what is the difference between a case control design and a cohort design? when is each one useful?
- case control involves comparing one group of people with a disorder to a second group without the disorder (most useful when looking at a rare disorder)
- cohort involves a single large sample of people, some of whom have the disorder (preferable when the disorder is fairly common, as it allows for comparison to multiple possible control groups)
how do patient samples tend to differ from community samples?
patient samples tend to be more severe, have more comorbidities, more chronic course, and are more likely to be female, and have higher SES
what’s the difference between healthy controls and psychiatric controls?
- HC: people without the disorder
- PC: people with a different disease than the one you’re studying
what are the three steps in determining genetic epidemiology?
- family studies
- adoption studies
- twin studies
how are family studies conducted?
- identify proband and ask about their family and their potential symptoms
- assess family members to see if they also fave the disorder (interview or informant report)
what is a proband?
someone who has the disorder at hand; often used in reference to family studies/genetic epidemiology
what is coaggregation (in reference to genetic epidemiology)?
- when a family may show higher rates of other related disorders than the general population
- provides evidence that there is a genetic transmission of shared vulnerability that may manifest in different ways in different people
what do general findings from family studies tell us about the role of genes in determining disorders?
- subthreshold and coaggregation found in family studies can suggest a genetic role of a disorder, though it doesn’t necessarily prove it
- points to genetic transmission of shared vulnerability, that may manifest differently
list the three types of adoption studies
- biological parents as proband
- adoptee as proband
- cross-fostering design
describe the “biological parent as proband” type of adoption study
involves finding the biological parent and assessing them for the disorder of interest, then looking at whether their biological children have the same disorder or symptoms
describe the “adoptee as proband” type of adoption study
involves assessing adopted child for the disorder of interest, then tracking down both the biological and adoptive parents to determine nature vs nurture for the disorder
describe the “cross-fostering design” type of adoption study
involves comparing two groups to determine which group of children is at greater risk for developing the disorder:
1. children of biological parents without the disorder raised by adoptive parents with the disorder
2. children of biological parents with the disorder raised by adoptive parents without the disorder