Mental health workers view psychological disorders as persistently harmful thoughts, feelings, and actions

Mental health workers view psychological disorders as persistently harmful thoughts, feelings, and actions.

• Mental health workers view psychological disorders as persistently harmful thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Deviant behavior (going naked) in one culture may be considered normal, while in others it may lead to arrest.

• Deviant behavior (going naked) in one culture may be considered normal, while in others it may lead to arrest.

• Deviant behavior must accompany distress.

• If a behavior is dysfunctional it is clearly a disorder.

• Maladaptive

Statistically rare

• Statistically rare
• Deviant from social norms
• Situational context - the social or environmental setting of a person’s behavior.
• Subjective discomfort - emotional distress or emotional pain.
• Maladaptive - anything that does not allow a person to function within or adapt to the stresses and everyday demands of life.

Insanity is a legal term

• Insanity is a legal term

• The insanity defense is used to argue that a mentally ill person should not be held responsible for his or her actions.

• Not everyone diagnosed with a mental disorder would be able to claim insanity – that designation is determined by judges and juries.

Ancient Treatments of psychological disorders include trephination, exorcism, being caged like animals, being beaten, burned, castrated, mutilated, or transfused with animal’s blood.

• Ancient Treatments of psychological disorders include trephination, exorcism, being caged like animals, being beaten, burned, castrated, mutilated, or transfused with animal’s blood.

Philippe Pinel (1745-1826) from France, insisted that madness was not due to demonic possession, but an ailment of the mind.

• Philippe Pinel (1745-1826) from France, insisted that madness was not due to demonic possession, but an ailment of the mind.

When physicians discovered that syphilis led to mental disorders, they started using medical models to review the physical causes of these disorders.

• When physicians discovered that syphilis led to mental disorders, they started using medical models to review the physical causes of these disorders.

Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: the big book of disorders.

• Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: the big book of disorders.

• Operational definitions of each disorder

• DSM will classify disorders and describe the symptoms.

• DSM will NOT explain the causes or possible cures.

• 400 psychological disorders compared to 60 in 1950’s

Neurotic Disorders

• Neurotic Disorders

Describe (400) disorders.

• Describe (400) disorders.

• Determine how prevalent the disorder is.

Critics of the DSM-IV argue that labels may stigmatize individuals.

• Critics of the DSM-IV argue that labels may stigmatize individuals.

• David Rosenhan “pseudopatient” study 1970

3. Labels may be helpful for healthcare professionals when communicating with one another and establishing therapy.

• 3. Labels may be helpful for healthcare professionals when communicating with one another and establishing therapy.

• 4. “Insanity” labels raise moral and ethical questions about how society should treat people who have disorders and have committed crimes.

A group of conditions where the primary symptoms are anxiety or defenses against anxiety.

• A group of conditions where the primary symptoms are anxiety or defenses against anxiety.

• the patient fears something awful will happen to them.

• They are in a state of intense apprehension, uneasiness, uncertainty, or fear.

• Important that their behavior is maladaptive

A person experiences sudden episodes of intense dread.

• A person experiences sudden episodes of intense dread.

• Must be a deep seated, irrational fear.

• 3 Basic Categories

• Specific
• Social
• Agoraphobia

• Phobia List

An anxiety disorder in which a person is continuously tense, apprehensive and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal.

• An anxiety disorder in which a person is continuously tense, apprehensive and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal.

• The patient is constantly tense and worried, feels inadequate, is oversensitive, can’t concentrate and suffers from insomnia.

• No specific stimulus

• Free Floating

An anxiety disorder marked by a minutes-long episode of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking and other frightening sensations.

• An anxiety disorder marked by a minutes-long episode of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking and other frightening sensations.

• Can be recurrent; unexpected

• Symptoms: chest pain, muscle tightness, numbness and dizziness

Persistent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) cause someone to feel the need (compulsion) to engage in a particular action.

• Persistent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) cause someone to feel the need (compulsion) to engage in a particular action.

• Interfere with everyday living and cause the person distress

• Example: Obsession about dirt and germs may lead to compulsive hand washing.

A PET scan of the brain of a person with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). High metabolic activity (red) in the frontal lobe areas are involved with directing attention.

• A PET scan of the brain of a person with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). High metabolic activity (red) in the frontal lobe areas are involved with directing attention.

Four or more weeks of the following symptoms constitute post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a deeply troubling event:

• Four or more weeks of the following symptoms constitute post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a deeply troubling event:

Only about 10% of women and 20% of men react to traumatic situations and develop PTSD.

• Only about 10% of women and 20% of men react to traumatic situations and develop PTSD.

Psychoanalytic explanations point to repressed urges and desires that are trying to come into conscious, creating anxiety that is controlled by the abnormal behavior.

