Psychological Disorders Flashcards
What are the statistics of abnormality?
In Canada, 20% of people have experienced some serious psychological disturbance, and by age 40, 50% of people will have or have had a mental illness.
Neuroscience
Structural or biochemical malfunctions in the brain
Developmental Psychopathology
Early risk factors combined with poor resilience throughout life stages
Cognitive-Behavioural
Abnormal behaviors acquired through conditioning, modelling, and cognition.
Socio-cultural
Societal, cultural, social, and family pressures and conflicts that result in bizarre/maladaptive patterns.
Psychodynamic
Unconscious conflicts often rooted in childhood
Humanistic/Existential
Distorted views of self prevent decision making and personal growth.
What are the four D’s of abnormality?
- Deviance- Behaviour, thoughts, emotions that are different than society’s ideas of proper functioning.
- Dysfunction- Maladaptive behaviours, ideas, or emotions.
- Distress- Behaviours, ideas, or emotions that cause distress or unhappiness.
- Danger- Posing risk to themselves or others
Diagnosis and Comorbidity
Diagnosis- when a clinician determines that a persons cluster of symptoms is best explained by a type of disorder
Comorbidity- When a person qualifies for 2+ disorder diagnoses.
Criticisms of diagnosis
Culturally entrenched, fails to consider individual and societal level causes of symptoms, historically situated oppressive practices, influenced by insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
What are the statistics of psychological disorders?
Between 1/3 and 1/2 of the population will experience a psychological disorder at some point in their lives, 1/5 report substance use disorder, 1/10 report mood disorders, 1/3 report needs not met or partially met.
What percentage of Canadians experience a type of anxiety disorder?
Around 12%
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Excessive anxiety accompanied by at least 3 symptoms- Restlessness, keyed-up, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension sleep problems, dysfunctional assumptions.
Phobias
Unrealistic, persistent fears of an object, activity, or situation.
Panic Disorder
Recurring and unpredictable panic attacks without provocation. 21% of Canadians have had panic attacks, mostly aged 15-24 and 2/3 female.
Cognitive vs Neuro Panic
Cognitive-Associated with magnification Neuro: norepinephrine and panic circuit: amygdala, hypothalamus and locus ceruleus.
Agoraphobia/Social Anxiety Disorder
Severe, persistent, irrational fears of social or performance situations. 7.1% of westerners have this, and you’re 50% more likely to have it if you’re poor.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Repeated, abnormal, anxiety-provoking thoughts and /or repeated rigid behaviours. 2-3% of the population.