Unit 4 Mental Health Study Guide

The 4 D’s of Mental Disorders:

Deviance

Distress

Dysfunction

Danger

Deviance (4D’s)

different, extreme, unusual

Distress (4D’s)

unpleasant & upsetting to the person diagnosed

Dysfunction (4D’s)

causes interference with daily life

Danger (4D’s)

poses risk to themselves or others

Theoretical Perspectives

in mental health refer to frameworks that help explain the causes and treatment of psychological disorders. These perspectives include Biological, Humanistic, Behavioral. Psychodynamic, Cognitive, & Sociocultural.

Biological Perspective

focuses on the physiological and genetic factors that influence mental health, including brain chemistry and structure.

Humanistic Perspective

a psychological approach that emphasizes individual potential and stresses the importance of growth and self-actualization.

Behavioral Perspective

A psychological approach that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways in which they are learned and reinforced through interactions with the environment.

Psychodynamic Perspective

A theory of psychology that emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind and childhood experiences on behavior and mental states. It was developed by Sigmund Freud and includes concepts like defense mechanisms and psychosexual development.

Cognitive Perspective

A psychological approach that emphasizes mental processes, such as perception, memory, and problem-solving, in understanding behavior and emotions.

Sociocultural Perspective

A psychological approach that examines how cultural and social contexts influence behavior, attitudes, and mental processes, including factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Diathesis- stress model

the diathesis-stress model predicts that an individual's ​reaction to an event will depend on their genetic makeup. An individual with a particular gene is more likely to develop depression if they are exposed to a stressful life event. Thus, the stronger the diathesis (genetics) the less stress is necessary for the disorder to develop.

DSM 5

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, is a comprehensive classification system used by mental health professionals to diagnose and categorize mental disorders. It provides standardized criteria and descriptions to guide clinical practice.

Classification System

Used to categorize & understand mental disorders, aiding in diagnosis, research, & communication among therapists (THE DSM5 is a classification system)

How does the biological perspective see mental illnesses & treat them?

Mental illness results from problems in communication within the brain (neurotransmitters). To treat they emphasize pharmaceuticals and medicine to target presumed biological abnormalities

How does the behavioral perspective explain mental illness and how do they treat it?

See it as learned behaviors from the environment and conditioned responses. Treat by finding new ways of behavior by utilizing the same learning strategies that led to the development of the disorder.

How does the humanistic perspective explain mental illness and how do they treat it?

Mental illness is a product of having an unmet need that disturbs homeostasis. These are treated by self-actualization and positive regard in which the therapist is fully acceptive of all aspects of the patient.

How does the psycho-dynamic perspective explain mental illness and how do they treat it?

Mental illness is caused by unconsious conflicts in the the mind that are rooted in past experiences & trauma. Can be treated through bringing these unconscious conflicts to the consious; speaking on the unresolved issues and looking at the past and present links to become more aware of the process behind them.

How does the cognitive perspective explain mental illness and how do they treat it?

Mental illness is caused by negative thoughts which lead to negative emotions, anxieties & behaviors. Therapy focuses around communication to change the way one THINKS.

How does the socio-cultural perspective explain mental illness and how do they treat it?

Mental Illness is not just determined by personalities or a patient’s brain but by the social conditions they face. Different individuals in the same circumstance will have similar levels of mental health & illness. Treatment often incorporates cultural understanding & community support

Agoraphobia

An anxiety disorder that causes intense fear of becoming overwhelmed/not being able to escape. Thus patients will avoid new places (large spaces, crowds, unfamiliar areas).

Symptoms:

• fear

• rapid heart rate

• hyperventilating

• flushing

Cause: usually caused by a pre-existing panic disorder that develop agoraphobia.
Treatments:

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• Medication

• Lifestyle Changes

Panic Disorder

Multiple unexpected panic attacks when sudden and strong fear is present in reaction to ordinary events. Usually occur without any warning without pre-existing conditions

Symptoms:

• chest pain

• difficulty breathing

• hyperventilating

• nausea

• trembling

Cause: Can be caused by a traumatic life experience, having a close family member with panic disorder or an imbalance of neurotransmitters.

Treatments:

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Exposure Therapy

Social Anxiety Disorder

Condition that causes fear & anxiety when around people in a social setting with fear of being perceived or judged.

Symptoms:

• sweating

• little to no eye contact

• nervous behavior/trembling

• low self-esteem, high self-conscious

• avoiding social situations (finding them scary)

Causes: can sometimes run in families but environmental factors (such as stress and society), as well as brain hyperactivity in the areas of fear and anxiety (the amygdala) play a role

Treatments:

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• antidepressants (medication)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Condition that causes constant worry over everyday things & a fear of being overwhelmed.

Symptoms:

• restlessness

• irritability

• difficulty concentrating

• headaches

• difficulty sleeping

• shortness of breath + heart palpitations

Causes: Can be passed on down the lineage (biological relative), but also can be incurred by experiencing a traumatic event, managing a chronic illness, and experiencing child abuse.