• Psychoanalytic explanations point to repressed urges and desires that are trying to come into conscious, creating anxiety that is controlled by the abnormal behavior.

• Behaviorists state that disordered behavior is learned through both positive and negative reinforcement; conditioning; observation

• Cognitive psychologists believe that excessive anxiety comes from illogical, irrational thought processes.

• Biological explanations of anxiety disorders include chemical imbalances in the nervous system, in particular serotonin and GABA systems; biologically prepared

Occur when a person manifests a psychological problem through a physiological symptom without a physiological cause

• Occur when a person manifests a psychological problem through a physiological symptom without a physiological cause

• Three types……

Has frequent physical complaints for which medical doctors are unable to locate the cause.

• Has frequent physical complaints for which medical doctors are unable to locate the cause.

• They usually believe that the minor issues (headache, upset stomach) are indicative are more severe illnesses.

Report the existence of severe physical problems with no biological reason; tied with psychological stress

• Report the existence of severe physical problems with no biological reason; tied with psychological stress

• Like blindness, paralysis, pain, or the inability to swallow.

Intense anxiety about perceived physical deformity or defect

• Intense anxiety about perceived physical deformity or defect

• Flaw is usually minor or imagined
• Western Civilization and its effect…

These disorders involve a disruption in the conscious process.

• These disorders involve a disruption in the conscious process.

• Separated from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings in response to a stressful situation

• Three types….

A large scale loss of memory for events or one’s own identity

• A large scale loss of memory for events or one’s own identity

• Injury or highly traumatic event

• Retrograde Amnesia

People with psychogenic amnesia that find themselves in an unfamiliar environment.

• People with psychogenic amnesia that find themselves in an unfamiliar environment.

• People travel miles from home unaware of how they got there

• “Traveling Amnesia”

Used to be known as Multiple Personality Disorder.

• Used to be known as Multiple Personality Disorder.

• A person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities

• May not know about one another

• People with DID commonly have a history of childhood abuse or trauma.

Critics argue that the diagnosis of DID increased in the late 20th century. DID has not been found in other countries.

• Critics argue that the diagnosis of DID increased in the late 20th century. DID has not been found in other countries.

Experience extreme or inappropriate emotion.

• Experience extreme or inappropriate emotion.

• Also known as Affective Disorders

A.K.A. unipolar depression

• A.K.A. unipolar depression

• Unhappy for at least two weeks with no apparent cause.

• Sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness, loss of energy, changes in appetite and sleep

• Depression is the common cold of psychological disorders.

• 5.8% Men vs. 9.5% Women

PET scans show that brain energy consumption rises and falls with manic and depressive episodes. (Left Frontal Lobe)

• PET scans show that brain energy consumption rises and falls with manic and depressive episodes. (Left Frontal Lobe)

Experience depression during the winter months.

• Experience depression during the winter months.

• Based not on temperature, but on amount of sunlight.

• Treated with light therapy.

• Vitamin D

Formally manic depression.

• Formally manic depression.

• Involves periods of depression and manic episodes.

• Manic episodes involve feelings of high energy, euphoria, inflated self esteem

• but they tend to differ a lot…some get confident and some get irritable

• Engage in risky behavior during the manic episode.

Explain mood disorders from the following perspectives:

• Explain mood disorders from the following perspectives:

• Behavioral

• Psychodynamic

• Humanistic

• Cognitive

• Socio-cultural

• Biological

Psychoanalytic theories see depression as anger at authority figures from childhood turned inward on the self.

• Psychoanalytic theories see depression as anger at authority figures from childhood turned inward on the self.

• Learning theories link depression to learned helplessness; can be reinforced

• Cognitive theories see depression as the result of distorted, illogical thinking.

• Internal, Stable, Logical

• Biological explanations of mood disorders look at the function of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine systems in the brain.

Well-established, maladaptive ways of behaving that negatively affect people’s ability to function.

• Well-established, maladaptive ways of behaving that negatively affect people’s ability to function.

• Dominates their personality.

• Hard to tell apart and treat

Lack of empathy.

• Lack of empathy.

• Little regard for other’s feelings.

• View the world as hostile and look out for themselves.

• Manipulative, rebellious, hurtful

• Sociopath or psychopath

• Conduct Disorder

PET scans of 41 murderers revealed reduced activity in the frontal lobes. In a follow-up study repeat offenders had 11% less frontal lobe activity compared to normals (Raine et al., 1999; 2000).

• PET scans of 41 murderers revealed reduced activity in the frontal lobes. In a follow-up study repeat offenders had 11% less frontal lobe activity compared to normals (Raine et al., 1999; 2000).

Needs to be the center of attention and a tendency toward highly emotional behavior.

• Needs to be the center of attention and a tendency toward highly emotional behavior.

• Whether acting silly or dressing provocatively.

