Key Concepts in Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders

Flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and studies related to mental health diagnosis and treatment.

What are the 4Ds used in diagnosing mental health disorders?

Deviance, Dysfunction, Distress, Danger.

What does 'Deviance' refer to in the context of the 4Ds?

Behaviors and emotions that are outside societal norms, which can vary by culture, age, and gender.

How is 'Dysfunction' defined in the assessment of mental health?

When a person's symptoms prevent them from fulfilling their roles and responsibilities in life.

What scale can be used to measure dysfunction?

WHODAS II.

What does 'Distress' mean in the context of mental health?

Negative feelings or upset experienced by individuals with a disorder, which can manifest as physical symptoms.

What is 'Danger' in the 4Ds of diagnosis?

A situation where a person poses a risk to themselves or others, potentially leading to involuntary hospitalization.

What is a limitation of measuring 'Danger'?

What is considered dangerous can vary for different people.

What is meant by 'Reliability' in the context of diagnosis?

Consistency in obtaining the same diagnosis for the same symptoms across different clinicians.

What is 'Construct Validity'?

How well a test measures what it aims to measure.

What did Regier et al (2013) find about the reliability of PTSD diagnosis?

It had a reliability coefficient of 0.6-0.79, indicating good reliability.

Why is cultural relativism significant in mental health diagnoses?

It shows that perceptions of mental illness can differ across cultures, affecting diagnostic accuracy.

What are typical antipsychotic drugs primarily used to treat?

They primarily target positive symptoms of schizophrenia through dopamine receptor blockade.

What do atypical antipsychotics do?

They act on multiple neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin and dopamine, and are effective on a broader range of psychotic symptoms.

What approach does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) use?

It helps clients understand and change their irrational thoughts to manage symptoms.

What was the aim of Rosenhan's 1973 study?

To investigate the reliability of mental illness diagnoses and the quality of treatment in psychiatric hospitals.

What conclusion can be drawn from the results of Rosenhan's study?

There is unreliability in diagnosing mental illness, and once labeled, patients are treated according to that label.

What is the focus of the cognitive explanation of schizophrenia?

It emphasizes how dysfunctional thought processes lead to symptoms of the disorder.

What did Hemsley (1993) suggest about individuals with schizophrenia?

They often struggle to link current experiences with past memories, leading to chaotic interpretations of reality.

What was one finding from the study by McGuigan (1966)?

Patients with schizophrenia exhibited muscle tension in their vocal cords during auditory hallucinations, suggesting a connection between their thoughts and perceived voices.

What genetic factor is associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia?

Abnormalities in the Disc-1 gene can contribute to a higher likelihood of schizophrenia.

What do studies suggest about the heritability of schizophrenia?

Hilker suggested a 79% estimate of heritability for the disorder.

How does urban living influence mental health according to research?

Urban conditions can increase stressors that may contribute to the development of schizophrenia.

What role does CBT play in treating schizophrenia?

It helps patients understand and cope with their symptoms and the stress associated with the disorder.

What is a significant benefit of CBT compared to medication for treating depression?

CBT has no side effects and provides skills that can be used long-term.

What does the diathesis-stress model suggest about schizophrenia?

Genetic predisposition interacts with environmental stressors to trigger the onset of the disorder.