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Questions and Answers

What term encompasses the scientific study of mental disorders including their origin and manifestations?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Clinical Psychiatry

Psychopathology (correct)

Abnormal Psychology

Which historical figure is known for linking mental illness to an imbalance of bodily humors?

Sigmund Freud

Galileo

Hippocrates (correct)

Emile Kraepelin

What is a significant feature of the humanistic approach to mental illness introduced by Philippe Pinel?

Moral treatment and patient freedoms (correct)

Chemical treatments for mental disorders

Isolation of mentally ill individuals

Physical restraints for patients

Which period is associated with the resurgence of demonology in the context of mental illness?

Middle Ages Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the demonology tradition on individuals suffering from mental disorders during the 14th to 18th centuries?

They were often confined and subjected to inhumane treatments. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the classification of mental illness based on physical causes?

Somatogenesis Signup and view all the answers

Which hospital is famously known as ‘Bedlam’ and represents the early days of psychiatry?

Bethlehem Royal Hospital Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of moral treatment advocated during the Renaissance?

Humane and supportive care Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the best definition of mental health as per the WHO?

Ability to work and contribute to the community Signup and view all the answers

What best captures the essence of the criteria for defining abnormality in psychology?

Behavior that deviates from social norms Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy focuses on the collaboration between a therapist and a client to explore unconscious thoughts and motivations?

Psychoanalysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Behavioural Therapies?

Changing maladaptive behaviours Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT a key aspect of Motivational Interviewing?

Confronting resistance Signup and view all the answers

What method does Person-Centered Therapy utilize to enhance client understanding?

Reflection Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy developed by Perls emphasizes awareness of feelings and ownership of behavior?

Gestalt Therapy Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is NOT associated with Psychoanalysis?

Systematic desensitization Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of Modern Psychoanalysis compared to traditional Psychoanalysis?

Shorter duration of therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

To change dysfunctional thinking Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the aim of Action Therapy?

To change dysfunctional behaviours Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy approach is most focused on altering learned behaviours through reinforcement?

Behavioural Therapy Signup and view all the answers

What does 'unconditional positive regard' refer to in Person-Centered Therapy?

Accepting the client regardless of behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is a core principle of Group Therapies?

Collective interaction for healing Signup and view all the answers

Which concept does Gestalt Therapy use to confront unresolved conflicts?

Empty chair technique Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Systematic Desensitization in Behavioral Therapy?

Gradually reducing anxiety through conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the distinguishing feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is NOT associated with Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)?

Binge eating episodes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of compulsions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the difference between Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder?

Bipolar II presents at least one hypomanic episode and at least one depressive episode. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary biological cause of Mood Disorders related to neurotransmission?

Chemical imbalance involving serotonin and norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

What defines statistical deviance in psychology?

Behaviour or thinking that deviates from the average Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common cognitive distortion associated with depression?

Personalization Signup and view all the answers

Anorexia Nervosa is primarily characterized by which of the following?

Consistent maintenance of significantly low body weight. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of defining abnormality, which criterion indicates that behaviour is harmful to others?

Social norm deviance Signup and view all the answers

In the context of schizophrenia, what best defines hallucinations?

Internal sensory perceptions that are not actually present. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes subjective discomfort?

Emotional distress that significantly impacts functioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue related to the inability to function normally in psychological disorders?

Adaptation to stressors and daily life demands Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about Personality Disorders?

They develop abruptly and do not persist over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding Environmental causes of schizophrenia is true?

They interact with genetic predispositions to produce the disorder. Signup and view all the answers

Which model attributes psychological disorders primarily to biological or medical causes?

Biological model Signup and view all the answers

The diagnosis for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) requires symptoms to last for how long?

More than 1 month Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological perspective emphasizes the role of repressed conflicts in mental disorders?

Psychodynamic perspective Signup and view all the answers

What is a key differentiating factor of Bulimia Nervosa compared to other eating disorders?

Presence of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors Signup and view all the answers

In the DSM-5, how are disorders classified compared to previous editions?

A dimensional approach focusing on continuums Signup and view all the answers

What is a major concern regarding the use of diagnostic labels in psychology?

They can over-diagnose individuals based on minor symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of schizophrenia?

Uncontrolled constant positive mood swings Signup and view all the answers

Which category is NOT part of the three classifications of anxiety disorders as per the DSM-5?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Signup and view all the answers

In the context of eating disorders, which concept relates maladaptive eating behaviors to conditioning?

Maladaptive behaviors learned through reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes phobias according to the main anxiety disorders?

Irrational fear and avoidance of specific situations or objects Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a criterion that defines psychological disorders?

Atypical behaviour that aligns with social norms Signup and view all the answers

What is the scientific term for the fear of enclosed spaces?

Claustrophobia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of panic disorder?

Repeated and unexpected panic attacks Signup and view all the answers

Xenophobia refers to a fear of which of the following?

Foreigners and strangers Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to describe a syndrome characterized by significant disturbances in emotional regulation or behaviour?

Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which technique involves associating an unpleasant state with an unwanted behavior?

Aversion therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of developing a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking stimuli?

To confront fear in an ordered and manageable way Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a component of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Strengthening operant conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What therapy focuses on identifying and modifying irrational core beliefs?

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential negative aspect of group therapy?

Limited time with a therapist Signup and view all the answers

What condition is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) primarily used to treat?

Severe depression Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive distortion involves jumping to conclusions without evidence?

Arbitrary inference Signup and view all the answers

In the context of anxiety management, what does in vivo exposure involve?

Facing feared situations in real life Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major goal of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

To change irrational and distorted thinking Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is considered a biomedical approach to therapy?

Psychopharmacology Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

To strengthen or weaken behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following therapies uses magnetic pulses applied to the cortex?

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential ethical concern with using a token economy in therapy?

It may result in dependency on rewards Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT an advantage of group therapy?

Ensures complete privacy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mental Health Overview

Mental health is a state of well-being where individuals can reach their potential, handle life's pressures, work productively and contribute to society.
Psychopathology is the study of mental disorders, encompassing their development, origin, and manifestations. It's synonymous with mental illness.
Mental illness encompasses a wide range of conditions characterized by psychological dysfunction and abnormal behavior.

History of Mental Illness

Craniotomy, dating back to 6500 BC, was an early practice used to treat mental illness.
Demonology, which viewed mental illness as a result of demonic possession, influenced earlier views on mental illness.
In the Renaissance era, Hippocrates suggested that mental illness was related to an imbalance of bodily fluids, known as humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile). Medical practices of this time also included somatic treatments which sought to address mental illnesses through physical remedies.
The Middle Ages saw a revival of demonic possession as an explanation for mental illness.
The mental asylum era saw the development of institutions for individuals with mental illness, marked by harsh treatments. The Bethlem Royal Hospital, also known as Bedlam, was a London-based example of such establishments.
The humanistic approach, championed by Pinel, advocated for more humane treatment of the mentally ill by removing harsh restraints and solitary confinement.

Definitions of Abnormality

Statistical deviance refers to behavior or thoughts that are rare or uncommon in a population. All rare behavior isn't deemed abnormal.
Social norm deviance refers to deviation from social and cultural norms; behaviors harmful to oneself or others might be classified as abnormal.
Subjective discomfort is emotional distress (e.g., anxiety, depression) significantly impacting a person's functioning.
Inability to function normally means a person struggles to adapt to typical life demands.

Causes of Mental Disorders

Biological factors include genetics, brain chemistry, immune system, and physical health.
Psychological Perspective factors involve psychological causes. This includes psychodynamic experiences (early childhood experiences), behavioral experiences (learned behaviours), and cognitive experiences (thinking and beliefs).
Socio-cultural factors encompass societal influences, such as family, social, and cultural aspects.

Biopsychosocial Model

This model recognizes that various factors – biological, social, and psychological – contribute to mental health and disorders. These factors continuously interact, influencing an individual.

Psychological Disorder Definition

A syndrome is a collection of symptoms indicative of a mental disorder.
Mental disorders reflect dysfunctions in thoughts, emotions, or behaviors.
They are usually associated with substantial distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, though not socially deviating, religious, political, or sexual behaviors. These behaviors are only seen as disordered if they result from dysfunction.
Not all responses to a loss or stress (e.g., a loved one's death) classify as a disorder.

Classification of Mental Disorders

The DSM-5, published by the APA, and ICD-10, published by the WHO, are the most prevalent and widely used diagnostic tools for classifying mental disorders.
The DSM-5 incorporates a dimensional approach to classification, viewing disorders along a continuum, encompassing both present/absent and related characteristics.
The numbers of disorders increase with succeeding revisions of the DSM, reflecting improved understanding and the complexity of mental health conditions.

Anxiety, Trauma & Stress Disorders

Anxiety disorders involve excessive or unrealistic worry and fear, leading to dysfunctional behaviors.
This category includes phobias (irrational fear of specific objects or situations), Social Anxiety Disorder (fear of social situations), panic disorder (recurrent panic attacks and worry), generalized anxiety disorder (excessive anxiety), and obsessive compulsive and related disorders.

Main Anxiety Disorders

Phobias are persistent fears of particular situations or objects that affect a person's life.
Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of social situations and potential humiliation.
Specific phobias focus on intense and unwarranted fear of specific stimuli such as enclosed spaces, certain animals, or heights.
Agoraphobia is an intense fear of public places, with avoidance behavior.
Other forms of anxiety disorders include panic disorder (sudden attacks of intense fear), generalized anxiety disorder (persistent and excessive worry), obsessive-compulsive disorder (obsessions and compulsions), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders involve significant mood disturbances, either elevated or depressed.
This category includes depressive disorders (major depressive disorder) and bipolar disorders.

