characteristics of mental illnesses

Question 1

definition of depression

Answer 1

mood disorder where individual has low mood, low energy levels and lacks interest in usual activities

Question 2

emotional characteristics of depression

Answer 2

• lower mood: worthless/ empty
• anger: directed at self/others, lead to sh
• lowered self esteem: self loathing

Question 3

behavioural characteristics of depression

Answer 3

• disruption to sleep/eating habits: increase/decrease
• aggression/ self harm- irritable and aggressive
• reduced energy levels: withdraw from work/ social life

Question 4

cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 4

• focusing on the negative
• absolutist thinking: situations all good/bad. bad= absolute disaster
• poor concentration: hard to make decisions. interfere with work

Question 5

defintion of ocd

Answer 5

anxiety disorder where sufferers have obsessions and/or compulsive behaviour.

Question 6

emotional characteristics of ocd

Answer 6

• anxiety and distress- obsessive thoughts unpleasant/frightening. urge to repeat behav creates anxiety
• accompanying depression- anxiety can be accompanied by low mood
• guilt and disgust- directed at self or external eg dirt

Question 7

behavioural characteristics of ocd

Answer 7

• compulsions repetitive eg counting
• complusions reduce anxiety - produced by obsessions
• avoidance- reduce anxiety by avoid situations triggering it

Question 8

cognitive characteristics of ocd

Answer 8

• obsessive thoughts- thoughts reoccur
• aware of excessive anxiety
• obsessive thoughts are not excessive worries about everyday problems

Question 9

definition of phobia

Answer 9

group of mental disorders characterised by high levels of anxiety in response to a stimulus. The anxiety interferes with normal living.

Question 10

emotional characteristics of phobias

Answer 10

• anxiety- prevents from relaxing
• fear- strong emotional response
• unreasonable- anxiety/fear is unproportionate to actual danger

Question 11

behavioural characteristics of phobias

Answer 11

• panic- response to stimulus
• avoidance- interferes with normal routine
• endurance- remains in presence of phobic stimulus but experiences high anxiety still

Question 12

cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 12

• irrational beliefs- strong beliefs despite evidence
• selective attention to phobic stimulus- if can see phobic stimuli it’s hard to look away from it
• recognises fear is unreasonable- aware it’s excessive