PSYC 435 Abnormal Psychology Notes Plus Trial Exam PART ONE 2023/2024

PSYC 435 Abnormal Psychology Notes Plus Trial Exam PART ONE 2023/2024. Identify and compare several theories about the causes of abnormal behaviour. 3. Discuss issues in the assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders. 4. Describe the wide variety of treatment approaches available to modern clinicians. 5. Identify and describe several common and relatively easily treated disorders, such as adjustment, anxiety, phobias, and somatoform disorders. 6. Identify and describe the more difficult-to-treat disorders, such as schizophrenia, paranoia, and the affective disorders. 7. Describe and discuss disorders that involve some violation of legal or social standards, including sexual variations, alcohol and drug abuse patterns, impulse control, and violence. 8. Recognize relationships between various central nervous system impairments and abnormal behaviour patterns. 9. Explain the aspects and implications of various types and levels of neurodevelopmental disorders. 10. Identify, describe, and discuss special disorders of childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging. Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 435) Athabasca University PART ONE 11. Discuss the major ethical and legal considerations associated with abnormal behaviour. Unit 1 Overview Unit 1 explores the definition of abnormal psychology and looks at the prevalence and incidence of mental disorders. Further, it looks at the research approaches in abnormal psychology. Learning Objectives 1. Discuss common topics and issues relevant to Abnormal Psychology. - Abnormal psychology is concerned with understanding the nature, causes, and treatment of mental disorders. - Family aggregation: whether a disorder runs in families. - No single thing can define or determine abnormality, but someone might struggle in these areas: Subjective distress Maladaptiveness Statistical Deviancy Violation of the standards of society Social discomfort Irrationality and unpredictability Dangerousness 2. Explain why we need to classify mental disorders. - We need to classify mental disorders so that there are specific diagnostic criteria for each disorder that creates a common language so that a specific diagnosis means the same thing to one clinician as it does to another. In addition, it provides descriptive information about the type and number of symptoms needed for each diagnosis which helps to ensure diagnostic accuracy, consistency and reliability. - Most sciences rely on classifications, provides us with nomenclature (naming system), common language and shorthand terms, help to structure information in a more helpful manner. CLASSIFICATION FACILITATES RESEARCH 3. Explain the DSM definition of mental disorders. - DSM: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - A mental disorder is defined as a syndrome that is present in an individual and that involves clinically significant disturbance in behaviour, emotion regulation, or cognitive functioning. These disturbances are thought to reflect a dysfunction in biological, psychological, or developmental processes that are necessary for mental functioning. DSM-5 also recognizes that mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress or disability in key areas of functioning such as social, occupational, or other activities. Predictable or culturally approved responses to common stressors or losses (such as death of a loved one) are Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 435) Athabasca University PART ONE excluded. It is also important that this dysfunctional pattern of behavior not stem from social deviance or conflicts that the person has with society as a whole. - Within a given culture, many shared beliefs and behaviors exist that are widely accepted and that may constitute one or more customary practices. 4. Identify how culture can influence the definition of Abnormal Psychology. - Labeling, stigma and stereotyping - Number 13 in Christian countries vs Number 4 in Japan - Culture can shape the clinical presentation of disorders like depression, which are present in cultures around the world. Cultural interpretation and expression of abnormal psychology is not known well. - A case in point is taijin kyofusho. This syndrome, which is an anxiety disorder, is quite prevalent in Japan. It involves a marked fear that one’s body, body parts, or body functions may offend, embarrass, or otherwise make others feel uncomfortable. Often, people with this dis-order are afraid of blushing or upsetting others by their gaze, facial expression, or body odor. - Latino descent, ataque de nervios or an “attack of nerves” is a clinical syndrome that does not seem to correspond to any specific diagnosis within the DSM. Triggered by stressful event, symptoms are crying, trembling and uncontrollable screaming, sense of being out of control, can be physically or verbally aggressive, faint or have a seizure-like fit but then can return to normal as if nothing happened. 5. Identify the professionals responsible for working on the mental health “team.” - Psychiatrist: prescribe medications and monitors for side effects - Clinical Psychologist: individual therapy meeting with patient several times a week - Clinical Social Worker: helps patient resolve family problems. - Psychiatric Nurse: checks daily to provide support and help cope better in hospital setting. - Team of professionals can be different in outpatient. Can be just the psychiatrist (medication and psychotherapy) but some receive meds from the psychiatrist but go see a psychologist or a clinical social worker for therapy. Some see a counseling psychologist, a psychoanalyst, or a counsellor.