Psychopathology

Question 1

Statistical deviation

Answer 1

When an individual is different what is statistically considered ‘normal’ and usual behaviour

Question 2

Deviation from social norms

Answer 2

Behaviour that differs from what is expected from a society, what is deemed acceptable and normal

Question 3

Failure to function adaquately

Answer 3

When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of life.

Question 4

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 4

When someone deviates from a set of criteria for a good mental health

Question 5

Characteristics of a good mental health

Answer 5

No symptoms of distress
Cope with steer
Self actualise
Rational and accurate perception of self
Realistic view of world
Independent 
Good self esteem

Question 6

Behavioural characteristics of phobias

Answer 6

Panic- panic in respond to stimulus of phobia

Avoidance- completely avoid facing phobia

Endurance- when remain in presence of phobia, high levels of anxiety continue

P. A. E

Question 7

Emotional characteristics of phobias

Answer 7

Anxiety- they can’t relax or experience positive emotions and they get into an unpleasant and high arousal state

A

Question 8

Cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 8

Selective attention- hard to divert attention from phobia stimulus

Irrational beliefs- unrealistic views on phobia which increase pressure on individual

Cognitive distortions- perception of phobia negatively differs to a non sufferer

SA.IB.CD

Question 9

Behavioural characteristics of depression

Answer 9

Activity levels- reduced energy and withdrawal from usual activities
Or opposite- struggle to relax, psychomotor agitation

Disruption to eat and sleep-often reduced sleep (insomnia) and reduced eating or increased appetite and sleep

Aggression and self harm- verbal and physical to other and directed at self

A. D. A

Question 10

Emotional characteristics of depression

Answer 10

Lowered mood-lethargic and sad, often feel worthless and empty

Anger- more negative emotions, angry at themselves and other

Lowered self esteem- like them self less and see them self as less desirable

L. A. L

Question 11

Cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 11

Poor concentration- difficult to stick at task or make decision

Dwell in negative- often ignore positives of situations

Absolutist thinking- situations are either all good or all bad. Black and white thinking

PC. DN. AT

Question 12

Behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 12

Compulsions- repetitive and reduce anxiety. Compelled to repeat behaviour in order to reduce anxiety

Avoidance- avoid situation and stimulus which will trigger obsession and anxiety

C. A

Question 13

Cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 13

Obsessive thoughts- recurring unpleasant thoughts

Cognitive strategies- coping to particular obsessions to manage anxiety

Insight to excessive anxiety

O. C. I

Question 14

Emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 14

Anxiety and distress- obsessive thought are unpleasant and frightening, accompanied by anxiety

Depression- anxiety=low mood and lack of enjoyment for activity

Guilt and disgust- over moral issues directive externally or on oneself

AD. D. GD

Question 15

2 types of treating phobias

Answer 15

Systematic desensitisation and flooding

Question 16

What is systematic desensitisation

Answer 16

Gradually exposing patient to phobia to reduce anxiety and encourage relation. Using classical conditioning

Question 17

What are the 3 stages of systematic desensitisation

Answer 17

Anxiety hierarchy- discuss stimuli which trigger phobic responses and anxiety

Relaxation- learn to relax, may use mental imagery, mediation or drug Valium

Exposure- are gradually exposed starting at the bottom of the list of anxiety heirachy

Question 18

What is flooding

Answer 18

An immediate exposure to a phobia which in unavoidable so that phobia becomes harmless

Question 19

Example of systematic desensitisation

Answer 19

Newman and Adams- teenage boy and his phobia of dogs. Started off with things like picture of dog, dog through a window, same room on lead, in park

Question 20

Support for systematic desensitisation

Answer 20

Gilroy
Compared 45 cases of spider phobias treated by systematic desensitisation and compared to a control group who just learned relaxation and weren’t exposed. 3 and 33 months after it was found that the SD patients feared spiders less now

Question 21

Example/support for flooding

Answer 21

Wolpe- treated a girl with a phobia of cars by taking her out in a car for several hours. Her anxiety was extremely high to begin with, it reduced and by the end of the journey it had disappeared

Question 22

Strengths of systematic desensitisation

Answer 22

It is suitable for a range of patients and phobias
Appropriate for anxiety and learning disorders and difficulties
Doesn’t involve a bad degree of trauma, low refusal and attrition rate

Question 23

Limitations of flooding

Answer 23

Extremely traumatic and can often worsen them fear of stimulus
Often refused and patients often drop out
Not suitable for all patients and phobias
Cost and time effective