Having an unwarranted sense of self-importance and an extreme preoccupation with themselves.

• Having an unwarranted sense of self-importance and an extreme preoccupation with themselves.

• Thinking that you are the center of the universe.

Persistent suspicion marked by the chronic sense of being observed and persecuted

• Persistent suspicion marked by the chronic sense of being observed and persecuted

• Highly suspicious of others

Sudden and intense rages, deep insecurity and fear of abandonment, and general instability in relationships

• Sudden and intense rages, deep insecurity and fear of abandonment, and general instability in relationships

• Impulsive
• High suicide risk group

Extreme dependence on others, submissive and clingy behavior, difficulty making decisions, and helplessness

• Extreme dependence on others, submissive and clingy behavior, difficulty making decisions, and helplessness

Psychoanalysts blame an inadequate resolution to the Oedipal complex for personality disorders, stating that this results in a poorly developed superego.

• Psychoanalysts blame an inadequate resolution to the Oedipal complex for personality disorders, stating that this results in a poorly developed superego.

• Cognitive-learning theorists see personality disorders as a set of learned behavior that has become maladaptive—bad habits learned early on in life.

• Biological explanations look at the lower than normal stress hormones in antisocial personality disordered persons as responsible for their low responsiveness to threatening stimuli.

• Other possible causes of personality disorders may include disturbances in family communications and relationships, childhood abuse, neglect, overly strict parenting, overprotective parenting, and parental rejection.

If depression is the common cold of psychological disorders, schizophrenia is the cancer.

• If depression is the common cold of psychological disorders, schizophrenia is the cancer.

• About 1 in every 100 people are diagnosed with schizophrenia.

• Schizophrenia strikes young people as they mature into adults.

• It affects men and women equally, but men suffer from it more severely than women.

• Symptoms of Schizophrenia

• Disorganized thinking.
• Disturbed Perceptions
• Inappropriate Emotions and Actions

The thinking of a person with Schizophrenia is fragmented and bizarre and distorted with false beliefs.

• The thinking of a person with Schizophrenia is fragmented and bizarre and distorted with false beliefs.

• Word Salad

• Disorganized thinking comes from a breakdown in selective attention.- they cannot filter out information.

hallucinations- sensory experiences without sensory stimulation.

• hallucinations- sensory experiences without sensory stimulation.

• Usually auditory
• The do not exist!

Delusions- false beliefs

• Delusions- false beliefs

• Delusions of Persecution or Paranoia

• Delusions of Grandeur

• Delusions of Reference

• Beautiful Mind

Apathy

• Apathy

• Laugh at inappropriate times.
• may laugh at the news of someone dying or
• Flat Effect- show no emotion at all

• Catatonia

• motionless Waxy Flexibility
• senseless, compulsive acts.
• may continually rub an arm, rock a chair, or remain motionless for hours

Positive Symptoms

• Positive Symptoms

• Schizophrenics have inappropriate symptoms (hallucinations, disorganized thinking, deluded ways) that are not present in normal individuals.

• (presence)

Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain exhibited by the symptoms of the mind.

• Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain exhibited by the symptoms of the mind.

Brain scans show abnormal activity in the frontal cortex, thalamus, and amygdala of schizophrenic patients. Adolescent schizophrenic patients also have brain lesions.

• Brain scans show abnormal activity in the frontal cortex, thalamus, and amygdala of schizophrenic patients. Adolescent schizophrenic patients also have brain lesions.

Schizophrenia patients may exhibit morphological changes in the brain like enlargement of fluid-filled ventricles.

• Schizophrenia patients may exhibit morphological changes in the brain like enlargement of fluid-filled ventricles.

• Effects frontal lobes and temporal lobes

Schizophrenia has also been observed in individuals who contracted a viral infection (flu) during the middle of their fetal development.

• Schizophrenia has also been observed in individuals who contracted a viral infection (flu) during the middle of their fetal development.

• Low birth weight and lack of oxygen may also contribute to higher risk of Schizophrenia.

• Disruptions of the normal maturation process of the brain

The likelihood of an individual suffering from schizophrenia is 50% if their identical twin has the disease (Gottesman, 1991).

• The likelihood of an individual suffering from schizophrenia is 50% if their identical twin has the disease (Gottesman, 1991).

The following shows the prevalence of schizophrenia in identical twins as seen in different countries. Averages out to about 1 in 2

• The following shows the prevalence of schizophrenia in identical twins as seen in different countries. Averages out to about 1 in 2

Psychological and environmental factors can trigger schizophrenia if the individual is genetically predisposed (Nicols & Gottesman, 1983).

• Psychological and environmental factors can trigger schizophrenia if the individual is genetically predisposed (Nicols & Gottesman, 1983).

Early warning signs of schizophrenia include:

• Early warning signs of schizophrenia include: