Psyc Mental Illness Exam 1

Is there one definition of psychopathology?

No there's many but the official one is- Scientific study of mental disorders in an effort to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterens of functioning.

Explain different contexts that might impact mental illness/abnormal behavior

Multiple biological, psychological, and sociocultural contexts shape mental illness and abnormal behavior.

What do clinical scientists do? What do clinical practitioners do?

Clinical scientists research diseases, design clinical trials, and test medical samples or equipment to improve patient care, while clinical practitioners provide direct patient care, diagnose illnesses, and administer treatments.

Professions in psychology: Who can prescribe medication and who can’t?

Licensed medical doctors and specialized nurse practitioners can prescribe psychiatric medication, while most traditional psychologists and therapists cannot.

Definitions of treatment/therapy

Procedure designed to change abnormal behavior -> normal behavior.

What are the 4 D’s?

• Devance

• Distress

• Dysfunction

• Danger

Devance

negatively different from the norm

Distress

Causing stress to themselves or those involved or themselves.

Danger

causing stress to themselves or those involved or around them

Dysfunction

Interferes with daily functioning

Danger

Dangerous to themselves or those around them.

Somatogenic Perspective

abnormal functioning has Physical causes

Psychogenic perspective

Abnormal functioning has Psychological causes.

Psychotropic Medication & Deinstitutionalization

Served as a foundational catalyst for the deinstitutionalization movement by making the symptoms of severe mental illnesses manageable outside of locked wards.

Steps in the clinical process

Assessment -> Develop a clinical picture,-> Diagnose,->Treatment>Repeat

Clinical Interview

• Face to face encounter where questions are asked 

• Can be structured or unstructured, and content specific.

Clinical Test

A device or technique used to gather information about psychological functioning

Clinical Observation

-Watching, listening, recording, and (later) interpreting 

-Can be naturalistic (natural) or analog (set-up) 

Validity

Accuracy

• Is the test measuring what it is supposed to measure correctly and accurately

• Face validity- not enough

Reliability

Consistency

• Test to the same person, in the same way, at different times (no treatment), they should have a similar score.

Diagnosis

A determination that a person’s difficulties reflect a particular mental illness or disorder

The benefits of Diagnosis

• Communication

• Guides selection of proper treatment

• Personal Relief 

Harms of a diagnosis

• Being wrong

• Insecurity, distress/worry

• concern/ feeling somethings wrong

• Stigma– fear of judgement

• Insurance changing/ loss of job opportunities 

What is the DSM-5 based on?

A categorical approach

Do all experts believe in accuracy the DSM-5?

Depends. Many believe that The DMS-5 is effective and its reliability and validity has increased over the years through intense research and input from experts. 

But some argue about more field studies, its still difficult to diagnose some, and there may still be bias (race/gander)

Idiographic Data

Individuals information

Nomothetic Data

Broad information about this disorder, symptoms, and treatment.

Is psychopathology a science? Why?

Yes, psychopathology is considered an empirical and clinical science that studies mental disorders, abnormal behavior, and atypical psychological experiences.

What is the big difference between case studies and correlational/experimental research?

The big difference between case studies and correlation/experimental research is that case studies are solely based on observation and subject evidence and focus on one person or small group while correlation/experimental studies are based on data collected and can be manipulated and focused on a big group.

Ethics: What is an IRB?

IRB: Institutional Review Board

• Ethics committee in a research facility empowered to protect the rights & safety of humans research projects. 

Biological Model

Why? 

• Malfactioning parts of the organism 

• Concerns with brain (anatomy,chemistry, security) or genes

Example: Difficulties with communication between neurons.

Treatments: psychotropic medication, ect. 

Psychodynamic Model

Why?

• Id, ego, superego of personality are in conflict 

• Drives and instinct, defense mechanisms, morality principles (right/wrong)

• Id: Pleasure Principle 

• Ego: Reality Principle 

• Superego: Morality Principle

Treatments: free association, therapist interpretations, catharsis

Newer versions: shorten therapies or relational therapy 

Cognitive-Behavioral Model

Why?

• maladaptive/negative thoughts & behavior 

• How they act

• How they affect feeling and emotion

Treatment: Modeling, identifying/confronting thinking patterns, exposure therapy.

CBT: Cognitive Behavior Therapy 

Humanistic-Existential

Humanistic view:

• Emphasis on people as friendly, cooperative, and constructive 

• Focus on drive to self-actualization through honest recognition of strengths and weaknesses

Existential view:

• Emphasis on accurate self- awareness and meaningful life (authentic)

• Psychological dysfunction is caused by self-deception 

Why? 

• Humans have philosophical goals not moving toward them leads to concerns

• Two theories that are often combined 

• Lost popularity 

• Major principle still impact others

Treatment: Client-centered therapy, unconditional positive regard, existential therapy.