In-Depth Notes on Mental Health and Disorders Preparation

I. Perspectives

  • Seven Perspectives of Psychology

    • Psychoanalytic: Unconscious mind, childhood experiences
    • Behavioral: Conditioning, observable behavior
    • Cognitive: Thought processes, mental functions
    • Humanistic: Personal growth, self-actualization
    • Biological: Genetic influences, neurochemical activity
    • Evolutionary: Adaptation, survival behaviors
    • Sociocultural: Social context, cultural influences

  • Biopsychosocial Model

    • Causes: Mental disorders arise from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.
    • Treatment: Integrates multiple approaches, addressing the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of disorders.

  • Diathesis-Stress Model

    • Explains that individuals may inherit a predisposition (diathesis) that, when coupled with stressful life experiences, increases the likelihood of developing a disorder.

  • Eclectic Approach

    • Combines techniques and ideas from different therapeutic schools to tailor treatment based on the individual client's needs.

II. Intro to Disorders

  • Disordered Definition

    • Deviates greatly from societal norms or is characterized by dysfunction, distress, and dangerousness.

  • Diagnosis Requirements

    • Evidence of symptoms, impairment in functioning, duration of symptoms, and the application of diagnostic criteria.

  • DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) & ICD (International Classification of Diseases)

    • Commonality: Both serve to standardize classification and criteria for mental health diagnoses.

  • Pros & Cons of Diagnosing

    • Positives: Leads to proper treatment, helps in understanding the disorder, provides a common language.
    • Negatives: May stigmatize individuals, potential for over-diagnosing, and may overlook individual variations.

III. Depressive Disorders

  • Features

    • Consistent feeling of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, and other cognitive and physical symptoms.
    • Includes Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD).

  • Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

    • Persistent sadness, loss of interest, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts.

  • Symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

    • Chronic sadness lasting for at least two years, similar symptoms as MDD but usually less severe.

  • Biological/Evolutionary Causes

    • Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances (e.g., serotonin, norepinephrine).

  • Behavioral & Cognitive Causes

    • Negative thought patterns, learned helplessness, lack of reinforcement.

  • Sociocultural Explanation

    • Socioeconomic status, cultural stigma, access to mental health services.

  • Biopsychosocial Explanation

    • Combination of biological (genetic), psychological (thought patterns), and social factors contributing to the development of MDD and PDD.

  • Diathesis Stress Application

    • Yes. Individuals may have a vulnerability to depression triggered by stressful life events.

IV. Bipolar Disorder

  • Common Features

    • Alternating episodes of mania (elevated mood, increased energy) and depression.
    • Mania: Excessively euphoric, energetic states; Hypomania: Less severe form.

  • Types

    • Type I: Full manic episodes, may have depressive episodes.
    • Type II: At least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode.

  • Biological Causes

    • Genetic factors, neurotransmitter fluctuations (e.g., serotonin, dopamine).

V. Schizophrenia

  • Five Symptoms

    • Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, negative symptoms, and abnormal motor behavior.

  • Hallucinations vs. Delusions

    • Hallucinations: Perceptions without external stimuli (e.g., hearing voices).
    • Delusions: Strongly held false beliefs (e.g., believing one is controlled by external forces).

  • Types of Delusions

    • Paranoid Delusions: Believing others are plotting against you.
    • Grandiose Delusions: Believing one has exceptional abilities or fame.

  • Word Salad

    • Disorganized speech where ideas are incoherent and disconnected.

  • Catatonia

    • Excited Catatonia: Hyperactive, agitated state without a clear cause.
    • Catatonic Stupor: Lack of response or movement, often in a fixed position.

  • Positive & Negative Symptoms

    • Positive: Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech.
    • Negative: Apathy, lack of emotional expression, anhedonia.

  • Acute vs. Chronic Schizophrenia

    • Acute: Sudden onset of symptoms and generally better prognosis.
    • Chronic: Long-term symptoms with a gradual onset, typically more severe.

