Mental Illnesses

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  • Mental Illnesses
    • Statistical Infrequency
      • a mathematical method for defining abnormality
      • based on the idea that abnormality is based on infrequency
      • mathematical element is based on the idea human attributes fall into a normal distribution within the population
      • there's a central average and the population fall above or below that mean
      • Limitations
        • Inflexible - some behaviours that are seen as abnormal would not be considered abnormal according to the scale/graph
          • way we define mental disorders and the way the definition works are at odds with each other
        • Abnormal behaviours occur frequently - therefore should not be considered as an 'infrequency'
          • possibly inaccurate?
        • no consideration for different cultures
          • supposed to work for population of the world but many cultures differ
          • a behaviour normal in UK could be abnormal in different culture
    • Deviation from Social Norms
      • every society has social norms - standards of expected behaviour
      • abnormality - behaving in was that disagree with the norms of society
      • if you don't follow the 'unwritten rules' of society, you are considered abnormal
      • Limitations
        • difficult to separate eccentric behaviour from abnormal behaviour
        • context dependent - behaviour needs to be assessed in relation to the context where it is being observed
        • social norms are continually changing - definition is era dependent
          • if norms continually change so should our understanding of mental health
        • varying cultures
    • PHOBIAS
      • type of anxiety disorder
      • extreme form of fear/anxiety triggered by a particular situation/ object
      • scared even when there's no danger, may feel extreme anxiety just thinking/ talking about it
      • fear becomes phobia:  1. fear is out of proportion to the danger 2.  lasts more than 6 months 3. significant impact on every day life
      • Symptoms
        • Physical
          • unsteady/ dizzy/nausea
          • heart palpitations
          • sweating/ hot + cold flushes
          • shortness of breath
          • shaking
        • Psycho- logical
          • feel out of touch with reality
          • fear of fainting
          • fear of losing control
          • fear of dying
      • Causes
        • particular incidents/ traumas
        • learned responses - picked up in early life from parents, siblings etc.
        • Genetics - research suggests some people are more vulnerable to develop  phobias
        • long term stress - reduces ability to cope in certain situations
      • Treatments
        • CBT
        • Exposure Therapy
        • Hypnotherapy
        • Anti depressants
        • Tranquilisers
    • SCHIZO PHRENIA
      • Symptoms
        • Positive
          • delusions - strong beliefs others don't share
          • and additional behaviour as a result of the condition
          • hallucinations - hearing voices/seeing things
          • disordered thought - can't organise or express thoughts
        • Negative
          • behaviours you stop having as a result of the condition
          • lack of interest in things
          • disconnected from your feelings
          • difficulty concentrating
          • not wanting to look after yourself
          • no motivation
      • Possible Causes
        • stressful life events
        • recreational drugs
        • genetics - more likely to develop if parents have it
        • chemicals in the brain
          • behave differently for people with schizophrenia
          • dopamine levels
      • Treatments
        • CBT - ease stress, manage positive symptoms
        • medication - antipsychotics
        • family interventions
        • Art therapies

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