Psychological Disorders

The Nature of Mental Disorders At any given time, the percentage of Canadians who have a mental illness: 10.4% (35 million people, this means that 3640000 people have a mental illness) -20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime. -Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and income levels, and cultures.

The Nature of Mental Disorders It is surprising how incredibly difficult it is to define a mental disorder Example: “I think I am Obama” This would be obvious, but very few people with psychological problems are anything like that…

The Nature of Mental Disorders Media is often inaccurate (on everything…) -Halloween, The Shining… can you think of any others? Mental Illness is usually viewed as negative and scary

The Nature of Mental Disorders While a handful of those with mental disorders are dangerous, the average mental patient is confused and withdrawn, bothering no one. Statistically, mental patients are less violent than those making up the “normal” general public

Causes of Psychological Disorders For hundreds of years, most societies saw abnormal behaviour as a sign of evil. Throughout the middle ages, “treatment” involved drilling holes in the afflicted persons head to let the evil spirits out. Until the end of the 18th century, the mentally ill in western cultures were viewed as mindless beasts who could only be controlled with chains and physical discipline. Curious visitors could pay to view the mentally ill as if they were animals in a zoo.

Causes of Mental Disorders While today’s psychologists have ruled out evil spirits as the source of mental illness, we still have a ways to go Much of the time, a specific cause of a particular disorder cannot be determined. Textbook has 3 factors… Psychological Sociocultural Biological

Causes of Mental Illness 1) Much of the time it is psychological Personal experiences, subconscious mind, traumas, internal conflicts -Having a lot of stress in one’s life can cause problems… However, stress may cause general anxiety in one person, phobias in another, and depression in yet another! And no one knows why these differences emerge.

Causes of Mental Illness 2) A persons cultural background may influence there psychological health -Emotion could be seen as a weakness in some societies, anorexia rarely found outside of North America (as we see western culture spread, these problems appear else where) A person who hears voices seen as crazy vs. a form of spiritual guidance.

Causes of Mental Illness 3) A person’s Biological Nature Psychological problems are directly related to underlying brain or nervous system disorders, subtle alterations in the brain’s tissue or it’s chemical messengers can have a dramatic influence. -Some people are psychologically prone to panic attacks and depression due to their biological makeup… -Tumors in certain areas can cause extreme changes (“Texas Tower Sniper”) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShlbXlfQlkU

1, 2, 3, In many instances then the causes of the disorder may be Psychological, Sociocultural, Biological, or some combination of these factors.

1,2,3 Consider the most common form of psychological disorder… Depression Evidence suggests it is biological and genetic. But they also suggest it is cognitive (psychological), how you think and how you interpret various events. What about social factors (culture) such as the amount and availability of family/friend support? For more severe disorders, the causes are frequently more clear cut, and biological factors are usually at work.

WARNING You may be tempted to personalize the disorders “Oh that’s me for sure, and that too!” The same thing happens when we flip through a medical book and begin to believe we suffer from some of the ailments… This is a NORMAL temptation, but that is probably all it is. Any one of us will have some of the symptoms described.

Note: There is something abnormal in all normal people Note: There is something abnormal in all normal people. We have all done something strange that we don’t want people to know about… By itself, this is not significant. Mental health is all a matter of degree, and we all fluctuate as things happen and effect out lives (pg. 505)

Abnormal Behaviour How do we define Abnormal Behaviour? 1) The person may suffer from discomfort more or less continuously 2) The person may behave in a bizarre fashion 3) People who need help may be very inefficient

1 The person may suffer from discomfort more or less continuously (Extreme anxiety, endless worry, long periods of depression…) Constantly see a threatening environment (They see danger, rejection and failure around every corner)

The person may behave in a bizarre fashion 2 The person may behave in a bizarre fashion (Misinterprets what is happening, comes apart over minor things, sinks easily into depression…) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tqmXTYa3Xw

People who need help may be very inefficient 3 People who need help may be very inefficient (They are unable to perform their life roles properly… for example: alcoholic who refuses to accept they have a problem, someone who watches family fall apart, student who has nothing but trouble with school and teachers)

