unit 2, topic 4

Question 1

define the biopsychosocial model to understanding mental disorders

Answer 1

the biopsychosocial model provides a holistic approach to treating psychological disorders by examining biological, psychological and social cultural factors.

Question 2

explain what biological factors are in the biopsychosocial approach and provide examples

and types of treatment

Answer 2

considers a person’s functioning in terms of their bodily structures such as the brain and nervous, biochemical processes and genetic predisposition.

bodily structures
biochemical processes
genetic material

neuroimaging techniques
nutrition and safety

Question 3

explain what psych factors are in the biopsychosocial approach and provide examples

and types of treatment

Answer 3

individual’s personality disposition
thoughts
feelings
behaviours

medication
counselling

Question 4

explain what social factors are in the biopsychosocial approach and provide examples

and types of treatment

Answer 4

school environment
work environment
level of education
socioeconomic factors

organise hospitalisation or intensive care at home
establish any cultural issues that may impede on recovery

Question 5

define risk factor

Answer 5

a characteristic at the biological, psychological or social level that precedes a mental disorder from occurring or reoccurring and is associated with a higher likelihood of problem outcomes.

Question 6

examples of bio, psych and social risk factors

Answer 6

bio: genetics, response to medication, sleep
social: disorganised attachment, loss of significant relationships
psych: rumination (excessive thinking or worrying), stress, impaired reasoning or memory

Question 7

define predisposing factors + examples

Answer 7

refers to factors that increase vulnerability to mental disorders and takes into account certain traits that we might be born with.

inherited traits, brain chemistry, medical conditions

Question 8

define precipitating factors + examples

Answer 8

refers to factors that the patient is currently experiencing in their life

stressful life situations, being a victim of abuse, traumatic experiences or long term use of medications.

Question 9

define perpetuating factors + examples

Answer 9

refers to factors that inhibit recovery and cause the metal disorder to last longer than it otherwise would.

alcohol or substance abuse problems
social isolation
family conflicts
poor parental attachment

Question 10

define protective factors + examples

Answer 10

factors that prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of a mental disorder

good diet
good sleeping patterns
social support
economic wellbeing

Question 11

what are the types of anxiety disorders

Answer 11

specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia and generalised anxiety disorder.

Question 12

describe anxiety disorders

Answer 12

anxiety disorders are classified by when the fear response triggered is out of proportion to the reality of the danger of a situation and the dysfunctional behaviours that reduce that anxiety.

Patients typically have a hard time controlling this response and it can lead to avoidance of the situations that interrupts a persons life in a significant way.

Question 13

define psych disorder

Answer 13

a deviant, dysfunctional and distressful pattern of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that interferes with the ability to function in a healthy way.

Question 14

describe GAD

Answer 14

continually tense and apprehensive, experiencing unfocused, negative and out of control feelings.

usually cannot identify the cause of their anxiousness

Question 15

panic disorder

Answer 15

characterised by panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense dread or sudden fear that come without warning.

chest pains
racing heart beat
difficulty breathing

a common trigger is the fear of having another panic attack, that leads to avoidance behaviour

Question 16

phobias

Answer 16

persistent, irrational fears of specific objects activities or situations, which leads to avoidance behaviours.

Question 17

social anxiety disorders

Answer 17

characterised by anxiety related to interacting or being seen by others and of doing something that will cause negative evaluation of yourself.

Question 18

define stigma

Answer 18

stigma refers to a ‘mark of disgrace’ that labels a person as different and separates them from others.

when a person is labelled by their illness they are no longer seen as an individual but as part of a stereotyped group. Negative attitudes and beliefs toward this group create prejudice which leads to negative actions and discrimination.

consequently the stigma associated with feeling ashamed or embarrassed and prevent them from seeking help.

Question 19

what are the two types of stigma?

Answer 19

self stigma and social stigma

Question 20

define self stigma

Answer 20

self stigma occurs when a mental health sufferer internalises negative stereotypes and has subsequent emotional reactions to their mental illness, including low self esteem and poor self efficacy.

Question 21

define social stigma

Answer 21

social stigma includes the various prejudices and discrimination directed at the individuals with mental disorder by the general public.

Question 22

define cumulative risk

Answer 22

the combined risk of factors that may interact with each other to influence a mental disorder.

Question 23

describe psychotherapies

Answer 23

psychotherapy is the use of psychological methods, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and desensitisation therapy to help a person over come and change their mental health in a positive way.

Question 24

describe CBT

Answer 24

cognitive behavioural therapy operates on the assumption that what people believe influences how they act and feel.

based on experimentally derived principles of learning, the goal of CBT is to help people change maladaptive patterns if thinking or behaviour.

is an action oriented practical talk therapy (where they talk to challenge irrational thought process and replace them with adaptive ones).

8-16 weeks
effective for a wide range of mental disorders.
can be delivered in person, individually or in groups.

Question 25

describe exposure therapy (desensitisation)

Answer 25

systematic desensitisation therapy is based on classical conditioning and involves patients imagine or are exposed to anxiety arousing situations while concurrently engage in behaviour that competes with the anxiety (relaxation).

can be in vivo (real life) - actual exposure rather than imagined.

or flooding - exposure, real or imagined for a prolonged period of exposure without engaging in relaxation techniques.

eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing - a form of exposure therapy developed to treat trauma?PTSD.

Question 26

describe electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Answer 26

ECT is a psych treatment in which seizures are induced in patients. these seizures are intended to provide relief in patients suffering from mental health issues (particularly bi-polar and major depressive disorder).

patients are anaesthetised and electrodes are placed on their skill through which electric shock is administered.

despite lack of understanding of how and why ECT works, studies have found remission rates of 50-80% in depressed patients.

Question 27

describe psychosurgery

Answer 27

psychosurgery involves brain surgery including lobotomies and deep brain stimulation to treat mental health disorders.

during psychosurgery - a small area or piece of the brain is removed or destroyed, ideally the surgery target an area that is the cause of symptoms.

alternatively, deep brain stimulation through deep brain stimulation (DBS) where affected areas are stimulated with electrodes.

Question 28

describe pharmacotherapy

Answer 28

use of drugs and medication to assist mental health. Used when therapists believe the cause of the mental disorder is biological.

For example: lithium is a mood stabiliser for those with bipolar disorder.

Question 29

describe a placebo

Answer 29

a placebo is an inert or inactive substance that is administered to a patient.

the placebo effect refers to the phenomenon that occurs when a placebo caused a reduction in symptoms simply because the patient believe that what they are taking will be effective.

EG: sugar pill