PSYCHOLOGY CP – LAMETTA
ABNORMAL CHAPTER Page 1
Abnormal Behavior - Prolonged or recurring problem that seriously interferes with an individual’s ability to function in society. 1) Statistical – any deviation from the average. 2) Cultural – behavior not accepted by society’s standards. Ex: hearing voices. 3) Legal In sanity – defined as when a person cannot tell the difference between right or wrong THE DSM-IV [book for psychologists, “the bible”] This evaluation is generally done for the insurance companies: Axis I – Clinical Disorder Axis II – Personality Disorder/Mental Retardation Axis III – Medical Conditions Axis IV – Psychosocial/Environmental Problems Global Assessment of Functioning [GAF] – A score from 0 to 100 that ranks a persons’ ability to function.
Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [OCD] – repetitive thoughts and/or ritualistic behavior General Anxiety Disorder [GAD] – worry about every aspect of their lives Panic Disorder – persistent feelings of fear or anxiety about everything Panic Attack – feels similar to a heart attack, with palpitations, sweat, dizziness and lack of breath. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] – occurs after really traumatizing events, associated with flashbacks. “Phobias” – intense, irrational fear Agoraphobia – fear of open spaces; subject will not leave their house Social Phobia – performance anxiety TREATMENTS FOR THEM: [They all take a while to work] Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers) – they can be addictive Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – “face your fears” to change the way the person thinks SSRI – for OCD [nerve gaps, serotonin imbalance] Psychotherapy – talking, dream interpretation [used for PTSD]
Dissociative Amnesia – sudden partial or total loss of personal memories, generally triggered by stress. People with this disorder retain general knowledge, such as language and basic functions. Memories can also return after a while, when they are feeling better. Dissociative Fugue – when a person moves to a different place, and becomes someone else. Usually, this involves amnesia, lasts several days (very rarely, it can last for years). Essentially, it is a “vacation you never know you had.” Dissociative Identity Disorder – (previously called multiple personality disorder). This is when the person has 2 more independent personalities. The personalities may not be aware of each other. This is usually caused by severe abuse, and the disorder is developed to help them cope with the abuse. There is usually a “main character”, and this disorder is associated with blackouts. The only known treatment is therapy to help them regulate their personalities.
Dissociative Disorders
PSYCHOLOGY CP – LAMETTA
ABNORMAL CHAPTER Page 2
Hypochondrisis – excessive worrying about physical health. Fear of illness, when there is no evidence of anything wrong with them. Ex: Person believes they have a brain tumor when they suffer from a minor headache. Conversion disorder – loss of bodily function without any particular physical reason, and extreme stress/conflict. Sleep usually rids them of the disorder.
Somatoform Disorders
Sybil (1976 TV) – Sybil has 17 Personalities, and some of them are Peggie (child), Vanessa (music), Vicky, Martia (suicidal) and Mary. The Doctor was Dr. Wilbur.
Affective Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder – This is the most common mental illness. The patient experiences the following symptoms for 6 months or more; change in sleep patterns, change in appetite, disinterest in everyday life, constant feelings of hopelessness and difficulty concentrating. Bipolar Disorder [Manic Depression] – In general, it has the same symptoms as major depressive. In addition however, the sufferer has periods of mania. In these periods, they can feel really good and have lots of energy, but life for them is like it is “on fast-forward.” They get little sleep (1-2 hours), are very impulsive in manic mode, and the more manic they were, the more depressed they get when they come down from it. Treatments: Antidepressants (Zoloft) Mood Stabilizers Electroconvulsive Therapy [ECT] –This is a last-resort shock treatment method for severe cases and has side effects; short-term memory loss. Also, the effects are temporary, and the sufferers need to get the shocks periodically.
Schizophrenia
1) Description – Believed to be caused by an excess of dopamine in the brain, which is found in marijuana. Schizophrenics show much related symptoms to the drugs’ users. 2) Symptoms – delusions/hallucinations are mostly evil or bad a. Disturbance of thought – inability to focus on one thought b. Delusions – logically false beliefs c. Hallucinations –false sensory perceptions d. Emotional Expression – lack of; can’t show emotion, or show inappropriate emotions. Also, they cannot distinguish people’s emotions e. Speech – sometimes mute, or have to repeat statements i. Echolalia – when they jumble words together, and it makes sense only to them. “word salad” 3) Types a. Undifferentiated – delusions and hallucinations b. Paranoid – usually Violent people
PSYCHOLOGY CP – LAMETTA
ABNORMAL CHAPTER Page 3
i. Grandiose – belief that they are some supreme being, God or a prophet ii. Persecution – belie that they are constantly being chased or watched c. Catatonic – “comatose” trances d. Disorganized – childlike behavior and absurd silliness (laughing at the wall) 4) Stages a. Prodromal – late teens Early 20’s b. Active – peak symptoms c. Residual – symptoms diminish, random flares afterward
Personality Disorders
Cluster A: Odd and Eccentric Behavior i. Paranoid Personality Disorder - People are very suspicious, mistrustful and are hypersensitive ii. Schizoid Personality Disorder – People with this are similar to schizophrenics, but they have no delusions or hallucinations. Rather, they show no emotional responses, have no attachment to people, and like being isolated. Cluster B: Drama i. Antisocial Personality Disorder – All serial killers have this, and they treat people as “objects” (it versus he or she), and are vey impulsive and have no self control. ii. Histrionic Personality Disorder – These are overly dramatic people, who love attention and can be inconsiderate as well as manipulative. iii. Narcissistic Personality Disorder – When they are very childish, love attention, and they are very full of themselves. iv. Borderline Personality Disorder – They have abandonment issues, are overly cautious in relationships, and tend to be needy and clingy. They suck the energy out of their partners. Cluster C: Nervous i. Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder [OCPD] – Although they do not have ritualistic behaviors, they tend to be perfectionists, need to be in control and are very detail-oriented. ii. Dependent Personality Disorder – These people need constant approval from other people when making decisions. They have few friends and are dependent on them. iii. Avoidant Personality Disorder – These people have a strong fear of rejection and are extremely sensitive to other’s opinions.