1,2,3, Any one of these symptoms or a combination can indicate trouble… Many people in need of help have trouble getting along with others and are typically inflexible (they cannot go with the flow of life but instead plow ahead with a fixed set of responses to almost everything) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS55-q4fOjU (short) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WavFJbD_XN4 (long)

Looking at Mental Disorders We will look at various mental disorders, be aware that a stigma is often attached to people who have been diagnosed with a mental disorder (this is because people fear what they do not understand)

Looking at Mental Disorders Consequently people suffering from a mental disorder may be avoided or treated unfairly by others (This is especially sad because usually what is most helpful for them is having emotional support from family and friends). We have come a long way in our society, but still have a long way to go. Remember that people with mental disorders need and deserve our support and understanding, not our ridicule or fear.

Classifying Disorders Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV): A book published by the American Psychiatric Association that classifies the symptoms of mental disorders into formal categories. Over the years it has been revised several times to incorporate new information.

Classifying Disorders Remember, no person fits perfectly into one category and symptoms overlap. The DSM system is used to provide some degree of order and understanding.

Mental Disorders Pg. 513 ‘Childhood’ Disorders Anxiety Disorders Somatofrom Disorders Dissociative Disorders Mood Disorders Personality Disorders Schizophrenia (Psychosis)

Group Work Mental Disorders Your Task 1)‘Childhood’ pg. 506-509 2) Anxiety pg.512-514 3) Somatoform pg. 517 4) Dissociative pg. 518-520 5) Mood pg. 520-525 6) Personality pg. 530-531 7) Schizophrenia pg. 526-527 Using the large paper provided, make notes, draw images, etc… to help you explain your mental disorder to the class Each group will also be providing a page of notes summarizing their disorder that will be photocopied and handed out to the rest of the class.

Disorders of Childhood There are two major disorders that are usually first diagnosed in childhood. -Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or (ADD) -Autistic Disorder Society has good reasons why there are different guidelines for adult behaviour and a child’s behaviour (ex. imaginary friends)

Disorders of Childhood Children with ADHD have a great deal of trouble focusing on the task at hand, are restless, easily frustrated and impulsive. Certain drugs are often useful in treating this disorder Children with Autistic disorder do not develop normal patterns of communication, social interaction and emotional response. (Temple Grandin) http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/temple_grandin_wins_5_emmys_who_is_she-2010-08

Anxiety Disorders Panic Disorders, Phobia disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) -Characterized by apprehension and fear. -In specific phobias, the fear is attached to a certain object or situation -A compulsion involves repeated ritualized behaviour usually related to an obsession (Examples of when YOU are compulsive?)

OCD Checking “Did I lock the door?” Washing “My hands are raw, but I can’t help thinking that they could be a little cleaner” Hoarding “I can’t throw this away! What if I need it later?” Harming “I used to enjoy smoking, but now I cannot help but think that the matches I throw out will start a fire!” Counting “I count everything, ceiling tiles, letters on signs, steps or anything!” Rituals “When I walk through the doorway there HAS to be an even distance between each shoulder!”

Somatoform Disorders Conversion and Hypochondriasis HYPOCHONRIA: Inaccurate perception of the condition of body or mind despite the absence of an actual medical condition CONVERSION: Characterized by bodily symptoms without any actual physical causes. Symptoms may occur because of a psychological conflict and usually begin suddenly after a stressful experience. Persons who have conversion disorder are not making up their symptoms. Symptoms Blindness Inability to speak Numbness Paralysis

Dissociative Disorders Amnesia, Fugue, Dissociative Identity Dissociation is a common defense/reaction to stressful or traumatic situations. Severe isolated traumas or repeated traumas may result in a person developing a dissociative disorder. Impairs the normal state of awareness and limits or alters one’s sense of identity, memory or consciousness Symptoms gaps in your memory finding yourself in a strange place without knowing how you got there out-of-body experiences loss of feeling in parts of your body distorted views of your body forgetting important personal information being unable to recognise your image in a mirror a sense of detachment from your emotions the impression of watching a movie of yourself feelings of being unreal

Mood Disorders Dysthymic Disorder, Major Depression, Mania, Bipolar disorder. Mood disorders affect about 10% of the population. Everyone experiences “highs” and “lows” in life, but people with mood disorders experience them with greater intensity and for longer periods of time than most people Suicide Involve disturbances in people’s emotional states

Personality Disorders Antisocial and Borderline Chronic mental condition in which a person's ways of thinking, perceiving situations and relating to others are dysfunctional — and destructive. Formed peculiar and unpleasant personality patterns

What is Psychosis? Note: A severe disorder may refer to psychosis, when the person is out of touch with reality. Mild disorders would refer to nonpsychotic disorders.

