9. Psychological disorders Flashcards
What important aspect should be taken into account in psychological disorder diagnosis?
Culture
e.g. autism: Eye contact is a part of dx, but Asian cultures is not the same as here and it is lot always “confident” or “show interest” to look in eyes. –> could be misdiagnosis
What is the cause of abnormal behaviours based on the biological perspective?
Disorders involve structural or biochemical abnormalities in the brain. The diathesis-stress model states that schizophrenia develops when there is both a genetic predisposition and more stress than a person can handle. Imbalances in neurotransmitters may cause mood disorders (norepinephrine and serotonin), obsessive-compulsive disorders (serotonin) and schizophrenia (dopamine)
Symptom of underlying physical disorder (give drugs)
What is the cause of abnormal behaviours based on the psychodynamic perspective?
Stem from early childhood education. Disorders are caused by unconscious sexual or aggressive conflicts that are unresolved. Many pedophiles and people with dissociative identity disorders report having been sexually abused in the past
Psychoanalysis “talk therapy”, go through past etc.
What is the cause of abnormal behaviours based on the learning perspective?
Abnormal thoughts/feelings learned like other behaviors. Inappropriate learning.
Most phobias result from learning
What is the cause of abnormal behaviours based on the cognitive perspective?
Faulty and negative thinking patterns.
People may be depressed because they view themselves, their world, and their future negatively
What is the cause of abnormal behaviours based on the humanistic perspective?
Blocking one’s natural tendency towards self-actualization
What is the DSM-IV and what is it used for?
DSM-5: diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
Enables professionals to speak the same language when diagnosing, treating, researching, conversing about variety of psychological disorders
Describes 300 mental disorders
What is neurosis?
Personal distress, impairment in functioning, no loss of contact with reality or violation of social norms (e.g. schizophrenia) Obsolete term (not used anymore)
What is psychosis?
Loss of contact with reality, delusions, hallucinations, impaired ability to function
What is anxiety?
vague, general uneasiness, feeling something bad about to happen.
What are the most common categories of mental disorders in Canada?
Anxiety disorders + obsessive-compulsive + related disorders
What proportion of canadians suffer from a mental disorder?
12%
What is a generalized anxiety disorder?
Diagnosis if excessive anxiety and worry that one finds difficult to control
Impairs daily living
What are the symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder?
Trembling, palpitations, sweating, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, frequent urination
Which gender is most affected by generalized anxiety disorder?
Many more women affected than men
What is a panic attack?
Attacks of overwhelming anxiety, fear, terror
Feels like a heart attack
What is a panic disorder?
Diagnosed with recurring panic attacks of overwhelming anxiety, fear or terror
Which factor plays a big role in panic disorders?
Genetics
Which area of the brain has an increased activity in panic disorders? When is there an increased activity in this area?
Individuals with this disorder have increased activity in “emotion control” area of the brain, even when not under a current panic attack
What is a phobia?
Persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of object, situation, activity. 3 classes: - Agoraphobia - Social anxiety disorder - Specific phobias
Do people with phobias realize their fear is irrational?
Yes
What is agoraphobia?
Intense fear in situations where immediate escape is not possible or no help
What is social anxiety disorder?
Irrational fear of social or performance situations if might embarrass, humiliate self in front of others
What is one third of people with social anxiety disorder fearing?
Speaking in public
Do people with social anxiety disorder have a higher incidence of drug abuse?
Yes
What are specific phobias?
Phobias other than agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder
How does fear become a phobia?
Fear is not a phobia unless great distress or interferes with life in a major way
If can handle the situation = not a phobia
Name 3 causes of phobias
o Genetic predisposition
o Conditioning
o Observational learning
What is an obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Persistent, recurring, involuntary thoughts (obsessions), or behaviours (compulsions) or both.
Differentiate an obsession from a compulsion.
Obsession: persistent, recurring, involuntary thoughts, images, impulses, cause great distress
Compulsion: compelled to repeat certain acts over an over or perform specific rituals repeatedly
Name 3 causes of OCD.
o Early autoimmune system diseases, strep infections, changes in brain from infections
o Twin studies suggest genetics
o Genes affecting serotonin functioning suspected
What is a somatic symptoms disorder?
Bodily symptoms not explained by known medical conditions. Unwarranted physical symptoms.
Name 2 somatic symptom disorders
- Illness anxiety disorder
2. Conversion disorder
What is an illness anxiety disorder?
A type of somatic symptom disorder where one is…
• Overly concerned about health
• Fear that bodily symptoms are sign of serious disease despite reassurances from doctors to the contrary
What is a conversion disorder?
A type of somatic symptom disorder where one has…
• Loss of motor or sensory functioning in some part of the body
• No apparent physical cause
• Solves a psychological problem
• La belle indifference
What are dissociative disorders?
Dissociated from identity and memories of important personal events
Mental escape from intolerable circumstances
“loss of personal identity due to a non-organic cause”