Psychopathology (14)

Sickness or disorder of the mind; psychological disorder

The factors that contribute to the development of a disorder; used to help understand the disorder.

A method that defines basic aspects or domains of functioning (eg. attention, social communication, anxiety) and considers them across multiple levels of analysis, from genes to brain systems to behaviour. The goal is to understand the processes that give rise to disordered thoughts, emotions and behaviour.

In psychology, examination of a person’s cognitive, emotional, or behavioural functioning to diagnose possible psychological disorders. Examining a person’s mental functions and psychological condition, usually using self-reports, psychological testing, observations, interviews, and even neuropsychological testing.

A diagnostic model that proposes that a disorder may develop when an underlying vulnerability is coupled with a precipitating event. Vulnerability can be biological (eg. genetic predisposition) or environmental (eg. childhood abuse). If stress level exceeds an individual’s ability to cope, the symptoms of psychological disorders will occur.

A diagnostic model that considers an individual’s behaviour within a social context, particularly within the family. Problems within an individual are considered as indicating/manifestations of problems within the family.

A diagnostic model that views psychopathology as the result of the interaction between individuals and their cultures (eg. lifestyle, expectations, opportunities).

A diagnostic model that views psychopathology as a result of learned, maladaptive thoughts and beliefs. Therefore, they can be unlearned through treatment. This relies on the belief that thought processes are available to the conscious mind (unlike psychoanalytic psychologists). Eg. Little Albert, classically conditioned fear response.

Psychological disorders characterised by excessive fear and anxiety in the absence of true danger. Feel tense, apprehensive; often irritable for lack of solution; difficulty falling and staying asleep due to constant worry; impaired concentration and attention span. Continuous arousal of autonomic nervous system means sweating, dry mouth, rapid pulse, shallow breathing, increased blood pressure, and increased muscular tension; hypertension, headaches and other health problems; restless and pointless motor behaviours. Various disorders share some symptoms, but their behavioural manifestations differ.

A diffuse state of constant anxiety not associated with any specific object or event. Constantly anxious and worry incessantly about anything. Hypervigilance – distractibility, fatigue, irritability, and sleep problems; headaches, restlessness, light-headedness, and muscle pain.

An anxiety disorder that consists of sudden, over-whelming attacks of terror; worry about having additional panic attacks, which seemingly come out of nowhere, or are cued by external stimuli, or internal thought processes. Sweat, tremble, shortness of breath, racing heart, chest pain, dizzy and lightheadedness, numbness and tingling in hands and feet.

An anxiety disorder marked by fear of being in situations in which escape may be difficult or impossible. Fear is so strong that being in such situations causes panic attacks. Avoid open spaces and places where there might be crowds; also fear of having panic attack in public.

A disorder characterised by frequent intrusive thoughts and compulsive actions. Obsessions are recurrent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts or ideas or mental images that increase anxiety, which individuals with OCD typically attempt to ignore. Compulsions are particular acts that the OCD patient feels driven to perform over and over that reduce anxiety (often only temporarily). The anticipation of catastrophe and loss of control, fear of what they might do or might have done. Causes – possibly classical conditions, reinforced through operant conditioning. OCD related genes appear to control the neurotransmitter glutamate (excitatory, causing increased neural firing).

A disorder that involves frequent nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks related to an earlier trauma. People with PTSD often try to avoid situations or stimuli that remind them of their trauma. NIU – those with genetic markers related to serotonin functioning were much more likely to show PTSD symptoms in the week after the shooting. Chronic tension, anxiety and health problems, may experience memory problems and attention problems; “overconsolidation.”

A disorder characterised by severe negative moods or lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities. Must experience a major depressive episode, where these symptoms last every day for at least two weeks. Must have other symptoms, eg. appetite and weight changes, sleep disturbances, loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of self-reproach or guilt, and frequent thoughts of death. Lasts several months, often years.

A form of depression not severe enough to be diagnosed as major depressive disorder. Shares many of the same symptoms, but less intense. Must have a depressed mood for most of the day, more days than not, for at least 2 years. Approx 2-20 years, typically 5-10. Potentially, depression may involve one or more monoamines (serotonin or norepinephrine).

A cognitive model of depression in which people will feel unable to control events in their lives. Expect bad things will happen to them and believe they are powerless to avoid negative events. Dysfunctional cognitive patterns are a cause of depression, not a consequence.

A disorder characterised by extremely elevated moods during manic episodes and, frequently, depressive episodes as well. Manic episodes last at least once a week, are characterised by abnormally and persistently elevated moods, increased activity, diminished need for sleep, grandiose ideas, racing thoughts, and extreme distractibility. Often excessive involvement in pleasurable but foolish activities. May also have severe thought disturbances and hallucinations. Manic episodes interfere with daily living and can often result in hospitalisation.

A disorder characterised by alternating periods of extremely depressed and mildly elevated moods (hypomania – which are often characterised by heightened creativity and productivity, can be extremely pleasurable and rewarding). Major depressive episodes cause impairment rather than manic episodes.

Disorders that involve disruptions of identity, of memory, or of conscious awareness. The commonality is the splitting off of some parts of memory from conscious awareness. Believed to result from extreme stress.

The occurrence of two or more distinct identities in the same individuals, along with memory gaps in which the person does not recall everyday events. Most diagnosed are women who report being severely abused in childhood. Cope with abuse by dissociating mental state from body; that dissociative state then takes on its won identity – separate identities usually differ substantially. Subtle symptoms include major depressive episodes or PTSD.

A psychological disorder characterised by alterations in thoughts, in perceptions, or in consciousness, resulting in psychosis (split or disconnection from reality). Characterised by a combination of motor, cognitive, behavioural and perceptual abnormalities, which result in impaired social, personal, or vocational functioning. At least one of the symptoms has to be delusions, hallucinations, and disorganised speech, present for a significant portion of time during a 1-month period (DSM-5). Must show two or more of these and other symptoms for diagnosis.

Are excesses, adding abnormal behaviour (eg. delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech).

Are deficits in functioning, such as apathy, lack of emotion, and slowed speech and movement. More common in men than women, and associated with a poorer prognosis. Often persist, unlike positive symptoms.