Psychotic Disorders Schizophrenia This brain scan shows a disruption in brain activity.

Schizophrenia The most serious of all mental disturbances. Obvious symptoms are disorganized thoughts and garbled speech, as well as hallucinations and delusions. schiz·o·phre·ni·a noun

What is schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects the way a person acts, thinks, and sees the world. People with schizophrenia have an altered perception of reality, often a significant loss of contact with reality. They may see or hear things that don’t exist, speak in strange or confusing ways, believe that others are trying to harm them, or feel like they’re being constantly watched.

Schizophrenia Most cases of schizophrenia appear in the late teens or early adulthood. In rare cases, schizophrenia can even affect young children and adolescents, although the symptoms are slightly different. The earlier schizophrenia develops, the more severe it is. Schizophrenia also tends to be more severe in men than in women.

Schizophrenia case study

Schizophrenia Although schizophrenia is a chronic disorder, there is help available. With support, medication, and therapy, many people with schizophrenia are able to function independently and live satisfying lives. The outlook is best when schizophrenia is diagnosed and treated right away.

The most common early warning signs of schizophrenia include: Social withdrawal Hostility or suspiciousness Deterioration of personal hygiene Flat, expressionless gaze Inability to cry or express joy Inappropriate laughter or crying Depression Oversleeping or insomnia Odd or irrational statements Forgetful; unable to concentrate Extreme reaction to criticism Strange use of words or way of speaking

Causes of schizophrenia The causes of schizophrenia are not fully known. It appears that schizophrenia usually results from a complex interaction between genetic, structure, and environmental factors.

Genetic causes of schizophrenia Schizophrenia has a strong hereditary component. Individuals with a parent or sibling who has schizophrenia have a 10 percent chance of developing the disorder, as opposed to the 1 percent chance of the general population. But schizophrenia is only influenced by genetics, not determined by it. While schizophrenia runs in families, about 60% of schizophrenics have no family members with the disorder. Individuals who are genetically predisposed to schizophrenia don’t always develop the disease, which shows that biology is not destiny.

Environmental causes of schizophrenia Studies suggest that inherited genes make a person vulnerable to schizophrenia and then environmental factors trigger the disorder. Several stress-inducing environmental: Prenatal exposure to a viral infection Low oxygen levels during birth (from prolonged labor or premature birth) Exposure to a virus during infancy Early parental loss or separation Physical or sexual abuse in childhood

Brain Structure as a cause of schizophrenia Abnormalities in brain structure may also play a role in schizophrenia. Enlarged brain ventricles are seen in some schizophrenics. Low activity in the frontal lobe, the area of the brain responsible for planning, reasoning, and decision-making. Abnormalities in the temporal lobes, hippocampus, and amygdala It is highly unlikely that schizophrenia is the result of any one problem in any one region of the brain.

Schizophrenia Thursday, April 16th Guest Speaker: Schizophrenia Society of Alberta

This is an excellent film for demonstrating schizophrenia, and it was well covered in terms of the aspects of the illness, and the therapy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWwAOutgWBQ

Movie Questions Who is John Nash? (What kind of person would you say that he is? How does he interact with people? What are some of his unusual behaviours? People with schizophrenia have many symptoms, and no two people experience it in the same way. Some common symptoms are: paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. How does John experience these symptoms? How is it revealed that what John sees is not reality? What types of treatment does John receive? How is this different from the treatments used today? How does this film make you feel about mental illness? Do you believe that mental illness is influenced by environment and society? Defend your position using information form the case study on page 528. Was John Nash an unusual case or do you think that many schizophrenic patients can be taught to function in society without medication? Do you think a person with a mental illness who commits an illegal act should receive different/more lenient punishment? Why/Why Not?

Project Research a mental illness Present slideshow to class