Psychopathology Flashcards
(25 cards)
Abnormal is…
abnormal is deviating from the average (norm)
DSM-IVR
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders International use (AMERICAN)
categorises disorders based on signs and symptoms
takes into account social and enviromental problems that influence disorders
ICD-11
International Classification system for disorders
USED IN EUROPE
categorises disorders based on signs and symptoms
Outline 4 definitions for abnormality
Statistical infrequency- When an individual has a less common characteristic than average
Deviation from social norms- Behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in society.
Failure to function adequately- When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of everyday life
Deviation from ideal mental health-when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
Define Phobia
Phobia is an anxiety disorder interfering with daily living, it is an instance of irrational fear that produces a conscious avoidance of the feared object/situation
State 3 characteristics of phobias
Emotional-
Behavioural
Cognitive
Outline emotional characteristics of phobias
How a person feels when experiencing anxiety, an unpleasant state of high arousal making it difficult to relax.
excessive unreasonable fear/anxiety
unreasonable emotional response
Outline Behavioural characteristics of phobias
How a person acts around the object/situation
avoidance, crying running away screaming
panic
endurance
Outline Cognitive characteristics of phobias
How a person thinks about phobic stimuli, the irrational processing of information and resistance to rational argument
selective attention
Irrational belief
Cognitive distortions
outline the 2 process model for explaining phobias
Phobias are quired through classical conditioning(bitten by dog /SLT) and maintained by operant conditioning.
(Avoiding dogs is rewarded by a reduction in anxiety)
Who carried out the Lil Albert laboratory experiment
Raynor and Watson
State 2 ways to treat Phobias
Systematic Desensitisation
and
Flooding
systematic desensitisation is a form of ______________ therapy counter conditioning learning a different response when phobic stimulus is paired with _________ instead of _____________
systematic desensitisation is a form of BEHAVIOURAL therapy counter conditioning learning a different response when phobic stimulus is paired with RELAXATION instead of ANXIETY
describe systematic desensitisation and how it treats phobias
Anxiety hierarchy- list of situations including phobic stimulus created with therapist.
Relaxation- Teaching client to relax deeply, cannot be afraid and relaxed at the same time and one emotion prevents the other (reciprocal inhibition)
Encouraging breathing exercises and mental imagery techniques.
Exposure- Client exposed to phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state. Moving up the hierarchy
describe flooding as a method to treat phobias
Extreme behaviour therapy including immediate exposure to frightening situation rather than gradual exposure to phobic stimulus.
In Vitro (Imaginary exposure)
In Vivo (Actual exposure)
patients are taught relaxation techniques firts.
removing phobias through direct confrontation of feared object/situtation
Evaluation for FLOODING
:) COST EFFECTIVE-
:( TRAUMATIC- causes high levels of anxiety, informed consent is given but many do not complete treatment so it is a waste of time and money
:( Less effective for other non specific phobias
Evaluation of Systematic Desensitisation
:) RESEARCH EVIDENCE/RELIABLE- McGrath et al. found 75% of patients with phobias were successfully treated
:( Not effective for all phobias, e.g. those not formed through classical conditioning such as heights - some phobias are evolutionary
Evaluation for Statistical infrequency definition of abnormality
:) REAL WORLD APPLICATION- e.g.. Beck depression inventory, criterion used for diagnostic
:( Unusual characteristics may actually be beneficial. so this definition cannot be sufficient.
Evaluation for Deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality
:) REAL WORLD APPLICATION- Useful in clinical practice, key defining feature of antisocial personality disorder so this criterion has value in psychiatry
:( Cultural and situational relativism- Variability between social norms in different cultures/ situations
Evaluation for Failure to function adequately as a definition for abnormality
:) APPLICATION- those who need help can be targeted and receive professional help
:( Discrimination and social control. Easy to label non standard lifestyles as abnormal
:( Failing to function is normal in some scenarios eg. bereavement
Evaluation of Deviation from ideal mental health as a definition for abnormality
:)Comprehensive definition providing us with a checklist through which we can asses ourselves and and discuss with professionals which focus on different areas
:( Culture bound- westernised ideals.
:( High standards, unlikely anyone will achieve
What does ideal mental health look like, criteria: according to Marie Jahoda
1.No symptoms or distress
2.Rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
3.Can self actualise
4.Can cope with stress
5.Have a realistic view of the world
6.Have a good self esteem and lack guilt
7.We are independent of other people
8.We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure
state the 3 categories of phobias according to the DSM-5
Specific phobia-object/animal
Social anxiety- social situations such as public speaking
Agoraphobia- being outside/public space
Evaluation for the behavioural approach in explaining phobias
:) REAL WORLD APPLICATION-
