Abnormal Psychology Cumulative Review

abnormal behavior

Statistical Infrequency, Violates Social norms, Person suffering, Disability/Dysfunction, Unexpectedness

Problems with defining abnormal behaviour

Hard to define/determine abnormality. Definitions are constantly changing as society changes.

Revision of DSM-5

Goal: improve validity of diagnostic system- was this successful
Concerns: increase in number of diagnostic categories; broadening of existing diagnostic criteria; unscientific decision-making process

Testing

Projective Test- Rorschach- Thematic Apperception Test
Intelligence Test-Diagnose learning/intellectual disabilities

Neurological Functioning

MRICT ScanPET ScanfMRIEEG

Biological Paradigm

Mental Disorders are caused by some somatic process or defect: "Medical Model"
- Genetics, Chemical Imbalances, Neuroanatomical abnormalities.

Psychoanalytic Paradigm

Abnormal behaviour results from unconscious results, from unconscious conflicts and tensions
ID, Ego and Superego

Behavioural Paradigm (Learning)

Abnormal behaviour is acquired based on behaviours that receive reinforcement or punishment

Principle Components of the Mind

ID: Life Instincts (Libido), Death Instincts, Pleasure Principles
Ego: Reality Principle
Superego

Stages of Psychosexual Development

Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital

Three Types of learning

1. Classical conditioning2. Operant conditioning3. Observational Learning

Classical Conditioning

Unconditioned Stimulus/Response
Conditioned Stimulus/Response

Classical Conditioning Example

Little AlbertLoud Noise (UCS) -\> Fear (UCR)White Rat(CS)-\> Fear (CR)

operant conditioning

Method of learning that uses rewards and punishment to modify behavior

positive reinforcement

Stimulus is added, behaviour increases

positive punishment

Stimulus added, behaviour decreases

Negative Reinforcement

Stimulus removed, behaviour increases

Negative Punishment

Stimulus removed, behaviour decreases

Types of mental health professions

Clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, social workers, counselling psychologist, Therapists

cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Incorporates theory and research on cognitive processes such as thoughts, perceptions, judgements, self-statements.
Cognitive and behavioural paradigms

Exposure Therapies

Psychologists create a safe environment in which to "expose" individuals to the things they fear and avoid

ABC Chart

A- Activating event
B-Belief they had about the event
C-Consequences of the event both behaviour and emotional.

Humanistic Therapy

Person centred therapy (client knows there own experience best, the therapist creates the environment for the client to take the wheel and work on self)- Carl Rogers

Motivational Interviewing

Therapist points them in the right direction, you aren't telling them. Persuading them, they decide the final choice.

Psychoanalytic Treatment

Free association
Dream analysis (dream journal, analysis looks at the conflict that may be found in the dreams)
Cathartic release (unconscious conflict comes into light, there should be a strong release of emotion and decrease in distress. Expression and release of emotions, weight lifted off shoulders)

Classification Approaches

Categorical Approach: Present or absent diagnosis, you either have it or you don't

Dimensional Approach

Scaling approach, (patient gets a score)

Prototypical Approach

Combines characteristics of categorical and dimensional approaches

Schemas

An organized, existing network of knowledge

Anxiety vs. Fear

Anxiety- future orientated, out of proportion.Fear- response to immediate threat, is normal (survival instinct)

3 Anxiety Responses

1. Physical (increase heart rate, sweat, trembling, muscle tension, etc.)2. Cognitive (What should I do? What is going to happen?)3. Behaviour ( Fight, flight or freeze)

Anxiety Comorbidity

*Anxiety is the most common co-morbid disorder*Anxiety and depressionAnxiety and substance abuse

Phobias

Fear/avoidance that is out of proportion to the "danger" of the situation

Treatment for phobias

Exposure based treatmentsCognitive Approach

Social Anxiety

Fear of a kind of social interaction (eating in public. groups of people, using public washrooms)- Social Norms become apparent, afraid people will judge you negatively

Panic Disorder

anxiety, recurrent panic attacks can be unexpected onset; symptoms peak within 10 minutes. (Experience both cognitive and physiological symptoms.) Doesn't need a trigger.
More common in women

Agoraphobia

Often accompanies panic attacks- anxiety about being in a place with no escape or escape may be difficult. Leads too avoidance.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Chronic or excessive worry about multiple events/activities. Needs sense of control, plan everything out, uncertainty is uncomfortable.
Occurs more days than not for 6 months

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Mind is flooded with persistent and uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) and the individual is compelled to repeat certain acts (compulsions).

