Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
A course outline for Abnormal Psychology offered by Alagappa University. The course covers various topics such as Conversion Disorder, Pain Disorder, Hypochondriasis, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Mood Disorder, Personality Disorder, Cognitive Disorder, Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorder, Sleeping Disorder, Impulse Control Disorder, Sexual and Gender Identity Disorder, Classification of Mental Disorder and Organic Mental Disorders. The document also includes exercises, suggested readings, and answers for check your progress questions.
Typology: Schemes and Mind Maps
1 / 216
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!
IV - Semester 363 41
[Accredited with ‘A+’ Grade by NAAC (CGPA:3.64) in the Third Cycle and Graded as Category–I University by MHRD-UGC] (A State University Established by the Government of Tamil Nadu) KARAIKUDI – 630 003
Mrs. Leema Thomas, Visiting Psychologist, Alagappa University Health Care Centre, Alagappa Puram, Karaikudi - 630003
3.7 Properties of Assessment Instruments 3.8 Assessment Instruments 3.8.1 Clinical Interviews 3.8.2 Psychological Testing. 3.8.3 Behavioral Assessments 3.9 Classification of Abnormal Behavior 3.10 Lets Sum Up 3.11 Unit End Exercise 3.12 Answers for Check Your Progress 3.13 Suggested Readings
UNIT 4 DISORDERS OF CHILDHOOD & ADOLESCENCE 36- 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Objectives 4.3 Intellectual Disability 4.3.1 Diagnostic Criteria 4.3.2 Causes 4.3.3 Treatment 4.4 Autism Spectrum Disorder 4.4.1 Diagnostic Criteria 4.4.2 Features of Autism 4.4.3 Causes 4.4.4 Treatment 4.5 Lets Sum Up 4.6 Unit End Exercise 4.7 Answers for Check Your Progress 4.8 Suggested Readings
UNIT 5 ANXIETY RELATED DISORDER 47- 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Objectives 5.3 Anxiety 5.3.1 Symptoms 5.3.2 Causes 5.3.3 Panic Disorder 5.3.4 Generalized Anxiety Disorder 5.3.5 Social Phobia 5.3.6 Specific Phobia 5.3.7 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 5.3.8 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 5.4 Somatoform Disorder 5.4.1 Common Factors 5.4.2 Somatization Disorder 5.4.3 Undifferntiated Somatoform Disorder
5.4.4 Conversion Disorder 5.4.5 Pain Disorder 5.4.6 Hypochondriasis 5.4.7 Body Dysmorphic Disorder 5.5 Mood Disorder 5.5.1 Major Depressive Disorder 5.5.2 Dysthemia 5.5.3 Bipolar Disorder 5.5.4 Cyclothymic Disorder 5.6 Let’s Sum Up 5.7 Unit End Exercise 5.8 Answers for Check Your Progress 5.9 Suggested Readings UNIT 6 PSYCHOSIS: PERSONALITY AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER 61- 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Objectives 6.3 Personality disorder 6.3.1 Symptoms 6.3.2 Cluster A personality Disorder 6.3.3 Cluster B personality Disorder 6.3.4 Cluster C personality Disorder 6.4 Cognitive Disorder 6.4.1 Symptoms 6.4.2 Types of cognitive disorder 6.5 Developmental disorder 6.5.1 Symptoms 6.5.2 Types of Developmental Disorder 6.6 Let’s Sum Up 6.7 Unit End Exercise 6.8 Answers for Check Your Progress 6.9 Suggested Readings
UNIT 7 THE CONSUMER DECISION MAKING PROCESS 72- 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Objective 7.3 Decision Making 7.3.1 Steps of Decision Making 7.3.2 Decision Environment 7.3.3 Types of Decision 7.3.4 Decision Making Model 7.4 Communication Process 7.4.1 Non Verbal Communication 7.4.2 Communication Barriers
9.4.3 Narcolepsy 9.4.4 Treatment 9.5 Personality Disorder 9.5.1 Cluster A Personality Disorder 9.5.2 Cluster B Personality Disorder 9.5.3 Cluster C Personality Disorder 9.5.4 Causes 9.5.5 Treatment 9.6 Impulse Control Disorder 9.6.1 Kleptomania 9.6.2 Intermittent Explosive Disorder 9.6.3 Pyromania 9.7 Sexual and Gender Identity Disorder 9.7.1 Disorder of Desire 9.7.2 Disorder of Excitement 9.7.3 Disorder of Orgasm 9.7.4 Disorder of Pain 9.8 Gender Identity Disorder 9.9 Let’s Sum Ip 9.10 Unit End Exercise 9.11 Answers for Check Your Progress 9.12 Suggested Readings UNIT 10 CLASSIFICATION OF MENTAL DISORDER AND ORGANIC MENTAL DISORDERS 139- 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Objectives 10.3 History of Classifications 10.4 Dementia 10.4.1 Symptoms 10.4.2 Causes 10.5 Specific Disorders Associated with Dementia 10.5.1 Alzheimer 10.5.2 Huntington’s Disease 10.5.3 Parkinson Disease 10.5.4 Causes 10.6 Delirium 10.6.1 Symptoms 10.6.2 Causes 10.7 Amnestic Disorder 10.8 Treatment 10.8.1 Medication 10.8.2 Environment & Behavioral Management 10.8.3 Support for Caregivers
