Psychopathology Flashcards
What is the DSM?
The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.
Used to classify disorders to aid with diagnosis - descriptive.
What are the definitions of abnormality?
Deviation from social norms, statistical infrequency, failure to function adequately, deviation from ideal mental health.
What is deviation from social norms?
Labels people as social deviants but allows it to function smoothly.
What are evaluative points about deviation from social norms?
- Vary across cultures, situations, ages. genders
- Subjective
- Situationally specific
- How change occurs - rights of women eg. voting
What is statistical infrequency?
Statistically rare behaviour that does not occur often. A normal distribution curve is drawn.
What are evaluative points about statistical infrequency?
- Real life application
- Not take into account desirability of behaviour
- Objective but no clear cut off point
- Unbiased - real data used
- Cross-cultural comparison but differences present
What is failure to function adequately?
Cannot cope with everyday life. Focuses on individual suffering as when behaviour is abnormal it causes distress - behaves in maladaptive way.
What are evaluative points about failure to function adequately?
- Observable
- Subjective
- Depends on society norms
- Observer discomfort
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
Jahoda’s 6 characteristics:
positive self attitude
self actualisation
adaptation to the environment
accurate perception of reality
personal autonomy
stress resistance
What are evaluative points about deviation from ideal mental health?
- Comprehensive
- Positive approach on what is desirable
- Over demanding criteria
- Subjective
- Cultural deviation
- High standards may be met by eg. serial killer.
What are the 2 types of depression?
Unipolar/major - cyclical clinical symptoms
Bipolar/manic - less common, also has cycles of high energy, irritable, irrational thoughts
What are symptoms of depression?
Behavioural: energy loss, weight changes, insomnia
Emotional: anhedonia (loss of pleasure in normal activities)
Cognitive: less concentration, poor memory
Is depression is mood or anxiety disorder?
Mood
Is OCD is mood or anxiety disorder?
Anxiety
Are phobias mood or anxiety disorders?
Anxiety
What are the components of OCD?
Obsessions: persistent thought repeatedly, leading to anxiety
Compulsions: repetitive behaviour driven to perform to decrease anxiety.
What are symptoms of OCD?
Behavioural: affect everyday tasks, repetitive, socially
Emotional: high anxiety, distress, depression, guilt
Cognitive: obsessive thoughts with rituals, uncontrollable urges
What are different types of OCD?
Contamination, checking, symmetry, hoarding.
How long do symptoms last for OCD to be diagnosed?
1 hour a day and affect everyday life.
How long do symptoms last for phobias to be diagnosed?
6+ months, significant prolonged fear.
What is a phobia?
An extreme, irrational fear of an object or situation.
What are the symptoms of phobias?
Behavioural: anxiety, avoidance, changing behaviour
Emotional: excessive fear, anxiety
Cognitive: irrational beliefs about stimulus, affects concentration
What are sub types of phobias?
Specific (animal, natural environment, blood, situational, other)
Social
Agoraphobia
What is the cognitive approach to treating depression?
Behaviours controlled by thoughts and beliefs - faulty cognitions cause depression. Maladaptive cognitions.
