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Psychology GCSE Edexcel > psychological problems > Flashcards

psychological problems Flashcards

1
Q

define unipolar depression

A

a type of mood disorder causing periods of feeling sad & lacking motivation to do everyday activites.

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2
Q

define mental health problem

A

form of psychological problem characterised by symptoms affecting your mind & behavior.
* affects how you think, feel, behave, relate to others.

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3
Q

symptoms of unipolar dep according to ICD-10

A
  • feeling suicidal/attempting suicide
  • not enjoying favorite activities anymore
  • poor sleep (finding it difficult to sleep, waking up early when still tired)
  • extreme tiredness not relieved by sleep
  • poor appetite or increase
  • lack of self esteem
  • feelings of guilt, blaming themselves
  • activing nervously. behavior slowed down more then usual
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4
Q

what are the main symptoms of unipolar dep

A

MEM
* lowering of mood
* lack of energy
* lack of motivation

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5
Q

what does ICD-10 require for diagnosis of uni depression

A
  • one of the main symptoms present most of time for 2 weeks
  • another one of the symptoms should be pressent some point during tha time.
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6
Q

features of unipolar dep

A
  • WHO - 1 in 15 ppl suffer from episode of serious dep every year.
  • Affects twice as many females as males. affects females longer
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7
Q

symptoms & features of episodes of uni dep

A

Episode -> mild -> 4 symptoms displayed -> finds symptoms upsetting. carries on daytoday activites.

Episode -> moderate -> 5-6 symptoms displayed -> serious probs doing daytoday activities

Episode -> severe -> 7+ symptoms displayed + general feelings of worthlessness -> suicidal thoughts, engage in self harm to cope.

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8
Q

incidience of dep over time

A
  • Hidaka (2012) suggests modern living’s more stressful, includes many risk factors for depression** e.g** sleep deprivation, poor diet, increased social isolation.
  • The King’s Fund (2008) estimates that by 2026, 1.45 million people will be diagnosed w/ dep
  • compared to 1.24 million in 2007.
    Could be bc of more people being aware of their symptoms.
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9
Q

how dep affects individuals & society

A
  • Amount of time missed from work by patients; company has to cover workload, there’ll be cost implications for company
  • HSE estimated that in 2014-15, 9.9 million days of work were missed because of stress, depression, anxiety associated with work.
  • cost of treatment for dep, more ppl diagnosed w depression, more require treatment; drugs expensive to prescibe, therapies expensive, therapists need to be trained; will cost NHS a lot, putting strain on their services.
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10
Q

genetic explanation of unipolar depression
How the influence of genes can explain why some people depression

A

➜ Evidence if someone in your family has been diagnosed w/ unipolar depression, higher risk you’ll also be diagnosed w/ depression.

➜ Depression might be inherited through genes.

➜ Hyde et al. (2016) = 17 diff gene variations linked to depressions

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11
Q

twin studies on influence of genes for depression

A

➜ Monozygotic twins = share 100% of the same genes.
➜ Dizygotic twins = share 50% of the same genes.

McGuffin et al. (1996)
Monozygotic twin depressed = 46% co-twin becomes depressed.

Dizygotic twin depressed = 20% co-twin becomes depressed.

Shows depression might be genetic.

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12
Q

define twin studies

A
  • research that compares behavior
  • in groups of twins
  • to see if there are similarities in each pair of twins
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13
Q

define monozygotic twins

A
  • twins developed from one fertilized egg
  • that’s split into 2
  • are genetically identical.
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14
Q

define dizygotic twins

A
  • twins developed from 2 diff eggs
  • fertilized during same pregnancy
  • not genetically identical.
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15
Q

define genetic predisposition

A
  • biological tendency
  • to develop a particular behavior
  • as a result of the genes someone has.
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16
Q

define diathesis stress model

A
  • explanation for depression
  • claiming that people can have a gene making them more likely to develop depression
  • ONLY if they face a stressful situation
  • that triggers depressive thoughts.
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17
Q

strengths & weaknesses of genetic explanation (depression)

A

Strengths
* Takes away the stigma of depression diagnosis.
* Research evidence; .Caspi et al. (2003) found people w/ variation of serotonin transporter gene more likely to react negatively to stressful life events & develop depression.

Weaknesses
* Deterministic; assumes that if you have certain genes, you’re more likely to be depressed. Does not consider free will.
* Reductionist; fails to take into account other factors that can explain why someone may develop depression.

18
Q

define cognitive theory

A

explanation that focuses on how thought processes
influence behavior.

