Psychological Disorders Psychology

Psychological Disorders are ongoing patterns of thoughts, feelings, and actions that are deviant, distressful, and/or dysfunctional.

DSM-V-TR (May, 2013) DSM-V-TR, American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, updated as of 2013 “text revision”. Contains criteria for diagnosing each of the disorders it covers. Major Purpose! DSM-V-TR does not presume to explain the causes, it describes various disorders. Diagnostic guidelines are RELIABLE.

General Class of Disorders covered in class Disorders of Childhood Anxiety Disorders Somatoform Disorders Mood Disorders Psychotic Disorders Dissociative Disorders

Developmental Disorders Disorders of Childhood Psychology

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) A childhood disorder characterized by inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness, and/or excessive activity, and restlessness.

Specifiers ADHD, Combined Type ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type Also known as ADD

Diagnostic criteria for ADHD Six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level. Symptoms were present before age 7 years. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings.

Diagnostic criteria continue… There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder.

Sample: Criteria for Inattention Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities If often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli

Sample criteria for hyperactivity-impulsivity Often fidgets w/ hands or feet or squirms in seat. Of ten leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

Prevalence ADHD affects approx. 7% of the pop. in school-age children. 80% of the children diagnosed w/ ADHD are males.

What causes ADHD? We do not know what causes ADHD. Genetics? (Brain Disorder)May be a malfunction in the prefrontal cortex

Treatment for ADHD Properly administered drug therapy, along with behavioral therapy, can improve attention and diminish hyperactivity in a majority (about 70%) of individuals diagnosed w/ ADHD.

Ritalin and Adderall Stimulant Children and adults w/ ADHD become calmer and better able to focus when on Ritalin. Stimulants increase the availability of dopamine and/or serotonin in their brains.

Ritalin and Adderall are not a miracle cures Ritalin and Adderall are not a miracle cures. For some patients the side effects are a problem: Interfere w/ normal sleep patterns Slow or difficult speech Weight loss Small children (stunt of growth)

The End Psychology

Symptoms Can become attached to objects Have a powerful need for “sameness” Few become capable of normal speech Echolalia: the person “echoes”, or repeats, what has just been said. Unusual sensory experiences

What causes A.D.? The exact cause of autism is not known.

Recent finding Using MRI brain scans, researchers found that the area of the brain called the amygdala was, on average, 13 percent larger in young children with autism, compared with control group of children without autism. (2009) A normal-sized amygdala helps a person process faces and emotions, behavior commonly known as joint attention.

Cure? No cure for A.D. No specific drug No specific treatment Why? B/c there are degrees of autism: High functioning individuals respond well to treatment. Ex. Ph.D. Temple Grandin Ex. Dustin Hoffman character in Rain Man

Current research Is ADHD over-diagnosis? Possibly. Is there a gender bias in the diagnosing? Apparently so, according to new research released this month. Researchers sent made-up case descriptions to over 1,000 child psychologists and therapist for diagnosing. Some had missing key diagnostic criteria and other varied only in the gender of the child being described. The professionals mis-diagnosed ADHD in16% of the cases, but more disturbing is that they diagnosed ADHD in boys twice as often as in girls - even when the descriptions were identical. Bruchmüller, K. (2012). Is ADHD diagnosed in accord with diagnostic criteria? Over diagnosis and influence of client gender on diagnosis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol 80(1), 128-138.

Autistic Disorder (spectrum disorder) A childhood disorder characterized by a failure to develop normal patterns of communication, social interactions, and emotional responses.

A.D. Present at birth Signs of the disorder usually appear within the first 30 months after birth. Can be diagnosed before the age of three

Prevalence Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States. 1 out of 88 children (2011). Approx. three times as many males as females suffer from autism.

Symptoms Infants: exhibit no social smiling, and do not respond well to being held or cuddled. Children: tantrums, spin or rock themselves, stare off into space. Little sensitivity to pain Rarely maintain eye contact w/ others. Lack a theory of mind

Early Warning Signs Your child does not babble or coo by 12 months of age. Your child does not gesture, such as point or wave, by 12 months of age. Your child does not say single words by 16 months. Your child does not say two-word phrases on his or her own (rather than just repeating what someone else says) by 24 months.