Psychopathology and Mental Illness Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a limitation of the traditional criteria for defining abnormal behavior?

It does not distinguish between positive and negative deviations. (correct)

It only considers statistical deviance.

It fails to account for personal distress.

It overlooks cultural perspectives.

How is maladaptiveness defined in the context of psychopathology?

As an ability to adapt to societal norms.

As behaviors that prevent adaptation for the individual or group. (correct)

As feelings of happiness and contentment.

As behavior leading to personal growth.

What is personal distress characterized by?

A focus on external perceptions and validation.

Indifference toward social relationships.

Unbearable negative thoughts about self and the world. (correct)

Positive thoughts about self and life.

What aspect about anti-social personality disorder is highlighted regarding personal distress?

These individuals find pleasure in inflicting pain without appropriate personal distress. Signup and view all the answers

In what way is the concept of maladaptiveness viewed?

It is subjective and varies based on cultural perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

What is one major issue with the criterion of personal distress in defining abnormality?

It can incorrectly label normal reactions as mental disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What did Hippocrates believe was the cause of mental illness?

Imbalance of the 4 essential humours Signup and view all the answers

What historical perspective is significant in understanding mental illness?

Concepts of mental illness are influenced by cultural contexts over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the early era of treating mental illness is true?

Physical alterations, such as drilling holes in the skull, were common practices. Signup and view all the answers

During the Middle Ages, which explanation dominated the understanding of mental illness?

Demonic possession and punishment for sins Signup and view all the answers

What treatment methods were commonly used during the Asylum Era?

Prolonged restraining and torture-like treatments Signup and view all the answers

What implication does the concept of personal distress suggest about mental health?

Not all expressions of distress are unhealthy or indicative of mental illness. Signup and view all the answers

What was Johann Weyer's view of individuals suffering from mental illness?

They were mentally unstable and not responsible for their actions Signup and view all the answers

What significant shift occurred in the Renaissance Era regarding the treatment of mental illness?

More humane treatment and challenge to witchcraft ideas Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a treatment mentioned for mental illness during the Asylum Era?

Soft talk therapies Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Church play in the treatment of mental illness during the Middle Ages?

Conducted witch hunts and segregated the mentally ill Signup and view all the answers

What was Philippe Pinel's contribution to the understanding of mental illness?

He advocated for kindness and consideration in treatment Signup and view all the answers

The belief that excess black bile causes depression originates from which historical figure?

Hippocrates Signup and view all the answers

What was the view towards mental illness during the shift from naturalistic to supernatural explanations?

Association with divine punishment and moral failing Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of indigenous theories of illness in Southern Africa?

Social relationships and difficulties within them Signup and view all the answers

Which approach marked a major shift in the classification system of mental disorders with the DSM III?

A transition to a biomedical disease model Signup and view all the answers

In which edition of the DSM was the concept of an atheoretical stance first emphasized?

DSM III Signup and view all the answers

Why is classification important for psychologists using the DSM?

It helps establish a professional language for clear communication Signup and view all the answers

What role do ancestors play in African traditional healing practices?

They are believed to influence family affairs after death Signup and view all the answers

What major characteristic distinguishes the DSM V from its predecessors?

It is derived from a biomedical model claiming biological causes for mental illnesses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT considered important for determining appropriate treatment for an individual?

Religious beliefs Signup and view all the answers

How has the DSM IV contributed to the mental illness classification system?

It introduced field trials comparing diagnostic criteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the DSM classification system?

To help clinicians identify and diagnose mental illness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of traditional healers in Southern Africa?

They are often consulted in combination with psychologists and psychiatrists Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the condition of schizophrenia?

It is characterized by disorganized behaviors and fragmented cognition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about schizophrenia?

It refers to an individual developing a split personality. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is categorized as a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Hallucinations and delusions. Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior best illustrates disorganized speech in schizophrenia?

A person speaks in coherent sentences but lacks relevant topics. Signup and view all the answers

What defines negative symptoms in schizophrenia?

Absence of normal behaviors and feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes catatonic behavior in schizophrenia?

Marked motor abnormalities with bizarre postures. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of classification in mental illness research?

It allows for statistical analysis and epidemiological understanding. Signup and view all the answers

One of the criticisms of DSM-IV-TR and DSM-V is their emphasis on which of the following?

Descriptive rather than explanatory approaches. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the DSM-5 has raised concerns regarding cultural bias?

Its classifications being based on a Western cultural perspective. Signup and view all the answers

What is one criticism regarding the DSM's approach to diagnosing mental illnesses?

It assumes syndromes exist solely as isolated problems in individuals. Signup and view all the answers

How does DSM-V address the criticisms about the rigidity of classification?

