Unit 2, topic 2 and 3

Question 1

define mental health

Answer 1

WHO describes mental health as a state of emotional and social wellbeing in which individuals can realise their own abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute to their community.

Question 2

define mental illness

Answer 2

mental health exists as a continuum.
on one end of the continuum people display fairly normal adaptive behaviours in response to life stressors.

on the other end mental illness and mental disorders occur. people with mental disorders display abnormal maladaptive behaviours that in impair their day to day functioning.

A lack of appropriate coping strategies and stressors can effect mental health.

Question 3

define mental disorders

Answer 3

mental disorders involves a breakdown in adaptions resulting in serious departure from normal, healthy functioning. It affects one or more functions of the mind and causes distress and suffering for the person and/or their friends and family. Mental disorders may involve biological dysfunction causing disability.

implies the presence of clinically diagnosable symptoms and behaviours that usually need treatment to be alleviated.

Question 4

define diagnosis

Answer 4

diagnosis refers to identifying and classifying abnormal behaviour on the basis of symptoms.

Naming mental disorders allows better communication between mental health-care workers and educators, and also helps to clarify and define variables in research in the area.

a correct diagnosis is important as it can assist with the prognosis and determination of a course of treatment to alleviate symptoms of a disorder.

Question 5

explain stigma

Answer 5

stigma refers to a mark of disgrace that labels a person as different and separates them from others. It is based on the concept that when a person is labelled by their illness they are no longer seen as in individual by as part of a stereotyped group. Negative attitudes and beliefs towards this group create prejudice which leads to negative actions and discrimination.

EG: some people refer to a mental disorder as weakness rather than an illness.

consequently stigma can leave people feeling embarrassed or ashamed and prevent them from seeking help.

Question 6

define normality and normal behaviour

Answer 6

normality refers the the state of being normal, defined in terms of typical and atypical behaviours and how some are adaptive and maladaptive behaviours.

normal behaviour is a behaviour that is accepted within society and is typical for the specific situation or context.

Question 7

define abnormal behaviour

Answer 7

abnormal behaviour refers to atypical behaviour is viewed as out of the ordinary and is against societal and cultural expectations. Abnormal behaviour may reflect impairment or consist of unwelcomed behaviours.

Question 8

define maladaptive behaviours

Answer 8

maladaptive behaviours are behaviours that are unhelpful or impair an individuals functioning.

Question 9

define adaptive behaviours

Answer 9

adaptive behaviours allow a person to operate in their day to day lifestyle and be involved in their community, attend school and relate with others.

Question 10

explain situational approach to normality

Answer 10

determines what is or isn’t normal behaviour by using situational cues within one’s environment. For example, it is normal to laugh at a joke, but would be considered inappropriate or abnormal to laugh during eulogy at a funeral. As one becomes older, they are expected to recognise the context they are in and to behave appropriately.

Situational determinants are related to cultural expectations.

Question 11

explain the sociocultural approach to normality

Answer 11

suggests what is normal behaviour based on cultural and societal cues. For example, in some cultures such as japan, it is considered rude and offensive for a child to make eye contact with an adult, whereas in mainstream Australian society a lack of eye contact may be interpreted as showing shyness, disrespect or deceit.

Question 12

explain the historical approach to normality

Answer 12

suggests what normal behaviour is based on cues in different periods of time. For example, during the Elizabethan and Jacobian era, an older style of English was used such as in William Shakespeare’s plays, whereas in modern society language has changed.

Question 13

explain the statistical approach to normality

Answer 13

identifies normal behaviours by the frequency of this behaviour within the specified population. A set of data is collected and measures of the central tendency and range are calculated to determine the average behaviour or characteristic.

Data that ranges outside the normal range for the population can be considered abnormal. The statistical approach to normality also relates to developmental norms. For example, if an infant does not crawl within the expected time frame, then investigation is carried out to find out why.

