Psychopathology Flashcards
(43 cards)
1
Q
Definitions of abnormality - deviation from social norms
A
- behaviour diff from accepted standards in community
- norms diff for diff country’s, e.g. tip in US not UK
- SCHEFF = residual rules - written rules of social groups
2
Q
Definitions of abnormality - deviation from social norms - AO3 - weakness - lead to human right abuses
A
- too much reliance on deviation from social norms to understand abnormality can lead to abuse of human rights.
- historical examples of deviation from SN - nymphomania was a diagnosis for women attracted to WC men, clear that diagnosis’swere there to maintain control over minority ethnic groups of class groups + women.
- this classification seems mental but our social norms changed.
- some psychs argue that some of our modern categories of mental disorder are really abuses of peoples right to be different.
- E.G. trans women not allowed in girls toilet
3
Q
Definitions of abnormality - deviation from social norms - AO3 - weakness - cultural relativism
A
- problem when using it to define abnormal behaviour is that social norms vary from gen to gen + community to another.
-E.G one person in one cultural group label another culture as behaving abjnormaly according to their social norms and standards. - E.G. hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but seen as sign of mental abnormality in UK.
- create problem for people from one culture living i another one.
4
Q
Definitions of abnormality - statistical infrequency
A
- usual behaviour is ‘normal’ = frequent is common
- unusual behaviour is ‘abnormal’ = abnormal is rare
- define ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ by how many stats have observed it
- E.G. Avergae IQ is 100, most 85 - 115.
- only 2% have below 70, seen as abnormal and diagnosed with INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY DISORDER
5
Q
Definitions of abnormality - statistical infrequency - AO3 - strength - real life app
A
- examples of diagnosed intellectual disability disorders, use stats of IQ to see which is abnormal.
- doctors assess if patients have disorder by comparing to norms of society.
6
Q
Definitions of abnormality - statistical infrequency - AO3 - weakness - some abnormalities are desirable
A
- people w/ high IQ are desirable but abnormal + rare.
- definition would say people w/ depression aren’t abnormal as its common, could lead to stopping treatment.
7
Q
Definitions of abnormality - failure to function adequately
A
- not able to cope w/ everyday life, no function in work/relationships.
- affect individuals, e.g. exam Monday, but drink Sunday anyway.
- affect other, e.g. relationships/friendships.
8
Q
Definitions of abnormality - failure to function adequately - AO3 - weakness - subjective judgements
A
- someone has to judge whether patient is distressed or distressing.
- some ppts say they are distressed but judged as not suffering.
- methods to make judgments objective - checklist GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONING SCALE.
- principle remains that someone has to make judgement.
- could lead to not diagnosing disorder.
- eg dirty bedroom fine for some and not others
- makes clinicians inconsistent in judgement
9
Q
Definitions of abnormality - failure to function adequately - AO3 - weakness - lack temporal
A
- in DSM-4 it states dressing in drag is a disorder, and fails to function adequately + aren’t successful.
- but drag queens are now vey successful, RUPAUL.
10
Q
Definitions of abnormality - deviation from ideal mental health
A
- JAHODA = defined physical illness by looking at absence of physical health.
- had 6 characteristics of ideal mental health:
- POSITIVE SELF ESTEEM, PERSONAL GROWTH, COPE W/ STREE, INDEPENDENCE, PERCEPTION OF REAITY, GOOD RELATIONSHIPS.
11
Q
Definitions of abnormality - deviation from ideal mental health - AO3 - weakness - according to this, most pop are abnormal
A
- no one is perfect, this criteria expects perfection.
- not everyone will have every single one at the same time, almost impossible.
- personal growth is gradual.
12
Q
Definitions of abnormality - deviation o from ideal mental health - AO3 - strength - comprehensive def
A
- covers broad image of mental health.
- covers reasons why people seek help.
13
Q
OCD - disorders
A
- characterised by obsessions/compulsions.
- OBSESSION = persistent thought idea, impulse experienced repeatedly, feel intrusive + cause anxiety.
