Clinical Psychology: Psychopathology

Clinical Psychology

Psychopathology

• Study of mental illnesses and abnormal behaviors
• Focuses on the causes, symptoms, and consequences of mental disorders
• Involves understanding the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to psychopathology
• Key concepts:
  • Comorbidity: presence of two or more mental health disorders
  • Heterotypic continuity: stability of mental health issues across the lifespan
  • Equifinality: multiple pathways leading to the same mental health outcome

Assessment and Diagnosis

• Involves evaluating individuals to identify mental health issues and develop treatment plans
• Types of assessments:
  1. Clinical interviews: face-to-face conversations to gather information about symptoms and behaviors
  2. Rating scales and questionnaires: standardized measures to assess symptoms and severity
  3. Behavioral observations: observing behavior in natural or controlled settings
  4. Psychological tests: standardized measures to assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning
• Diagnosis:
  • DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition
  • ICD-10: International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition
  • Multiaxial diagnosis: assessment of multiple aspects of an individual's functioning (e.g., Axis I: clinical disorders, Axis II: personality disorders)
  • Cultural formulation: considering cultural background and experiences in diagnosis and treatment

Psychopathology

• Study of mental illnesses and abnormal behaviors, examining causes, symptoms, and consequences of mental disorders
• Considers biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to psychopathology
• Key concepts include:
  • Comorbidity: co-occurrence of two or more mental health disorders
  • Heterotypic continuity: stability of mental health issues across an individual's lifespan
  • Equifinality: multiple pathways leading to the same mental health outcome

Assessment and Diagnosis

• Evaluating individuals to identify mental health issues and develop treatment plans
• Types of assessments:
  • Clinical interviews: face-to-face conversations to gather information about symptoms and behaviors
  • Rating scales and questionnaires: standardized measures to assess symptoms and severity
  • Behavioral observations: observing behavior in natural or controlled settings
  • Psychological tests: standardized measures to assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning
• Diagnosis:
  • DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition
  • ICD-10: International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition
  • Multiaxial diagnosis: assessment of multiple aspects of an individual's functioning (e.g., Axis I: clinical disorders, Axis II: personality disorders)
  • Cultural formulation: considering cultural background and experiences in diagnosis and treatment

Quiz on psychopathology, focusing on the causes, symptoms, and consequences of mental disorders, including key concepts like comorbidity, heterotypic continuity, and equifinality.