18
Q

cognitive theory as an explanation for depression

Beck’s cognitive triad

A
  • depression could be explained by 3 negative thought patterns; negative triad.
  • Develops from bad experiences in the past; once they have a negative way of thinking, they’re more prone to magnification.
  • Beck believes if a person has all 3 types of negative view, it’s likely they’ll show symptoms of depression.
  • more prone to magnification
  • Negative view of self ➜ Negative view of the future ➜ Negative view of the world.
18
Q

define free will

A
  • explanations of behavior that claim
  • we have ability to choose exactly what type of behavior we wat to show
  • opposite of being determined
18
Q

define determinsitc

A
  • our actions come from what we are born with & what we experience
  • opposite of having free will or free choice
18
Q

cognitive theory as an explanation for depression

Ellis’s ABC model

A
  • 3 stages that might cause a person to develop negative thought processes, which can then lead to them becoming depressed.

Activating event
Something happens to a person that makes them feel unsettled.

Beliefs
Thoughts a person associates w/ the event = can be irrational/rational.

Consequences
R = no depression, positive emotional consequences.
IR = depression, negative emotional consequences.

18
Q

define negative triad

A
  • set of 3 thought patterns
  • where people feel bad about themselves
  • the future
  • & world in general
18
Q

define magnification

A

form of cognitive bias making people see their problems as far bigger then they actually are.

18
Q

strengths & weaknessses of the cognitive theory explanation

A

strengths

➜ Takes into account events in a person’s life.
- combination of nature & nurture factors that make people depressed.

➜ Has been applied to CBT.

weaknesses

➜ Difficult to tell whether irrational thoughts are causes or symptoms of depression.

➜ Some types of depression can’t be explained by thought process.

E.g post-natal depression (dep after giving birth) it may have something to do with hormone levels rather then thought processes. Caused by biological factors then cognitive ones.

19
Q

define CBT

A
  • a therapy for mental health disorders
  • that aims to change thought processes
  • in order to reduce symptoms
19
Q

whats cbt based on (depression)

A
  • the understanding that the way we think affects how we feel, how we feel influences how we behave.
  • if person changes way the think, their behavior should also change.
19
Q

What’s the main aim of CBT (depression)

A
  • help patient change the way they think (cognitive part of therapy)
  • help change the way they act to improve symptoms experienced (behavorial part of therapy)
20
Q

stages of CBT in treating depression

A

1st stage
* dicussing symptoms with therapist. explain how they feel, what makes them feel this way.

2nd stage
* challenging irrational ways of thinking; once patient recognizes irration thoughts, should try to replace with rational.

  • homework give between each session; involves changing way they think about situation, writing about they feel. helps practicse using rational thought processes.
21
Q

strengths & weaknesses of CBT to treat depression

A

Strengths
* NHS 2012 - when patients with depression given CBT alongside antidepressants, there’s significant improvement in their symptoms.

  • Longer-lasting treatment for depression then only using antidepressants; they learn to control symptoms. Have the skills to do this whenever needed.
  • Feelings of helplessness reduced; feel better - learn to deal with symptoms.

Weaknesses:
* Relies on patients wanting to change their behavior & being able to recognise when their thoughts are irrational.

  • Ethical issues in use of CBT; too much control for therapist.
22
Q

define neurotransmitters

A
  • chemicals found within the nervous system
  • that pass messages from one neuron to another
  • across a synapse
23
Q

define noradrenaline

A
  • type of neurotransmitter
  • thats involved in mood
  • released during times of stress
24
Q

define reuptake

A
  • process by which
  • neurons reabsorb neurotransmitters
  • that they release.
25
Q

define serotonin

A

neurotransmitter associated with controlling mood.

26
Q

antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs

A
  • block reuptake of serotonin when released from neuron
  • allows other neurons to absorb it
  • serotonin available for longer
  • helps increase levels of serotonin in brain, improving mood.
27
Q

antidepressants

Serotonin & noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors SNRIs

A
  • block reuptake of both serotonin & noradrenaline.
  • enhances effect of available serotonin & noradrenaline
  • helps improve mood
28
Q

antidepressants

monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

A
  • prevent enzyme monoamine oxidase from doing its job (it breaks down neurotransmitters serotonin & noradrenaline after they’ve been released.)
  • make more neurotransmitters available
  • improves mood
29
Q

antidepressants

tricylics TCAs

A
  • around since 1950s
  • boost effect of serotonin & noradrenaline
  • prevent reabsorption of neurotransmitters into neuron
  • longer to act on the brain
  • mood enhancing effect lasts longer
30
Q

define placebo

A

inactive substance or fake pill used instead of active substance. person given placebo wont know its fake.

31
Q

define relapse

A

return of symptoms after treat has been given.

32
Q

strengths & weaknesses of drug therapy as a treatment for depression

A

Strengths

  • Improves symptoms; makes it easier for patients to access other psychological therapies.
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists; 65% of patients w/ moderate-severe symptoms of depression showed improvements when given antidepressants then compared to 30% given a placebo.

Weaknesses
* Unpleasant side effects; MAOIs dangerous when eaten with certain foods.
Some can cause side effects such as nausea, suicidal thoughts, diabetes.
* Only tackle symptoms, and not the cause. Long-term effect is less likely, more likely to relapse.

Psychology GCSE Edexcel (12 decks)

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