Abnormal Psychology

Overview F Is mental illness different from medical illness? F How common is mental illness? F How is mental illness diagnosed? F Examples of mental disorders

The Mind-Body Problem F Is mental illness distinct from medical illness? F Assumes a duality of mind and body F Reminder: everything we think and do is related to brain activity

How Common is Mental Illness? F About 50% of the population experiences at least one mental illness. F Almost everyone will either have a mental illness or know somebody who does

Diagnosing Psychological Disorders F Diagnosis has pros and cons F Reliability varies according to diagnostic method and type of disorder F Use of DSM-IV

DSM-IV Axes F 1. Major Clinical Syndromes F 2. Personality Disorders and Mental Retardation F 3. General Medical Conditions F 4. Psychosocial and Environmental Problems F 5. Global Assessment of Functioning

Examples of Axis I Disorders F Mood Disorders –Major Depressive Disorder F Anxiety Disorders –Obsessive Compulsive Disorder F Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder F bad mood F lack of interest or motivation F abnormal eating F abnormal sleeping F difficulty concentrating F feeling worthless F suicidal thoughts

MDD: Possible Causes F Genetic predisposition F Neurotransmitter imbalance, e.g. insufficient serotonin F Stress and related hormonal changes, e.g. increased cortisol level F Learned Helplessness

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder F obsessions: persistent, irrational thoughts F compulsions: impulses to perform repeated behaviors

OCD: Possible Causes F Genetic predisposition F Neurotransmitter problem, e.g., underactive GABA system (inhibitory neurotransmitter) F Brain abnormality, e.g., decreased white matter (axons) F Learned response to reduce anxiety

Schizophrenia F NOT “split personality” F Disordered thinking F Symptoms vary according to subtype

Paranoid Schizophrenia F Delusions –Grandeur –Paranoia –Reference F Hallucinations, esp. auditory

Catatonic Schizophrenia F Disordered movement –Rigidity –Wild movement

Disorganized Schizophrenia F Disorganized speech –Loose associations –Neologisms F Hallucinations F Delusions F Inappropriate Affect

Schizophrenia: Other Subtypes F Undifferentiated: pattern does not fall into any of the other categories F Residual: No current symptoms, but previous episodes of symptoms

Schizophrenia: Possible Causes F Genetic predisposition F Abnormality in brain function/structure, e.g., frontal lobes F Early exposure to viruses F Abnormal dopamine system –Too much: positive symptoms –Too little: negative symptoms