What are the important reasons to classify abnormal behavior?
Important decisions made on basis of that diagnoses, drugs, therapy etc
Helps psychologists predict future behavior without treatment
Helps researchers identify patterns of behaviors to improve treatments
In the DSM-5, how are the disorders classififed?
Broad categories of disorders, specific disorders within broad categories
Abnormal behavior patterns are classified as mental disorders
Axes of the old DSM-IV classification system
A1-clinical syndromes
A2-personality disorders
A3-medical conditions → psychological
A4-financial → psychological
A5-global assessment of functioning
International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
Set of designations used by healthcare workers to communicate diseases, abnormal findings etc
Reliability vs validity
Reliable test for consistency
Validity, does the test measure what it is supposed to be measured
How has the DSM been expanded
Expansion of diagnosable disorders
Changes in classification
Changes in diagnostic criteria for particular disorders
Process of development
Existing disorders reclassified or consolidated (Aspergers →ASD, trichotillomania→ OCD)
Most widely used means of assesment
The clinical interview
Identify data, description of presenting problems
Psychosocial history, medical/psychiatric history, medical problems/medication
Why do clients/patients prefer computerized interviews
Clients may be more willing to answer questions while over the computer
Why are intelligence test used in the assessment of abnormal behavior
Used to help diagnose an intellectual disability, measure intellectual impairment
What is Wechsler’s IQ score based on
Based on how respondents answers deviated from those attained by their age-mates
100 is true average, SD of 15
90-110 is average
below 70 below average
What is the MMPI
567 T/F statements that asses interests, habits, family, relationships etc
Assist clinicians on diagnosing dosorders
Individual scales
What scales on the MMPI measure an individuals specific complaints or concerns
Content scales
MMPI clinical scales
1-hypochondriac
2-Depression
3-hysteria
4-anti-social personality disorder
5-Masculinity-femininity
6-Paranoia
7-psychoasthenia
8-schizophrenia
9-hypomania
10-social introversion
What is reality testing
Response consistent with the form of the blot suggesting adequate reality testing
Explain the inkblot technique
Perceptions of what the ink blots are showing reflect personality well
Clinicians make interpretations on the basis of the content and the form of the responses-location, form, popular or original
Focus on small details = OCD
Who developed the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Henry A Murray
What does the TAT consist of
Given cards in black and white and told to tell the clinician what is going on, what happened just before, and what’s going to happen next
Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test
One of the first neuropsychologial tests to be developed for underlying brain damage
Shown geometric shapes, asks client to reproduce shapes
What is the behavioral model
Approach to clinical assessment that focuses on the objective recording and description of problem behavior
Self-monitoring
Process of observing or recording one’s own behaviors, thoughts or emotions
Direct observaation
Clinicians can observe and quantify problem behavior
Considered the hallmark
Unstructured interview
Informal chat, clinicians adopt their own style of questioning rather than following any standard format
Structured interview
Interview that follows a preset series of questions in a particular order
Advantage of direct observation
Does not rely on client reports which may be distorted
Problem associated with self monitoring
Lack of consensus in defining problems in behavioral terms, clinicians must agree, some clients do not keep accurate records
What is a personal digital assistant
A handheld device that combines multiple organization features, clients can easily document what is happening
Adjustment disorder
Maladaptive reaction to a distressing life event or stressor that develops within 3 months of the onset of stressor
Emotional or behavioral response
Acute stress disorder
Maladaptive behavior for a period of 3 days to 1 month following exposure to traumatic event
PTSD
Prolonged maladaptive reaction that lasts longer than 1 month after the traumatic episode
Common features of traumatic stress disorder
Anxiety depression, impairment of daily life
Avoidance behaviors, reexperiencing trauma, emotional distress, heightened arousal, emotional numbing
What is the most frequent source of trauma linked to PTSD
car accident
What results have cognitive behavior therapists produced in the treatment of PTSD
Impressive results
Repeated exposure to cues and emotions associated with the trauma allowing extinction to occur
Prolonged exposure-intense form of exposure in which a person reexperiences the traumatic event in imagination or in real life w/o seeking to escape from anxiety
Case 4 Elaine
Diagnosis: PTSD
Treatment: Behavioral and cognitive therapy
Case 12 Renee/Ron
Diagnosis: gender dysmorphia
Treatment: psychotherapy (4 months), hormone replacement therapy, real life experience, surgery
Case 17-Adam
Diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Treatment: Early intervention, therapy (occupational, speech), parents changed diet, full day program
Case 19-Fred
Diagnosis: neurocognitive disorder
Treatment: no direct treatment, medication (cholinesterase and memantine, antidepressants), facilities, behavioral interventions