- COMPULSION = repetitive + rigid behaviour/mental act a person feel drive to perform, to prevent/reduce anxiety.
- DSM5 criteria = recurrent OBSESSION + COMPULSION. Recognition by individual that obsessions + compulsions are excessive. Person distressed and daily life disrupted.
- EMOTIONAL = depressed about OCD. Anxious.
- BEHAVIOURAL = avoid stimulus. Act on obsession.
- COGNITIVE = plagued w/ intrusive thoughts.
14
Q
Explaining OCD - NEURO - serotonin
A
- SEROTONIN = neurotransmitter pass signal across synapse, help transmit chemical messages.
- LOW LEVELS IN OCD
- ORBITAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX (OFC) = participation in learning, prediction + decision-making for emotional behaviours.
- CAUDATE NUCLEUS = execution of movements + learning, memory, motivation, emotions BUT w/o S causes OCD.
- WORRY CIRCUIT = low serotonin. OFC sen worry signal to THALAMUS THROUGH CAUDATE. Thalamus send back filtered version of worry signal. CN can’t filter signal w/o S so thalamus send signal of increased worry to OFC. Compulsions to get rid of worry.
- PIGOTT = standard antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors reduce OCD.
- CORNER = OCD sufferers show heightened activity in OFC when presented obsessional stimulus.
15
Q
Explaining OCD - NEURO - dopamine
A
- DOPAMINE = enhance neurotransmission in BASIL GANGLIA - activity associated w/ heightened sensitivity + movement.
- HIGH LEVELS DOPAMINE IN OCD.
- SZECHTMAN = high dose drugs enhancing D movements resembling compulsion behaviour in OCD patients. Given to rats, led to compulsions.
- SHAPIRO = high levels of co-morbidity w/ Tourette’s + OCD. Stops reuptake so more neurotransmitter get to one neurone.
- DIATHESIS STRESS MODEL = stressful event could trigger dormant gene.
16
Q
Explaining OCD - GENETIC - COMT + SERT
A
- TAYLOR = meta-analysis identify 230 out of 25,000 candidates, genes linked to OCD:
- COMT = regulates D, decrease amount of COMT in OCD people, stop control of D.
- SERT = affect transport of S, create lower levels as SERT don’t transport S to right places.
- NESTADT = people w/ first degree relative w/ OCD 5x more likely to get OCD.
- BILLETT ET AL = meta-analysis of 14 twin studies. MZ 2x more likely to get OCD than DZ.
17
Q
OCD - AO3 for explaining - strength - research support
A
- LEWIS examined OCD patients and found 37% had parent w/ disorder + 21% siblings w/ it.
- NESTADT supports this too, as 5x more likely to have if are first degree related.
18
Q
OCD - AO3 for explaining - strength - evidence for genes
A
- BILLESTT ET AL did 14 twin study, MZ twin 2x likely to get it than DZ.
- HOWEVER, concordance isn’t 100% even though share 100% genes so environment has affect, diathesis stress model perhaps.
19
Q
OCD - AO3 for explaining - weakness - misunderstood of brain areas
A
- this explanation makes it seem that only these areas are included in OCD, not true.
- BASIL GANGLIA + OFC don’t function FOR OCD, they have other functions too.
- other areas may also be apart of OCD.
20
Q
OCD - AO3 for explaining - weakness - alternative exp
A
- two process model is better, explains that learn to play role of fearing a stimulus.
- coudl argue that OCD sufferers learn to fear/feel worry for stimuli. Learn through classical conditioning.
- ALBUCHER ET AL = behaviour treatment success for 60-90% of OCD sufferers.
21
Q
Treating OCD - 1st - antidepressants - SSRIs
A
- PROZAC = increase level of S by blocking reuptake in pre-synaptic neurons.
- S left in synapse prolonging activity.
- 1st drug prescribed.
- prescribed w/ people w/ moderate - severe symptoms.
- long period of time prevent relapse.
- SIDE EFFECTS = headache, nausea + insomnia.
22
Q
Treating OCD - 2nd - antidepressant - TRICYCLIC
A
- ANAFRANIL = block transporter mechanisms that reabsorbs S + noradrenaline.