  • Biological Explanation

    • Involves genetic factors, brain structure abnormalities (enlarged ventricles), and neurotransmitter dysregulation (dopamine hypothesis).
    • Diathesis-Stress: Yes, vulnerable individuals may develop schizophrenia when exposed to stressors.

VI. Anxiety Disorders

  • Common Features

    • Excessive fear or anxiety, significant distress or impairment.
    • Disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Phobias (specific and social), Agoraphobia, and others.

  • Symptoms of Phobic Disorder

    • Marked fear of a specific object or situation, leads to avoidance behavior.
    • Key phobias: Arachnophobia (fear of spiders), Acrophobia (fear of heights).

  • Agoraphobia

    • Intense fear of situations where escape might be difficult; includes being outside alone, being in crowds, etc.

  • Symptoms of Panic Disorder

    • Recurring panic attacks, symptoms include rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and feelings of impending doom.

  • Culture Bound Disorder

    • Disorders that are specific to certain cultures due to unique cultural practices or beliefs.

  • Ataque de Nervios

    • A cultural illness associated with Latino cultures, involving emotional disturbances and physical symptoms in response to stressful events.

  • Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

    • Intense fear of social situations, often leading to avoidance; may coincide with Agoraphobia.

  • Taijin Kyofusho

    • A cultural syndrome in Japan characterized by fear of offending others or how one’s body appears to others.

  • Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

    • Chronic worry about various aspects of life, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.

  • Behavioral Explanation of Anxiety Disorders

    • Anxiety as a learned response, often linked to previous negative experiences or conditioning.

  • Biological/Evolutionary Explanation

    • Genetic predisposition, irregularities in brain function, and evolutionary mechanisms of fear response.

  • Cognitive Explanation

    • Dysfunctional thought patterns, such as catastrophizing, excessive self-monitoring, and unrealistic expectations.

VII. Dissociative Disorders

  • Common Features

    • Disruptions in memory, identity, or consciousness.

  • Types: Dissociative Amnesia, Dissociative Fugue, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

  • Dissociative Amnesia Symptoms

    • Inability to recall significant personal information usually related to trauma or stress.

  • Fugue

    • Sudden, unexpected travel away from home coupled with inability to recall one’s identity or past.

  • DID Symptoms

    • Presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states, each having its own pattern of perceiving and relating.

  • Causes of Dissociative Disorders

    • Usually linked to severe trauma or stress, often in childhood.

VIII. Neurodevelopmental Disorders

  • Common Features

    • Disorders that manifest early in development and affect personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning.

  • Includes: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities.

  • ADHD Symptoms

    • Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, difficulty maintaining focus.

  • Causes of ADHD

    • Genetic influences, environmental factors (exposure to toxins), and brain structure differences.

  • Autism Symptoms

    • Problems with social interaction, communication difficulties, restrictive interests.

  • Causes of Autism

    • Genetic factors, prenatal exposure to harmful substances, neurological differences.

IX. Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders

  • OCD Symptoms

    • Presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety).

  • Compulsions vs. Obsessions

    • Obsessions: Unwanted, intrusive thoughts.
    • Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to relieve anxiety related to obsessions.

  • Hoarding

    • Inability to discard possessions due to perceived need or anxiety about losing them.

  • Biological Causes of OCD

    • Genetic factors, dysregulation of serotonin pathways in the brain.

  • Cognitive and Behavioral Explanations

    • Cognitive distortions on the severity of danger posed by intrusive thoughts, behavioral reinforcement of compulsive behaviors.

X. Feeding and Eating Related Disorders

  • Common Features

    • Severe disturbances in eating behavior with potential health consequences.

  • Includes: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder.

  • Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

    • Restricted food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image leading to severe weight loss.

  • Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa

    • Binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting.

  • Biological Explanations of Eating Disorders

    • Genetic factors, neurotransmitter differences affecting appetite and mood regulation.

  • Sociocultural Explanations

    • Societal pressures for thinness, exposure to media portraying idealized body shapes.

  • Cognitive and Behavioral Explanations

    • Cognitive distortions regarding weight and body image, reinforcing negative eating habits.

