Test 1 Flashcards
what is Prevalence
How common a mental health disorder is within a populations
what is Heritability
common genetics in mental disorders.
Describes how much of the variation seen in the population in that specific disorder can be attributed to genetics.
what does Abnormal mean in abnormal psyc?
patients response is not typical
impairment in functioning /distress
Psych dysfunction
Polygenetic definition
mental illnesses are polygenetic.
Meaning many genes are involved that each exert a small effect, rather than a mutation in one gene causing a disorder.
Causation (etiology)
Asking why do only some ppl get certain disorders?
Biological or psychological
what is Aggregation
Family studies indicate that mental illnesses can run in the family
what is the DSM-5?
a Manual of Mental Disorders that standardize psych diagnoses.
What are the issues using a DSM-5 to diagnose?
Culturally bias information; Very American perspective and based
medicalizing normal behaviors
i.e. children having temper tantrums
what is the Diathesis stress model
predisposition (genetics) and life stressors contribute to disorder.
how Neurotransmitters connect to mental health
Neurotransmitters are disrupted in disorders.
The synaptic cleft in the axon, creates signaling to a chemical substance called a neurotransmitter
the types of Psychological influences in humans
2 things to help us
1. Behavior
2. Cognitive approach
Classical conditioning
For example, Lunas behaviour when i tell her to sit, it was learn because of a treat
unconisous learning
Operant conditioning
Behaviors are reinforced when they are rewarded
Behaviors are avoided if they are punished
Types of enforcement systems
- Continuous enforcement
Used to eliminate behaviour. Uses rewards for desired behaviour - Partial enforcement
the reward/ punishment is only sometimes presented
Reward can be given as little as once.
Harder to learn but more difficult to unlearn.
Observational learning
person observes the rewards and punishments that another person receives for their behaviour and then behaves in accordance with those rewards and punishments
Prepared learning
Humans are prepared from evolution
i.e.things we are typiclly born to fear
Behavioural approaches
Explains and treat mental disorder
what is cognitive distortions
negatively way of thinking that are purported to increase vulnerability to mental illness
Sociocultural determinants of mental health
sex and gender
socioeconomic disadvantages
societal instability
cross cultural effects
what is a anxiety disorder?
an emotional state and physical tension about future events
what is the difference with fear and panic?
fear= normal to help us in life threatening situations
panic; always an unhealthy state
flight or fight
Our body respond to the threat by fleeing (flight) or defending ourselves (fight)
What is generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
patients are anxious almost all the time in any situation
This can be about objects/ thoughts/ situations
Stats on generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
prevalence
lifetime= 8.7%
heritability
GAD is 30-40% genetic
the course
begins in late teens- early 20s
gender
slightly higher in women 60%
sociocultural
GAD is higher in Latin and White
Treatments for GAD
Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines
Quick but short term relief, does not help in long run
- antidepressants
they act slow but reduce symptoms
Therapy
1.cognitive behavior therapy
2.meditation and mindfulness
3. talk therapy