Question 14

Explain the functional approach to normality

Answer 14

pscyh dysfunction occurs when there is a breakdown in the way a person thinks, feels and behaves. A person who can do this in a manner that allows them to carry out they wish to do and be a productive member of society is considered normal.

the functional approach to normality suggests a person can function independently at a level expected for their age.

for example: it is when a person avoiding a social situation because the thoughts, feelings and behaviours become intense and interfere with typical everyday activities that a mental disorder may exist.

Question 15

explain the medical approach to normality

Answer 15

views a mental disorder in terms of of a physical illness with a possible biological basis. The person’s state of mental health is determined by a set of symptoms that may have genetic, biochemical or physical origins.

For example, a person suffering from a mood disorder such as depression may need medication such as a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor to help balance the chemical imbalance in the brain and relieve the person’s symptoms of persistent sadness.

Question 16

define mood disorder

Answer 16

a mood that is severe or persistent and disrupts a person’s life or daily functioning.

Question 17

define adaptive behaviours

Answer 17

adaption refers to the process of change and whereby an organism becomes better suited to its environment. In response to a changing environment, people develop coping mechanisms to help them alleviate stress and anxiety, and deal with the situations. These coping mechanisms can be maladaptive or adaptive.

adaptive behaviour refers to behaviours or skills that develop as we age and gain experience to assist in our ability to relate to others, become independent and function daily.

Question 18

define maladaptive behaviours

Answer 18

maladaptive behaviours that refer to behaviours that are dysfunctional, harmful and/or unproductive coping mechanisms.

They develop as a mean of reducing anxiety and originate from early child hood experiences, family situations and environmental stressors.
EG: rocking, ritualistic behaviours, self harm, violent or aggressive behaviours or tantrums.

maladaptive behaviours can develop into some form of mental illness or disorder as they interfere with a persons ability to function on a day to day basis.

Question 19

what are the contributing factors to adaptive behaviours?

Answer 19

personality predisposition - the ability to cope and maintain resilience is largely influenced by personality and temperament.

secure attachment - relationship with caregiver is positive, consistently cared for/ nurtured, develops trust which is transferred to others as child develops.

parental interest in education - this helps the person the develop their sense of belonging in the family structure and enables them to develop positive self worth.

happy and secure home environment - provides a sense of security, regardless of whether parents live together or apart.

financial security - helps develop security

Question 20

what are the contributing factors to maladaptive behaviours?

Answer 20

childhood experiences - attachment, parenting styles, marital conflict and violence, abuse, or neglect.

genetics - predisposition to psychological and behavioural disorders such as depression, psychosis, ADHD, conduct disorders, learning abilities or substance abuse.

social groups (friends, relatives, other role models)

trauma, grief and loss

environmental stressors - poverty, unemployment, natural disasters

Question 21

define psychological disorder

Answer 21

a psych disorder (also called mental disorder, mental illness and psychopathology) is a behavioural or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. it can interfere with a person’s thoughts, emotions, perceptions and behaviours.

Question 22

what is the difference between mental health and mental disorder

Answer 22

to highlight the difference between mental health and mental disorder, you must examine the normality of an individual’s behaviour and symptoms.

for example: feeling sad and lonely for a period of time while one grieves is normal. However, for some people, feelings of sadness and hopelessness may persist. (depression)

Question 23

list the factors that define a mental disorder:

Answer 23

dysfunction, distress, disability and deviance

Question 24

what does ‘personal distress’ mean in terms of defining a psych disorder

Answer 24

A person’s behaviour may be classified as a disorder if it causes them personal distress:

PD & distress: anxiety and depression feel subjectively sad and in pain.

PD & not distress: someone going through a manic episode, schizophrenia or APD - don’t feel distress but those around them do.

Not a PD & distress: hunger due to religious fasting.

Question 25

what does ‘disability’ mean in terms of defining a psych disorder

Answer 25

impairment in some important area of life (eg. work or personal relationships, can also characterise psych disorders:

PD & disability - substance use disorders are defined in part by the social or occupational disability (eg. serious arguments with family or poor work performance).

disability & not PD - physical injury (blindness, deafness, brain trauma) is not a mental illness, laziness could cause impairment but is not enough for mental disorder.

