Unit 5 // Packet Overview (missing pt.1)

Understanding Irrational Fears and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Irrational Fears:

  • Example: Afraid of snakes (irrational fear). The likelihood of death from a snake encounter is minimal.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

  • Comprised of two components:

  • Obsessive Thoughts: Intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety or distress (e.g., fear of a break-in).

  • Compulsive Behaviors: Actions taken to alleviate the distress from obsessive thoughts (e.g., locking a door multiple times).

  • Example from Pop Culture:

  • Movie "As Good As It Gets" featuring Jack Nicholson, who exhibits OCD by locking his door repeatedly as a way to combat his obsessive thoughts about security.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Definition:

  • PTSD is a condition that arises after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

• Historical Context:

  • Previously known as Shell Shock seen after conflicts like World War I.

• Key Components:

  • Proximity: The closer one is to a traumatic event, the more severe the PTSD.

  • Study example: Survivors of the World Trade Center attacks who were in the towers reported more severe PTSD symptoms than those who observed from a distance.

  • Triggers: May involve environmental or emotional triggers that can provoke memories of the traumatic event (e.g., soldiers reacting to loud bangs as combat sounds).

• Emerging Treatments:

  • New methods for treating PTSD include LSD therapy to help patients confront their trauma in a controlled manner citing potential benefits from induced euphoria.

  • Virtual Reality (VR): Exposure therapy using VR technology to engage with phobias or traumatic memories in a safe environment.

Learning Perspective on Anxiety, OCD, and PTSD

• Learning Theories:

  • Albert Bandura's Observation: Fear can be learned through observing others.

  • Examples of Maladaptive Behaviors:

  • Self-medication with substances or self-harm as responses to stress.

Biological Influences on Mental Disorders

• Genetic Predisposition:

  • Refers to the likelihood of developing certain disorders due to family history.

  • Example: Bipolar disorder has a significant hereditary component.

• Epigenetics:

  • How environmental factors can affect gene expression, increasing susceptibility to disorders.

Mood Disorders: Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

• Major Depressive Disorder:

  • A persistent feeling of sadness impacting various life areas, treatable with medication and therapy.

• Bipolar Disorder:

  • Characterized by extreme mood fluctuations between mania and depression:

  • Manic Phases: High energy, creativity, but can lead to risky behavior. Can present with delusions.

  • Depressive Phases: Characterized by low energy and risk of Suicidal Self-Injury (SSI).

• Comorbidity: High chances of having multiple mood disorders concurrently.

• Onset: Symptoms often emerge in adolescence, though they can appear later in life and may correlate with differing risks of SSI.

Schizophrenia

• Definition: A severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, and sense of self.

• Symptoms:

  • Primary symptoms include hallucinations (seeing/hearing what is not there) and delusions (false beliefs).

  • Word Salad: Jumbled speech indicative of disorganized thoughts.

  • Flat Effect: Lack of emotional expression.

  • Catatonia: Physical rigidity or motionless state.

• Treatment: Typically includes antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and therapy adjustments.

Types of Schizophrenia

• Chronic vs. Acute:

  • Chronic: Symptoms present early and persist throughout life.

  • Acute: Sudden onset later in life; sometimes symptoms can diminish or disappear.

Biological Factors

• Dopamine: Excess levels linked to the symptoms of schizophrenia; contrast to conditions like Parkinson's, which is characterized by reduced dopamine.

• Brain Structure:

  • Areas like the hippocampus, amygdala, and corpus callosum may show reduced size in individuals with chronic schizophrenia.

  • Gray Matter: Reduction in the neuron density found in affected individuals, while white matter examination shows interrupted signaling pathways.

Genetic and Environmental Influences

• Genetics: Family history increases risk; especially higher if both parents have schizophrenia.

• Prenatal Factors: Exposure to viruses and reduced oxygen flow during pregnancy can influence development.

• Environmental stressors in childhood, such as abuse, can also contribute to the onset of the disorder.

Prevalence and Impact

• Affects approximately 1.3-1.4% of the US population, significant impact on daily life and functioning, especially in maintaining employment and relationships.

Treatment Options

• No cure for schizophrenia currently; focus on treatment.

  • Antipsychotics: Thorazine highlighted as a commonly used medication that is effective but can lead to sedation.

  • Psychotherapy: Important for management; various forms, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Other Disorders Discussed

• Somatic Symptom Disorder and Conversion Disorder: Strong interplay between psychological factors leading to physical symptoms. Highlighted by cases showing how psychological stress can manifest physically.

• Dissociative Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder: Related to trauma and personality fluctuations; they can manifest as alterations in self-identity and personality states.

• Personality Disorders: Notable clusters including:

  • Cluster A: Schizotypal traits.

  • Cluster B: Dramatic and impulsive disorders including BPD and antisocial behaviors (lack of empathy).

  • Cluster C: Avoidant disorders leading to chronic avoidance of social situations.