PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
PYC4802
THEME 2 - 5
FULL SCOPE
2023
Perfectionist Notes
PRIVATE TUTOR FOR HONOURS IN PSYCHOLOGY - UNISA
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Contents
2023 REFINED SCOPE..................................................................................................................................................... 2
THEME 02: ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Acute and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders ................................................ 5
2023 REFINED SCOPE..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Prescribed readings with links to download: ........................................................................................................... 5
THEME 2 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
PAST EXAM ANSWERS .......................................................................................................................................... 19
General scope for theme 2: ........................................................................................................................................ 25
THEME 03: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders ........................................................................................................... 35
2023 REFINED SCOPE................................................................................................................................................... 35
Prescribed readings with links to download: ......................................................................................................... 35
THEME 3 .................................................................................................................................................................... 35
PAST EXAM ANSWERS .......................................................................................................................................... 50
General scope for theme ............................................................................................................................................ 52
General scope: ............................................................................................................................................................. 53
THEME 04: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 66
Depressive Disorders Adult Depression...................................................................................................................... 66
2023 REFINED SCOPE................................................................................................................................................... 66
Prescribed readings with links to download: ......................................................................................................... 66
THEME 4 .................................................................................................................................................................... 66
PAST EXAM ANSWERS .......................................................................................................................................... 73
General scope for theme 4: ........................................................................................................................................ 75
Past exam questions: ................................................................................................................................................... 81
THEME 5 ........................................................................................................................................................................ 84
Child Abuse .................................................................................................................................................................... 84
2023 REFINED SCOPE................................................................................................................................................... 84
Prescribed readings with links to download: ......................................................................................................... 84
THEME 5 .................................................................................................................................................................... 84
PAST EXAM ANSWERS .......................................................................................................................................... 95
General scope for theme 5: ........................................................................................................................................ 98
Past exam questions: ............................................................................................................................................... 105
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PLEASE TAKE NOTE:
2023 REFINED SCOPE
This is the refined recommendation that the lecturers released for 2023. It is highly likely that the exam will
fixate on this scope, and that the exam questions will be based on each recommendation for each theme.
THEME 2: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The DSM-5 criteria and Challenges faced in the diagnosis of PTSD.
THEME 3: Substance Use Disorder
The DSM-5 criteria and the concept of "Co-dependency"
THEME 4: Major Depressive Disorder
The DSM-5 for MDD,
focusing mainly on the following two articles:
1. Brookfield, S. (2011). When the black dog barks: An autoethnography of adult learning in and on clinical
depression. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, (132), 35-42.
2. Halvorsen, M, et al. (2012). Cognitive function in unipolar major depression: A comparison of currently
depressed, previously depressed, and never depressed individuals. Journal of Clinical and Experimental
Neuropsychology, 34(7), 782-790.
THEME 5: Child abuse
Factors that contribute to Child Abuse,
focusing mainly on the following three articles:
1. Richter, L. M., & Dawes, A. R. (2008). Child abuse in South Africa: rights and wrongs. Child Abuse Review,
17(2), 79-93.
2. Schumm, J. A., Stines, L. R., Hobfoll, S. E., & Jackson, A. P. (2005). The double-barreled burden of child abuse
and current stressful circumstances on adult women: The kindling effect of early traumatic experience.
Journal of Traumatic Stress, 18(5), 467-476.
3. Suprina, J. S., & Chang, C. Y. (2005). Child Abuse, Society, and Individual Psychology: What's Power Got to Do
with It? Journal of Individual Psychology, 61(3).
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Exam information from the Tutorial Letter 2023
The examination
The summative assessment task (examination) consists of a three-hour examination
You are expected to demonstrate your acquired skills regarding solving problems in the context of critically
engaging in psychological discourse, without having to reference your reading list.
Assessing the examination
The primary lecturers/assessors will know that you are competent when you provide well thought through
responses to several new, unseen problems/questions during a limited time span of three hours.
A second examiner/assessor will review your answers to the set questions by checking for consistency in
the assessment process.
