IMH Flashcards
(47 cards)
What is mental health
A persons condition with regard to psychological and emotional well being
What were the historical explanations of mental health
Demonic possession
Humourism
Animalism
Moral treatment
What is Demonic possession
The belief that those who suffer from poor mental health were possessed by demons who controlled their behaviour
They could be spirits of various things and were attempted to be treated by trepanning (drilling holes in skulls)
What is Humorism
Hippocrates believed that madness was a result of an imbalance in the four humors (Blood, Phlegm, Yellow bile, Black bile) Having too much or too little of each of these could result in a variety of conditions
What was animalism
The belief that the mentally ill should be treated like animals because their behaviour was disordered.
Believed that they had lost capacity to reason, and were chained, whipped or given other cruel punishments
What was moral treatment
Philippe Pinel first started to say that patients should be freed from chains and allowed outside etc. His methods were found to be effective which lead to retiring inhumane treatments
He was a pioneer in the view that mental illness can be caused my social conditions or psychological stress
What were the four definitions of Abnormality for Rosenhan
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
A failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health
What is a statistical infrequency
Any behaviour shown less often than the normal amount for society.
What is a deviation from social norms
Behaviours that go against the “acceptable” actions of the society they live in
What is a failure to function adequately
A failure to function adequately, defined as being able to hold down a stable job, maintaining a relationship and looking after themselves
What is a deviation from ideal mental health
Ideal mental health defined as:
A positive self image
Capable of growth and development
Independent thoughts and actions
Accurate perception of reality
Being able to cope with demands and problems
Issues in statistical infrequency
Rare behaviours do not always indicate mental illness
Issues in Deviation from social norms
Sometimes people choose to deviate from social norms
Issues in failure to function adequately
There may be other barriers which prevent adequate functioning
Issues in deviation from ideal mental health
Sometimes people don’t act in these ways without being mentally ill. People often do not fit in with these for a range of reasons
What is the DSM 5
The manual used by clinicians in america to diagnose mental disorders. Most recent published in 2013
What are the key features of the DSM 5
Lifespan order - in order of when the conditions are most likely to be diagnosed
Internalising/Externalising - grouped by whether the symptoms are external or internal
Same information - all disorders have relevant information on the same thing for each of them
Important categories in the DSM 5
OCD related disorders
Feeding and Eating disorders
Sleep-Wake disorders
What is the key research for Topic 1
Rosenhan
Procedure of Rosenhan (Study 1)
Sane individuals signed up for an appointment at a mental hospital. They all reported the same symptoms of hearing voices and gave the same false name. Once admitted they stopped showing any of these symptoms and took part in regular activities. In every case they were admitted into the ward. Although their sanity was not detected by staff, 35/118 patients said that they were not insane like they were showing themselves to be. While in hospital, normal behaviours were misinterpreted.
Procedure of Rosenhan (Study 2)
A research hospital was made aware that the study would be taking place, and that patients would attempt to admit themselves into the hospital. Members of staff had to rate on a 10 point scale their thoughts on the chance of the individual being a pseudopatient. No pseudopatients applied but 41 patients were rated as highly confident that they were
Conclusions of Rosenhan
Mental hospitals are not good at making valid diagnosis
Mental hospitals are not good at making reliable diagnosis
Mental hospitals tend to view all behaviours reflecting the diagnosis they were given
Patients were treated with disrespect
Characteristics of Depression
For a diagnosis of depression, at least five of the following symptoms must be present:
Depressed mood,
Diminished interest or pleasure in things
Weight loss
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Restlessness
Etc.
Symptoms must not be attributable to any other causes
Characteristics of schizophrenia
Two or more of the following symptoms must be shown within a month:
Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganised speech
Catatonic behaviour
Etc.
Level of functioning must be below that prior to onset of symptoms
