Abnormal Psych

Abnormal

Statistical deviation from the norm, social norms criteria, rosenhaun’s criteria for abnormality

Comorbidity

the presence of two or more distinct illnesses or conditions in a single individual at the same time

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)

Diagnostics and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 1952.  The DSM is a guide to all of the psychological disorders that are currently known within the scientific community.  The DSM lists the symptoms and behaviors associated with each disorder, and is used by psychiatrists to identify which disorder a person may be suffering from. 

Symptom

According to DSM, abnormal behavior is a symptom of a mental disorder.

Validity

A valid diagnosis is when a diagnosed person really has a particular disorder as defined by the diagnostic classification systems.

Reliability

Accuracy of a diagnosis or assessment, ensuring it provides consistent results over time and across different evaluators.

Criteria of Abnormality (MIS VOUV)

The criteria used to determine whether a behavior or thought pattern is classified as abnormal, including Maladaptiveness, Irrationality, Statistical Deviance, Violation of Social Norms, Observer Discomfort, Unpredictability, and Vulnerability.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses, often leading to skewed perceptions and judgment.

Stigmatization

The process of negatively labeling and stereotyping individuals with mental health conditions, leading to discrimination and social exclusion.

Stickness of labels

refers to the enduring impact of labels placed on individuals, which can influence their self-identity and how they are perceived by others.

prevalence rate

refers to the proportion of a population that has a particular mental health condition at a given time.

social norms criteria

are the standards of behavior that are expected and accepted within a group or society, used to define what is considered normal or abnormal behavior.

statistical deviation from the norm

refers to the extent to which an individual's behavior or characteristics differ significantly from the average or typical patterns in a population. This deviation is often used to identify abnormal behavior.

Criticisms of DSM Medical Model

• Professional bias developed by psychiatrists, -

• mental illness bias sets low bar for diagnosis,

• cultural bias based on western conceptions of abnormality,

• uncertainity on which disorders are real

• no way to objectively diagnose mental disorders

• diagnosis can lead to stigmatization

Strengths of DSM medical model

• removes blame

• enables research into causes and treatments

Rosenhaun study - reliability and validity

• Healthy adults misdiagnosed with schizophrenia

• diagnosis lead to dehumanization, misinterpretation of behavior and stigmatizing label

Langer and Abelson - reliability and validity

• two groups of differently trained psychologists analyzed subjects’ mental health

• diagnosis leads to stigmatizing label and misinterpretation of behavior

• presents  issues with bias in diagnosis based on professional training

PTSD

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, characterized by flashbacks, anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Causes of PTSD

Extremely stressful experience

Trauma (physical, mental, emotional, etc)

Mental Illness

Risk factors of PTSD

Long lasting trauma

Physical & sexual abuse

Lack of sound support system

Substance abuse

Symptoms of PTSD

Anxiety & Depression

Flashbacks & Memory Loss

Increased Heart Rate

Nausea & Fatigue

Etiology

The study of the causes or origins of a disorder, including biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

Amgydala

A brain structure involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and anxiety, which plays a significant role in PTSD. Generates automatic responses associated with fear

Prefrontal cortex

A brain region associated with decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse control, crucial for managing responses to stress and trauma.

Hippocampus

Important role in learning and memory. It encodes new memories and connects emotions and senses, such as smell and sound, to memories.

Urry et. al - Biological etiology/PTSD

 Looks at activity in brain areas 

• participants did not suffer from PTSD asked to positively/negatively assess stimuli

• fMRI showed higher activity in prefrontal cortex when positively assessing stimuli

• fMRI showed higher activity in amygdala when negatively assessing stimuli

• negative correlation between prefrontal cortex/amygdala activity and PTSD symptoms

Karl et. al. - Biological etiology/PTSD

Looks at volume (size) of brain areas

• metaanalysis combined 50 correlational studies mostly on hippocampus

• strongest correlation between reduced hippocampal volume and PTSD symptoms

• weaker correlation between reduced amygdala volume and PTSD symptoms

• studies on children found correlation between reduced PFC volume and PTSD symptoms

Gilbertson - Biological etiology/PTSD

• twin study aiming to understand if brain abnormalities are cause or symptom of PTSD

• smaller hippocampal volume is an etiology of PTSD and increases vulnerability to disorder

Cognitive appraisals

an individual's subjective interpretation and evaluation of a situation, especially a stressful one, which influences their emotional and behavioral responses

Cognitive reappraisal

A cognitive strategy that involves reinterpreting or reframing a situation or event to change one's emotional response. It aims to alter the way a person thinks about a stressor, thereby reducing its negative impact. This involves actively changing your perception of a situation to manage emotional responses effectively, often used in therapy to cope with anxiety, depression, or trauma.

Amygdala - Cognitive Etiology and PTSD

Activates fight or flight response, increases arousal

-Thinking not so bad, activity in amygdala decreases

-Situation seems worse, activity in amygdala increases

Prefrontal Cortex - Cognitive Etiology and PTSD

-Works to reappraise traumatic stimuli 

-Increased functioning of PFC will decrease action of Amygdala 

-If someone can’t cognitively re/appraise, they can’t reduce stress response

Hitchcock - Cognitive Etiology and PTSD

-children suffering with PTSD from one-off traumatic event

-measured symptoms and negative appraisals at 1 month and 6 months from event

-moderate correlation between negative appraisals and PTSD symptoms

Urry et. al - Cognitive Etiology and PTSD

-participants did not suffer from PTSD asked to positively/negatively assess stimuli

-fMRI showed higher activity in prefrontal cortex when positively assessing stimuli

-fMRI showed higher activity in amygdala when negatively assessing stimuli

-negative correlation between prefrontal cortex/amygdala activity and PTSD symptoms

socio-economic status

A comprehensive measure of an individual's or family's economic and social position in relation to others, based on factors such as income, education, and occupation. SES can significantly influence access to resources, healthcare, and overall quality of life, affecting mental health outcomes and access to treatment.

Prevalence rates of PTSD

5-7% of individuals will develop PTSD within their lifetime

Women are 2-3x more likely than men to develop PTSD

Indigenous and Black Americans are more likely to develop PTSD

Asian-American PTSD rates are generally lower

Gilbertson - Social Etiologies of PTSD

-twin study aiming to understand if brain abnormalities are cause or symptom of PTSD

Garrison (1995) - Social Etiologies of PTSD

-interviewed teenagers after Hurricane Andrew in Florida

-9% prevalence of PTSD in women vs. 3% in males

-higher rates of PTSD for Black and Hispanic Americans compared to White

-stressful events post trauma had stronger correlation with PTSD symptoms then trauma itself

Galea (2008) - Social Etiologies of PTSD

-subjects in Mississippi who lived through Hurricane Katrina

-higher prevalence of PTSD in women, Black and Hispanic Americans compared to male/White

-highest prevalence of PTSD in lowest Social-Economic categories (both education and wealth)

Luby (2013) - Social Etiologies of PTSD

-longitudinal study aimed at understanding socio-economic status’ impact on the brain

-correlation between poverty and both hippocampal and amygdala volumes

-effects of hippocampal volume were social support and stressful life events