An external examiner/assessor will review a representative sample of all student answers in conjunction
with the marks allocated by the primary lecturers/assessors and the course content.
All assessors are registered with the relevant ETQA.
Structure of the examination
Four short essays with reference to the year’s selection of themes will be the compulsory requirement for
demonstrating your academic competence in psychopathology, based on the selection of prescribed and
recommended books, journal articles, and additional material you studied throughout the year.
3 hour exam
Supplementary examinations
Students who fail to obtain the required 50% (with a sub-minimum of 40%) for the year are provided with the
opportunity to write a supplementary examination in the following year.
Marks
The examination counts 100 marks.
80% of your examination mark out of 100 contributes to your final mark for the course.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE:
It is important that you take all this information as base information.
And you explore the articles and resources yourself as a means to add
onto this information.
Every student will pull out information differently from the articles;
therefore your essay answers must be unique as 100’s of students
have these notes.
Please create your answers wisely. Good luck!
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General Exam information 2023
EXAM QUESTION STRUCTURE:
You are required to answer 4 essay questions that can range between 20 and 30 marks each, with a total
of 100 marks.
You will receive four (4) questions – one for each theme.
Your examination answers should be in essay style (with an introduction and conclusion).
Avoid bullet points, and you do not need to add references.
Your examination answers are assessed by evaluating the following:
Did you answer the question comprehensively?
Did you use the prescribed literature, and your additional reading to answer the question?
Have you discussed the full DSM-5 criteria and integrated them with the recommended journal
articles and books?
Have you thought about the information by integrating it meaningfully in your answer?
Have you introduced your answer to each question adequately by a brief introduction, which includes:
necessary definitions of the terms you are using,
important diagnostic criteria,
and other important details for creating the relevant context for your discussion?
Is your conclusion of each essay relevant to and essential for bringing your discussion to a close, by
rounding it off with an appropriately placed final conclusive comment?
Breakdown of the themes
THEME 02: Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Acute and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders
THEME 03 Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
THEME 04: Depressive Disorders Adult Depression
THEME 05: Child Abuse
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THEME 02:
Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Acute and Posttraumatic Stress
Disorders
2023 REFINED SCOPE
THEME 2: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The DSM-5 criteria and Challenges faced in the diagnosis of PTSD.
Prescribed readings with links to download:
THEME 2
Journal articles
1. Averill, P.M. (2000). Posttraumatic stress disorder in older adults: A Conceptual Review. Journal of Anxiety
Disorders, 14(2), 133-156. https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/s0887-6185%2899%2900045-6
2. Brown, P.J., & Wolfe, J. (1994). Substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder comorbidity. Drug and
Alcohol Dependence, 35, 51-59. https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/0376-8716%2894%2990110-4
3. De Silva, P. (1993). Post-traumatic stress disorder: Cross-cultural aspects. International Review of
Psychiatry, 5, 217-229. https://sci-hub.se/10.3109/09540269309028312
4. Giel, R. (1990). Psychosocial processes in disasters. International Journal of Mental Health, 19(1), 7-20.
https://sci-hub.se/10.1080/00207411.1990.11449150
5. Joseph, S. (1997). Understanding post-traumatic stress (pp. 51-67). West Sussex: Wiley &
Sons.https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yqnd4eSdmKWsOHZdNQIaxMJZHwM0WSiw/view?usp=drive_link
6. Keane, M.T., Taylor, K.L., & Penk, W.E. (1997). Differentiating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from
major depression (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 11(3), 317-
328. https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/s0887-6185%2897%2900013-3
7. McFarlane, A.C., Atchison, M., Rafalowicz, E., & Papay, P. (1994). Physical symptoms in post-traumatic
stress disorder. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38(7), 715-726. https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/0022-
3999%2894%2990024-8
8. Nutt, D., Davidson, J.R.T., & Zohar, J., (Eds.) (2000). Post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, management
and treatment (pp. 147-161). Malden, MA: Blackwell Science.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13EPKNPCG_l0HhpXt85LBTpON7PE67Xsq/view?usp=drive_link
9. Rosen, G.M., (Ed.) (2004). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Issues and controversies (pp.147-161). West Sussex,
England: John Wiley & Sons. http://www.al-edu.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Rosen-ed-
Posttraumatic-Stress-Disorder-Issues-and-Controversies.pdf
10. Schumm, J. A., Stines, L. R., Hobfoll, S. E., & Jackson, A. P. (2005). The double‐barreled burden of child abuse
and current stressful circumstances on adult women: The kindling effect of early traumatic experience.