- use when SSRIs don’t work.
- considered for co-morbid conditions like depression/chronic pain.
- SIDE EFFECTS = hallucinations + irregular heartbeat.
23
Q
Treating OCD - 3rd - anti-anxiety - BZs
A
- VALIUM = reduce anxiety.
- slow down central nervous system by enhancing activity of NT GABA - neurotransmitter.
- GABA has quietening effect on neurons in brain.
- GABA locks onto receptors, channels are opened to increase flor of chlorine ions, into neurons.
- chlorine ions make harder for neurons to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters, slow down activity.
- used for short term.
- SIDE EFFECTS = increase aggression, memory impaired + addiction.
24
Q
Treating OCD - AO3 - strength - effectiveness
A
- SUDMRO ET AL = review 17 studies of SSRIs.
- FOUND = more effective than placebo when reducing symptoms.
- HOWEVER, KORAN ET AL say research for effectiveness is short term, 3-4 months, no long term data.
25
Treating OCD - AO3 - strength - drug treatment preferred
- less effort. Than CBT.
- preferred by health services as less money + monitoring.
26
Treating OCD - AO3 - weakness - side effects
- ASHTON = found BZs struggle as popular medication as side effects are so severe.
- if have medication over 4 weeks, get addicted.
- limit effectiveness as can’t be long term treatment.
27
Treating OCD - AO3 - weakness - publication bias
- research funded by drug companies, could pay off companies to emphasise effectiveness + down play negative side effects.
- TURNER ET AL = showed bias of positive outcomes.
- selective publication lead to doctors making bad decisions.
- not being 100% truthful with patients on what is bets option drug wise as drug company paying them.
28
Phobias - disorders
= irrational fears produce conscious avoidance.
- characterised by EXCESSIVE FEAR + ANXIETY, trigger by object, place or situation.
- DSM5 criteria:
- SPECIFIC phobia = phobias SPECIFIC to STIMULUS.
- SOCIAL ANXIETY = fear of BEING EMBARRASSED in public setting.
- AGORAPHOBIA = fear of HARM/DANGER in public, something bad happen to you in social place.
- EMOTIONAL = fear/anxiety which is disproportional.
- BEHAVIOURAL = panic, avoidance + endurance.
- COGNITIVE = selective attention (ignore). Irrational beliefs. Cognitive distortion.
29
Explaining phobias - MOWER
- TWO PROCESS MODEL = behavioural approach to behaviour.
- LEARN BEHAVIOUR = through classical conditioning.
- MAINTAIN BEHAVIOUR = operant conditioning.
- classical conditioning = UCS —> UCR. NS + UCS —> UCR. CS —> CR.
- LITTLE ALBERT (teddy, bang, scared).
- operant = maintenance, behaviour is reinforced/punished.
- negative reinforcement in particular maintain phobias = remove negative stimuli + avoid consequence of fear.
30
Explaining phobias - AO3 - weakness - not all phobias from trauma
- aren’t always result of conditioning from traumatic memory.
- can occur other ways.
- E.G. have phobia of snakes but never had bad experiences w/ one.
31
Treating phobias - SYSTEMATIC DESENSITISATION
- WOLPE = treatment for anxiety related to phobias.
- based on what is learnt + can be unlearned.
- start w/ patient imagine themselves in progression of fearful situations.
- use relaxation strategies:
- 1. Patient taught to relax muscles, control body + mind.
- 2. Therapist + patient imagine scenes, construct anxiety hierarchy, each scene more anxiety.
- 3. Patient meets each scenario relaxing. Once relaxed, move onto next. Can’t move up till fully relaxed.
- 4. Patient masters fear.
- COUNTER CONDITIONING = patient classical conditioning taught to associate phobic stimulus w/ new response.
32
Treating phobias - FLOODING
- 1 long session where patient has immediate exposure to phobia at worst time + practise relaxation.
- 2-3 hours, SD is 6-12 months.
- procedure = vivo (reality) or virtual reality.
