Psychological disorders and treatment Flashcards
Psychopathology definition
Psych(o) = Greek for psyche, soul or mind. Mental processes and activities
Pathology = Greek for pathos (suffering). Deviations from normal structure or functioning
Psychiatrist vs psychotherapist
Psychiatrists are able to give drugs, they have to study medicine as well. Psychotherapists treat with words, they study psychology
Disease vs disorder
Disease: A particular distinctive process in the body with a specific cause and characteristic symptoms.
Disorder: Irregularity, disturbance, or interruption of normal functions.
How do we define normal mental functioning? (5)
- Appropriate perception of reality
- Self-control
- Self-esteem
- Social relations based on affection
- Productivity, creativity
Define abnormality (4 ways)
- Deviation from statistical norms. If behaviour is statistically unusual, then its abnormal. This does not specify WHICH infrequent behaviour in abnormal.
- Deviation from cultural norms. (variance across cultures and generations/time within cultures). You can NOT blindly apply a criterion to diagnose a psychological disorder.
- Maladaptive behaviour (Harmful to oneself or others, or increases risk for harmfulness)
- Personal distress (Subjective criterion, ego-syntonic vs ego-dystonic)
Define ego syntonic and ego dystonic
Ego syntonic: Others suffer
Ego dystonic: Patient suffers
So…define abnormality in 3 D’s
Deviance
Dysfunction
Distress
Name 2 diagnostic tools of psychological disorders
- DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental Disorders (keeps developing new editions)
- International classification of Diseases (ICD-10)
Define diagnosis
The classification of disorders by symptoms and signs;
- Talking to the person
- Talking to their environment
- Tests
- Observing behaviour
Describe the diagnostic system of the American psychiatric association.
- Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM). Published by American Psychiatric association, first edition in 1952, 106 categories, current edition DSM-5, from 2013. 347 categories)
Describe the DSM-5
For each psychological disorder it provides:
- Diagnostic criteria
- Description of associated features (lab findings, physical exams)
- Summary of research literature
BUT defines based only on symptoms! Our knowledge is not yet strong enough to diagnose etiology
What’s etiology?
The investigation of the causes for something.
Why is culture an important factor to keep in mind?
Does the DSM-5 consider it?
Risk factors, symptom experience, stigma, willingness to seek help, availability of treatments.
Discusses culture related issues for most disorders, cultural formation interview questions for clinicians, description of how syndromes present across cultures
Criticism of the DSM-5
- Too many diagnoses
- Categorical vs dimensional
- Reliability
- Negative effect of diagnosis
Prevalence of disorders in males and females (survey)
8098 participants. 50% had at least one lifetime disorder, less than 40% of those had ever received professional treatment
Females: Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia
Males: Substance dependence, antisocial personality
Most disorders decline with age and higher socioeconomic status. Highest rate of disorders in Israel, Nigeria, South Africa.
Is mental illness a myth?
Difficulty identifying definition, some deny that abnormality even exists (Robert Rosenhan, 1973) Stigma!
Describe the treatment of personality disorders
More enduring than other disorders, lifelong. Statistical deviation.
Types of treatment of psychological disorders
- Biological therapy (drugs or surgery) - somatogenic origins
- Psychotheraphy (Talking therapy) - Psychogenic origins
Give an example of a somatogenic origin of mental illness
Alzheimer’s disease: Plagues and tangles
Depression: Serotonin deficits
Give an example of a psychogenic origin of mental illness
PTSD- Direct experience Social learning (learned helplessness in depression) Maladaptive beliefs (internal attributions for failure)
What’s the vulnerability-stress model?
Like an espresso cup: Vulnerability factors (coffee ground) + stressors (foam) = Psychological disorders
What are vulnerability factors?
- Genetic factors
- Biological characteristics
- Psychological traits
- Previous maladaptive learning
- Low social support
What are stressors?
- economic adversity
- environmental trauma
- interpersonal stresses/losses
- Occupational setbacks or demands
What are examples for biological treatments?
- Drugs (Thorazine/antipsychotic, valium/anxiety, Prozac, seroxat/depression)
- ECT (Electroconvulsive shocl therapy)
- Psychosurgery (lobotomy)
- TMS (Transcranial magnetic stimulation)
- DBS (Deep brain stimulation)
Types of psychotherapy (5)
Psychoanalysis Behavioural Cognitive-behavioural (Finding rational alternatives for negative thoughts, rating emotions in situations) Humanistic Group/Family therapy ACT- Acceptance and commitment therapy
APA Society of clinical psychology’s view on therapy relationship
“Therapy relationship accounts for why clients improve (or fail to improve) at least as much as the particular treatment method” Empathy, warmth and therapeutic relationship correlate more highly with the patient’s outcome.
Explain 2 origin theories of mood disorders
Biological: Chemical imbalance, antidepressants and placebo effect
Cognitive: Negative views about world = Negative views about future = Negative views about self. (Cycle). Rumination= Focus on problems in circular manner without moving into problem solving can make you depressed.
3 Explanatory styles
- Internal/External: “I’m stupid” vs “The test was unfair”.
- Stable/Unstable: “I always do poorly on tests” vs “I’ll do better on the next one”
- Global/Specific: Domain specificity: “I’ll never get my degree” vs “I’m not doing well in this class, but in other classes I am”
Optimistic vs Pessimistic explanatory styles
Optimistic:
- Good event: Internal/stable/global
- Bad event: External/Unstable/Specific
Pessimistic:
- Good event: External/Unstable/Specific
- Bad event:
Internal/Stable/Global
