abnormal psych chapters 1-5

define mental disorder

psychological symptoms or behavior patterns that reflect an underlying dysfunction that is not an expected response to common stressors

define mental illness

a mental health condition that negativelt affects a person’s emotions, thinking, behavior, relationships, or overall functioning

what factors do mental health professionals take into consideration when determining the cause of a condition?

biological, psychological, social, and socio-cultural factors

• ex: childhood, environment, trauma, medications, relationships

what are the 4 major factors in judging psychopathology?

distress - psychological suffering that affects social, emotional, or physical functioning

deviance - significant deviation from social norms

dysfunction - symptom interference with daily life responsibilities

dangerousness - danger to self or others

what does NAMI stand out and what campaign did they put out?

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• “you are not alone” campaign

  • raised awareness/normalize mental health struggles

  • goal: educate public/reduce mental health stigma

how did prehistoric and ancient peoples treat mental illness?

trephining - a surgical method from the stone age in which part of the skull was chipped away to provide an opening through which an evil spirit could escape

exorcism - prayers, noises, emetics, flogging, and starvation were used to cast evil spirits out of an afflicted person’s body

in the middle ages, how did monks treat mental illness?

rest, compassion, and prayer

abnormal behavior was seen as what during the 15th-17th centuries?

church deemed abnormal behavior as demonic possession/witchcraft

• resulted in witch hunts: 100,000 people executed

• many mentally ill were accused and persecuted

how were the mentally ill treated in asylums during the 14th-16th centuries?

chained, caged, starved, whipped, treated like animal

what influenced Freud’s technique of psychoanalysis?

cathartic method - a therapeutic use of verbal expression to release pent-up emotional conflicts

what does the recovery model assume about mental health?

• healing involves separating one’s identity from illness and developing the ability to cope with symptoms

• self-acceptance and regaining belief in oneself is vital

• recovery involves learning about one’s capabilities, talents, and finding coping skills to help engage in new life roles

• establishing or strengthening social connections can facilitate healing