Main Mood Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): characterized by pervasive low mood, along with specific symptoms lasting at least two weeks.
Bipolar Disorder I: one or more manic episodes, potentially with depressive episodes.
Bipolar Disorder II: involves hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes, lacking the severity of full-blown manic episodes.

Causes of Mood Disorders

Psychodynamic factors suggest depression ties to anger directed inward or repressed emotions.
Behavioral factors indicate learned helplessness in mood disorders, resulting from a perceived lack of control over outcomes.
Cognitive perspective implies depression emerges from distorted or negative thought patterns about oneself.
Biological factors suggest chemical imbalances in the brain, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, contributing to mood disorders.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders encompass persistent eating disturbances affecting physical health and social functioning.
This classification includes anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa

Severe dietary restriction leads to significantly low body weight and a distorted image of one's physical appearance
Characterized by a BMI less than 17

Bulimia Nervosa

Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting or using laxatives.

Binge-Eating Disorder

Recurrent binge eating episodes without the compensatory behaviors seen in bulimia nervosa.

Causes of Eating Disorders

Psychodynamic factors often involve issues in parent-child relationships and ego deficiencies, and unresolved conflicts in early childhood.
Behavioral factors include learned eating patterns and reinforcements that encourage disordered eating habits to obtain relief.
Cognitive factors include distorted thinking around body image and self-worth, affecting one's beliefs and leading to disordered eating behaviors.
Biological influences, including genetic predispositions, can influence an individual.
Cultural factors like media portrayals of body image may influence the prevalence of disordered eating patterns.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder marked by distorted reality perceptions and abnormal behaviors, including hallucinations, disordered thinking (delusions), inappropriate emotional responses, and bizarre behaviors.

Schizophrenia Symptoms

Delusions are false fixed beliefs, despite evidence to the contrary. Delusions can be persecutory or grandiose.
Hallucinations are perceptions that aren't based on reality. Auditory (hearing voices) and visual hallucinations are common.
Disorganized thinking is characterized by disordered speech patterns and difficulty expressing coherent thoughts. There are specific types of disorganized thinking, like derailment or incoherence. 
Disorganized or abnormal behaviors range from immobility to excessive movements to odd gestures.
Negative symptoms involve diminished emotional expression, apathy, and lack of motivation.

Causes of Schizophrenia

Biological: Chemical imbalances (e.g., dopamine, GABA), structural defects in the brain (frontal lobe), and genetic/hereditary factors correlate with schizophrenia. Prenatal factors, such as viral infections, may also play a role.
Environmental: factors like stress, vulnerability, and environmental stressors may trigger or worsen symptoms in individuals predisposed to schizophrenia.

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that significantly impair social and interpersonal functioning.
They are persistent, pervasive, and problematic.
Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters, based on their similarities and characteristics. This includes odd (Cluster A), dramatic or emotional (Cluster B), and anxious or fearful (Cluster C) personalities.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

This involves a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others.
Common traits include lack of conscience and remorse, manipulation, deception, aggression, and impulsiveness.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Marked by instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and impulses.
Self-injurious behavior (self-mutilation), unstable relationships, difficulty controlling anger, and impulsivity are common traits.

Causes of Personality Disorders

Cognitive-Behavioral perspectives emphasize that personality disorders stem from learned behaviors and associated beliefs.
Biological factors suggest genetic influences.
Environmental factors consider negative influences of childhood.

Psychotherapy Approaches

Insight therapies aim to increase self-awareness and understanding of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Psychoanalysis, humanistic therapies (e.g., person-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy), are examples of insight therapies.
Action therapies focus on changing maladaptive behaviors. Techniques include behavioral therapies (classical and operant conditioning, exposure therapy, and systematic desensitization), and cognitive therapies.

Group Therapies

Therapy conducted in small groups consisting of individuals with similar issues.
Couples therapy aims to improve communication, solve conflicts, and enhance relationships within couples.
Family therapy recognizes that one person's problems affect others in the family.
Self-help groups provide a communal support system for addressing common issues.

Effectiveness of Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy helps many individuals, with approximately 75% experiencing some benefit.
Psychotherapy should be tailored to suit individual needs.
Treatments are usually combined to maximize effectiveness in diverse and complex presentations of mental disorders.
Psychotherapy may be delivered online as a convenience for clients, yet some clinical situations require in-person interaction for optimum outcomes.

Biomedical Therapies

Biomedical therapies directly target the body's physiology, using medications or procedures.
Psychopharmacology involves using specific drugs to treat mental disorders, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiety medications, and mood stabilizers.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used to induce seizures as treatment for severe depression and treatment resistant disorders.
Psychosurgery is a surgical procedure used to treat severe and persistent disorders where other therapies are ineffective.

Emerging Therapies

Repetitive TMS and tDCS are non-invasive brain stimulation techniques used to treat depression, schizophrenia, and other disorders.
Deep brain stimulation involves surgically implanted devices to send electrical impulses to specific brain regions to treat various disorders including deep depression and OCD.
Virtual reality therapy is used to create simulated environments to expose an individual to feared events.

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