Treatments:

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• Medication

Specific Phobia

Major Depressive Disorder

Causes a persistently low/depressive mood & a loss of interest in activities

Symptoms:

• extremely low mood

• loss of interest in activities that brought joy

• increase or decrease in appetite

• slowed speech

• insomnia or hypersomnia

• decreased concentration

• suicidal ideation (thoughts)

• fatigue

Cause: things such an imbalance of neurotransmitters (serotonin, noreperephine, & dopamine), childhood abuse/trauma, stressful live events, as well as genetic predisposition,

Treatment:

• psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• Antidepressants (medication)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Mania

Condition in which a patient displays over the top energy levels that is drastic from their usual self and persists

Symptoms:

• invincibility

• insomnia

• racing thoughts & ideas

• rapid talking

• false beliefs & perceptions (delusions)

• hallucinations

• Impulsive behavior

Cause: Things like chemical imbalances in the brain, family history, lack of sleep, difficult life situations and even a side-effect of other seasonal effective disorders or physical/neurological damage/trauma.

Treatments:

• antipsychotics (medication)

• psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• cognitive behavioral therapy

PTSD

Common health condition that can develop after a traumatic event.

Symptoms:

• flashbacks

• anxiety

• negative thoughts & beliefs

• hyper vigilance

• irritability

• nightmares

Cause: Abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters (low levels of cortisol and high norephrine trigger causing a higher fight or flight response) & hormones + with brain changes.

Treatments:

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• Cognitive Processing Therapy

• Group Therapy

• Exposure Therapy

• Antidepressants (medication)

Dissociative Amnesia

Inability to remember important information on yourself regarding distressing or upsetting events.

Symptoms:

• flashbacks

• lack of awareness

• disorientation

• wandering

Causes: common to occur with severe or long-term trauma through abuse, neglect, or violence of any kind.

Treatment:

• remove any causes to the anemia/ things that amplify it

• Mental health therapy

Anorexia Nervosa

an eating disorder that involves severe calorie restriction and a extremely underweight body frame with a fear of weight gain.

Sympotms:

• intense fear of gaining weight

• obsessive interest in dieting, calorie counting, etc.

• purging through intentional vomiting or misuse of laxatives

• misuse of dieting pills

• compulsive or excessive over-eating

• withdrawal

• significant weight loss

• being very self-critical

• strong need for self control

Cause: genetics can predispose many to this condition but it mainly has to do with changes in brain chemistry (serotonin and dopamine depletion which control appetite, mood & impulses). additionally things like, trauma such as psychical abuse & sexual assault, environment and culture (diet/ unhealthy model culture), peer pressure, & emotional health (perfectionism), can lead to this disorder.

Treatments:

• individual & group psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• medication

• hospitlization

• developing long-term behavioral change

• eliminating binge-eating/ purge behavior

• nutritional rehabilitation to stabalize weight

Bulimia

an eating disorder that causes a patient to consume large amounts of food at one time (binge) and then get rid of it (purge).

Symptoms:

• excessive excercise

• preoccupation with body image

• depression/anxiety

• intense fear of gaining weight

• withdrawal

• shame/guilt around eating

• fainting

• muscle weakness

• dehydration

Cause: Caused by both genetic factors & learned behavior. Popular culture & media Put bodily pressure on people which affects body image and self-esteem.

Treatments:

• psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• nutritional counseling

• Antidepressants (Medication)

Schizophrenia

involves a disconnection from reality including hallucinations & delusions, also affecting a patients ability to recognize symptoms.

Symptoms:

• unusual movement

• disorganized speech

• auditory hallucinations

• isolation

• delusions: false beliefs and perceptions

• paranoia

• self-medication

Cause: Things like imbalances in chemical signals, improper brain-development during embryonic phase, and a loss of connection between different areas in the brain can result in this disorder. Additionally, one’s environment, brain trauma, and substance abuse can contribute to the potential aggravation of the disease (it runs in families/is genetic)
Treatment:

• 1st and 2nd gen anti psychotics (medication)

• psychotherapy

• Electroconculsive Therapy (ECT)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Condition in which a patient has frequent unwanted thoughts that cause one to perform repetitive behaviors.

Symptoms:

• germaphobia

• fear of making a mistake

• fear of causing harm to others or yourself

• need for order/symmetry

• perfectionism

• numbered rituals

• arranging things specifically

• repeatedly checking things

Causes: Simpler things like childhood trauma/abuse and Genetics can predispose patients to this disorder. However, things like Brain frontoral changes, and PANDAS syndrome, can all affect the patients subseptibility to this condition.

Treatments:

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)

• Serotonin reuptake inhibitors/ SRI’s (medication)

Psychotropic medications

Drugs that affect the brain & nervous system to treat mental illness by influencing neurotransmitters. This includes antidepressants, anti-psychotics, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, & stimulants.

Cognitive triad

Also known as the Negative Triad which speaks on the 3 negative beliefs about self, the world, and the future that are characteristic of major depressive episodes, as proposed by Aaron Beck. 

All types of Exposure Therapy

• Systematic Desensitization: Gradual exposure combined with relaxation techniques.

• Flooding: Immediate exposure to the most fear-inducing situation.

• Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy: Uses virtual reality technology to simulate feared environments.

• In Vivo Exposure: Directly confronting fears in real life.

Token economy

a system in which target behaviors are reinforced with a token (secondary reinforcers) which can be later exchanged for rewards ( primary reinforcers).

Person-centered therapy

developed by Carl Rogers it is a non-directive approach in which the client takes the rains of the talk therapy, while the therapist simply guides from the side in order to explore the clients feelings & find their own solution.