10.9 Let’s Sum Up 10.10 Unit End Exercise 10.11 Answers for Check Your Progress 10.12 Suggested Readings
UNIT 11 STRESS RELATED AND SOMATOFORM DISORDERS 152- 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Objectives 11.3 Definition of Stress 11.4 Psycho Physiological Response 11.5 Panic Disorder 11.5.1 Biological Factor 11.5.2 Cognitive Factor 11.5.3 Treatment 11.6 Phobic Disorder 11.6.1 Biological Factor 11.6.2 Cognitive Factor 11.6.3 Treatment 11.7 Generalized Anxiety Disorder 11.7.1 Cognitive Factor 11.7.2 Treatment 11.8 Obsession Compulsive Disorder 11.8.1 Causes 11.8.2 Treatment 11.9 Somatic Disorder 11.9.1 Body Dysmorphic Disorder 11.9.2 Somatic Disorder 11.9.3 Hypochondrias 11.9.4 Convention Disorder 11.10 Let’s Sum Up 11.11 Unit End Exercise 11.12 Answers for Check Your Progress 11.13 Suggested Readings
UNIT 12 ADDITIVE DISORDERS 169- 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Objectives 12.3 Substance used Disorder 12.4 Alcohol 12.5 Nicotine 12.6 Amphetamine and Cocaine 12.7 Opiates
14.4 General Adaptation Syndrome 14.5 Adjustment Disorder 14.5.1 Acute Stress Disorder 14.5.2 Post traumatic Stress Disorder 14.6 Causes 14.7 Treatment 14.8 Let’s Sum Up 14.9 Unit End Exercise 14.10 Answers for Check Your Progress 14.11 Suggested Readings
1
Structure
1.1 Introduction 1.2 Objectives 1.3 Definition of abnormality 1.4 Classification system 1.5 Causes and risk factors 1.5.1 Biological factors 1.5.2 Psychological factors 1.5.3 Socio cultural factors 1.6 Let’s Sum Up 1.7 Unit End Exercise 1.8 Answers for check your progress 1.9 Suggested Readings
You may witnessed a man with shabby and ugly look with lot of
garages in his hand, talking and laughing to himself and roam around the
place. You may wonder why he behaving like this? What happened to
him? Is he normal? Then you come to the conclusion that he is
abnormal. In this lesson, we explore the lives of people with troubling
psychological symptoms to understand how they think, what they feel,
and how they behave. We investigate what is known about the causes of
these symptoms and the appropriate treatments for them. The
psychology branch which deals with mental disorder is called as
Abnormal Psychology. Abnormal psychology has implications for all of
3
3. Statistical Deviancy: The word abnormal literally means “away from the normal.” But simply considering statistically rare behavior to be abnormal does not provide us with a solution to our problem of defining abnormality. Genius is statistically rare, as is perfect pitch. However, we do not consider people with such uncommon talents to be abnormal in any way. Also, just because something is statistically common 4. Violation of the Standards of Society: All cultures have rules. Some of these are formalized as laws. Others form the norms and moral standards that we are taught to follow. Although many social rules are arbitrary to some extent, when people fail to follow the conventional social and moral rules of their cultural group we may consider their behavior abnormal. For example, wearing bikhini is considered abnormal in India but it is very common in Europe. 5. Social Discomfort: When someone violates a social rule, those around him or her may experience a sense of discomfort or unease. how do you feel when someone you met only 4 minutes ago begins to chat about her suicide attempt? Unless you are a therapist you would probably consider this an example of abnormal behavior. 6. Irrationality and Unpredictability: we expect people to behave in certain ways. Although a little unconventionality may add some spice to life, there is a point at which we are likely to consider a given unorthodox behavior abnormal. If a person sitting next to you suddenly began to scream and yell obscenities at nothing, you would probably regard that behavior as abnormal.