Question 26

what does ‘deviance’ mean in terms of defining a psych disorder

Answer 26

psychiatric diagnoses were often shaped by the views and biases of society:

PD & deviance - conversations with imaginary voices (hallucinations).

Deviance & not PD - homosexuality was classified a mental illness until the APA removed it in 1973. However, changes in social norms means people now accept this as normal.

Question 27

what does ‘dysfunction’ mean in terms of defining a psych disorder

Answer 27

when an internal mechanism (biological or psychological) is unable to perform its natural function.
eg: hallucinations can be constructed as a failure of the mind to “turn off” unwanted sounds.

Question 28

describe the DSM-5

Answer 28

the DSM-5 is the most widely used classification system in AUS. It contains descriptive information such as symptoms and diagnostic criteria, prevalence and risk factors.

it does not specify the aetiology, causes of the mental disorder nor does it direct the treatment

Question 29

describe the ICD-11

Answer 29

It is descriptive and largely based on the symptoms reported by patient and criteria ranked as important by professionals.

more than 200 countries are involved in the ICD-11 so it is dynamic and less responsive to new was of thinking about mental health issues than the DSM-5.

there is extensive overlap between the ICD and DMS, with man, but not all, mental disorders having virtually identical criteria, but different groupings.

Question 30

what is the difference between ICD-11 and the DSM-5

Answer 30

DSM codes are the same as the codes in the ICD although the ICD does not include diagnostic criteria and other diagnostic features, including prevalence or risk factors.

This restricts the use of the ICD-11 as a substitute for the DSM-5.

Question 31

what are criticisms of the classification systems in terms of external influences?

Answer 31

criteria decided by a team of multidisciplinary committees
disorders can be added or removed despite lack of empirical evidence
disorders listed in diagnostic manuals can be influenced by health insurance industry

Question 32

what are criticisms of the classification systems in terms of subjectivity?

Answer 32

the diagnosis of patients is based on symptoms reported by patients
classification is based on symptoms reported by the patient or behaviours they are subjectively overserved to exhibit in the judgement of others.

Question 33

what are criticisms of the classification systems in terms of categories or dimensions?

Answer 33

unlike physical illness, psychological illnesses rarely fit into neat categories. categories are more clear cut, but lack flexibility of diagnosis and can lead to labelling and stereotyping.

Question 34

define reliability in terms of diagnosis

Answer 34

refers to the consistency of diagnosis between mental health professionals over time.

Question 35

define validity in terms of diagnosis

how to determine whether a psychiatric diagnosis is valid?

Answer 35

validity refers to correctly diagnosing someone

in order to determine if a psychiatric diagnosis is accurate it:

distinguishes that diagnosis from other, similar diagnoses.
predicts diagnosed individuals performance on laboratory tests and brain imaging findings/ family history of mental illness/ progression (prognosis) and response to treatment.

Question 36

summarise the Cooper et al (1972) case study

Answer 36

the cross national project for study of diagnosis of the mental disorders in the USA and UK. it used a combination of real-life patient admissions and experimental manipulation to determine differences in the diagnosis between the two nations across several disorders.

this paper focused on differences between diagnosis of Schizophrenia - sough to examine whether there was a real difference in Schizophrenia between countries or simply the differences in use of diagnostic terms.

the three strategies used were: records of recent hospital admissions were examined by the project managers, videos of patients, historical case records by psychiatrists.

Question 37

what were the result of the Cooper et al (1972) study

Answer 37

the main finding of the work was that psychiatrists in the USA applied the diagnosis of Schizophrenia to a much wider variety of clinical conditions than their colleges in the UK.

there were also differences observed between how males and females with the same symptoms were diagnosed.

the paper concluded that the diagnosis of mental disorders generally lacks reliability
it is unclear whether the difference between the countries is due to patients or the psychiatrists, but is more likely that the latter.

Question 38

what recommendations did the Cooper et al (1972) study on diagnosis give?

Answer 38

to improve the reliability of diagnosis, the paper recommends the use of highly structured interviews and further training of psychiatrists in making clinical judgments.

