2. Depression, Phobias & OCD Flashcards
(40 cards)
1
Q
What is the DSM
A
- The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
- Contains mental health disorders. & is systematically reviewed & modified in line with new research.
2
Q
What is the DSM used for
A
- Used to classify disorders using defined diagnostic criteria. This includes a list of symptoms which can be used as a tool for diagnosis.
- Classifications allow data to be collected abt a disorder - can help in development of new treatments.
3
Q
Criticism of the DSM
A
- This type of classification has been criticised for stigmatising ppl & ignoring their ‘uniqueness’ by putting them in artificial groups.
4
Q
What is depression
A
A mood disorder
5
Q
What are mood disorders
A
- Characterised by strong emotions, which can influence a person’s ability to function normally.
- Depression is one of most common mood disorders. There are many types.
6
Q
Types of depression
A
- Major depression (unipolar disorder)
- Manic depression (bipolar disorder)
7
Q
What is Major depression (unipolar disorder)
A
- An episode of depression that can occur suddenly.
- Can be reactive - caused by external factors, eg. death of loved one
- OR, can be endogenous - caused by internal factors, eg. neurological factors
8
Q
What is Manic depression (bipolar disorder)
A
- Alternative between 2 mood extremes (mania & depression)
- The change in mood often occurs in regular cycles of days or weeks
- Episodes of mania involved overactivity, rapid speech, feeling extremely happy or agitated.
- Episodes of depression involve behavioural, cognitive & emotional symptoms (listed below)
9
Q
Depression has lots of clinical characteristics
A
- Physical/Behaviour symptoms
- Affective/Emotional symptoms
- Cognitive symptoms
10
Q
Physical/Behaviour symptoms of depression
A
- Sleep disturbances - insomnia or hypersomnia
- Change in appetite - ppl may eat more or less. than usual (gain/lose weight)
- Pain - headaches, joint & muscle ache
- Lack of activity - social withdrawal & loss of sex drive
11
Q
Affective/Emotional symptoms of depression
A
- Extreme feelings of sadness, hopelessness & despair
- Diurnal mood variation - changes in mood throughout day, eg. feeling worse in morning
- Anhedonia - no longer enjoying activities or hobbies that used to be pleasurable
12
Q
Cognitive symptoms of depression
A
- Experiencing persistent negative beliefs about themselves & their abilities
- Suicidal thoughts
- Slower thought processes - difficulty concentrating & making decisions
13
Q
What is a phobia
A
An eg of an anxiety disorder - its an extreme, irrational fear of a particular object or situation.
The DSM classifies several types of phobias
14
Q
Different types of phobias
A
- Specific phobias
- Agoraphobia
- Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
15
Q
What are Specific phobias
A
A fear of specific objects or situations. There are 5 subtypes:
1. Animal type (aka zoophobia)
2. Environmental dangers type (fear of water)
3. Blood-injection-injury type (fear of needles)
4. Situational type (fear of heights)
5. ‘Other’ (any phobia that isnt covered in categories above)
16
Q
What is Agoraphobia
A
- Fear of open spaces, using public transport, enclosed space, waiting in line, crowds, or not being at home.
- Specifically linked to the fear of not being able to escape/find help if an embarrassing situation arises.
- Often involves sufferer avoiding the situation to avoid distress.
- May develop as a result of other phobias, bc sufferer’s afraid that they’ll come across the source of their fear if they leave the house.
17
Q
What is Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
A
- Fear of being in social situations (eg. eating in public or talking in front of a group of ppl).
- Usually down to the possibility of being judged or embarrassed.
18
Q
Phobias have several clinical characteristics
A
- Cognitive symptoms
- Behavioural symptoms
- Physical symptoms
- Emotional symptoms
19
Q
Cognitive symptoms of phobias
A
- Irrational beliefs abt the stimulus that causes fear.
- Hard to concentrate bc theyre preoccupied by anxious thoughts.
20
Q
Behavioural symptoms of phobias
A
- Avoiding social situations bc they cause anxiety (happens especially if someone has Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) or agoraphobia).
