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
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
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 disorderAnxiety 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.