Journal of Traumatic Stress, 18(5), 467-476. https://sci-hub.se/10.1002/jts.20054
11. All DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria will come from this textbook > the official DSM-5 APA textbook:
http://repository.poltekkes-
kaltim.ac.id/657/1/Diagnostic%20and%20statistical%20manual%20of%20mental%20disorders%20_%2
0DSM-5%20%28%20PDFDrive.com%20%29.pdf
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BEFORE YOU STUDY EVERYTHING IN-DEPTH,
LETS LOOK AT THE PATTERNS OF PAST PAPERS.
NOV 2022
“South Africa is regarded as having “a culture of violence”. Taking this into account, critically discuss the
diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its characteristics. In addition, discuss factors that
would influence the assessment of PTSD in light of wider contextual considerations.
(25 marks)
2021 EXAM:
“The current rapid worldwide spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to a dramatic increase in the
prevalence of mental health problems both nationally and globally. Amid this pandemic, Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) is amongst several mental disorders that are often experienced by individuals and healthcare
workers, particularly those in direct contact with the affected patients, affected families and communities alike.
Moreover, PTSD is a complex concept that is increasingly difficult to understand, particularly in an era where
live images of mass graves of people dying from this pandemic are being aired on TV screens around the world
daily”.
In view of the statement above, outline the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and critically discuss the difficulties
(factors) experienced by clinicians in diagnosing PTSD within the South African context.
(25 marks)
EXAM 2020
South Africa is regarded as having a ‘culture of violence’. Define and critically discuss the diagnosis of Post-
traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its diagnostic criteria and clinical features. In addition, discuss the factors
which would influence the assessment of PTSD in light of wider contextual considerations. [25 marks]
EXAM 2019
Trauma Related Disorders pose difficult diagnostic challenges for Psychologists Clinically discuss this
statement with particular reference to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In your discussion also include
the diagnost1c criteria of PTSD according to the DSM-5 classification system
CONCLUSION
It is safe to assume, they will ask the same question they have asked for years. Therefore, what can you prepare
for theme 2 with absolute confidence?
Define and critically discuss the diagnosis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its diagnostic criteria
and clinical features – DSM-5. Factors that would influence the assessment of PTSD / the difficulties (factors)
experienced by clinicians in diagnosing PTSD
– This is in line with our 2023 refined scope =The DSM-5 criteria and Challenges faced in the diagnosis of PTSD.
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1. The DSM-5 diagnostic classification system of PTSD
Page 271 of DSM -5 textbook
HOW DO I REMEMBER ALL OF THIS?
PTSD DSM-5:
Even I Am New At DSM
A) Exposure
B) Intrusion symptoms, 1>, after event
C) Avoidance of stimuli, after event
D) Negative alterations in cognitions and mood, after event
E) Alterations in arousal and reactivity, 2>
F) Duration (B-E), 1 month>
G) Social, Distress, occupational and other areas
H) Medical, not physiological effects of substance or other medical conditions
Note: The following criteria apply to adults, adolescents, and children older than 6 years.
A. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following ways:
1. Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s).
2. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others.
3. Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend. In cases of actual or
threatened death of a family member or friend, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental.
4. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s) (e.g., first responders
collecting human remains; police officers repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse).
Note: Criterion A4 does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures, unless this
exposure is work related.
B. Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s),
beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred:
1. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s).
Note: In children older than 6 years, repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of the traumatic event(s)
are expressed.
2. Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic
event(s).
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