Psychological Disorders Flashcards
What is abnormal behaviour?
atypical, socially unacceptable behaviour that often causes distress to that person or those around the person
What “causes” abnormal behaviour?
distorted cognitions or biological dysfunction
Name the 6 perspectives of abnormality
- Demonic
- Medical-biological model
- Psychodynamic model
- Humanistic model
- Behavioural model
- Cognitive model
How does the demonic model view abnormality?
abnormality is the result of evil spirits inhabiting the body
When was the demonic perspective on abnormality common?
During middle ages
How did someone with a demonic view on abnormality treat mental illnesses?
through exorcisms and witch hunts
How does the medical-biological model view abnormalities?
focus on the physiological conditions that initiate abnormal behaviour
What does the medical-biological model assume about abnormal behaviour?
it can be diagnosed, treated and cured
How does the psychodynamic model view abnormalities?
psychological disorders result from anxiety produced by unresolved conflicts in the unconscious
How does the Humanistic model view abnormalities?
abnormality occurs when a person’s needs are not met
How does the behavioural model view abnormalities?
abnormal behaviour is learned through reinforcement and punishment
How does the cognitive model view abnormalities?
Humans engage in abnormal behaviours because of their thoughts
How does the sociocultural model view abnormalities?
abnormality occurs because of the context of family and society
How does the evolutionary model view abnormalities?
abnormalities may be expressions of behaviour that would once have been normal in evolutionary history
How do psychologists use models for abnormalities?
- one model for all problems
- choose model based on problem
- biopsychosocial approach (combines biology, psychology and social factors)
True or false: many people with mental illness are violent
False, few people with mental illness are violent
True or False: Psychiatric diagnoses are invalid and unreliable
False, these are common misconceptions
What is the name of the system for diagnosing maladjusted behaviour?
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
What does DSM-5 contain?
diagnostic criteria for each condition according to observable behaviour, also contains stats on populations displaying the disorder
How many major categories of disorders in DSM-5?
18
Name at least 2 criticisms of the DSM-5?
- all criteria not based on scientific data
- vulnerable to political and social influences
- reliance on categorical model of psychopathology
- high level of comorbidity
What is the Multiaxial system of the DSM-5 used for?
to diagnose mental disorders
What are the 5 axis of multaxial system of DSM-5?
Axis 1: clinical disorders
Axis 2: Personality disorders and mental retardation
Axis 3: General medical conditons
Axis 4: psychosocial or environmental problems
Axis 5: Global assessment of functioning (GAF)
What is anxiety?
a feeling of fear and apprehension that may be related to a situation or object
What are the 7 types of anxiety?
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Social Phobia
- Specific Phobia
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What is generalized anxiety disorder? Symptoms?
continuous anxiety for 6 months; fatigue, difficulty concentrating
What populations are prevalent to Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
females and caucasins
What is panic disorder?
repeated, unexpected panic attacks
What is Agoraphobia? Symptoms?
fear and avoidance of places or situations where escape may be difficult or embarrasing; hyperventilation, extreme tension
What is Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)?
anxiety involving a fear of and a desire to avoid situations where one might be scrutinized by others
What are specific phobias? examples?
irrational and persistent fear of a particular situation or object; blood phobia, needle phobia, clausterphobia
What are the components of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessions: persistent, uncontrollable thoughts and irrational beliefs
Compulsions: compulsive rituals that interfere with daily life
What reduced tension in OCD?
when compulsions (rituals) are completed
What are the 3 different perspectives for OCD?
Freud: OCD comes from difficulties during anal stage of development
Learning theorists: bringing order to a person’s environment reduces uncertainty and is reinforcing
Biopsychologists: have identified genetic component to OCD; drug treatments have come from it
What are examples of mood disorders?
Major depressive disorder
Bipolar disorder (+ variants)
What is Major Depression Disorder?
presence of at least 5/9 symptoms for at least two weeks, one of those being 1. depressed mood or 2. loss of interest or pleasure
What can Major Depression Disorder cause?
clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational and important areas of functioning
When does first episode of Major Depression Disorder occur?
prior to age 40
How long does average episode in Major Depression Disorder last?
6 months-1 year
How many episodes do most people with MDD experience?
5-6 episodes
How many Canadians affected by MDD?
1.3 million
When does Major Depression Disorder usually develop?
in 30s
Are men or women more likely to be diagnosed with Major Depression Disorder?
women 2x more likely
What are biological theory on causes of Major Depression Disorder?
genetics and neurotransmitters may underlie depression
What is monamine biological theory of Major Depression Disorder?
depression results from deficiencies of monoamines or inefficient receptors
Aaron Beck’s cognitve theory of depression includes what 3 parts?
- Negative Triad: depressed people have negative views of themselves, environment and future
- Negative Schemas
- Cognitive Distortions
Define vulnerability
a person’s diminished ability to deal with life events
Define the cognitive theory of learned helplessness?
belief that one is unable to control their situation after experiencing stressful situation repeatedly
According to Biopsychosocial model, The ___ vulnerable the person, the ___ stress or anxiety is needed to initiate depression
the more vulnerable the person, the less stress or anxiety is needed to initiate depression
What is the name of the model which links vulnerability and stress?
diathesis-stress model
What was bipolar disorder originally known as?
manic-depressive disorder
What are the two extreme behaviours that people with bipolar disorder experience?
Mania and Depression
How much of the population have bipolar disorder?
1-2%
Does bipolar disorder have genetic correspondence?
Yes
What characterizes dissociative disorder?
sudden, temporary alteration in consciousness, identity, behaviour and/ or memory
What is Dissociative amnesia?
a sudden and extensive inability to recall important personal information
What is Dissociative Identity Disorder (previously called Multiple Personality Disorder)?
existence of two or more personalities or ego states in an individual
What is Schizophrenia?
lack of reality testing, deterioration of social and cognitive functioning
Describe and give exmples of + positive symptoms and - negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Positive symptoms: add to presentation, normal people do not experience; delusions, hallucinations
Negative Symptoms: absent from presentation, schizophrenics do not experience; flat affect (minimal facial expressions)
What characteristics do schizophrenics exhibit?
- delusions (i am god, being stalked etc.)
- hallucinations (sounds, sights, etc.)
- distortions in emotional expression
- disorganized thinking or speech
What are the first signs of schizophrenia?
anxiety, mood difficulties, isolation, difficulty maintaining logical thought and coherent conversation
How is the diathesis-stress model used to explain schizophrenia?
- a genetic/biological vulnerability underlies schizophrenia
- life stress interact with vulnerability to produce schizophrenia
Can biological factors predispose a person to develop schizophrenia?
Yes, numerous brain abnormalities have been seen
What characterizes personality disorder?
long-standing, inflexible, maladaptive behaviours that typically cause stress and social or occupational difficulties
Explain paranoid personality disorder
odd or eccentric behaviour, distrust of others
Explain symptoms of borderline personality disorder
instability in mood, identity and impulse control, often highly self-destructive
What is Histrionic personality disorder?
pattern of emotionality, attention seeking by exaggerating situations in their lives
What is Narcissistic personality disorder?
grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy
What is antisocial personality disorder?
disregard for rights of others, impulsivity and self centered
What is Avoidant personality disorder?
social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, sensitivity to negative evaluation
What is dependent personality disorder?
need to be taken care of, submissiveness and clinging behaviours, fears of seperation