One final point bears repeating. Decisions about abnormal behavior always involve social judgments and are based on the values and expectations of society at large. This means that culture plays a role in determining what is and is not abnormal
4
The DSM-5 Definition of Mental Disorder Behavioral or psychological syndrome (or pattern) that is present in an individual and that reflects some kind of underlying psychobiological dysfunction. Importantly, this behavioral syndrome should result in clinically significant distress, disability, or impairment in key areas of functioning. Predictable responses to common stressors or losses (such as death of a loved one) are 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.
Why Do We Need to Classify Mental Disorders? At the most fundamental level, classification systems provide us with a nomenclature (a naming system) and enable us to structure information in a more helpful manner. Organizing information within a classification system also allows us to study the different disorders that we classify and therefore to learn more not only about what causes them but also how they might best be treated. For this reason, APA and ICD are used in psychology.
1.4 Classification systems A classification system for abnormal behaviors aims to provide distinct categories and indicators for atypical behaviors, thought processes, and emotional disturbances. Psychiatric classification systems are like a catalog: a detailed description accompanies each mental disorder. Thus, the pattern of behavior associated with each diagnosis is distinctly different. For example, the symptoms associated Today, there are two major psychiatric classification systems in use: the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) system, published by the World Health Organization, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM ), published by the American Psychiatric Association. The ICD-10 system is widely used in Europe and many other countries, whereas the DSM system is the standard guide for the United States.
6
that maintain them. We could also classify and diagnose disorders better if we clearly understood their causes rather than relying on clusters of symptoms. Although understanding the causes of abnormal behavior is clearly a desirable goal, it is enormously difficult to achieve because human behavior is so complex. Necessary, Sufficient, and Contributory Causes Regardless of one’s theoretical perspective, several terms can be used to specify the role a factor plays in the etiology , or causal pattern, of abnormal behavior. A necessary cause (e.g., cause X) is a condition that must exist for a disorder (e.g., disorder Y) to occur. For example, general paresis (Y)—a degenerative brain disorder—cannot develop unless a person has previously contracted syphilis (X) A sufficient cause (e.g., cause X) of a disorder is a condition that guarantees the occurrence of a disorder (e.g., disorder Y). For example, one current theory hypothesizes that hopelessness (X) is a sufficient cause of depression (Y).
A contributory cause (e.g., cause X) is one that increases the probability of a disorder (e.g., disorder Y) developing but is neither necessary nor sufficient for the disorder to occur. Or, more generally, if X occurs, then the probability of occurring Y increases. For example, parental rejection could increase the probability that a child will later have difficulty in handling close personal relationships or could increase the probability that being rejected in a relationship in adulthood will precipitate depression.
Necessary Cause If Disorder Y occurs, then Cause X must have preceded it.
Sufficient Cause If Cause X occurs, then Disorder Y will also occur.
Contributory Cause If X occurs, then the probability of Disorder Y increases.
7
A reinforcing contributory cause is a condition that tends to maintain maladaptive behavior that is already occurring. An example is the extra attention, sympathy, and relief from unwanted responsibility that may come when a person is ill; these pleasant experiences may unintentionally discourage recovery
1.5.1 BIOLOGICAL FACTORS We will focus here on four categories of biological factors that seem particularly relevant to the development of maladaptive behavior: (1) neurotransmitter and hormonal abnormalities in the brain or other parts of the central nervous system, (2) genetic vulnerabilities, (3) temperament, and (4) brain dysfunction and neural plasticity. Each of these categories encompasses a number of conditions that influence the quality and functioning of our bodies and our behavior.
Imbalances of Neurotransmitters and Hormones The imbalances in neurotransmitters in the brain can result in abnormal behavior. There may be excessive production and release of the neurotransmitter substance into the synapses, causing a functional excess in levels of that neurotransmitter Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by a set of endocrine glands in our bodies. Each of the endocrine glands produces and releases its own set of hormones.
Genetic Vulnerabilities Genes are the carriers of genetic information that we inherit from our parents and other ancestors, and each gene exists in two or more alternate forms called alleles. Although neither behavior nor mental disorders are ever determined exclusively by genes, there is substantial evidence that most mental disorders show at least some genetic influence ranging from small to large genes can affect behavior only indirectly. Gene “expression” is normally not a simple outcome of the information encoded in DNA but is, rather, the end product of an intricate process that may be influenced by the internal (e.g., intrauterine) and external environment.
9
irreversible psychological scars. The resources range from food and shelter to love and attention. Deprivation of such resources can occur in several forms. The most severe manifestations of deprivation are usually seen among abandoned or orphaned child relationships the consequences of parental deprivation from several psychological viewpoints. Such deprivation might result in fixation at the oral stage of psychosexual development (Freud); it might interfere with the development of basic trust (Erikson); it might retard the attainment of needed skills because of a lack of available reinforcements (Skinner); or it might result in the child’s acquiring dysfunctional schemas and self-schemas in which relationships are represented as unstable, untrustworthy, and without affection (Beck). Neglect and abuse in the home Parents can neglect a child in various ways—by physical neglect, denial of love and affection, lack of interest in the child’s activities and achievements, or failure to spend time with the child or to supervise his or her activities Outright parental abuse (physical or sexual or both) of children has been associated with many negative effects on their emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Separation Children who undergo a number of such separations may develop an insecure attachment. In addition, there can be longer-term effects of early separation from one or both parents. For example, such separations can cause an increased vulnerability to stressors in adulthood.
Inadequate Parenting Styles Inadequate parenting styles can have profound effects on a child’s subsequent ability to cope with life’s challenges and thus create vulnerability to various forms of psychopathology.
Parental psychopathology It has been found that parents who have various forms of psychopathology (including schizophrenia, depression, antisocial personality disorder, and alcohol abuse or dependence) tend to have one
10
or more children who are at heightened risk for a wide range of developmental difficulties.
MARITAL DISCORD Marital discord is likely to be frustrating, hurtful, and generally damaging in its effects on both adults and their children. Divorce can have traumatic effects on children, too. Feelings of insecurity and rejection may be aggravated by conflicting loyalties and sometimes, by the spoiling the children may receive while staying with one of the parents. Not surprisingly, some children do develop serious maladaptive responses.
1.5.3 SOCIOCULTURAL CAUSAL FACTORS CLOSE-U There are many sources of pathogenic social influences. Some of these stem from socioeconomic factors. Others stem from socio-cultural factors regarding role expectations and from the destructive forces of prejudice and discrimination. Low Socioeconomic Status and Unemployment The higher incidence of mental and physical disorders reported in lower socio economic class. The strength of this inverse correlation varies with different types of mental disorder, however. For example, antisocial personality disorder is strongly related to socioeconomic status (SES). Prejudice and Discrimination in Race, Gender, and Ethnicity Discrimination may serve as a stressor that threatens self-esteem, which in turn increases psychological distress (e.g., Cassidy et al., 2004). A recent study of Arab and Muslim Americans two years after the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York found increased psychological distress, lower levels of happiness, and increased health problems in those who had experienced personal or familial prejudice, discrimination, or violence since the World Trade Center disaster. 1.6 Let’s Sum Up Abnormal psychology is the study of the symptoms and causes of behavioral and mental disorders; the objectives are to describe, explain, predict, and modify distressing emotions and behaviors. Four criteria are
