the application of psychological science to the study of mental disorders What is abnormal psychology 1 What are mental disorders abnormal behaviors and psychiatric diagnosis psychopathology pathology of the mind The symptoms and signs of mental disorders including depressed mood panic attacks bizarre beliefs abnormal psychology the application of psychological science to the study of mental disorders psychosis several types of severe mental disorders in which a person is considered to be out of contact with reality a How do we know when someone has a mental disorder What are different ways this might be determined What are the pros and cons to different approaches mental disorders are de ned by a set of characteristics A group of symptoms that appear together and are assumed to represent a speci c type of disorder is a syndrome how to determine a mental disorder classifying syndromes into categories each of which we call a mental disorder Diagnosis in psychopathology provides a label category based on descriptions of the symptoms NOT explanations duration of symptoms persistence some start to interfere with a persons social and occupational functioning a group of symptoms all together appear Both inability to function and harm results mental disorder Harmful dysfunction dysfunctions that are harmful to the person become disorders mental disorder clusters of persistent maladaptive behaviors that are associated with personal distress such as anxiety or depression or with impairment in social functioning Excludes behaviors and beliefs centered around religion politics and sexual groups Cons to different approaches 2 people can be diagnosed as the same mental disorder but for different reasons There is no explanation as to why someone has a disorder just that they t the category b What does the concept of abnormal behavior have to do with mental disorders How do we know if a behavior is abnormal What are the different ways this might be determined What are the pros and cons of the different approaches Abnormal behavior usually causes one distress Also how common or rare it is to the general population can determine abnormalness These aproaches however do not specify how unusual the behavior must be to be considered abnormal Also does not distinguish between deviations that are harmful and those that are not c What differentiates mental health from mental disorder Is mental health simply the absence of a mental disorder Mental health is an applied rather than theoretical eld mental disorders are those problems with which mental health doctors attempt to deal Mental health is an overall state Different degrees of it d What does culture have to do with the concepts of mental disorder and abnormal behavior the impact of particular behaviors and experiences on a person s adjustment depends on the culture in which the person lives only dysfunctions that are socially disvalued are disorders e in the eld of mental health as things are today what does a diagnosis tell you How does this differ from the concept of diagnosis in other areas and professions for example in auto repair or in medicine Ch 4 pg 76 77 Diagnosis in psychopathology provides a label category based on descriptions of the symptoms NOT explanations Diagnosis refers to the identi cation or recognition of a disorder of a disorder on the basis of it s characteristic symptoms In the eld of mental health a clinician assigns a diagnosis if the person s behavior meets the speci c criteria for a particular type of disorder Casual analysis at an auto repair shop the diagnosis leads directly to the problem s solution In psychopathology assigning the diagnosis does not mean that we understand the etiology of the person s problem Speci c causes have not been identi ed for mental disorders f What is the purpose of classi cation systems Why is there not a single correct way to classify something like mental disorders How do categorical classi cation systems differ from dimensional classi cation systems Ch 4 pg 78 Classi cation system is used to subdivide or organize a set of objectives Classi cation systems are based on yes or no After a category has been de ned an object is either a member of the category or is not A categorical approach to classi cation assumes that distinctions among members of different categories are qualitative the difference re ects a difference in kind quality rather than difference in amount quantity Dimensional approach to classi cation describes the objects of classi cation in terms of continuous dimensions Determines how much of that characteristic the object exhibits quantity g What are the pros and cons of saying someone has a mental disorder or that they have a particular mental disorder ch4 pg 79 80 Public attitudes towards mental disorders shape a persons reaction to being assigned a diagnosis Negative beliefs about people with mental illness the person may try to avoid rejection by withdrawing from interactions with other people This can lead to further isolation and diminished levels of social support Clinicians diagnosis decisions are determined primarily by the form and severity of the patients symptoms rather than by such factors as gender race and social class Stigma refers to a stamp or label that sets the person apart from others connects the person to undesirable features and leads others to reject the person A psychiatric label can have a harmful impact on a person s life Positive aspects of labeling are encouraging access to effective treatment h What current classi cation systems are most commonly used for diagnosing mental disorders What is the DSM system How does DSM address issues of culture Ch 4 p 80 82 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual more than 200 speci c diagnostic categories are described Disorders that present similar kinds of symptoms are grounded together the manuel lists speci c criteria for each diagnostic category It employs a multiaxial classi cation systems that is the person is rated on 5 separate axes 2 are concerned with diagnostic categories the other 3 provide for the collection of additional relevant data including general medical conditions that might affect the person s psychological adjustment etc DSM addresses the relation between cultural issues and the diagnosis in 2 ways the manuel encourages clinicians to consider the in uence of cultural factors in both the expression and recognition of symptoms of mental disorders People express emotions in ways that are
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