chapter 2: understanding mental disorders

multipath model

diagnostic method of explaining the origins and cause of mental health disorders

• biological dimension

• psychological dimension

• social dimension

• sociocultural dimension

resilience model

focuses on the strengths and protective assets that allow individuals to bounce back from adversity

• biological dimension

• psychological dimension

• social dimension

• sociocultural dimension

d1: forebrain

controls higher mental functions, makes us who we are as humans

d1: cerebral cortex

outer layer handles higher level function

d1: prefrontal cortex

manages attention, behavior and emotions

d1: limbic system

controls emotions, decision making, memories

d1: hypothalamic pituary adrenal (HPA) axis

system under conditions of stress or emotional arousal

d1: heredity

genetic transmission of traits from parents, people inherit various forms of alleles of a particular gene

d1: epigenetics

chemical compounds outside the genome that control gene expression (whether genes are on or off), very critical period

d1: neuroplasticity

ability of the brain to evolve and adapt, occurs most under age 20 to 25

d1: neurogenesis

birth of new neurons for new experiences, chronic stress results in negative brain activity

d1: psychopharmacology

study of effects of psychotropic meds

d1: med categories

antianxiety, antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers (can address symptoms but can’t cure)

d1: genetic contribution to IQ

62%

d1: genetic contribution to memory/spatial abilities

32-62%

d1: genetic contribution to shyness/activity levels

30-50%

d1: genetic contribution to schizophrenia

less than 50%

d1: reciprocal gene environment model

you inherit not only genetic vulnerability, but also develop a personality model that attracts you to environmental circumstances that increase risk for the disorder (ex. fiona’s relationships in shameless)

d2: psychodynamic models

mark importance of childhood experiences and attachment relationships according to freudian concepts, defenses mechanisms protect us from anxiety

d2: bowlby and mahler

newer views that propose the need to be loved and accepted is very important in childhood

d2: classical conditioning

uses a natural association to teach a new association, learning that results from the association or pairing of 2 events in the environment