- Altering behaviour to avoid the feared object/situation, & trying to escape if encountered (ppl are often restless & easily startled)
21
Q
Physical symptoms of phobias
A
- Activation of the flight or fight response when feared object/situation is encountered or thought abt.
- Involves release of adrenaline, increased heart rate & breathing, & muscle tension.
22
Q
Emotional symptoms of phobias
A
- Anxiety & a feeling of dread.
23
Q
Diagnostic criteria for phobias
A
DSM classifies a fear as a phobia if you can relate to these criteria:
1. Significant prolonged fear of object/situation longer than 6months.
2. Anxiety response to phobic stimulus
3. Phobias are out of proportion to any actual danger
4. Go out of their way to avoid phobic stimulus
5. Phobia disrupts their lives (avoidance)
24
Q
What does OCD stand for
A
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
25
What is OCD
- OCD has 2 parts: **obsessions** & **compulsions**. - Most ppl w OCD experience obsessions & compulsions that are linked to eachother (eg. excessive worrying abt catching germs (obsession) may lead to excessive hand-washing (compulsion)).
26
Different aspects of OCD
- Obsessions are the COGNITIVE aspect of OCD.
- Compulsions are the BEHAVIOURAL aspect.
- OCD also has an EMOTIONAL aspect - obsessions tend to cause anxiety, their compulsions are an attempt to relive this.
27
Stats of OCD
- OCD affects abt 2% of world's population.
- Sufferers usually develop the disorder in late teens or early 20s.
- Occurs equally in men & women & in all ethnic groups.
28
What are obsessions (OCD)
- Intrusive & persistent thoughts, images & impulses.
- The cognitive (internal) aspect of OCD.
- Can range from worrying you left oven on, to worrying you might kill your parents.
29
Diagnostic criteria for obsessions (OCD)
For thoughts like these to be classified as obsessions, DSM criteria:
1. Persistent & reoccurring thoughts, images or impulses that are unwanted, cause distress.
2. Person actively tries to ignore thoughts, images or impulses but is unable to.
3. Obsessions have not been caused by other physiological substances (drugs)
30
What are compulsions (OCD)
- Physical or mental repetitive actions.
- The behavioural (external) aspect of OCD.
- eg. checking door is locked 9 times or repeating certain phrase or prayer to neutralise unwanted thoughts.
- Problem is that the action only reduces the anxiety caused by an obsession for a short time, meaning obsessions starts up again (cycle).
31
Diagnostic criteria for compulsions (OCD)
1. Person repeats physical behaviours or mental acts that relate to an obsession. Sometimes rules they must follow strictly (eg. checking door is locked 10 times before you can leave).
2. Compulsions are meant to reduce anxiety/prevent feared situation - in reality theyre excessive/wouldnt acc stop a dreaded situation.
3. Compulsions have not been caused by other physiological substances (drugs).
32
What does the DSM state about obsessions & compulsions (OCD)
- If the obsessions or compulsions last at least 1hr each day, this is an indication of a clinical case of OCD.
- Another indication of OCD is if obsessions & compulsions interfere w a persons ability to maintain relationships, hold down a job or take part in social activities.
33
4 common types of OCD behaviours
1. Checking
2. Contamination
3. Hoarding
4. Symmetry & orderliness
34
OCD behaviours: Checking
Includes checking that lights are turned off or that you have your wallet.
35
OCD behaviours: Contamination
Involves a fear of catching germs by, say, going to a restaurant, touching door handles, shaking hands.
36
OCD behaviours: Hoarding
Keeping useless or worn-out objects
37
OCD behaviours: Symmetry & orderliness
Getting objects lined up 'just right', sa having all tins in food cupboard facing exactly same way.
38
Characteristics of OCD: **Behavioural**
- How a person **acts** which typically leads to the carrying out of repetitive actions to reduce anxiety.
- This often leads to avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety
39
Characteristics of OCD: **Emotional**
- OCD may feel depressed and/or other negative emotions (guilt, disgust)
40
Characteristics of OCD: **Cognitive**
- OCD sufferers are usually plagued with obsessive thoughts. They also tend to develop cognitive coping strategies
- Anxiety
