ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY Maladaptiveness Unconventionality

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

Maladaptiveness Unconventionality Irrationality ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR Distress Observer Discomfort Unpredictability

Perspectives on Mental Illness Etiology (cause of disorder) is key to determining treatment 5 perspectives on causes of mental illness are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Biological Perspective Psychodynamic Perspective Behavioral Perspective Cognitive Perspective Humanistic Perspective

Combined Perspectives Genetics Family Dynamics SCHIZOPHRENIA Chemical/ Neurological Factors Stress

Classifying Mental Illness n 5 aspects: 1. Psychological disorders 2. Personality disorders and mental retardation 3. Medical conditions 4. Social stress in the individual’s environment 5. An individual’s overall level of functioning.

Anxiety Disorders n n Anxiety - feeling of apprehension that danger or misfortune is looming, accompanied by physical symptoms such as: rapid heart rate, increased perspiration, nausea, or dizziness Anxiety disorders - among the most common disorders. Approx. 10 -15% of the US population is affected

Phobic Disorder n Phobias – A fear of an object or situation. Most people have mild phobias. n Overwhelmed by fear that it interferes with their lives. – Fear of dogs so great that you walk blocks out of the way to avoid passing homes that have dogs n Cause – believed to be learned responses to life experiences.

A Few Phobias…. . n n n Acrophobia - heights Arachnophobia - spiders Aviophobia - flying Hydrophobia - water Iatrophobia – doctors Claustrophobia – enclosed spaces

A Few Phobias…. . cont’d n n n Mysophobia - dirt Ophidiophobia - snakes Thanatophobia - death Triskadekaphobia – the # thirteen Xenophobia - strangers Zoophobia - animals

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) n GAD - not triggered by one object or event. – unfocused, persistent anxiety – physiological symptoms of anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) n Seek to reduce anxiety by turning to alcohol or other drugs

Panic Disorder n Suffer from short, but overwhelming bouts of anxiety that occur w/o warning & may include: – heart palpitations – dizziness – nausea – fear of dying or going crazy

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) n PTSD - response to a disturbing experience – EX. natural disaster, military combat, or rape. n Symptoms may show up immediately after the event OR several years later

PTSD n Symptoms may include: – flashbacks – nightmares – emotional numbing – depression – feelings of survivor’s guilt

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD n n Most have mild obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions: recurring, unwanted thoughts Compulsions: repetitive, ritualized behaviors Suffer from – obsessions and/or compulsions so extreme they disrupt everyday life – anxiety

OCD n Compulsions counting or cleansing rituals n behavior is the only way they know to relieve their anxiety

OCD n Causes: 1. Abnormal brain chemistry 2. Obsessions develop as maladaptive ways to relieve: - anxiety, guilt, or insecurity

SOMATOFORM DISORDERS n In many disorders, psychological symptoms arise from biological causes. BUT …. n In SOMATOFORM DISORDERS, the opposite is true: – physical symptoms arise from psychological causes

Conversion Disorder Traumatic events usually triggers this disorder – May suddenly be unable to walk or to see – NO PHYSICAL explanation

Conversion Disorder n Symptoms may include: – Paralysis – Blindness – Loss of feeling or sense of pain – Tingling sensations – Seizures – Loss of speech – Loss of concern

Conversion Disorder n Causes: “converts” a psychological trauma into a physical one – A soldier who witnesses acts of torture may become unable to see. – Possibly genetics are also involved

Hypochondriasis n Is the opposite of Conversion Disorder – In hypochondriasis the individual n has no physical dysfunction n is preoccupied with the state of his or health

Hypochondriasis n Focus on normal bodily functions as a sign of serious illness. – a common headache = brain tumor n n Often go from doctor to doctor until they find one that takes them seriously. Not too disruptive

Dissociative Disorders n n Escape from painful situations by dissociating (cutting themselves off) from certain parts of themselves. The dissociation may happen suddenly or gradually & it may be temporary or long-lasting.

Amnesia n Amnesia - a memory disturbance – inability to recall certain events or even one’s identity – Psychological stress can cause these kinds of amnesia:

Amnesia – Localized – can’t recall a traumatic event such as rape – Selective– can’t recall certain details of a traumatic event – Generalized – can’t recall the details of entire life – Continuous – memories stop at a certain event, and can’t recall anything that has happened since that event n Causes: – Medical problems – Traumatic events someone – Develops as a way to REPRESS painful memories

Dissociative Fugue n n n Forget who you are & all details of their lives Usually doesn’t last very long, when it’s over, the person may not recall what happened during that time period. Causes: – Serious, unresolved problems

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) n n DID - “multiple personality disorder” Individual: – has 2 or more distinct identities or personalities that alternate control of his/her consciousness & behavior – is unable to recall a quantity of personal information

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)-cont’d n n Different personalities actually control the person at different times Can include – male & female personalities – adult & child personalities – timid & aggressive personalities

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)-cont’d. n n n Each personality may go by a different name & have different memories & a different history Usually, some of the personalities are not aware of each other The primary personality tends to be passive & depressed

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)-cont’d n n Causes: Result of severe & chronic child abuse Traumatized child creates another personality to protect himself from abuse – Diagnosed more in women than men.

