Psychopathology Flashcards

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1
Q

Genetic explanation

OCD

A
  • ocd is the result of the genes inherited
  • two candidte genes SERT & COMT
  • polygeneic-> multiple genes code for ocd
  • SERT regulates seratonin
  • COMT regulates dopamine
  • atiologically heterogenous- multiple variations of the genes
  • twin studies show high concordance with identical - nesadt
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2
Q

Neural Explanation

OCD

A

serotonin-> inhibits excitatory signals such as fear
- ocd = low seratonin
- signals not inhibited so there are continuous obssessive thoughts
worry circuit -> orbitofrontal cortex, basil ganglia and thalamus
- OFC turns sensory info in to worry
- results in negative thoughts
- sent to basil ganglia which directs thoughts to brain and body if not working properly (low seratonin)
- signals converyed to actions e.g compulsions in the thalamus

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3
Q

Biological treatment

OCD

A
  • drugs = SSRI = selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors
  • block the reuptake transporters at the synapse
  • more seratonin in the synaptic gap which increses chance of binfing to post synaptic neuron
  • results in a higher chance of inhabitory signals at the synapse in areas like basil ganglia
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4
Q

Evaluate biological explanation

OCD

A
  • reductionist
  • deterministic
    + real life application -> treatment works for people
  • alternative explantaion-> cognitive (negative thoughts)
    + supporting evidence - nestadt - 68% concordance in MZ twins compared to 31% in DZ twins
  • conflicting evidence- kiara cromer - over half of ocd clients had experianced trauma
  • correlation not correlation - no scientific evidence to prove
  • neural model may not be ocd specific- also suffer with depression (co-morbidity)
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5
Q

Evaluation of biological treatment

OCD

A
  • real life appliation- drugs cheaper than therapy - massed prouced
  • publication bias towards effectiveness (turner et a)- selectively publish positive outcome for profit
  • low attrition rates as easy to take
  • symptoms vs cause - ssri ileviates the symtoms not treats the cause
  • supporting evidence - (soomro et al 2009)- ssris vs placebo showed all 17 studies showed better outcomes than placebo with 70% with reduced symptoms
  • benzo side effects- addiction
  • other treatment - cbt
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6
Q

`

Statistical Infrequecy

Definitions of abnormality

A
  • tob + bottom 2.5% of population
  • statistically uncommon
  • numerically rare
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7
Q

statistical infrequency evaluation

Definitions of abnormality

A
  • labelling can be damaging
  • ignores the perosn and other factors
  • not all rare is bad
  • common abnormality - depession - people can can suffer and not be in the 2.5%
    + real life application - gov stats and diagnsostcis
    + objective - standardised and controlled
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8
Q

Failure to function adequetly

Definitions of abnormality

A
  • distress to yourself and others
  • irrational and dangerous
  • cant cope with everyday life
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9
Q

Failure to function adequatley evaluation

Definitions of abnormality

A
  • disregards alternate lifestyle
  • ignores hidden disorders
  • subjective
  • situation vs abnormal- e.g living on the streets acn caus ebehaviour
    + patient specific - considers thoughts
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10
Q

Deviation from social norms

Definitions of abnormality

A
  • where a perosn is not ofetn in society
  • thoughts and behaviours goe against the unwritten rules of society
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11
Q

Deviation from social norms evaluation

Definitions of abnormality

A
  • culture bias
  • norms change over time-> people can be mis diagnosed because of the society (homosexuality)
  • social control - abuse human rights
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12
Q

Deviation from ideal mental health

Definitions of abnormality

A

6 characteristics of good MH
1. + view of self
2. accurate view of reality
3. master of environment
4. self acculisation
5. independant
6. resist stress
absence of these traits = abnormality

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13
Q

Deviation from ideal mental health evaluation

Definitions of abnormality

A
  • positve perspective
  • unrealistic criteria - everyone stresses
  • standardised
  • could have great mental health but be abnormal
  • continulily changing
  • could be culture-bound
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14
Q

phobias

Characteristics of disorders

A

bahavioural
- panic
- avoidance / endurance

Emotional
- anxiety
- fear
- unreasonable emotional response

cognitive
- selective attenion
- irrational beliefs
- distortions

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15
Q

OCD

Characteristics of disorders

A

behavioural
- compulsions are repetitive
- compulsions reduce anxiety
- avoidance

emotional
- anxiety
- depression
- guilt
- disgust

cognitive
- obssevive thoughts
- cognitive coping strategies
- insight to exccessive anxiety

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16
Q

Depression

Characteristics of disorders

A

behavioural
- low activity levels
- didtruption to sleep and eating
- agressiona nd self harm

emotional
- lowered mood
- anger
- lowered self esteem

cognitive
- poor concentration
- dwelling on the negative
- absolutist thinking

17
Q

the two proccess model

Phobias

A
  • mowrer 1960
  • suggested when we avoid we escape anxiety so it reinforces avoidance
  • behavioural approach
  • phobia is aquired by classical conditioning
  • phobia is maintained by operant conditioning

attainment
- rayner and little albert
- produces conditioned response
- generalise conditioned response

maintenance
- behaviour to do with phobia is reinforeced and punished
- negative reinforcement - increaeses avoidance

18
Q

Phobias evaluation

Phobias

A
  • two proccess model stimulated the development of exposur therapy which works -exposeure therapy
  • opposing evidence - studies are mostly on animals (skinners box) so cant be generalised
  • different explanation - biological as there is bahvaviours we dont learn
  • supporting evidence- little albert - however can be replicated as ethics and is the only evidence for aquisition (temporal validity)
19
Q

systematic desensitisation

Phobias

A
  • behavioral therapy which greadually reduces anxiety through classical conditioning
  • learn a different response - counterconditioning

three proccesses
1. anxiety heirachy
2. relaxation - gtaught seperatly an learn cant be afraid and relaxed at the same time - reciprocal inhibition
3. exposure - exposed while relaxed - start at the bottom and work way up

20
Q

systematic desensitisation
evaluation

Phobias

A
  • supporting evidence - (gilroy et al ) 42 people with spider fear. after 3 and 12 months les fearful than control
  • ethical - person is i =in control
  • main alternatives to sd not suitible for people with learning diasabilities as it requires complex cognitive thoughts
21
Q

flooding

Phobias

A
  • exposin people to their phobic stimulus but without a gradual build up
  • immediate exposure
  • can aquire avoidance
  • stimulus is physically harmless
  • proccess is called extinction
  • achieve relaxation as the become exhusted by their own fear
22
Q

Flooding evaluation

Phobias

A
  • cost effective as doesnt take as long
  • traumatic so unethical
  • limited phobias- must have fully informed consent