PSYC100 Chapter 13

psychopathology

pathology of the mind; study of the nature, development, and treatment of psychological disorders mental disorders/illnesses = psychological disorders

person-first language

saying "people with schizophrenia", not "schizophrenics". Other terms to avoid: crazy, insane, etc.

psychological disorders

disturbance in people's thoughts, emotions, or behaviors that cause distress or suffering and impairs their daily lives. Behavior that is deviant (atypical), maladaptive (dysfunctional), personally distressing (despair).

etiology

the causes, set of causes, or manner of causation for a disease or condition

comorbidity

simultaneous presence of two or more disorders in one person

risk factors

characteristics, experiences, or exposures that increase the likelihood that a person will develop a psychological disorder

medical model

attributes disorders to organic, internal, causes. Medical diseases with biological origin. Brain, genetic factors, neurotransmitter function

biopsychosocial model

highlighting that there is almost always more than one risk factor in complex mental disorders. Biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors all relevant for etiology.

vulnerability stress model

individual begins with a preexisting condition (genetic characteristics, personality dispositions, experiences), but disorder only appears with stressor

disorder

useful label for a co-occuring set of behaviors. Suggests treatments and techniques that may alleviate distress

classification in psychology and psychiatry

attempts to predict the future course of a disorder, suggests treatment for the disorder, prompts research into causes

DSM-5

common tool for describing disorders and estimating the frequency of their occurrence

advantages of DSM-5

provides a common basis for communication and research, helps clinicians make predictions, naming the disorder can provide comfort, reduce self blame

disadvantages of DSM-5

stigma (shame, negative reputation), medical terminology implies internal cause, focus on weaknesses, ignores strengths, promotes over-diagnosis

clinical psychology

area of psychology that integrates science and theory to prevent and treat psychological disorders

biological therapy

treatments that reduce or eliminate the symptoms of psychological disorders by altering aspects of body functioning

sociocultural therapies

treatments that acknowledge the relationships, roles, and cultural contexts that characterize an individuals life

psychotherapy

nonmusical process that helps individuals with psychological disorders recognize and overcome their problems

evidence based practice

integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of client characteristics, culture, and preferences

anxiety disorders

disabling (uncontrollable and disruptive) psychological disorders that feature motor tension, hyperactivity, and apprehensive expectations and thoughts. Anxiety is both a feeling and thought -> affects emotions and cognition (behave more hyper vigilantly, interpret unclear stimuli as threatening, remember threatening events)

most common type of psychopathology

anxiety disorders- 25-30% lifetime prevalence (proportion of population who, at some point, has had a characteristic). High comorbidity with depression, substance use, and other disorders

etiology of anxiety disorders

problems with GABA (brains "brake pedal"), genetic predisposition, psychological/social factors

generalized anxiety disorder

Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. Worry is not specific to any situation, condition, or stimulus- individual can't specify reason for anxiety.
Symptoms: persistent state of worry, jittery/on edge; insomnia; concentration difficulties. Lifetime prevalence of 6%, and very frequently comorbid with depression

panic disorder

individual experiences recurrent, sudden onsets of intense apprehension or terror, often without warning and with no specific cause (panic attacks). Characterized by recurrent panic attacks and persistent fear of future attacks. Avoidance of situation where panic attacks may occur may lead to additional diagnosis of agoraphobia.

agoraphobia

fear of being trapped or where escape is impossible

specific phobia

an irrational, overwhelming, persistent fear of a particular object or situation (example: snake phobia). Specific phobias may be extreme variations of fear-learning process.

exposure therapy

gradual exposure to fearful stimulus in safe, controlled environment

social anxiety disorder

intense fear of being humiliated or embarrassed in social situations; also called social phobia

psychological factors for social anxiety

experience with social embarrassment (blushing), beliefs about social failure and automatic negative thoughts, persistence- attentional bias towards negative info

treatment for social anxiety

exposure therapy (virtual reality), psychotherapy to combat beliefs, attitudes, expectations, SSRIs (usually for depression)

obsessive compulsive disorder

persistent anxiety-provoking thoughts or urges to perform repetitive, ritualistic behaviors to prevent a situation or reduce anxiety. Characterized by obsessions, compulsions, or both.

obsessions

repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges

compulsions

habitual, repetitive behaviors or acts done to reduce anxiety (usually anxiety associated with obsessions). Compulsive behaviors are responses to obsessive thoughts, negative reinforcement.

treatment for OCD

treat symptoms as learned avoidance. Target irrational beliefs and automatic thoughts

post traumatic stress disorder

anxiety disorder that develops through exposure to a traumatic event, a severely oppressive situation, cruel abuse, or a natural or unnatural disaster. (haunting memories, nightmare, hyper vigilance, avoidance of trauma related stimuli, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, numbness of feelings, flashbacks, and insomnia lingering for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience. Associated with decreased volume in hippocampus.

treatment of PTSD

classical conditioning; group therapy

mood disorder

characterized by a disturbance in a person's emotions or mood (dysregulation in emotional life)

depressive disorders

mood disorders in which the individual suffers from depression, an unrelating lack of pleasure in life. 7.1% of US population experience depression at some point. (Major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder)

major depressive disorder

a major depressive episode and depressed characteristics, such as lethargy and hopelessness, for at least two weeks.

