Psychopathology Flashcards
1
Q
Definitions of Abnormality- Statistical Infrequency- AO1
A
- When an individual has a less common characteristic
- IQ and intellectual disability disorder
Average IQ=100
2% people score below 70
Abnormal / statistical infrequency / IDD
2
Q
Definitions of Abnormality- Statistical Infrequency- AO3
A
- Real world application +
Used in clinical practice- formal diagnosis and assessing severity of symptoms
Intellectual disability disorder=IQ below 70
Assessment tool=Beck depression inventory- score of 30+=severe depression - Unusual characteristics can be positive -
IQ above 130
Wouldn’t think high IQ=abnormal
Don’t think low depression score on BDI abnormal
Unusual does not mean abnormal
3
Q
Definitions of Abnormality- Deviation from Social Norms- AO1
A
- Behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community/society
- Norms are specific to the culture we live in- few behaviours are universally abnormal
Homosexuality considered abnormal in our past and still abnormal in some societies today - Antisocial personality disorder
Impulsive, aggressive, irresponsible
DSM-5=absence of prosocial internal standards
Psychopaths abnormal because don’t conform to moral standards
4
Q
Definitions of Abnormality- Deviation from Social Norms- AO3
A
- Real world application +
Used in clinical practice
Antisocial personality disorder=failure to conform to culturally normal ethical behaviour=deviations from social norms
Criteria had value in psychiatry - Cultural and situational relativism -
May label someone as abnormal based on own standards rather than other persons
Hearing voices=norm in some cultures (ancestors) but abnormal in UK
Even within one culture, social norms vary in situations
5
Q
Definitions of Abnormality- Failure to Function Adequately- AO1
A
- When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living
- Rosenhan+Seligman- not coping when: don’t conform to interpersonal rules / experiences severe distress / irrational or dangerous
- Intellectual disability disorder
Having a low IQ=statistical infrequency but must be failing to function adequately to get a diagnosis
6
Q
Definitions of Abnormality- Failure to Function Adequately- AO3
A
- Represents a threshold for help +
Most have symptoms of metal disorder as some point
Mind- 25% people experience mental health problem in any given year
When cease to function adequately=seek professional help
Treatment/services targeted to those who need it most - Discrimination and social control -
Hard to say when someone failing to function adequately
High-risk leisure activities could be irrational/dangerous but that doesn’t make the person failing to function
Unusual choices=risk of being labelled
7
Q
Definitions of Abnormality- Deviation from Ideal Mental Health- AO1
A
- When someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
- Jahoda’s criteria:
No distress / self-actualise / copes with stress / good self esteem etc.
8
Q
Definitions of Abnormality- Deviation from Ideal Mental Health- AO3
A
- A comprehensive definition +
Jahoda’s concept=range of criteria distinguishing mental health from illness
Mental health=discussed meaningfully with professionals who might take different views
Can assess ourselves and others well - May be culture-bound -
Jahoda’s criteria westernised
Self-actualisation=self-indulgent in most of world
Europe even has variation in value placed on independence
Success in life different in cultures
Difficult to apply concept cross-culturally
9
Q
Phobias- DSM-5 Categories of Phobia
A
- An irrational fear of an object or situation
- Specific phobia
Phobia of an object or a situation - Social phobia
Phobia of a social situation - Agoraphobia
Phobia of being outside or in a public place
10
Q
Phobias- Behavioural Characteristics (APE)
A
- Ways in which people act
- Avoidance
Effort to prevent coming into contact with phobic stimulus - Panic
Panic in response to phobic stimulus - Endurance
Choosing to remain in the presence of the phobic stimulus (keeping an eye on it)
11
Q
Phobias- Emotional Characteristics (FEAr)
A
- Related to a persons feelings or mood
- Fear
The immediate and extremely unpleasant response when encountering a phobic stimulus - Emotional response unreasonable
Fear much greater and disproportionate to any other threat posed - Anxiety
An unpleasant state of high arousal, preventing relaxation and positive emotion
12
Q
Phobias- Cognitive Characteristics (SAIBCD)
A
- Refers to the process of thinking, reasoning, remembering, believing
- Selective attention
If they can see the phobic stimulus, it is hard to look away from it- can react quickly to any threat - Irrational beliefs
Holding unfounded thoughts in relation to the phobic stimulus - Cognitive distortions
A person with a phobia may have inaccurate and unrealistic perceptions
13
Q
Depression- DSM-5 Categories of Depression
A
- Characterised by changes to mood
- Major depressive disorder
Severe but often short-term depression - Persistent depressive disorder
Long-term depression - Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
Childhood temper tantrums - Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Disruption to mood prior to and/or during menstruation
14
Q
Depression- Behavioural Characteristics (AAD)
A
- Ways in which people act
- Activity levels
Reduced levels of energy- lethargy
Knock on effect withdrawal from work, social life
Psychomotor agitation- struggle to relax and will pace up and down - Aggression and self-harm
Irritable, verbally/physically aggressive
Knock on effects aspects of personal life
Physical aggression directed against the self - Disruption to sleep/eating behaviour
Insomnia=reduced sleep
Hypersomnia=increased need for sleep
Appetite may increase/decrease=weight loss/gain
15
Q
Depression- Emotional Characteristics (ALL)
A
- Related to a persons feelings or mood
- Anger
Directed at self or others
Emotions can lead to aggressive/self-harming behaviour - Lowered mood
Feeling sad
Mostly worthless and empty - Lowered self-esteem
Liking themselves less than usual
