Ab Psych 1.1-1.3

1.1: Defining Psych. Disorders, 1.2: Historical Perspectives, 1.3 Contemporary Perspectives

What is a mental (psychological) disorder?

A syndrome characterized by biological, psychological, or developmental dysfunction that effect cognitive (mental) functioning, which can cause distress in critical areas of life.

• A syndrome characterized by significant disturbances in an individuals cognition, emotion regulation, and/or behavior. This reflects dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes that underly mental functioning, and typically causes distress or impairment in important areas of life.

What are key features that define a mental disorder?

• Dysfunction (Mental processes are not working well)

• The individual is greatly bothered by the disorder

• Those who conflict with society do not necessarily have a mental disorder unless it drastically conflicts with what is considered normal in a (given) society

Why are labels important?

Labels can stick; the language we use is important because it influences how we think about people

Ex. “Cancer survivor” implies someone was the “loser” to cancer (Recent debate)

Ex. “Schizophrenics” vs. “A person experiencing schizophrenia”

Why can stigmas be damaging?

Stigmas fuel guilt and make people embarrassed to receive treatment for possible psychological disorders. This prevents treatment and leaves people living with undiagnosed mental conditions (Can be dangerous)

• Ex. “I’m so OCD” (Clueless to what it actually is)

What should you be aware of when taking a diagnostic course?

There may be things that you feel pertain to you or someone you know, but it’s important to stay diligent and objective and to not self-diagnose

What did Hippocrates call epilepsy?

“The sacred disease”

What were the “four humors” according to Hippocrates? What are they associated with?

Blood

Yellow bile

• Mania

Black bile

• Depression

Phelgm

What were the four categories of mental illness according to Galen?

Frenzy, mania, melancholy, and fatuity (foolishness)

What do the treatment of the four humors (Hippocrates) and the four mental illnesses (Galen) have in common?

They both involved the balancing of the humors in order to treat it.

• i.e. “Blood letting”

Where does the term “Bedlam” come from?

A nickname of the famous St. Mary of Bethlaham’s asylum, which harbored horrible conditions due to overcrowding and inhumane treatment, and therefore chaos

What did the asylums of the old times make us pay attention to?

How to humanely and safely house individuals who are a danger to themselves and others, emphasizing treatment over incarceration

What is the Medical model?

A system that focuses on naming a mental disorder, identifying symptoms, and diagnosing a person based on those symptoms.

• This system assumes theres a specific cause (likely physical) to a given disorder

• Signs and symptoms can be clustered together. This helps doctors choose the right treatment via the DSM. (But can be problematic to apply to all mental health concerns)

Explain the difference between Psychiatrist and Psychologist

Psychiatrist

• Medical doctors who study and treat mental illness

• Use the medical model

Psychologist

• Professionals that study pathology (What’s wrong with someone

• They use the medical model and the DSM to diagnose and treat patients

What is the Humanistic approach?

A wellness model that emphasizes becoming the best version of yourself. It believes that people are innately good.

• (Focusing on a person’s strengths rather than their disorder)

What is Psychodynamic Therapy?

Talk therapy that emphasizes the role of early-life experience. Focuses on uncovering psychological roots that bring emotional distress.

• Associated with Sigmund Freud

• Life factors include: Emotions, thoughts, early-life experience, and beliefs

• Defense mechanisms: Denial, repression, rationalization

• Short term treatment is goal oriented and lasts up to 25 sessions, but long term can last for 2+ years

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?(CBT)

Short-term treatment that focuses on changing an individual’s perception in order to change their behavior and reaction to a situation

• General term that refers to a group of therapies

  • Rational emotive behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, dialectal behavior therapy

What is the Sociocultural approach?

This approach reminds us that mental health issues should be understood within the context of a person’s culture.

• Ex. Worldwide incidence rate of depression being associated with poverty and violence rather than heredity