Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology Ronald Comer Chapter 14 Disorders of childhood and adolescence © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Maladaptive Behavior in Different Life Periods Developmental psychopathology Study of origins and course of individual maladaptation in context of normal growth processes © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Varying Clinical Pictures Some childhood disorders short-lived and nonspecific Others severely affect future development © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Varying Clinical Pictures Child inpatient psychiatric patients More likely than peers to die early in life More likely to die due to unnatural causes © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Special Psychological Vulnerabilities of Young Children They do not have as complex and realistic view of themselves and their world as they will have later They have less self-understanding They have not yet developed stable sense of identity They have not yet developed a clear understanding of what is expected of them and what resources they might have to deal with problems © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Classification of Childhood and Adolescent Disorders No categories for children’s disorders DSM-I included only two childhood disorders Early diagnostic systems More attention paid to developmental factors in creating and using diagnoses for children Recent systems © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Separation anxiety disorder Excessive anxiety about separation from major attachment figures, such as their mother, and from familiar home surroundings. 4% of school children © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Anxiety Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence Characteristics Unrealistic fears Oversensitivity Self-consciousness Nightmares Chronic anxiety © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Anxiety Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence Causes and treatments Pattern of early family relationships Psychopharmacological treatments and behavior therapy © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Major Depressive Disorder headaches, stomach pain, irritability, and a disinterest in toys and games Clinical depression is much more common among teenagers than among young children By age 16 – girls 2x more depressed than boys Comer, Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, 7e

Varying Clinical Pictures True or false? Suicidal thoughts are uncommon in children. © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Childhood Depression Causal factors Biological and learning factors Exposure to trauma Parental negative emotion/behavior © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Extreme mood swings and aggressive, irritable behavior Bipolar disorder Extreme mood swings and aggressive, irritable behavior Increasingly diagnosed in children and adolescents © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Childhood Depression and Bipolar Disorder Treatment Antidepressant medications Supportive emotional environment Cognitive-behavioral therapy © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bipolar Disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder childhood bipolar label has been overapplied DSM-5 included disruptive mood dysregulation disorder children with severe patterns of rage Comer, Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, 7e

Oppositional defiant disorder Recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that persists for at least six months Conduct disorder Persistent, repetitive violation of rules and disregard for rights of others for at least 1 year Aggression to people and animals Destruction of property Theft Serious violations of rules © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Three Subtypes of Oppositional Defiant Disorder Angry/Irritable Mood Argumentative/Defiant Behavior Vindictiveness © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder Possible causes Biological factors Personal pathology Family patterns Peer relationships © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder Effective treatments = cohesive family model and behavioral techniques Ineffective treatment = Punitive treatments © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3 Types of (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Predominately inattentive Predominately hyperactive/impulsive Combined Associated with numerous impairments Behavioral Cognitive Social and academic problems

The Causes of ADHD: Biological Contributions Genetic contributions ADHD seems to run in families DAT1 - gene has been implicated

Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment methods Medications Behavior therapy Family therapy © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Biological Treatment of ADHD Goal of biological treatments To reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and to improve attention Stimulant medications Reduce core symptoms in 70% of cases Examples include Ritalin, Pemoline, Focalin, Cylert, Vyvanse, Adderall, Strattera

Behavioral Treatment of ADHD Reinforcement programs To increase appropriate behaviors Decrease inappropriate behaviors May also involve parent training

Behavior Modification

Elimination Disorders Enuresis Functional enuresis Bedwetting that is not organically caused Age ≥ 5 Gender © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sleepwalking, and Tics Parasomnias Sleepwalking Incidence level Tics Persistent, intermittent muscle twitches or spasms, usually limited to a localized muscle group Tourette’s disorder Extreme tic disorder involving multiple motor and vocal patterns © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Wide range of problematic behaviors 1) Social deficit 2) Communication deficits 3) rigid and repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities Self-stimulation Impaired intellectual ability Preoccupation with maintaining sameness © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Cause Precise causes unknown Fundamental disturbance of central nervous system likely involved © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment Behavior of autistic children not normalized through treatment behavior modification techniques reduce some symptoms © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intellectual Disability Characterized by deficits in general mental abilities, such as reasoning, problem solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgment, academic learning, and learning from experience. © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

DSM-V Levels of Intellectual disability (ID) Mild ID IQ score between 55 and 70 Moderate ID IQ range of 40 to 54 Severe ID IQs ranging from 25 to 39 Profound ID IQ scores below 25

Causal Factors in Intellectual Disability Genetic-chromosomal factors Infections and toxic agents Trauma Ionizing radiation Malnutrition and other biological factors Some biological factors: © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Organic Retardation Syndromes Intellectual disability stemming primarily from biological causes Down Syndrome Phenylketonuria Cranial anomalies © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hydrocephalus © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Trisomy 21

Treatments, Outcomes, and Prevention Treatment methods Institutionalization Education and inclusion programming © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Academic Characteristics Reading (dyslexia) Deficits in: Written language (dysgraphia) Mathematics (dyscalculia)

Dyslexia

Learning Disorders Diagnosis of learning disorders Clear impairment in school performance or daily living activities Impairment not due to intellectual disability or autism © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Causal Factors in Learning Disorders Causes Possibly subtle central nervous system impairments © 2014, 2013, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.