Module 1: Normality vs. Abnormality Flashcards
(31 cards)
What are some factors that play into considering if something is deemed as normal?
Setting (classroom vs. outside), culture (hallucinations), geography (city vs. small town), region (Southern eccentrics), and context (Mardi Gras).
What are the 4 cirteria for Abnormality?
- Distress
- Impairment
- Risk to Self or Others
- Socially & Culturally defined unacceptable behaviors
What is psychological impairment?
The inability to engage in tasks of daily living
like working and personal care. (aka Activities of Daily Living ADLs)
What is distress?
The experience of emotional pain (extreme unhapiness or pain)
What are some examples of psychological distress?
Depression, anxiety, cognitive confuson
What are some examples of how people cope with distress?
Self-medicating, defense mechanisms
What is self-medicating?
Anything a person uses to not feel their feelings, such as drugs and alcohol
What are defense mechanisms?
A mental process to avoid conflict or anxiety
What is repression?
A defense mechanism where a person unconsciously pushes away distressing thoughts, memories, or feelings so they don’t have to deal with them.
What is displacement?
A defense mechanism that involves shifting your negative feelings toward the person you feel anger towards to someone who is “safer.” Example: You are angry with your boss, you come home and yell at your significant other is an example of displacement.
What is intellectualization?
A defense mechanism where a person avoids dealing with emotions by focusing on logic, facts, or reasoning instead.
What is rationalization?
A defense mechanism where someone makes excuses or justifies something they did or felt to make it seem more acceptable or reasonable.
What is denial?
A defense mechanism where a person refuses to accept reality or facts because they’re too painful or overwhelming.
What question do we ask to determine if someone is impaired?
Is the person not able to fulfill their responsibilities or do things that they used to be able to do?
Do impairment and distress always go together?
Impairment and distress usually go together but not always. You can be distressed but not impaired.
Your emotions may feel overpowering, yet you still manage to take care of your responsibilities. You can be impaired but not distressed. For example, substance abusers can be quite impaired, but it does not bother them.
What does risk to self mean?
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors, Self-harm/Self-mutilation, Putting themselves in dangerous situations on purpose
Does asking about suicide to a client mean that you’re putting it in their head or making it more likely to happen?
No
What is self-mutilation or self-harm?
When a person intentionally hurts their own body as a way to cope with emotional pain, stress, or overwhelming feelings.
Is cutting attempted suicide?
While cutting can look like attempted suicide, it is often not; most people who mutilate themselves do it as a way to regulate mood.
What does risk to others mean?
When a person may intentionally hurt someone else through words, actions, or behaviors. This can include physical, emotional, or psychological harm. (violence, rape, exploitation, bigotry, hatred)
What are some examples of medical abnormalities that can cause mental disorders?
Thyroid issues, hormones, traumatic brain injuries, drugs and alcohol, exposure to certain toxins or allergies
What should any client with mental health symptoms, especially a newly arising or sudden onset
symptoms, do?
They need a good physical completed to rule out other causes.
What are some psychological causes of mental disorders?
- Traumatic experiences
- Neglect as a child
- Sexual Abuse
- Grief
- Dysfunctional Family Life
What are some sociocultural causes of mental disorders?
- Dysfunctional relationships
- Lack of adequate housing
- Poverty
- Discrimination
- Racism
- Dysfunctional religious Beliefs