Question 39

summarise the Rosenhan Study (1973)

Answer 39

8 confederates were administered to psychiatric hospital based on their own report of symptoms that included each informing staff that they were hearing a voice - “hollow empty thud”

(the significance of these words is that they don’t represent any known symptom of a schizophrenic disorder.)

confederates acted returned to their normal selves and were diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in remission.

it viewed mental health as a irreversible condition, rather than a curable disease.

then he released his findings to a teaching hospital, and told psychiatric hospitals that he was admitting confederates to hospitals and that they should need to distinguish between the fake and real patients. 41 people were suspected pseudo-patients but in fact he sent none.

the study concluded that psychiatric hospitals can not distinguish individual’s possessing psych disorders from individuals who don’t posses psych disorders. the hospital itself imposes a special environment in which the meaning of behaviour can easily be misunderstood. the consequences of this is the powerlessness, depersonalisation, segregation, mortification and self labelling seem undoubtedly counter-therapeutic.

he also concluded that the that way patients were being diagnosed revealed less about the patients themselves and more about their situation. (eg: saying you have heard voices once may mean more than weeks of “normal behaviour’)

Question 40

what type of study was Rosenhan’s study

Answer 40

Rosenhan’s study was a field experiment where the independent variable was the confederates lack of symptoms, and the dependent variable was the staff’s responses.

observational method, since it is a covert participant observation in a naturalistic setting. Focused on gathering information on the conditions of psychiatric hospitals.

Question 41

what is the significance of Rosenhan’s (1973) study?

Answer 41

it shows how scientific research proceeds, because Rosenhan is testing and criticising established scientific theories and procedures concerning mental illness.

it illustrates problems with the reliability and validity of diagnosis of mental disorders.

it illustrates the power of the observational method, since it is a covert participant observation in naturalistic setting.

Question 42

what are the three dimensional classifications

Answer 42

neuroticism: (with emotional stability as its opposite) means a person is anxious, stressed, depressed or self-conscious
agreeableness: (with self interest and suspicion as the opposite), which means a person is compassionate and trusting.
conscientious: (laziness and carelessness at the opposite end) which means that a person is self disciplined and reliable.

Question 43

what are the two categories of psychological disorders and explain them

Answer 43

psychosis = loss of contact with reality. they may experience loss hallucinations or loss of orientation (place and time). mental disorders such as Schizophrenia have episodes of psychosis.

neurosis: non psychotic illnesses such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders (BPD and APD). People may experience difficulties with thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Question 44

what are the two main categories of mood disorders

Answer 44

depressive disorders: characterised by the presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function.

bipolar and related disorders: also include mood instability.

Question 45

describe depression

Answer 45

depression is a type of mood disorder that causes emotional distress and sadness, loss of interest and pleasure. feelings of guilt.

behavioural: disturbed sleep patterns, self destructive behaviour and avoidance of social company.
cognitive: difficulties concentrating and making decisions, negative attitudes towards the self, the world and the future.
physiological: fatigue or loss of energy, significant weight loss or gain, loss of appetite, headaches or pain.

Question 46

describe major depressive disorder

Answer 46

a mental disorder diagnosed when an individual shows severe symptoms of flattened mood, low self low self esteem and lack of motivation for an extended period of time.

At least five of the following symptoms must be present for at least two week:

• sad mood
• loss of pleasure
• sleeping too much or too little
• psychomotor retardation or agitation
• weight loss or change in appetite
• fatigue or energy loss
• feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• difficulty concentrating/ thinking/ or making decisions
• recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Question 47

describe personality disorders

Answer 47

personality disorders are consistent long term, and extreme personality characteristics that can cause a person unhappiness or seriously impact their ability to adjust and function well in their environment.

classified by the DSM-5 by an enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture, is pervasive and inflexible and has onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is stable over time and leads to distress and impairment.”

Question 48

describe borderline personality disorder

Answer 48

BPD is characterised by extreme instability of moods and relationships with others. onset typically occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood, women are more likely to be diagnosed.

the cause of BPD is uncear, and most people with BPD are able to recover after diagnosis and treatment. People with BPD may feel empty, emotionally detached and impulsive and may engage in self harming behaviours.

typically treated with psych therapies.

