Section 4 : Psychopathology - Depression, Phobias, OCD Flashcards
what do psychologists try to do to mental disordersq
they try to classify them
what is used to classify disorders
the DSM
how does the DSM classify disorders
using defined diagnostic criteria
what does defined diagnostic criteria refer to
a list of symptoms which can be used a tool for diagnosis
the DSM attempts to make diagnosis ….
concrete and descriptive
what do classifications allow for
allows data to be collected about a disorder and can help in the development in new treatments and medication
why are classifications criticised
it is criticised for stigmatising people and ignoring their ‘uniqueness’ by putting them in an artificial group
depression is an example of what
a mood disorder
mood disorders are characterised by what
strong emotions which can influence a person’s ability to function normally.
what do mood disorders effect
can affect a persons perceptions, thinking and behvaiour
depression is one of the most common mood disorders. name two types of depression
major depresion (unipolar disorder)
manic depression (bipolar disorder)
what is major depression
- an episode of depression that can occur suddenly
- can be reactive - caused by external factors e.g. death of a loved one
- can be endogenous - caused by internal factors e.g. neurological factors
what is manic depression
- alternation between two mood extremes (mania and depression)
- the change in mood often occurs in regular cycles of days or weeks
- episodes of mania involve overactivity, rapid speech and feeling extremely happy or agitated
- episodes of depressions involve physical, cognitive and affective symptoms
people with depression can experience a range of possible symptoms what are they
-physical/behavioural symptoms
-affective/emotional symptoms
-cognitive symptoms
what are the physical symptoms of depression
- sleep disturbances
- change in appetite
- pain
- lack of activity
what are diseases linked to sleep disturbances
insomnia or hypersomnia
what are diseases linked to change in appetite
not necessarily diseases but can lead to it:
- eating more or less than usual
- gaining or losing weight
what diseases are linked to pain
not necessarily diseases but can lead to it:
- headaches, joint aches and muscle aches
what diseases are linked to lack of activity
not necessarily diseases but can lead to it:
- social withdrawal
- loss of sex drive
what are affective symptoms of depression
- extreme feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair
- diurnal mood variation
- anhedonia
what is anhedonia
no longer enjoying activities or hobbies that used to be pleasureable
what are diurnal mood variations
changes in mood throughout the day e.g. feeling worse in the morning
what the cognitive symptoms of depression
- experiencing persistent negative beliefs about themselves and their abilities
- sucidal thoughts
- slower thought processes (difficulty concentrating and making decisions
what is a phobia
an extreme irrational fear of a particular object or situation
what are the types of phobia
- specific phobias
- agoraphobias
- social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
what do specific phobias refer to
a fear of a specific object/s or situations
what are the five subtypes of specific phobias
-animal type
-environmental dangers type
- blood-injection injury type
-situational type
-other type
examples of animal type phobia
also called zoophobia e.g. the fear of spiders
examples of environmental dangers type phobia
e.g. fear of water
examples of blood-injection injury type phobias
e.g. fear of needles
examples of situational type phobias
e.g. fear of enclosed spaces or heights etc.
what is agoraphobia
- this is a fear of open spaces e.g. using public transport etc.
- specifically linked to the fear of not being able to escape or find help if an embarrassing situation arises
- often involves the sufferer avoiding the situation in order to avoid distress
- may develop as a result of other phobias as the sufferer is afraid they’ll come across the sources of their fear if they leave the house
what is social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
- fear of being in social situations
- e.g. eating in public talking in front of people etc.
- usually down to the possibility of being judged or being embarrassed
what are the cognitive symptoms of phobias
- irrational beliefs about the stimulus that causes fear
- hard to concentrate because they are preoccupied by anxious thoughts
what are the behavioural symptoms of phobias
- avoiding social situations - cause anxiety especially to people with agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder
-altering behaviour to avoid the feared object or situation
-trying to escape if feared object/situation is encountered
-often feel generally restless and easily startled
what are the physical symptoms of phobias
-activation of fight or flight response when feared object o situation is encountered
-involves release of adrenaline, increased HR and breathing, muscle tension
what are the emotional symptoms of phobias
-anxiety
-feeling of dread
what is the criteria used to classify a phobia according to the DSM
- significant prolonged fear of an object
- people experience an anxiety response if they are exposed to the phobic stimulus
- phobias are out of proportion to any danger
- sufferers go out of their way to avoid the phobic stimulus
- the phobia disrupts their lives (avoid social situations
what are the two parts of OCD
- obsession
- compulsion
most people with OCD experience compulsions and obsessions
give an example of OCD and how the obsession is linked to the compulsion
excessive worrying about catching germs may lead to excessive hand-washing
what is the cognitive aspect of OCD
obsessions
what is the behvaioural aspect of OCD
compulsions
what is the emotional aspect of OCD
obsessions tend to cause people anxiety and their compulsions are an attempt to relieve this
what % of the worlds populaation does OCD affect
2%
when do sufferers of OCD develop the disorder
in their late teens or early 20’s. the disorder occurs equally in men and women and all in their ethnic groups
What are obsessions
- Cognitive part of OCD
- Intrusive and persistent thoughts, images and impulses
- They are the internal aspect of OCD
What is the criteria used to classify an obsession
- Persistent reoccurring thought, images, impulses that are unwanted and cause distress to the person
- Person actively tries to ignore the thoughts, images or impulses but is unable to
- the obsessions have not been caused by other physiological substances e.g. drugs
What are compulsions
- Physical, mental repetitive actions
- External aspect of OCD
Give an example of compulsions
Checking the door is locked nine time etc.
What is the problem with compulsions
The problem with compulsions is that the action reduces anxiety cause by an obsession for a short time meaning the obsession starts up again
How does the DSM classify a compulsion
- Person repeats physical behaviour or mental acts that relate to an obsession
- compulsions are meant to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared situation in reality they’re excessive or wouldn’t actually stop a dreaded situation
- compulsions have not been caused by other physiological substances such as drugs
What are the indications of OCD
-If the obsessions or compulsions last at least one hour each day
-if the obsessions and compulsions interfere with a persons ability to maintain a relationship, hold down a job or take part in social activities
What are the types of OCD behaviours
- Checking
- Contamination
- Hoarding
- Symmetry and orderliness
What is does the checking type of OCD behaviour include
Includes checking that the lights are off or that you have your purse or wallet
What does the contamination type of OCD include
This involves a fear of catching germs by going to a restaurant, touching door handles, shaking hands or using public toilets
What does the hoarding type of OCD involved
Keeping useless or worn-out objects such as old newspapers or junk mail
What does symmetry and orderliness type of OCD include
Getting objects lined up ‘just right’ such as having all the tins in your food cupboard facing exactly the same way or everything on your desk arranged in a neat order in the right places
