Paychological Disorders Flashcards
What is the process of diagnosis
- clinical interviews- current symptoms, history, impact on functioning, hypothesis testing
- collateral information- family, GP,
- psychometric assessments
- beck depression inventory
- fear of negative evaluation scale ect.
Psychodynamic perspective of mental disorders
3 broad classes-
- neuroses- problems in the living ( phobias, self doubt)
- personality disorders ( characterised by patterns of thought, feeling + behaviour that lead to chronic disturbances)
- psychoses ( gross disturbances that involve losing touch of reality)
Why do we classify disorders
assist communication
Help research
Help with treatment
Problems with classifiing
Disorders aren’t one thing - overlap in dimensions
Danger of self fulfilment
Stigma with labelling
What are three things to keep in mind when diagnosing
Prevalence- how many people in surrounding population that have the condition in a specific time
Incidence- frequency of new cases
Co morbidity- presence of two conditions
What is anxiety disorders
Characterised by feelings of fear and anxiety that is out of proportion
Generalised anxiety (GAD)
Last at least 6 months
Accompanied by additional symptoms such as restlessness, lack of concentration, ire ability
Panic disorders
Attacks
Surge of intense fear / discomfort occur unexpectedly
Can develop into agoraphobia ( fear of leaving the house)
What are some Anxiety disorders
- Panic attacks
- Social phobia
- Specific phobia ( snakes)
- Post traumatic stress disorders( persistent re experience of traumatic events)- flashbacks,nightmares,hyper vigilance, avoidance
What are the aetiology of anxiety disorders
Biological- biological preparedness ( fears), neurotransmitters( low levels of GABA or serotonin)
-psychodynamic-early fixation (anal)
What is labelling theory
Argues that diagnosis is a way of stigmatising deviants
