Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

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Erick Osborne
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1 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

2 Truth or Fiction? In the Middle Ages, innocent people were drowned as a way of proving that they were not possessed by the Devil. People with schizophrenia may see and hear things that are not really there.

3 Truth or Fiction? Feeling elated may not be a good thing. Some people have more than one personality dwelling within them, and each one may have different allergies and eyeglass prescriptions. Some people can kill or maim others without feelings of guilt.

4 Abnormal Behavior A continuum from normal to eccentric to neurotic to psychotic Abnormal behavior is culturally defined by social norms Disorders are culture-specific Behavior is only of clinical significance if it causes marked emotional, social or occupational impairment

5 Psychological Disorders Characterized by Rare or unusual behavior Faulty perceptions or interpretations of reality Inappropriate response to the situation Self-defeating behaviors Dangerous behaviors Socially unacceptable behaviors

6 Prevalence of Psychological Disorders 50% of us will experience a psychological disorder at some time Most often starts in childhood or adolescence 25% will experience a psychological disorder in any given year

7 Explaining Psychological Disorders Psychological Perspectives Psychodynamic theory Disorders are symptoms of underlying unconscious processes that stem from childhood conflicts

8 Explaining Psychological Disorders Psychological Perspectives Behavioral perspective Disorders reflect the learning of maladaptive responses Cognitive perspective Focus on faulty thinking and misperceptions and beliefs

9 Explaining Psychological Disorders Psychological Perspectives Humanistic perspective Disorders result when tendencies toward self-actualization are frustrated Sociocultural perspective Social ills can contribute to development of disorders Some disorders may be culture-bound

10 Five Axis Diagnosis Axis I Psychological Disorders Axis II Mental Retardation and Personality Disorders Axis III Physical disorders that may contribute to Psychological problems Axis IV Environmental stressors, life events Axis V Global Assessment of Functioning

11 Common Disorders of Childhood

12 Difficulties in Diagnosing Abnormal Behavior in Children Children develop at different rates Children often do not tell us what they are experiencing or thinking Wider range of normal for children than for adults

13 Pervasive Developmental Disorders Autism mild to severe Delay in verbal development Deficit in understanding and responding to emotions, either of the self or others Ritualistic or repetitive behaviors single focus Asperger s Syndrome Deficit in understanding and responding to emotions, either of the self or others Ritualistic or repetitive behaviors single focus Understood as high functioning autistic spectrum Rett s Disorder Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

14 Mental Retardation or Cognitive Disability Trauma at birth Down s Syndrome Trisome 21 Fragile X Syndrome disjunction on the X Most common cause of Mental Retardation Afflict many more boys than girls Levels of Disability Mild retardation - I.Q. of Moderate retardation - I.Q. of Severe retardation - I.Q. of Profound retardation - I.Q. below 20.

15 Learning Disabilities Not related to overall intelligence Perceptual problems or problems with attention and reasoning Types of Disorders: Reading Disorder aka Dyslexia Mathematics Disorder aka Dyscalculia Disorders of Written Expression Central Auditory Disorder Attentional Disorders AD/HD Predominantly Inattentive type

16 Disruptive Behavior Disorders AD/HD Impulsivity plus attentional problems Combined Type or Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive Type ODD oppositional behavior CD aggressive, violent, selfcentered

17 Feeding and Elimination Disorders Pica Rumination Disorder Encopresis Primary Type Secondary Type Eneuresis Primary Type Secondary Type

18 Other Disorders of Childhood Selective Mutism Separation Anxiety Disorder School Phobia Reactive Attachment Disorder Tourette s Syndrome Both vocal and motor tics

Oklahoma Psychological Association DSM-5 Panel November 8-9, 2013 Jennifer L. Morris, Ph.D.

Oklahoma Psychological Association DSM-5 Panel November 8-9, 2013 Jennifer L. Morris, Ph.D. DSM-5 continues developmental progression, starting with disorders that are observed in early life. Disorders