Download Abnormal Psych

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Harmful dysfunction in which behaviors are
maladaptive; unjustifiable; disturbing, and
atypical.
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Maladaptive- destructive to oneself or others
(exaggeration of normal, acceptable
behavior).
Unjustifiable- without a rational basis
Disturbing- troublesome to other people
Atypical- so different that they violate a norm
(what is acceptable in their culture).
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Have changed throughout centuries.
Philippe Pinel- French physician
First to reform treatment for mental patients.
Believed humane treatment was better than
other methods such as chaining them to the
wall or locked up like zoo animals.
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Classify according to symptoms, in order to:
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Describe the disorder
Predict the future course of the disorder
Treat the disorder appropriately
Provide a springboard for research into the
disorder’s causes.
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DSM-IV-TR stands for Diagnotstic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Vol.
4.
Divides mental disorders into 17 major
categories
Subject to change and revision.
◦ Vol. 3 stopped listing homosexuality as a
disorder.
◦ Vol. 4 changes term from manic depressive to
bipolar disorder.
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Most patients diagnosed with disorders are
fully functioning members of society.
Media such as TV shows can greatly
influence people’s perception of
psychological disorders.
Recent research into psychological
disorders has taken the mystery out of
these disorders and fostered more
understanding.
Labels have potential to shape our
thoughts.
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Do not overreact as you begin to study
symptoms of these disorders.
Remember-the definition states that degree
is the key to distinguishing between “quirks
in personality” with real psychological
disorders
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Schizophrenia
Mood
Personality
Dissociative
Anxiety
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A group of severe disorders characterized by
disorganized and delusional thinking,
disturbed perceptions and inappropriate
emotions and actions.
Mostly genetic-predisposition to disorder.
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Delusions-false belief
Hallucinations-false perception
Inappropriate emotions
Inappropriate behaviors
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Paranoid- delusions of persecution and
grandeur.
Catatonic- excitement and stupor phases.
Disorganized- bizarre behavior, delusions,
and hallucianations.
Undifferentiated- symptoms that do not
clearly fit one o the other types.
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Disturbances of emotions.
Mania- period of abnormally high emotion
Depression- sad “down”, listless, drained of
energy.
2 major mood disorders
◦ Major Depressive Disorder
◦ Bipolar Disorder (formerly called Manic
Depression)
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Most common
Person experiences at least 2 weeks of
depressed moods, diminished interest in
activities, feelings of worthlessness.
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Alternating periods of mania and depression.
Down periods of major depression.
Manic episodes-unrealistically optimistic;
wildly hyper behavior.
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Nurture- different situations may cause a
mood disorder (death of a friend or family
member).
Nature- predisposition to a mood disorder
(runs in the family).
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Inflexible and lasting behavior patterns that
disrupt social functioning.
With related to anxiety-sensitive about
being rejected
Deep distrust of other people
With dramatic or impulsive behaviorsinstability of emotions, self-image,
behavior, and relationships
Anti-social personality disorder
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Very emotional and unstable relationships
with others (I love you, I hate you)
Extreme short term mood swings, intense
anger or difficulty controlling anger
Unstable self image or sense of self
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Lack of conscience of wrongdoing and lack
of respect
Can’t be diagnosed until 18 yrs. of age.
Repeatedly breaking the law
Lying, using aliases, conning others for
profit.
Impulsive, aggressive, consistent
irresponsibility
Serial killers
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Long standing complex feelings of
inadequacy
Extreme sensitivity to what others think or
say about them
Social inhibitions (unwilling to get involved
with others unless certain of being liked)
Belief that they are unappealing or inferior
to others.
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Sense of self has become separated from
previous memories, thoughts, or feelings.
Dissociative Amnesia-loss of memory of
traumatic event
Dissociative Fugue-loss of identity and
reasoning.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly
multiple personalities)-2 or more distinct
personalities (extreme abuse).
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Anxiety-vague feeling of apprehension or
nervousness-basis of anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders control and dominate life.
 Generalized
 Panic
disorder
 Obsessive-compulsive
disorder
 Posttraumatic stress disorder
 Phobias
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More than just a fear-it is both irrational and
disruptive. MUST be both!!!!
Social phobias- fear in social situations.
Agoraphobia- fear of situations the person
views as difficult to escape from if panic
begins to build.