PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Question 1

What is mental illness

Answer 1

social construct- it has no biological pathology that can be obj measured, observed, examined
criteria for M.I - subj, open to misinterpretation

Question 2

The medical model

Answer 2

Psychiatric diagnosis used to exclude those whose behaviour fails to conform to society’s norms- can impact identity
labels in form of diagnoses legitimise treatment forms - so can be used as form social control- can be perceived as abuse of power
labelling ppl as ill removes them from responsibility for their behaviour

Question 3

Ideal Mental Health

Answer 3

• absence of M.I
• Capacity for growth, development & self actualisation
• ability to cope w/ stress
• autonomy
• environmental mastery- ability to have satisfying interpersonal relationships, capacity for adaptation

Question 4

Criticisms FOR classifying mental disorders

Answer 4

• aid comms on p’s symptoms, treatments

- facilitates decision making on causes/treatments

Question 5

Criticisms AGAINST classifying mental disorders

Answer 5

• degree of unpredictability on how ppl diagnosed
• individuals can meet criteria for more one disorder
• loss of detailed info on p’s as individuals

Question 6

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Answer 6

• anx isnt related to specific but continuous, hard to control
• worrying thoughts maybe family, work
• characteristic’s- lack concentration, insomnia, worrying on desicions, oversensitivity
• rapid h.r, irregular excessive breathing
• agoraphobia- most common- primary fear=leaving home, seconsary- fear public space

Question 7

social phobia

Answer 7

fear of being judged by others

Question 8

phobic disorders

Answer 8

• extreme, irrational fear of object/situation
• ppl can acknowledge fear is irrational but continues to experience it
• trying to avoid feared object interferes with daily life

Question 9

panic disorder

Answer 9

-characterised by unexpected, recurring panic attacks
-symptoms- trembling, h.r, faint, nausea, dizziness
change of behaviour in response to P.A =avoidance of situations/fear of attack=phobias

Question 10

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Answer 10

Obsessions- recurrent, unwanted, intrusive thoughts- intensely distressing
compulsions -action that indiv feels compelled to repeat, according to rituals/rules

Question 11

Manic Depressive disorder- characteristics

Answer 11

sadness, anger, irritability
loss of energy
loss of apetite/intrest in sex
insomnia
feeling worthless

Question 12

Depression Causes

Answer 12

neurochemical- depletion of serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline
learned helplessness- depressed ppl feel passive in face of stress & fail to initiate coping strategies

Question 13

Attributional Theory

Answer 13

some prone to depression as depressed attributional style based on 3 dimensions:

• adversity caused internal factors- im stupid
• adversity long term- i never do well
• adversity reflects global pervasive deficiency- i get everything wrong

Question 14

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Answer 14

occur anytime after traumatic experience
characteristics- inc arousal- anxiety, panic attacks
avoidance of reminders- hard to recall events
intrusions- memories of event repeated, intense imagery
guilt
maladaptive coping responses- drugs

Question 15

Manic Disorder

Answer 15

• sense intense euphoria
• flight ideas- lil logical sense
• need for lil sleep
• overconfidence
• irrtiability

Question 16

Schizophrenia causes

Answer 16

• Biomechanical theory- excess dopamine
• multifactorial model- genes determine predisposition need env factor to trigger illness
• social & psych risk factors- link b/w schiz & socio economic status- causes - stress, poverty, social status

Question 17

Schizophrenia charecteristics

Answer 17

+ve symptoms- hallucinations, delusions, unusual behaviour, disorganised speech
-ve symptomsp flattened effect, catatonic behaviour, social withdrawal