LU 13: Abnormal Psychology
Defining Abnormal Psychology
cultural influences
demonic possession, brain flag syndrome, running amok, Multiple Personality Disorder (DID)
the biopsychosocial model; biological roots, psychological roots and social and cultural context
classifying Psychological Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; five axes (lists)-Axis I, Axis II, Axis III, Axis IV, Axis V
Anxiety Disorders
generalized anxiety disorder
almost constant, exaggerated worry for which there is little to no basis
person-tense, irritable, tired
often co-diagnosed with other mood disorders-depression
Panic Disorder
characterized by frequent bouts of anxiety and bursts of panic
panic attacks, hyperventilation
treatment; psychotherapy, anti-depressant drugs, advice (cognitive)
common co-existing disorders; social phobia, agoraphobia
Phobias-avoidance behaviors, strong and persistent fear of a specific object or situation
common phobias; open spaces, public speaking, heights, social phobia, being alone, reminders of danger
behavior therapy; systematic desensitization, flooding or implosion
drug therapy; benzodiazepines--common tranquilizer (suppress symptoms temporarily, addictive
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
checking and cleaning
treatment; exposure therapy and drug treatment-serotonin reuptake inhibiters (SSRIs)
Substance-Related Disorders
substance dependence; addiction
addictive drugs stimulate dopamine receptors (nucleus accumbens)--increased attention--pleasurable feelings
symptoms; tolerance (decreased effects of a given dose) and wuthdrawal (unpleasant sensations when the drug is not used)
nicotine dependence; cigarette smoking
alcoholism-habitual overuse of alcohol; type I and type II
treatment; help from mental health professionals, self-help groups (Alcoholic Anonymous, AA), antabuse (disulfiram), controlled drinking, harm reduction
Opiate Dependence
recovery; offer methadone (replacement for opiates), harm reduction
Mood Disorders, Schizophrenia and Autism
Mood Disorders
depression
major depression
seasonal affective disorder (SAD); light therapy
bipolar disorder
factors; genetic predisposition, sex differences-hormones-coping, events that precipitate depression
cognitive aspects of depression; explanatory style, internal attributions, external attributions
treatment; cognitive therapy, medications (tricyclics, SSRIs, MAOIs, atypical antidepressants, St.John's Wort, Electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT)
types; Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder
Schizophrenia
symptoms; hallucinations, delusions/thought disorder, incoherent speech, grossly disorganized behavior, loss of normal emotional responses and social behaviors
positive symptoms; hallucinations, hearing voices, visual hallucinations, delusions--types (persecution, grandeur, ideas of reference), disordered thinking
types and preference; undifferentiated, catatonic, disorganized, paranoid
causes; genetic influences, brain abnormalities, the neurodevelopmental hypothesis
therapies; drug therapies--antipsychotic/neuroleptic drugs, family therapy
Autism
symptoms; impaired social relationships, impaired communication, stereotyped behaviors
Asperger's disorder; a milder form of autism