- 1. Learn relaxation techniques.
- 2. Apply to 1 session in prescience of feared stimulus, 2-3 hours.
- 3. Adrenaline levels decrease naturally + new stimulus - response learnt w/feared stimulus + relaxation.
33
Treating phobias - AO3 - strength - research support
- MCGRATH ET AL = research into SD, 75% ppts responded to SD well.
- CHOY ET AL = say its the most effective in VIVO compared to VIRTUAL.
34
Treating phobias - AO3 - strength - time effective
- SD is faster + costs less than CBT, that’s for years this is only 6-12 months.
- also lack of thinking required, so better for those who lack insight in emotions, ppts w/ learning difficulties.
35
Treating phobia - AO3 - weakness - individual diffs
- flooding = traumatic, may quit during treatment as many ppts can’t hack the stressful situation.
- reduce effectiveness and raises issue of ethical issues + psych harm.
36
Treating phobias - AO3 - strength - effectiveness
- flooding = effective + quick.
- CHOY ET AL = report SD + flooding effective but flooding is more effective.
- time efficient + cost.
- HOWEVER, GRASKE ET AL = conclude SD + flooding have equal effectiveness.
37
Depression - disorder - AO1 - DSMV + meaning
- Activating event = big event to cause stress
- Beliefs = negative thinking + irrational beliefs
- Consequence = emotional, cognitive
38
Depression - disorder - AO1 - B,C,E characteristics
EMOTIONAL:
- lowered mood = feel lethargic + sad, worthless and empty, spiral of decline.
- anger = negative emotion more common then positive, emotional response is anger, lead to self harm.
- low self esteem = how much we like ourselves/not like themselves/hate.
BEHAVIOURAL:
- activity levels = reduced level of energy, lethargic + not work, not get out of bed, opposite is PSYCHOMOTOR AGITATION -> can’t relax.
- disrupt sleep + eating = eating and sleep can increase/decrease.
- aggression + self harm = become irritable, lead to verbal/physical aggression (self harm + suicide)
COGNITIVE:
- poor concentration = difficult to focus and low concentration easy, may interfere with ability to make decision, then affect life.
- attend to and dwell on negative = focus on negative and ignore positives, remember unhappy events over happy.
- absolutists thinking = ‘black and white’ way thinking, unfortunate event is disaster.
39
Explaining depression - AO1 - ELLIS ABC model
- Activating event = big event to cause stress
- Beliefs = negative thinking + irrational beliefs
- Consequence = emotional, cognitive + behavioural affected
- depression stems from trigger (A)
- cognition themselves whether depression occur (B)
- outcome can be combination of emotion + behaviour, may reinforce problem
- MUSTURBATION = ‘must’ thoughts lead to irrational beliefs:
- PERFECTIONISM = negative thoughts when one fails to live up to idea, must be ‘perfect’
- NEED FOR VALIDATION = ‘must be accepted’
- UNREASONABLE EXPECTATIONS = other people ‘must do what i want’ or ‘must turn out how i want’ to be happy
40
Explaining depression - AO1 - BECK negative triad
- claim depression caused by negative self-schemas that maintain cognitive triad
- negative view of OURSELVES —> FUTURE —> WORLD
- COGNITIVE BIAS = ‘faulty thinking’
- CONFORMATION BIAS = seek evidence to support negative ideas, ignore contradictory evidence
- PESSIMISM BIAS = overestimating likelihood of bad thing
41
Explaining depression - AO3 - strength - research support
- HAMMAN + KRANTZ say more depressed ppts select negative outcomes to stories given to them.
- BATES depressed ppt report even low old when read negative statements.
- PESSIMISM BIAS
42
Explaining depression - AO3 - weakness - dysfunctional belief, not irrational
- ALLOY + ABRAMSON depressed ppts more realistic estimation of negative events.
- undermines ABC of irrational beliefs, as they aren’t irrational just realistic.
43
Explaining depression - AO3 - weakness - victim blaming
- ZHANG argues genes associated with low serotonin levels more present in depressed ppts.
- DIATHESIS STRESS APPROACH