XI. Trauma and Stress Related Disorders

  • PTSD Symptoms

    • Flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, difficulty sleeping, emotional numbness.

  • Causes of PTSD

    • Exposure to traumatic events, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors.

XII. Personality Disorders

  • Common Features

    • Enduring patterns of behavior that deviate markedly from cultural expectations.

  • Clusters:

    • Cluster A (Odd/Eccentric): Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal.
    • Cluster B (Dramatic/Emotional): Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic.
    • Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful): Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.

  • Symptoms

    • Paranoid: Distrust of others.
    • Schizoid: Detachment from social relationships.
    • Schizotypal: Discomfort in close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions.
    • Borderline: Instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions.
    • Histrionic: Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking.
    • Narcissistic: Grandiosity and need for admiration.
    • Antisocial: Disregard for others' rights.
    • Avoidant: Social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy.
    • Dependent: Excessive need to be taken care of.
    • Obsessive-Compulsive: Preoccupation with order, perfection, and control.

  • Biological Causes

    • Genetic predispositions, brain structure differences.

  • Sociocultural Causes

    • Social environment, cultural variations in behavior norms.

  • Behavioral and Cognitive Causes

    • Patterns of reinforcement, cognitive distortions regarding self and others.

XIII. Treatments

  • Therapy Effectiveness

    • Supported by research and clinical trials; improves symptoms and enhances functioning.

  • Evidence-Based Treatment

    • Treatments supported by scientific research demonstrating efficacy.

  • Ethical Principles of Therapy

    • Beneficence: Promote well-being.
    • Nonmaleficence: Avoid harm.
    • Autonomy: Respect clients' rights to make decisions.
    • Justice: Fair treatment across diverse populations.

  • Deinstitutionalization

    • Transitioning individuals from inpatient facilities to community-based care, reducing stigma and isolation.

  • Decentralized Approach

    • Encouraging community-based mental health services rather than centralized institutions.

  • Psychodynamic Approach

    • Focus on unconscious processes; utilizes techniques like free association and dream analysis.

  • Biological Approach

    • Drug Categories:
    1. Antidepressants: Treat depression.
    2. Antipsychotics: Treat psychosis and mood disorders.
    3. Mood Stabilizers: Treat bipolar disorder.
    4. Anxiolytics: Treat anxiety disorders.
    • Tardive Dyskinesia
    • Involuntary, repetitive body movements caused by long-term use of antipsychotic medications.
    • Neurotransmitters Targeted by Each Drug:
    • Antidepressants: serotonin, norepinephrine.
    • Antipsychotics: dopamine.
    • Mood stabilizers: various neurotransmitter systems.
    • Anxiolytics: GABA.
    • Psychosurgical Techniques:
    • Invasive procedures (e.g., lobotomy) to treat severe mental disorders lacking other effective treatments.
    • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Effective for severe depression, used when other treatments fail.
    • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Non-invasive, for depression; compares effectiveness to ECT.

  • Cognitive Approach to Therapy

    • Focuses on changing maladaptive thoughts.
    • Cognitive Triad: Negative views of self, world, and future.
    • Cognitive Restructuring: Process of identifying and altering negative thought patterns.

  • Behavioral Approach to Therapy

    • Based on principles of behaviorism, emphasizing learning through reinforcement.
    • Techniques: Systematic desensitization, aversion therapy, token economies, and biofeedback.
    • Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
    • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Originally for borderline personality disorder, now used for various disorders.
    • Rational Emotive Therapy: Focuses on changing irrational beliefs.

  • Humanistic Approach to Therapy

    • Emphasizes personal growth and self-acceptance.
    • Person-Centered Therapy: Focus on the therapeutic relationship.
    • Active Listening: Therapist actively engages and reflects back what the client shares.
    • Unconditional Positive Regard: Accepting and respecting clients without conditions.

  • Group Therapy

    • Pros: Peer support, cost-effective, shares experiences.
    • Cons: Less individualized attention, possible group dynamics issues.

  • Hypnosis

    • Used in therapeutic contexts for pain management, anxiety, and some behavioral issues; not effective for all conditions.