Notes: Psychological Disorders

Psychopathology: Psychopathology - the study of patterns of thinking, feeling, behaving that

are characterized by maladaptive (harmful) and disruptive behavior, and is uncomfortable for those experiencing and observing

When does behavior become abnormal? (MUDA)

o When do problems and symptoms become concerning?

Neurotic disorder- a psychological disorder which is distressing, but the

person is still able to think rationally and function sociallyo

o

Psychotic disorder - a psychological disorder where a person loses touch

with reality and experiences irrational thinking and distorted perceptions. Explaining Psychological Disorders

Historical explanations:o o o

What did Hippocrates suggest?o

Possession:

Who is Philippe Pinel?

o What did he do?

Modern Viewpoints:

Diathesis stress model views psychological disorders as arising from a genetic predisposition triggered by sufficient amounts of stress

o

o Example:

Bio-psycho-social perspective- perspective of psychology which believes

psychological disorders are the result of an interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

What is the DSM?o

o Who created this?

The DSM—Classification of symptoms and behaviorsAxis Category Description

1 Clinical Syndromes

2 Personality Disorders and Mental Retardation

3 Medical Conditions that contribute to the disorder

4Psychosocial and

Environmental factors that contribute to the

disorder

5 Global Functioning of Assessment

The DSM-V: • Some changes have been made in how/when disorders are diagnosed

• For example: The DSM-5 chapter on anxiety disorder no longer includes obsessive-compulsive disorder (which is included with the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders) or posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder (which is included with the trauma- and stressor-related disorders)

• These changes will NOT need to be known for this year’s AP test

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders involve a condition characterized by intense feelings of apprehension or nervousness, which is long-standing and disruptive to normal functioning

Isn’t anxiety normal?

What is different for people with anxiety disorders?

o Ex:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Also called free-floating anxiety, is characterized by nonspecific, unexplainable apprehension and tenseness that accompany most situations and circumstances

Ex:

Panic Disorders

Characterized by sudden bouts of intense, unexplained panic attacks that are similar to a symptoms of a heart-attack

Ex:

Phobias

Characterized by disruptive, irrational (should not be afraid of) fears of objects or situations• Ex:

Obsessive-Compulsive

Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by unwanted, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) accompanied by unwanted actions (compulsions)

Ex:

Common Obsessions: Common Compulsions:

Post-Traumatic

Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Characterized by reliving a severely upsetting event in a unwanted recurring memory or dream• Ex:

Causes of Anxiety Disorders Heredity:

Brain- people who have anxiety disorders experience

Neurotransmission- deficiency or low levels of serotonin and GABA, while also having excessive norepinephrine

Mood Disorders:

Major Depressive Disorder

A person experiences depressed moods; characterized by diminished interest in activities, feelings of worthlessness for at least 2 weeks consistently•

Dysthymia

Symptoms are similar to major depression but not as severe; however this disorder could last for over 2 years•

Bipolar I Disorder

A person alternates between depression and mania- which is extreme overexcitement and energy•

Bipolar II Disorder Occurs when depression alternates with hypomania

Cyclothymic Disorder

Causes of Mood Disorders:

• Heredity-

• Brain-

• Neurotransmission- low levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine

• Social-cultural factors- learned helplessness- occurs when people have failed multiple times at certain activities and have since learned to give up, or quit trying

Dissociative Disorders• Dissociative disorders occur when a sense of the self has

become dissociated, or separated, from previous memories, thoughts, or feelings• What do psychoanalysts suggest as the cause of these

disorders?

Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative Fugue

Dissociative Identity Disorder

(DID)

A rare and controversial disorder in which a person experiences two or more distinct and alternating personalities.• Formerly known as…

Who is Kim Noble?

What are suggested causes of DID?

Somatoform Disorders

Somatoform disorders include persistent psychological problems that result, or are converted into physical disorders and symptoms• Ex:

Hypochondria

Have a strong, unjustified fear of having a physical illness resulting in the person believing he or she is sick• Ex:

Conversion Disorder

Occurs when a person experiences blindness, deafness, or other sensory or motor failure without a physical cause• Ex:

Body Dysmorphic

Disorder

Preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance. If a slight physical anomaly is present, the person’s concern is markedly excessive.• Ex:

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe psychotic disorder characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions.

What type of disorder is schizophrenia considered? Why?

Symptoms:

o Neologisms :

o Word Salad :

o Delusions are false beliefs that people experience with schizophrenia

____________________________________________________ one of the most common- is the false belief of being more important than actuality.

____________________________________________________ is the false belief that a people are out to get them

____________________________________________________ - is the false belief that a person is responsible for some misfortune or tragedy

____________________________________________________ - the false belief that a person is being controlled by an outside force

o Hallucinations : are false perceptions- perceptions are interpretations of sensory stimuli

What kind are most common?

Positive Symptoms

Negative Symptoms

Paranoid Schizophrenia

Characterized by delusions of persecution- everyone out to get him or her, and auditory hallucinations

Who is John Nash?

Who is Jani Schofield?

Catatonic Schizophrenia

Disorganized Schizophrenia

Characterized by bizarre behavior, delusions, and hallucinations

Undifferentiated Schizophrenia

Residual Schizophrenia

Causes of Schizophrenia Heredity: Who has the highest rate of developing schizophrenia?

Brain- schizophrenics have large fluid-filled spaces called ventricles, a slower functioning frontal lobe, and a smaller thalamus

o

Neurotransmission- schizophrenics have increased number of dopamine receptor sites

o

Prenatal Viruses—

Personality DisordersPersonality disorders are characterized by inflexible and persistent behavioral patterns that disrupt social functioning

Cluster A: Odd-Eccentric ClusterParanoid

Personality Disorder

Show deep distrust towards other people

Schizoid Personality

Disorder

Detached from social relationships Ex:

Schizotypal Personality

Disorder

Detached from social relationships, and also have odd perceptions, thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors•

Cluster B: Dramatic-Erratic ClusterBorderline-Personality

Disorder

Instability of emotions and self-image• Ex:

Antisocial personality

disorder

Lack of conscience or remorse for the wrongdoing and treatment of others• Ex:

Narcissistic Personality

Disorder

Exaggerated ideas of self-importance and achievements•

Histrionic Personality

Disorder

Excessive emotionality and preoccupation with being center of attention• Ex:

Cluster C: Anxious-Fearful ClusterAvoidant

Personality Disorder

Sensitive about being rejected•

Dependent Personality

Disorder

Behave in a clingy, submissive way in order to have a strong need to be taken care of• Ex:

Obsessive-compulsive personality

disorder

Preoccupation with orderliness and perfection• Ex:

Childhood Disorders• Autistic disorder - show difficulty with relationships, language difficulties,

trouble focusing and performing tasks, and tend to focus on nonsocial aspects of human interactions• Who is Temple Grandin?

• Asperger’s syndrome - less severe form of autism have impaired social

relationships, engage in repetitive behaviors- like counting and memorizing meaningless facts

Factitious Disorders• Munchausen syndrome (MOON-chow-zun) is a serious mental disorder in

which someone with a deep need for attention pretends to be sick or gets sick or injured on purpose. • Munchausen syndrome belongs to a group of conditions, called

factitious disorders that are either made up or self-inflicted. • Are factitious disorders psychological or physiological?

• Is Munchausen Syndrome treatable?

• What is Munchausen by Proxy?

• How is it different than Munchausen Syndrome?

• Why do Munchausen and Munchausen by Proxy occur?