Psychological Disorders Flashcards
psychopathology
illness or disorder of the mind
etiology
the factors that contribute to the development of a disorder
Moral treatment
First done by Pussin, it is a therapy that involved close contact with and careful observation of patients
criteria in determining whether behavior represents psychopathology
- does the person act in a way that deviates from cultural norms for acceptable behavior?
- is the behavior maladaptive (does it interfere with the person’s ability to respond appropriately in some situations)?
- Is the behavior self-destructive, does it cause them personal distress or threaten other people in the community
- does the behavior cause discomfort and concern to others and impair their social relationships
most common psychological disorders
depressive disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, substance-related/addictive disorder
what did Kraepelin separate?
disorders of moods (emotions) from disorders of cognition (schizophrenia)
What are some categories and examples of disorders in the DSM
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Autism spectrum disorder
Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
Schizophrenia
Bipolar and related disorders
Bipolar I disorder
Depressive disorders
Major depressive disorder
Anxiety disorders
Panic disorder
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
Body dysmorphic disorder
Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Dissociative disorders
Dissociative amnesia
Somatic symptom and related disorders
Illness anxiety disorder
Feeding and eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Elimination disorders
Enuresis (bed-wetting)
Sleep-wake disorders
Narcolepsy
what is a problem with the DSM?
it takes a categorical approach, fails to capture differences in the severity of a disorder
dimensional approach
considers psychological disorders along a continuum on which people vary in degree rather than in kind
comorbidity
when psychological disorders occur together
assessment
examining a persons mental functions and psychological condition to diagnose a disorder (often includes self reports, testing, observations, and interviews)
neuropsychological method of assessment
client performs actions (copying a picture drawing a design, sorting cards) which require an ability, to indicate problems with a particular brain region
evidence based assessment
research guides the evaluation of psychopathology
diathesis stress model
an individual has an underlying vulnerability (diathesis) to a psychological disorder; this could be genetic or environmental; in addition to stressful circumstances, the scales can be tipped
conditions managed by a neurologist
stroke, brain tumors, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, sleep disorders, migraines
conditions managed by a psychiatrist
depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anorexia, anxiety, OCD, ADHD
Schizophrenia
onset usually in late teens or 20s, starts with a psychotic break; “splitting of the mind”
Positive symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech
Negative symptoms: flat affect, various forms of withdrawal, lack of motivation
1% of the population, 80% who have one episode will have more
delusions
false beliefs based on incorrect inferences about reality
persecutory: others are trying to harm one
referential: objects, or other people have particular significance to one
grandiose: belief that one has great power, knowledge, or talent
identity: one is someone else
guilt: one has committed a terrible sin
control: one’s thoughts and behaviors are being controlled by external forces
hallucinations
false sensory perceptions that are experienced without an external source (visual/ auditory)
Cultural differences in the nature of hallucination
USA: hostile, unpleasant
India/Ghana: Friendly, playful
Causes of Schizophrenia
genetic component (identical twins: 45%, two parents with Schizo: 45%)
stimulation of dopamine receptors in different regions, connection to paternal age, connection to maternal influenza in 2nd trimester
a healthy family is a protective factor against Schizophrenia
Major Depression
disorder characterized by severe negative moods and/or a lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities
DSM Criteria for major depressive episode
depressed mood most of the day, diminished interest in most activities, insomnia or hypersomnia, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, diminished ability to concentrate, thoughts of death or suicide
prevalence of depression
2-2.5% more common in women than in men
Genetics: monozygotic twins (50%) dizygotic (10%)
In depression, explanations of negative events tend to be:
internal, stable (this will always happen), and global (not context specific)
Bipolar disorder
mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania
high suicide risk (20%)
treating bipolar disorder
lithium: psychotropic drug
Quetiapine: atypical antipsychotic drug, side effects are less severe
suicide rates depend on the availability of the means to do it
For example, where guns are more prevalent, more people die by suicide
Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders
disorder characterized by frequent intrusive thoughts and compulsive actions
common obsessions and compulsions in OCD
obsessions: germs, accidents, one’s own behavior
compulsions: washing/cleaning, checking, counting
Prevalence of OCD
1-2 percent of the population, more women than men
Two main treatment approaches to OCD
talk therapy (CBT/DBT) and medication
Personality disorders
Cluster A: Paranoia, schizoid (odd or eccentric behavior)
Cluster B: Antisocial, BPD, Narcissistic (dramatic, emotional errativ)
Cluster C: avoidant, dependent, OCD (anxious or fearful)
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
Perfectionist tendencies
over-conscientious
indecisive
preoccupied with details
difficulty expressing affection
antisocial personality disorder
failure to conform to social norms, deceitfulness, impulsivity and failure to plan, irritability and aggressiveness, lack of remorse
Psychopathy
I am more tough minded than other people
I could beat a lie detector
I have taken illegal drugs
I purposely flatter people to get them on my side
Ive done things for the thrill of it
You should take advantage of people before they do it to you
People sometimes say that I am cold-hearted
I like to have sex with people I barely know
I am an impulsive person
I can talk people into anything
People are too sensitive when i tell them the truth about themselves
Borderline personality disorder
fear of abandonment, intense emotions, impulsivity, weak sense of self
treating BPD
Dialectical Behavior Therapy:
1. change extreme behaviors
2. explore past traumas
3. develop feelings of independence and self-respect
Autism Spectrum Disorder
restricted or repetitive behavior patterns
abnormal socialization
abnormal communication
prevalence of autism
2x more common in males than females
60-90% genetic component
disorders reach all aspects of the mind
perception, emotion, thought, development, and social cognition/behavior
