Topic 7: Psychological Disorders Flashcards
What is psychopathology?
problematic patterns of thoughts, feeling, behaviour = disrupts WB and social/occupational functioning origin of mental disorders varies between/within cultures (disorders/characterisation)
What is the notion of abnormality?
presumption that we can define what is an is not abnormal
What is labelling theory?
argues AGAINST assigning diagnoses/labels to abnormal behaviour = stigmatisation
What is the Rosenhan study?
‘psuedo’ patients claimed to hear voices and were admitted to hospital - none were detected as facts
What is abnormal - optimal MH
individual/group + environmental factors working together effectively = WB, development, use of mental abilities, goals achieved
What is abnormal - minimal MH
individual/group + environmental factors in conflict = distress, impairment, underdevelopment, failure to achieve goals, destructive behaviours
What is stigma?
stigma = neg reaction because of some assumed inferiority
What are the causes of stigma in MI?
stereotyped group (discrimination/prejudice), lack of knowledge, fear, lack of time, culture
Define mental/psychological disorder
clinically recognisable set of symptoms/behaviours which usually need treatment = serious departure from mental functioning
What is the aetiology of psychopathology?
cause, set of causes or manner of causation - different perspectives offer different views
Psychodynamic perspective
3 causes of psychopathology
- neuroses - issues in living (anxiety, interpersonal conflict)
- personality disorders - disturbances, maladaptive patterns, interpersonal/occupation affected, stem from environment/biological
- psychoses - loss of touch with reality (biological)
Cognitive behavioural perspective
cognitive - disorders reflect dysfunctional attitudes, beliefs, cognitive processes behavioural - disorders explained in terms of learning (reward/punishment ratio = depression, CC = phobia)
Biological perspective
mental to physiological root of psychopathology in brain malfunction = biochemical neurotransmitter, neural pathway dysfunction) abnormal behaviour in brain/structure
What is diathesis and the stress model?
theory that attempts to explain a disorder or its trajectory as the result of predispositional vulnerability and a stress caused by life experience
Systems approach perspective
abnormality in context of social group group functions as a system and system parts are interdependent = influence each other symptoms viewed as symptoms of dysfunction
Descriptive diagnosis (approach)
Attempts to be atheoretical (not based on theory)
each mental disorder shows distinct symptoms
DSM of mental disorders - we can distinguish between normal/abnormal
What is DSM-5?
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of mental health disorders - distinguish between normal/abnormal, each disorder = distinct symptoms
What are the different sections of DSM-5?
Section I: instructions for use
Section II: classification for disorders (PTSD, schizophrenia)
Section III: disorders for which there is prelim/insufficient evidence to warrant diagnosis
Define syndrome
symptoms consistently occur together
Eg: depressive syndrome - loss of interest, insomnia, lack of apetite, concentration
Neurodevelopmental disorders
deviation from normal development - infancy, childhood, adolescence
Eg: intellectual impairment, ASD, ADHD
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
inattention not consistent with their level of development (5%)
hereditary
signs of hyperactivity impulsivity - squirming, fidgeting, excessive talking
Schizophrenic disorders
loss of contact with reality, abnormal motor behaviour, disturbances od thought/perception
delusions = false/irrational beliefs
hallucinations = false perception
flat effect = blunted emotional response
Schizophrenic disorders
schizophrenic disorder
breakdown of personability, functioning, withdrawal from reality, emotional distortions, disturbed thought
causes: diathesis-stress hypothesis (genetic + environmental factors)
environmental stressor - abuse, dysfunctional family
biochemical-dopamine hypothesis (amphetamine)
Mood disorders
causes
Biological - biochemical (dec serotonin), heritability
Behavioural - environmental, changes in # of rewards/punishments
Psychodynamic - conflict in early childhood, self-reproach
Cognitive - Beck’s cognitive triad, neg views of self, ongoing experiences
Mood disorders - examples
Major depressive episode - presence of at least 5 symptoms
Dysthmic disorder (persistent depressive disorder) - 2+ years, chronic low-level depression, intervals of normal mood
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - lack of sunlight
Bipolar disorder - depression/mania
Bipolar I: manic episode, may/not major depressive episode
Bipolar II: hypomania (mildly manic), major depressive episode
Anxiety disorders
intense, frequent, continuous feelings of worry/anxiousness
prevlance 14%
Anxiety disorders - examples
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) - 6+ months, anxious most of the time WITHOUT specific threat
Panic disorder - panic attacks, not justified by situation, ‘fear of fear’
Phobias - irrational fear of object, acitivity, situation
Agoraphobia - fear of public places where escape/help is difficult
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) - obsessions = recurrent thoughts, images, impulses
compulsions = repetitive purposeful acts, rules/rituals
Anxiety disorders
causes
Biological - hereditability (15%), dysfunction/al neurotransmitters
Psychodynamic - psychic conflicts/fears
Cognitive - irrational assumptions, anxiety sensitivity, misinterpretations
Socio-cultural - GAD most likely developed by those faced with dangerous societal conditions
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
re-experiencing of traumatic event (nightmares/flashbacks), psychological numbness, hypervigilance, startle response ^
asylum seekers, migrants, detainees
Personality disorders
long standing maladaptive pattern of perceiving, thinking, behaving
affects ability to function in social/work settings
DSM-5 identified 10 disorders, diagnosis controversial
Personality disorders
Borderline personality disorder
instability/intensity in personal relationships - controlling anger
fear of seperation/abandonment
all good or all bad
self-mutilation to relieve suffering
Personality disorders
Anitsocial personality disorder
lying, vandalism, stealing, impulsivity, recklessness
longstanding patter of behaviour that violates social norms
lack of empathy/remorse
Personality disorders
Disassociative identity disorder
at least 2 personabilities within same person
take control of individual’s behaviour
ongoing gaps in memory about everyday events
response to overwhelming psychological pain
Somatoform disorders - examples
Somatic symptom disorder - unexplained physical complaints
Conversion disorder - loss of motor/sensory function that cannot be explained
Hypochondriasis - preoccupation with acquiring physical illness, despite reassurances
Disassociative disorders - examples
Disassociative amnesia - inability to remember personal experiences
Disassociative identity disorder - transition between personalities caused by stress
Eating disorders - examples
Anorexia nervosa - disordered perception of self/body, starving, excessive exercise
Bulimia (nervosa) - binge and purge syndrome
