Some basic terms, approaches, and issues in our study of human psychopathology. Term 1: abnormal What is abnormal? Term 2: psychopathology

Transcription

1 Some basic terms, approaches, and issues in our study of human psychopathology Three basic terms: (next slides) Term 1: abnormal What is abnormal? The term abnormal is vague A better term is psychopathology. Term 2: psychopathology n pathology: the process (physiology, structure, results, prognosis etc.) of disease n psychopathology: pathology in psychological processes

2 Term 3: mental disorder a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual s cognition, emotion, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. (definition from the APA - American Psychiatric Association) (details in later lectures) The four D model can be used as a standard to determine if difficulties are sufficiently difficult to be called disorder distinct or deviant (notably different and clearly causing difficulty) distressful dysfunctional dangerous (potentially) or deadly or HIGH RISK Disorders have multiple origins the diathesis-stress model three Ps of "cause": predisposing cause precipitating cause perpetuating (also called "reinforcing") cause Disorders have multiple origins Much research and theory attempts to explain mental disorders; text and this course focus on: biomedical/biobehavioral (next slide) psychoanalytic/psychodynamic humanistic cognitive-behavioral and some others

3 The biomedical or biobehavioral perspective The dominant perspective used to create the descriptions (diagnoses) of mental disorders in the diagnostic system used by the American Psychiatric Association the TRUTH : Disorders have multiple origins Text (and most psychologists) use research and theory to describe and explain the disorders, including their origins, effects, treatment and prognosis often from one or more of these perspectives: biological psychological social/cultural require interdisciplinary approach and a biopsychosocial perspective The multi-disciplinary or "biopsychosocial perspective The consensus among most researchers is that mental disorders have multiple origins/ causes/features The multi-disciplinary or "biopsychosocial perspective Biological (genetic, gestational, nutritional, constitutional) Psychosocial (temperament, developmental, personality, stress, environmental problems, relationships) Sociocultural (social, economic and cultural stresses, influences, limitations)

4 some other multidisciplinary aspects: Disciplines: Biology, psychiatric medicine, neurology, neurophysiology, psychology, sociology, anthropology Professions: social work, counseling, psychology, psychiatry, pharmacology, psychiatric nursing, i.e. the "mental health professions." Developmental psychopathology a new perspective, not used much in the text, but now has much respect within the field of psychopathology Developmental psychopathology the study of psychopathology from a developmental perspective mental disorders are dynamic the process of development influences functioning, prognosis, and intervention disorder is viewed as deviation/ dysfunction in one of the fundamental areas of development Mental disorders that are first prominent in childhood are called neurodevelopmental in our current classification systems, but the perspective of developmental psychopathology suggests that most or all mental disorders are neurodevelopmental.

5 Important concepts in developmental psychopathology: Risk the probability or occurrence negative outcome. Similar to the concept of danger. Vulnerability characteristics that increase the probability of negative outcome if exposed to risk. Important concepts in developmental psychopathology: Protective factors resources, skills, contexts, situations that reduce risk Psychosocial: refers to the inseparable interplay between psychological experience and social/cultural contexts. Important concepts in developmental psychopathology: Resilience successful adaptation under adverse conditions, and the ability to recover from stress or trauma. a dynamic process *some historical issues *some cultural issues

6 Important historical periods/ people (review in text) Traditional treatment The asylum Asylum reform and moral treatment (Philippe Pinel) American reformers: Benjamin Rush (brought moral treatment to the American colonies) Dorothea Dix Modern psychiatry Emil Kraepelin & diagnostic nosologies The medication revolution homelessness and social exclusion psychopathology and social justice elements of discrimination: prejudice, stereotyping, and hate: segregation discrimination denial of civil liberties basic human needs for shelter, food, clothing Discrimination against the mentally ill