Question 49

describe antisocial personality disorder

Answer 49

APD is characterised by a tendency to appear calm and charming while behaving in the opposite manner, no sense of shame or remorse, self-centred, are unreliable in relationships and incapable of love or affection and violate the rights of others.

People diagnosed with APD often lie to others, disregard cultural and social morals, use their charm to manipulate others and have a sense of arrogance, impulsiveness, hostility, a lack of empathy and are poor or abusive in relationships.

Question 50

describe psychotic disorders

Answer 50

psychotic disorder is a mental disorder that causes abnormal thinking or behaviour and a loss of contact with reality. People diagnosed with psychotic disorders have problems with communicating and withdraw from social context often into a world or delusions and hallucinations. The cause of Psychotic disorder in unclear, symptoms include confused thinking, delusions or hallucinations.

can be short lives - days to weeks
long lived - weeks + (people with Schizophrenia)

Question 51

describe Schizophrenia

Answer 51

Schizophrenia is characterised by deluded thinking, hallucinations and depression. It affects thoughts, emotions and behaviours and may cause people to withdraw and lose touch with reality.

present in late teens/early 20s

Question 52

what are the symptoms for Schizophrenia

Answer 52

an individual must experience two of the following for at least 6 months:

delusions: EG - a person may believe a terrorist group is monitoring them (tapping into their phone calls and watching them).
hallucinations: EG - hearing voices (typically in the third person).

disorganised speech and behaviour: EG - word salad

lack of motivation and emotions, withdrawal from social contact, or marked deterioration in functioning socially.

Question 53

define hallucinations

Answer 53

experiences of perceptions, such as sight or sound which are not present in reality and can occur in each sense: auditory, tactile, visual, gustatory and olfactory.

Question 54

define delusions

Answer 54

false beliefs that are strongly held despite evidence that they cannot be true.

Question 55

define word salad

Answer 55

a jumble of meaningless words, commonly seen in schizophrenic states

Question 56

explain what people with schizophrenia experience cognitively, perceptually, behaviourally and emotionally

Answer 56

cognitive:
delusions
disordered thoughts 
easily distracted 
lack of complex thoughts and patterns 

emotional:
lack of emotions (flat or unresponsive) or
inappropriate emotions

behavioural
bizarre behavioural
withdrawal from reality

perception
hallucinations

Question 57

provide examples of common delusions

Answer 57

persecution = the belief that persecuting/spying on them and trying to harm them

grandeur = the belief that they possess power, knowledge or talent.

identity = the belief that they exist as someone else such as the prime minister or Jesus Christ.

Guilt = the belief they have committed a terrible sin

Question 58

provide examples of common hallucinations

Answer 58

auditory = hearing voices that offer commentary on your behaviour

tactile = experience tingling, electrical or burning sensations or unexplained pain.

visual = seeing something that isn’t really there.

gustatory = believing you can taste something that is not present.

olfactory - smelling odours that do not exist.

Question 59

describe an anxiety disorder

what do people experience cognitively, emotionally behaviourally and physiologically?

Answer 59

a mental disorder in which the frequency and intensity of feeling anxious is out of proportion to the situation and interferes with everyday life.

emotional:
feeling tense or apprehensive

cognitive: worrying, thinking you will not be able to cope in the situation.
thinking you lack control of the situation

behavioural:
avoiding the situation or perceived threat
not performing well

physiological:
increased heartrate, rapid breathing, nausea

Question 60

what are types of anxiety disorders?

Answer 60

OCD, various phobias, post traumatic stress, generalised anxiety .

Question 61

define phobia and give examples

Answer 61

a phobia is an irrational fear of a specific object or situation
EG: agoraphobia - fear of crowds
social phobias - fear of doing something
humiliating in front of crowds.
specific phobia

Question 62

define specific phobia

Answer 62

refers to the fear of specific objects or situations such as illness, injury, snakes, heights.

Question 63

what are risk factors

Answer 63

risk factors are factors that increase one’s chance of developing a psych disorder

Question 64

what are protective factors

Answer 64

factors that protect against the onset and reoccurrence of a psych disorder.