Psychological problems

Question 1

Externalising disorders

Answer 1

Disorders based on outward-directed behaviour problems such as aggressiveness, hyperactivity, impulsiveness

Question 2

Internalising disorders

Answer 2

Represented by more inward-looking and withdrawn behaviour, and may represent the experience of depression, anxiety, and social withdraw

Question 3

Childhood anxiety

Answer 3

Separation anxiety
OCD- similar to adult apart from children can
get compulsions without obsessions (intrusive thoughts)
GAD- generalised anxiety disorder- chronic worrying about potential problems and threats, pathological worrying

Question 4

OCD in adults

Answer 4

Obsessions- intrusive and recurring thoughts that the individual finds disturbing and uncontrollable. The obsessive thoughts are often associated with causing harm to oneself or a loved one. Obsessive thoughts can also take the form of pathological doubting and indecision, and this may lead to sufferers developing repetitive behaviour patterns such as compulsive checking or washing.

Compulsions- repetitive or ritualised behaviour patterns that the individual feels driven to perform in order to prevent some negative outcome from happening. The ritualised compulsions act to reduce stress and anxiety caused by the sufferer’s obsessive fears

Question 5

Childhood anxiety

Answer 5

4-7 year olds- separation from parents and fear of imaginary creatures
8 year olds have double the worries of 5 year olds
11-13 year olds- social threats

Question 7

Childhood depression

Answer 7

‘Clingy’ behaviour, school refusal, exaggerated fears
Somatic complaints- stomach aches and headaches
Range of heritability reported, some find low in childhood increasing in adolescence
In younger children abuse or neglect are risk factors

Question 8

Ambiguous Scenarios Test- AST-D pessimistic

Answer 8

Range of scenarios relating to a persons performance on certain activities
Measure the emotional rating of description made by participants ranging from extremely unpleasant to extremely pleasant

Question 9

Problems with medication in young people

Answer 9

When baby mice were given prozac they showed more anxious behaviours when they were adults compared o mice that weren’t given prozac
Prozac inteferred with brain development at a key stage, leading to more anxious behaviour later in life

Question 10

Treatments

Answer 10

Family interventions
Systemic family therapy- communication, structure and organisation
Parent management training- not rewarding antisocial behaviours
Functional family therapy- strengthens relationships
CBT
Play therapy

Question 11

Callous and unemotional (CU) traits

Answer 11

Distinguished by a persistent pattern of behaviour that reflects a disregard for others, and a lack of empathy