Psychology II Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

Psychology II

Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

Explain what is ‘abnormal’

Defining Abnormality What does it mean to be sane or insane? Seemingly simple, but complex concept

Defining Abnormality

Statistical Definition◦Is something atypical considered

abnormal? Societal and cultural norms definition

Defining Abnormality Distress Definition - however, there are times when abnormal behavior is not distressing◦Manic phase of bipolar depression◦Antisocial personality disorder

Defining Abnormality Impairment in functioning

◦Cognitive◦Emotional◦Behavioral

Sometimes, this is not “abnormal”◦Depression over a death

Difficult to define… 3 Criteria…

◦Deviance◦Distress◦Disability/Maladaptive Behavior

Symptom/Behavior Continuum:--- normal range

+++Abnormal

Abnormal

Defining Abnormality

DSM-IV-TR Definition Behavioral, emotional or cognitive dysfunctions that are; ◦unexpected in their cultural context◦associated with personal distress, or◦substantial impairment in functioning

Defining Abnormality

Abnormal behavior must be a consistent pattern of behavior◦ “Thousand light years running through my brain

reminding me that no one’s sane, not all the time” - 311

What is considered abnormal depends on various factors◦ "And those who were seen dancing were thought to

be insane by those who could not hear the music." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Defining Abnormality

Characteristics of abnormal behavior.◦Statistical deviance◦Cultural deviance◦Emotional Distress◦Dysfunction

Problems with labeling mentally ill: Rosenhan study – “On being sane in insane places”

Just being labeled insane can tremendously affect how people react to you

Defining Abnormality

Labeling Issues

Reasons to Label/Diagnose:◦Needed for communication◦Guide treatment◦Insurance reimbursement

Arguments against Labeling:◦Creates a stigma◦Creates a self-fulfilling prophecy◦Fail to see the person behind the disorder

Ancient PerspectivePerceived Causes

◦movements of sun or moon lunacy- full moon

◦evil spiritsAncient Treatments

◦exorcism, caged like animals, beaten, burned, mutilated, blood replaced with animal’s blood

Bio-Psycho-Social <BPS> Model

assumes that biological, sociocultural, and psychological factors combine and interact to produce psychological disorders

Biological(chemistry,

brain)

Psychological(learned helplessness, negative perceptions

and memories)

Sociocultural(Societal expectations, definition of normality

and disorder)

Medical Model Diagnosis

◦Label for a set of symptoms Prognosis

◦Prediction or forecast for the course of a D/O

Etiology◦Suspected cause of a disorder

Classifying Disorders DSM-IV-TR

◦Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Text Revision

◦ Published by the American Psychiatric Association

◦ 2000…(most recent update 2004) ◦ Next major revision (DSM-V) anticipated for 2011.

Provides for reliable classification and description of all mental illnesses

Allows for better communication

DSM IV- Purpose:◦Provide a well-defined classification system

based on objective and measurable criteria, reliable diagnoses of psychological disorders

Classifying Disorders

DSM’s Multi-axial Diagnosis

Axis I Major Clinical Disorders Axis II Mental Retardation & Personality Disorders

Axis III General Medical Conditions Axis IV Psychosocial/Environmental Stressors

Axis V Global Assessment of Functioning◦ # between 1 and 100◦ Current and Highest in past year

Major Classes of Disorders Anxiety Disorders Mood Disorders Somatoform Disorders Dissociative Disorders Schizophrenia Substance Use Disorders Other Axis I Disorders Personality Disorders (Axis II)