By incorporating some dimensional and developmental features. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major concern regarding the validity of DSM diagnoses?

They rely on consensus about clusters of symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

Which axis was NOT part of the DSM-IV-TR's evaluation of behavior?

Developmental Disorder Factors. Signup and view all the answers

What has been a potential negative outcome of the increased number of disorders in DSM-V?

Increased rates of over-diagnosis and over-medication. Signup and view all the answers

What does the DSM-5 primarily adopt in its classification of mental disorders?

An individualistic approach to psychopathology. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the reliability of DSM diagnoses?

It is high based on a common set of criteria. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Defining Psychopathology

Maladaptiveness is defined as the extent to which a behavior affects an individual's or group's ability to adapt and adjust.
Maladaptive behaviors impede an individual's ability to thrive and contribute to society.
Examples of maladaptive behavior include suicide, depression, and extreme fatigue.
The definition of maladaptiveness varies depending on the cultural context.
Personal distress and distress caused to peers can be a better indicator of psychological abnormality than maladaptiveness.
Personal distress refers to unbearable negative thoughts about oneself and the world.
Individuals with antisocial personality disorder experience no personal distress and find pleasure in causing harm.
There's no clear distinction between normal and abnormal behavior, and personal distress can be a valid response to stressful situations.

History of Mental Illness

Ancient civilizations believed mental illness was caused by demonic possession or evil spirits.
Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates proposed a naturalistic view of mental illness, suggesting an imbalance of four essential humours (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) caused mental illness.
During the Middle Ages, religious beliefs dominated explanations of psychopathology, and mental illness was attributed to sin or demonic possession.
The Renaissance era witnessed a more humane approach to treating mental illness with individuals like Johann Weyer challenging the notion of demonic possession and arguing for mental instability instead.
Asylum Era brought increased institutionalization with inhumane treatment of patients.
Philippe Pinel advocated for humane treatment of mentally ill patients, leading to reforms.

Cultural Perspectives

China and India have separate traditions of healing that don't strictly separate the mental and physical.
In Southern Africa, indigenous theories often attribute personal problems to social relationship difficulties, including with ancestors.
Religious healing practices combine indigenous beliefs with Christianity.
Consultations with traditional healers are common alongside Western medical practitioners.
African traditional approaches acknowledge the influence of ancestors on family affairs.
Cultural heritage, socioeconomic status, and racial grouping influence appropriate treatment for an individual.

Classification of Mental Illness

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) is the most widely used classification system for diagnosing mental illness.
The DSM's purpose is to assist clinicians in identifying and diagnosing mental illnesses, enabling appropriate assessments and clear communication among practitioners about mental health conditions.
The DSM has undergone significant changes since its first edition, with a major shift towards a biomedical disease approach in DSM-III.
DSM-IV incorporated research from earlier editions and field trials and referenced the International Classification of Diseases.
The DSM-V is based on the biomedical model which assumes a biological cause for all mental illnesses.
Advantages of classification include establishing a common professional language, enabling research and treatment of commonly identified conditions, and providing insights into the causes and prognosis of illnesses.
The DSM-V attempted to incorporate dimensional and developmental features of psychopathology to address criticisms of categorical definitions.
The DSM-IV-TR evaluated an individual's behavior on five axes representing different dimensions of their problems.
Criticisms of the DSM-IV-TR and DSM-V include:
- Descriptive focus without explaining the cause of disorders.
- Biomedical emphasis that may not be applicable to mental illnesses.
- Individualistic approach neglecting group or family context during diagnosis.
- Cultural bias towards a Western perspective.
- Concerns about validity and reliability, due to reliance on consensus-based symptom clusters rather than objective measures.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by fragmented emotions, behaviors, and cognition.
Schizophrenia shares some symptoms with conditions like ukuthwasa (calling to be a traditional healer) and amafufunyana (spirit possession).
It's a misconception that schizophrenia refers to split personality disorder, which is actually Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).
Schizophrenia involves the splitting of emotions and thoughts.
Individuals with schizophrenia experience gross distortions of reality, leading to psychosis.
Schizophrenia is characterized by both positive and negative symptoms.
Positive symptoms are those not usually present in healthy individuals, including hallucinations, catatonic behavior, disorganised behavior, disorganised speech, and delusions.
Negative symptoms are the absence of behaviors or feelings typically present in healthy individuals.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of psychopathology, including maladaptiveness and personal distress. Understand how these factors influence mental health and the historical context of mental illness treatment. This quiz delves into the nuances of behavior and cultural perceptions in psychology.