Intro to psychopathology

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Definitions

Psychopathology: concerned with process of disease. Study of mental disorder, mental distress, and abnormal or maladaptive behaviour. The term is mostly used in the context of psychiatry

Developmental psychopathology: failing to map onto the "expected" developmental norm trajectory = abnormal or maladaptive behaviour

Psychiatry: the branch of medicine that subjectively diagnoses, treats, and studies mental illness and behavioural conditions. Focuses on psychopathology as a disease. Application of medication and other treatment methods

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Defining abnormality

Defining abnormality: every society has its own characteristic pattern on normative behaviours and beliefs. Since social norms and expectations differ among cultures, abnormality depends on the social norm. People share assumptions about reality or 'how its supposed to be'.

Statistical deviance can also be used to define abnormality. Statistical deviance is the average that determines the normal. It is depicted as a bell curve where normal behaviour is in the middle. Abnormal behaviours fall outside the middles ranges - they are 'extreme'. The cut-off points are chosen arbitrarily. Abnormality is often difficult to measure in terms of a trait distribution

Core aspects of abnormality

  • Deviance: specific thoughts, behaviours and emotions are deviate, i.e not acceptable in society
  • Distress: negative feelings by the individual because of the disorder, also distress in others caused by the disorder
  • Dysfunction: maladaptive behaviour that impairs the individual's ability to perform daily functions such as getting ready for work - preventing a 'normal' lifestyle
  • Danger: dangerous or violent behaviour against oneself and/or others
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Diagnosis

There are 2 dominant taxonomies for diagnosing mental disorders

  • International Classification of Disease (ICD): Standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management and clinical purposes. Used to monitor the incidence and prevalance of diseases and other health problems. As of now, in its 10th edition, however ICD-11 is set to be released in 2018
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM): Currently in its 5th edition. Used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose and classify mental disorders, having criteria that are concise and explicit 

DSM has been criticised for lack of empirical support, low inter-rater reliability for many disorders, and being influenced by the psychiatric drug industry.

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Vulnerability factors

Risk factors:

  • unsuccessful coping (Rutter, 1996) with normative shifts - body changes as child moves into adolescence, life events such as parental divorce, bereavement, abuse, discrimination
  • poor parent-child relationships
  • poor inter-parental relationships within the home
  • genetics

Factors that may mediate abnormality and disorders

  • individual factors such as genetics and temperament
  • family factors such as having warm, supportive parents, good relationship with parents, and parental harmony
  • extra-familial factors such as supportive social networks and successful school experiences
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Classification

Mental health disorders prevalance

  • 10% of 5-16 year olds have a mental disorder - 6% conduct disorder, 4% emotional disorders, 2% hyperkinetic disorders, and 1% less common disorders (such as autism and eating disorders)

Classification example: Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders i.e ADHD have a 5-10% prevalance rate and appear largely in males. Emerges young. Comorbidity with other disorders and high continuity

Classification example: personality disorders - characterised by enduring collection of behavioural patterns often associated with personal, social and occupational disrupt. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) occurs in around 1% of the population and is highly comorbid with other disorders.

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