Psychological Disorders

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psychopathology

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problematic patterns of thought, feeling and behaviour that disrupt an individuals sense of wellbeing, social or occupational functioning.

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labelling theory

Back 2

argues that diagnosis is a way of stigmatising individuals a society considers deviant.

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mental health

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a state of emotional and social wellbeing in which individuals realise their own abilities, can cope with normal everyday stresses, can work productively and can contribute to their community.

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mental health problems

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a wide variety of emotional and behavioural abnormalities that affect people throughout their lives.

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mental disorder

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the existence of a clinically recognisable set of symptoms and behaviours, which usually need treatments to be alleviated.

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psychodynamic perspective

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three classes: neuroses, personality disorders and psychoses.

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Neuroses

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problems in living, such as: phobias, constant self-doubt and repetitive interpersonal problems (problems with authority).

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personality disorders

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enduring maladaptive patterns of thought, feeling and behaviour that lead to chronic disturbances in interpersonal and occupational functioning.

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psychoses

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gross disturbances involving a loss of tough with reality (hearing voices or believing people are trying to kill them).

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Aetiology

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the origins of psychological disorders and/or physiological disturbances.

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psychodynamic formulation

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set of hypotheses about the patients personality structure and the meaning of the symptom.

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cognitive-behavioural

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combination of classical and operant conditioning with a cognitive-social perspective.

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biological approach

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looks at the roots of mental disorders in the brains circuitry such as neurotransmitter dysfunction, abnormalities of brain structures or along a pathway.

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diathesis-stress model

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proposes people with an underlying vulnerability (called diathesis) may exhibit symptoms under stressful circumstances.

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systems approach

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explains an individuals behaviour in the context of a social group, such as family, couple or larger group.

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family systems model

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views an individuals symptoms as symptoms of family dysfunction.

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family homeostatic mechanisms

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family members use it to preserve equilibrium

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family roles

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the parts individuals play in the family.

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boundaries

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physical and psychological limits of the family and its sub systems.

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alliances

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patterns in which family members side with one another.

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descriptive diagnosis

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classifies mental disorders in terms of clinical syndromes (constellations of symptoms that tend to occur together).

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Diagnosis and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM)

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a manual of clinical syndromes that researchers and clinicians use to make diagnoses.

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multiaxial system (DSM uses it)

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places symptoms in social and biological context by evaluating patients along five axes.

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Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

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categorised by inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity inappropriate for a child's age. More prevalent in boys, runs in family and is both genetic and environmental.

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conduct disorder

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where a child persistently violates societal norms and the rights of others. symptoms: physically aggress, fighting, vandalism, lying and stealing.

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substance related disorders

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continued use of a substance (alcohol or drugs) that negatively affects psychological and social functioning.

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schizophrenia

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umbrella term for a number of psychotic disorders that involve disturbances in nearly every dimension of human psychology, including thought, perception, behaviour, language, emotion and communication.

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delusions

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false beliefs firmly held despite evidence to the contrary (believe they're being controlled or are someone else).

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hallucinations

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perceptual experiences that distort or occur without external stimulation (hear or see things).

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loosening of association

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tendency of conscious thought to move along associative lines rather than to be controlled, logical and purposeful.

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positive symptoms

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delusions, hallucinations and loose associations. positive because they can be treated.

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negative symptoms

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flat affect (blunt emotional response), lack of motivation, peculiar or withdrawn interpersonal behaviour and intellectual impairments.

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dopamine hypothesis

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the belief that individuals with schizophrenia brain during positive symptoms produce too much dopamine and in negative too little.

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expressed emotion

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environmental factor - family interactions are criticism, hostility and emotional over involvement by family members.

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mood disorders

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characterised by disturbances in emotion and mood.

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manic

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episodes where people feel excessively happy or euphoric and believe they can do anything.

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major depressive disorder

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characterised by depressed mood and loss of interest in pleasurable activities. also disturbances in appetite, sleep, energy and concentration. large prevalence in adolescences and 25-34 years.

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dysthymic disorder

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chronic low-level depression lasting more than two years with intervals of normal moods.

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bipolar disorder

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have manic episodes but often experience both emotional 'poles' of depression and mania.

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seasonal affective disorder

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depressive syndrome that occurs during particular seasons.

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Negative triad (Beck)

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negative view of themselves, the world and the future.

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cognitive distortions

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depressed people transform neutral or positive information into depressive cognitions.

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anxiety disorders

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internal alarm that warns of potential danger, is intense, frequent and continuous.

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generalised anxiety disorder

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persistent anxiety at moderate but disturbing level and unrealistic worry about life circumstances.

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phobia

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an irrational fear

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social phobia

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when people are in specific social or performance situations

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panic disorder

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attacks of intense fear and feelings of doom, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, chest pains.

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agoraphobia

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fear of being in places where escape might not be easy (elevator, plane).

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obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

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recurrent obsessions and compulsions that cause severe stress and interfere with individuals life.

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obsessions

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persistent irrational thoughts or ideas (idea someone is going to die).

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compulsions

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intentional behaviour or mental acts performed in response to obsession.

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post-traumatic stress disorder

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flashbacks and recurrent thoughts of a psychologically distressing event outside range of human experience.

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anorexia nervosa

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individual strives themselves, exercises excessively or eliminates food through laxatives etc.

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bulimia

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binge-and-purge, gorges on food than vomits or uses laxatives.

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somatoform disorders

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when people complain of pain, suffering or illness but no physical symptoms are identified.

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conversion disorder

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loss or significant change in physical function without any physical problem to explain condition.

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hypochondriasis

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occurs when people believe they're suffering from an illness even when there is no medical evidence.

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boderline personality disorder

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extremely unstable interpersonal relationships, dramatic mood swings, an unstable sense of identity, intense fears of separation and abandonment.

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anti-social personality disorder

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irresponsible and socially disruptive behaviour. stealing, destroying, lack of empathy and remorse.