Lesson 3: Etiological Theories of Mental Disorders

Biopsychosocial

• Most mental health professionals now take anintegrated _______ approach to understanding mental disorders,

• i.e. the result of a combination of biological, psychological, and social vulnerabilities and stresses that come together and feed off one another.

Theory

A set of ideas that provides a framework for asking questions about a phenomenon and for accumulating and interpreting information about that phenomenon.

Nature-Nurture Question

frequently asked: "Is the cause of the disorder something biological, in the nature of a person, or in the person's history, something social to which the person was exposed?"

Diathesis

i.e., a vulnerability for a particular disorder but he/she has to experience a type of stress or trigger to develop the disorder. The full-blown disorder emerges only when the diathesis and the stress come together in the same individual.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A psychological theory that explains how mental health disorders develop through the interaction of vulnerabilities (diatheses) and stressful life events (stressors).

Predisposing Causes

Long-term risk factors that increase vulnerability (e.g., genetics, early trauma, personality traits).

Precipitating Causes (Triggers)

Immediate events that spark the problem (e.g., loss, stress, substance use).

Maintaining Causes

Ongoing factors that keep the problem going (e.g., negative thinking, avoidance, poor support).

Protective Factors

Healthy coping and resilience builders (e.g., support system, therapy, exercise, problem-solving).

Biological Theories

a) Brain dysfunction

b) Biochemical imbalances

c) Genetic abnormalities

Brain Dysfunction

• Can result from injury caused by accident or from diseases that cause deterioration.

• In schizophrenia, for example, the cerebral cortex does not effectively function causing delusions (unreal beliefs) and hallucinations (unreal perceptual experiences).

Excitatory neurotransmitters

help to depolarize (decrease the negative electrical charge) of the membrane of the second neuron, making it more likely to fire.

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

help to hyperpolarize (increase the negative electrical charge) of the membrane of the second neuron, making it less likely to fire.

Reuptake

occurs when the initial neuron releasing the neurotransmitter reabsorbs the neurotransmitter, decreasing the amount left in the synapse.

Degradation

occurs when the receiving neuron releases an enzyme into the synapse that breaks down the neurotransmitter into other biochemicals.

Malfunction

• producing abnormal levels of particular neurotransmitters.

• Abnormal activity in neurotransmitter systems is associated with some psychological disorders.

Hormones

substances secreted by endocrine glands that regulate a wide range of bodily processes affecting organs, muscles, and other glands in the body.

Metabolism

The conversion of nutrients into energy and,building materials to meet your body’s needs.

Chromosomes

Structures found in every cell of the human body that carry genetic information.

Genes

• Segments that make up chromosomes; they are made of DNA and carry inherited traits from parents.

• influence physical traits and play a key role in the development of the brain.

DNA

The chemical substance of genes, containing the instructions for growth and development.

Nucleotides

The basic units of DNA, arranged in two spirals (the double helix) that form our genetic code.

Genetic Abnormalities

• Abnormalities in genes are linked to mental disorders.

• Most disorders are associated with abnormalities in multiple genes, rather than a single defective gene.

Psychological Theories

emphasize that mental disorders result from either unconscious conflicts, thoughts and beliefs, classical and operant conditioning, dysfunctional interpersonal dynamics, poor regulations of emotions, or pressure to conform to societal norms.

Behavioral Theories

Focus on the influences of punishments and reinforcements in producing behavior.

Classical Conditioning

explains people’s seemingly irrational responses to a host of neutral stimuli.

Operant Conditioning

shaping of behaviors by rewarding desired behaviors and punishing undesired ones.

Modeling

learning behaviors by imitating others modeled by important people in our lives.

Observational Learning

learning by observing the rewards and punishments others receive.

Cognitive Theories

argue that it is not simply rewards and punishments that motivate human behavior. Instead, our cognitions (thoughts or beliefs) shape our behaviors and emotions.

Global Assumptions

Some of the most maladaptive behavior and negative emotions are the results of broad beliefs

Psychodynamic Theories

• Theories of abnormality developed by Freud that

focus on the influence of unconscious processes

on abnormal personality functioning.

• Freud believed abnormal behavior is caused

by unconscious conflict Libido/libidinal and aggressive drives

motivate human behavior.

Id

the system from which the libido emerges, and its drives and impulses seek immediate release.

Ego

the force that seeks to gratify our wishes and needs in ways that remain within the constraints of external reality.

Superego

develops later; the repository (storage) of moral values (conscience + ego ideal).

Humanistic Theories

Theories that focus on the role of society imposing pressures on the individual and hindering self-actualization, and on conflicts between people’s true selves and their ideal selves.

Family Systems Theories

• Theories that see the family as a complex system that works to maintain the status quo.

• A person with a psychological disorder reflects dysfunction in the family system.

• Families that are cohesive and exhibit good adaptability and communication styles are less likely to have an identified patient with a disorder.

Emotion-Focused Theories

• Theories that focus on difficulties in regulating emotions and on understanding and managing emotional responses.

• People with poor regulation may be at greater risk for anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and substance abuse.

Sociocultural Theories

• Suggest that one must look beyond the individual or family to the larger society in order to understand abnormality.

• Factors contributing to psychological problems:

a) Socioeconomic disadvantage

b) Disintegration of society due to war, famine, and natural disaster

c) Social norms and policies that stigmatize and marginalize certain groups

d) Societal rules about what is abnormal

Integrative Approach

• No single perspective can explain all aspects of abnormality.

• Psychological disorders are the product of both nature (biological factors) and nurture (psychosocial factors).

• This leads to a multidimensional integratives approach to understanding psychological disorders.