Obsessions

Intrusive, unwanted and recurring thoughts, impulses and images.

Compulsions

Repetitive, purposeful, and intentional Behaviours. Preformed in response to obsessions to lessen anxiety.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

preoccupied with an imagined or exaggerated defect in appearance. Can be delusional or have good insights on their appearance.
Common in women

Acute Stress Disorder

Symptoms within 1 month after trauma exposure

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Symptoms are present one month after exposure

PTSD and ASD Criteria

A- Event (direct exposure to traumatic event, witnessed, learned, experience repeated)B- Intrusion (1 or more)C- Avoidance (1 or more)D- Cognitive and Mood (2 or more)E- Arousal/Reactive (2 or more)

2 Types of Mood Disorders

Bipolar and Related DisordersDepressive Disorders

Mild or Brief Depression

Is normal and adaptive, Feelings of sadness, hopelessness and pessimism are part of common human experience (Reaction to normal problems in living)

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Must have 5 or more symptoms; one MUST be depressed mood or decreased interest in activities (Anhedonia)

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Long term depression, symptoms are NOT as severe but last at least 2 years.
(Can experience MDD and PDD at the same time)

Bipolar I Disorder

Manic episode and depression plus 3 additional symptoms

Bipolar II Disorder

Episodes of major depression and Hypomania.

Manic Episode

Elevated, expansive or irritable mood and persistently increased goal-directed activity. Plus an additional 3 symptoms.

Hypomanic Episode

Elevated, expansive or irritable mood and persistently increased goal-directed activity. Plus an additional 3 symptoms.
Persistent for at least 4 days, less extreme than Mania

postpartum depression

Depressive symptoms experienced briefly after childbirth

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Depressive symptoms varied in responses to the changes in climate.
Reduced sunlight=Sad times:(

Cyclothymic Disorder

Chronic swings between elation and depressionless severe than Bipolar

Eating Disorders not otherwise specified

Symptoms and associated features that do not fit the symptoms of other eating disorders.
Most common (40-70% of diagnosed patients)

Anorexia Nervosa

Disorder which a person refuses to eat or to retain any food. Results in significantly low body weight. They have an intense fear of becoming obese and they feel fat even when abnormality thin.

Bulimia Nervosa

Recurrent episodes of binge eating (overwhelming amount of food in short periods). Attempt to compensate measures by getting calories out of body through vomiting, using laxatives, fasting or exercising.

Binge Eating Disorder

Recurrent binge eating episodes without compensatory weight loss behaviours. Often overweight/obese.

Common causes of eating disorders

-Dieting-Social Pressures (media, peer, sport influences)-Family Influences-Psychological Influences (Fear of weight gain, weight loss is positively reinforcing)-Biological Influences (Inherited vulnerability)

BN and AN treatments

BN- Medication (antidepressants), Coping skills, Portion Meals
AN- Restore weight, CBT, Family Therapy, Coping skills

Empirically Supported Therapies

Research to be effective when compared in controlled experimental research with other treatment approaches

Empirically informed therapies

Treatment approaches that have been based on processes and components shown to be effective via research

Evidence based practice

An approach advocated by the Canadian Psychological Association in which the best available research evidence is used in decision making regarding assessment and treatment. It is an alternative to developing lists of empirically supported therapies.

Purpose of Clinical Assessment

Drawing conclusions through the use of observation, psychological tests, neurological tests, and interviews to determine what the person's problem is and what symptoms they are presenting with.