Affective Disorders n n Affective disorders = mood disorders People with this disorder experience moods so extreme that they interfere with their emotional life and daily activities

Dysthymic Disorder n Moderate depression – general unhappiness – low self-esteem – difficulty in concentrating – little energy – loss of interests in usual activities n n Symptoms last for at least 2 years Causes: genetics & psychological stress

Major Depression n Devastating – feel hopeless & worthless (no way out) – withdraw from all social interaction – experience a pronounced change in eating or sleeping patterns – lack energy to carry out even simple tasks – lose interest in most activities

Major Depression n n Leads to substance abuse or to suicide It is not uncommon – – 10 -25% of women – 5 -12% of men n Causes: – – – n Biological & psychological Strong genetic component hormone imbalances thyroid conditions dietary deficiencies. Stressful life experiences Treated with anti depressant drugs &/or cognitive therapy.

Bipolar Disorder – “manic-depression” n Mood alternates between 2 poles: – depression and mania n n Depressive State –symptoms of major depression Manic State – feel euphoric and extraordinarily energetic – talking without stopping & showing an exaggerated sense of greatness. – Person may go on spending binges or other reckless behavior, needing little sleep n Causes: biological & psychological

Psychotic Disorders n Most debilitating n Lose contact with reality, making it difficult to carry on normal life activities. n Psychotic episode: – Auditory or visual hallucinations. n Delusions - unshakable beliefs that are obviously not true.

Schizophrenia n Out of touch w/reality - unable to care for yourself – Hospitalized – Homeless population – Affects about 1% of the world’s population – About 10% of schizophrenics eventually commit suicide

Schizophrenia Symptoms Positive: n n n hallucinations delusions language anomalies extreme agitation bizarre body postures n Negative: – diminished reflection of normal life – flat emotions – general maladjustment

Schizophrenia n 4 major types : – 1. Disorganized Schizophrenia – 2. Catatonic Schizophrenia – 3. Paranoid Schizophrenia – 4. Undifferentiated Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia-continued 1. 2. Disorganized – most severe. Thought processes and language are disturbed and incoherent. Act in bizarre & obscene ways in public. Catatonic –disturbances of movement 1. Pace nervously 2. remain frozen in an odd position for hours 3. “Molded” into a position which they will hold

Schizophrenia-continued 3. 4. Paranoid – delusions of persecution. May think that family members are trying to kill them or that they are victims of a vast conspiracy. May also have delusions that they are famous or historically important. Undifferentiated –symptoms are mixed and don’t clearly fit into one of the other categories. Causes: often genetic, or abnormal brain chemistry & physiology. Also severe family disturbances can play a role.

Delusional Disorder n Strongly held beliefs that are not true, but they are not bizarre – being watched by the police – being loved from afar – being deceived by a loved one n n n Usually do not have hallucinations; but if they do they are related to the delusion. Uncommon Causes: Psychologists don’t agree on causes; – Childhood experiences – Genetics

Personality Disorders Personality disorders –long-standing, maladaptive personality traits that are usually more disturbing to other people than to the individual – – – extreme self-centeredness antisocial highly dramatic reclusive dependent perfectionist

Antisocial Personality Disorder n Used to be called: – “moral insanity” n n No conscience - psychopaths or sociopaths Harm others and show no remorse

Antisocial Personality Disorder n 7 traits to identify the antisocial personality: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Lack of emotion Lack of conscience Ability to charm No strong motive for committing acts Inability to learn from experience Inability to retain relationships Indifference to punishment Causes: some genetic & physiological factors, family relationships & early experiences (Often a family history of alcoholism abuse, or neglect. )

Borderline Personality Disorder n n Can be difficult to recognize – shares traits with several other disorders Primary characteristic: intense and unstable interpersonal relationships – – mood shifts emotionally needy may harm self threaten suicide to manipulate people

Borderline Personality Disorder n DSM-IV classifies someone with the disorder if at least 5 of these behaviors are present: – – – – – n Intense fear of abandonment Unstable & intense interpersonal relationships Unstable self-image Self-damaging emotional behavior Self-damaging physical behavior (may include suicide attempt) Fits of uncontrollable anger Severe mood shifts Dissociative symptoms Chronic feelings of emptiness Causes: runs in families. It’s not clear whether it’s inherited or learned.

Disorders of Childhood n n Abnormal behavior is sometimes difficult to assess in children because they develop at such different rates Psychologists classify disorders that appear in childhood separately from those that start in adulthood.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) n Symptoms: – Inattention – Physical hyperactivity – Impulsiveness n Children with ADHD – easily distracted – hop from activity to activity – can be disruptive in classrooms – must have symptoms extreme enough to interfere with some aspects of life n Causes: – Genetic basis – Related to brain chemistry – Nervous System – Pregnancy difficulties

Autistic Disorder n n Word “autism” is derived from the Greek word for self Autistic disorder is a developmental disorder – severe communication & interpersonal difficulties – cognitive impairment

Autistic Disorder n Symptoms: – – avoidance of eye contact avoidance of physical contact preferring inanimate objects to people repetitious activities (arranging objects, rocking, or head banging) – becoming upset by changes in routine – mental retardation – language difficulties n Causes: current research shows that genetics play a large role, also problems during pregnancy can contribute