major depressive disorder symptoms

depressed mood, lack of interest, changes in weight + appetite, changes in sleep patterns, fatigue/loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, cognitive problems such as thinking, reasoning, making decisions, thoughts of suicide, no history of manic episodes, impaired daily functioning, leading cause for disability worldwide

brain abnormalities associated with depression

brain activity slows down, reward centers become less active, norepinephrine and serotonin are scarce or inactive

cognitive effects of depression

repeated negative thoughts and negative moods interact, self defeating beliefs may arise from learned helplessness, self focused rumination and self blaming increases risk of depression

negative explanatory style

responding to bad events in self-focused, self blaming way. Depressed people tend to explain events in stable, global, and internal ways

depression cycle

1. stressful experience interpreted through
2. a brooding, negative explanatory style create
3. a hopeless, depressed state that 4. hampers the way the person thinks and acts. These thoughts and actions in turn fuel

antidepressants

regulate mood through effects on neurotransmitters

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

block monoamine oxidase, which breaks down norepinephrine and serotonin

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

interfere with reabsorption of serotonin

bipolar disorder

characterized by episodes of depression and mania, with periods of emotional stability between episodes. Strong influence of genetics (identical twin: 70% chance also BP) (fraternal twin: 10% chance)

mania

overexcited, unusually optimistic state

bipolar 1

extreme manic episodes; hallucinations

bipolar 2

less extreme

cognitive therapies

treatments emphasizing that cognitions (thoughts) intervene between events and emotional reactions, and color our responses

two basic assumptions

1. human beings have control over their feelings
2. how people feel about something depends on how they think about it

schizophrenia

a disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and/or diminished, inappropriate emotional expression; "highly disordered thought"

psychosis

state in which a person's perceptions and thoughts are fundamentally removed from reality

schizophrenia positive symptoms

inappropriate behaviors are present- Hallucinations: sensory experiences that occur in the absences of stimuli
Delusions: false/unusual/magical beliefs that are not part of person's culture
Disordered speech and thoughts: "word salad"; belief that random events have personal meaning
Inappropriate motor behavior

schizophrenia negative symptoms

Social withdrawal, flat effect: display of little emotion

genetics and schizophrenia

population likelihood = 1% -> increases with closer relation to someone with schizophrenia. Identical twins with schizophrenia: 5 in 10 share diagnosis. When identical twins differ, only the brain of the twin with schizophrenia typically has enlarged ventricles (suggests role for non genetic factor -> vulnerability- stress model)

dissociative disorders

involve a sudden loss of memory or change in identity due to the dissociation (separation) of the individual's conscious awareness from previous memories and thought

dissociation

psychological state wherein a person feels disconnected from normal experience (some people with PTSD also experience this)

dissociative identity disorder

A dissociative disorder in which a person develops two or more distinct personalities or selves, each with its own memories, behaviors, and relationships. Controversial diagnosis- could represent a category of people adopt to make sense of their experiences. However, increased activity in brain areas linked with control and inhibition of traumatic memories. Treatment is not well understood because disorder is so rare- accepting and integrating personalities is promising

personality disorder

chronic, maladaptive cognitive-behavioral patterns that are thoroughly integrated into an individual's personality. Inflexible and enduring behavior pattern that impairs social functioning. Common (up to 15% of Americans). 10 personality disorders in DSM-V.

antisocial personality disorder

characterized by lack of conscience for wrong doing. Impulsive/irresponsible behavior -> little or no regret, fear, etc. Difficulty empathizing; reduced "theory of mind". Low levels on ANS arousal; less stressed by aversive circumstances. Antisocial traits can be adaptive. Challenge in treatment is ability to fool mental health professionals.

eating disorder

mental disorder characterized by abnormal eating behaviors

etiology of eating disorders

combination of genetics and environment. Identical twins tend to share eating disorders. Individuals with high body dissatisfaction are vulnerable. Media pressure, peer influences. Most people with eating disorders improve.

anorexia nervosa

maintenance of a starvation diet despite being significantly underweight; can be accompanied by excessive exercise. Associated with perfectionism, poor impulsivity control (risky behavior)

bulimia nervosa

binge eating followed by inappropriate weight loss behavior (vomiting, laxatives, fasting, excessive exercise). Associated with weight shifts within normal range.

binge eating disorder

recurrent episode of consuming large amounts of food, paired with a feeling of lack of control over eating. (typically without purging)

does disorder equal danger?

most violent criminals and mass murderers are not mentally ill; and most mentally ill people are not violent. People with disorders are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence.

suicide prevalence

> 49,000 deaths by suicide in US in 2023. Twice as many suicides as homicides. 3rd leading cause of death in early adolescence.

psychological disorders and suicide

90% have diagnosable psychological disorders. Depression -> 5x greater risk of suicide. Risk increases during "rebound" of recovery.

why do people desire suicide?

1. Fundamental needs frustrated to extinction. (need for belonging/connection with others) (need to feel effective with or to influence others) 2. Acquired capability for suicide (suicide is hard, internal motivators are "most effective")

non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)

includes cutting, burning, or hitting oneself, pulling out hair or inserting objects under the nails or skin. Doesn't lead to suicide, but may be a risk factor. (People do this to gain relief from intense negative thoughts through the distraction of pain or to attract attention and possibly get help)

flourishing

mental health is not just the absence of mental illness, but the presence of flourishing. Benefits for physical health and work. (only 20% of adults)

positive emotions

positive affect; high satisfaction with life

positive psychological functioning

self-acceptance, autonomy, positive relations with others

positive social functioning

social acceptance, social contribution, social integration