Unit 2 Topic 3 - Diagnosis

Question 1

Distinguish between adaptive and maladaptive behaviour (2.3.1.1)

Answer 1

Adaptive - allows individuals to adapt in a positive manner to various situations (GOOD)
Maladaptive - negative form of behaviour which harms the individual (BAD)

Question 2

Summarise the following concepts of normality (2.3.1.2)
- Sociocultural
- Functional
- Historical
- Situational
- Medical
- Statistical

Answer 2

Sociocultural - acceptable by society
Functional - not causing harm to themselves or other
Historical - once considered normal but no longer normal
Situational - assessment of the context before considering it as normal
Medical - abnormal behaviour is caused by physical illness
Statistical - stats define abnormality

Question 3

Distinguish between the two manuals used for diagnosis (2.3.1.4)

Answer 3

DSM-5: used in USA+AUS, medical model, categorical approach

ICD-11: used in Europe, medical model, categorical and dimensional approach

Question 4

Identify the main categories of psychological disorders and list one example of each (2.3.1.5)

Answer 4

Psychotic Disorders - schizophrenia
Mood Disorders - depression
Anxiety Disorders - phobias
Personality Disorders - borderline personality disorder

Question 5

Discuss the reliability and validity of diagnosis (2.3.1.6)

Answer 5

reliability - consistency of the results
validity - measures what it intents
debatable - requires justification

Question 6

Define psychological disorder (2.3.1.3)

Answer 6

any psychological dysfunction in an individual that is associated with distress or impairment in mood, behaviour or cognition that can adversely affect an individual in their everyday functioning

Question 7

Explain the classification of psychological disorders (2.3.1.3)

Answer 7

• related to the brain
• affecting function
• recognised symptoms
• requires treatment

Question 8

Explain what a mood disorder is (2.3.1.5)

Answer 8

a mental disorder diagnosed when severe symptoms of flattened mood, low self-esteem, and lack of motivation for an extended period of time

Question 9

List common symptoms of mood disorders (2.3.1.5)

Answer 9

(diagnosis = 5)
- depressed mood
- lack of interest or pleasure
- significant weight loss/gain
- insomnia
- loss of energy
- feeling of worthlessness
- diminished ability to concentrate
- suicidal thoughts

Question 10

List biological, cognitive and social causes of mood disorders (2.3.1.5)

Answer 10

Bio: low levels of serotonin
Cog: negative mindset (thought patterns)
Social: loss of job, etc.

Question 11

List treatments for mood disorders (2.3.1.5)

Answer 11

antidepressants in the form of serotonin

Question 12

List 3 types of personality disorders (2.3.1.5)

Answer 12

• general
• borderline
• antisocial

Question 13

Explain schizophrenia (2.3.1.5)

Answer 13

• a disorder that affects a persons ability to think, feel and behave clearly
• classified as a psychotic disorder (suffer has no concept of reality)
• due to breakdown of patients personality

Question 14

List the symptoms for schizophrenia (2.3.1.5)

Answer 14

(diagnosis = 2)
- delusions
- hallucinations
- word salad
- social/occupational dysfunction

Question 15

Explain schizophrenia with reference to treatment (2.3.1.5)

Answer 15

no effective treatment available and recovery is extremely rare (less than 1 percent)