ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: PSY30010

WEEK 1 – CHAPTER ONE (pg. 25-54)

Abnormal psychology (also known as psychopathology): is concerned with understanding that nature, causes and
treatment of mental disorders. To understand mental disorders, abnormal psychologists are required to ask the kinds of
questions that will enable them to help the patients and families who have mental disorders. These questions are part
of the research-based approach used in abnormal psych, which uses scientific inquiry and careful observation to
improve understanding.

Family aggregation: when a disorder runs in a family (i.e., alcoholism)

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY ABNORMALITY? (pg. 27)

- There is currently no consensus on what is meant by abnormality or disorder. It is elusive.

- There is no single behaviour that makes a person abnormal.
- There are some indicators

The more difficulties a person has in the following areas, the more likely they are to have some form of a
mental disorder: INDICATORS OF ABNORMALITY
Experiencing psychological pain that causes distress. Can include things like the anxiety of
SUBJECTIVE DISTRESS being exceedingly worried. The distress experienced is subjective. Although it is often an
indicator of some type of mental disorder, it is not a constant factor for all mental
disorders.
When something causes a person to become maladaptive – less functional (i.e., an
anorexic starving herself so much that she needs hospital; or a depressed person
MALADAPTIVENESS withdrawing so much that he doesn’t leave the house to work etc for months).
Note: Although some behaviours are considered abnormal, they aren’t necessarily
maladaptive – someone who is a con artist might be behaving abnormally, but it is not
maladaptive to his functioning.
The value judgements used in defining abnormality; if something is statistically rare and
STATISTICAL undesirable it is more likely to be considered abnormal, than something that is
DEVIANCY statistically rare and highly desirable (i.e., being a genius); or, something that is
undesirable but statistically common (i.e., rudeness).
Although many social rules are arbitrary to some extent, when people fail to follow the
VIOLATION OF THE conventional, social and moral rules of their cultural group, their behaviour may be
STANDARDS OF considered abnormal.
SOCIETY This typically depends on the magnitude of the violation and on how commonly the rule
is violated by others. A behaviour is more likely to be viewed as abnormal if it violates the
standards of society and it is statistically deviant or rare.
SOCIAL DISCOMFORT When a person’s abnormal behaviour causes others to experience social discomfort…
this can be used as an indicator for abnormal behaviour. This is very circumstantial.
IRRATIONALITY AND When a person’s behaviour appears to be out of their control and is irrational (i.e.,
UNPREDICTABILITY screaming random words and rolling around on the ground). Such behaviour is often
symptomatic for illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (the manic phase).
A person who is a danger to him-self and/or others is typically psychologically abnormal.
DANGEROUSNESS However, this factor needs to be measured as some dangerous behaviours are
considered normal – also not all disorder patients are dangerous.
*Dangerousness is more the exception than a rule.
* As the above criteria for disorders demonstrate, decisions about abnormal behaviour always involve social
judgements and are based on the values of society. Thus, culture plays a role in determining what is normal
and abnormal. As society is a changing structure, what is considered normal or abnormal changes across time
and cultures.
HORMONAL IMBALANCES (pg.98)

Hormones: chemical messengers which are secreted by endocrine glands – each endocrine gland produces its own
hormones or set of hormones.

The CNS is inked to the endocrine system (in the neuroendocrine system) through the hypothalamus’ effects on the
pituitary gland – the master gland which produces a variety of hormones which regulate and control all of the
endocrine glands.

The hypo thalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis:

Sex hormones: produced by the gonadal glands. Gonadal hormones not only can influence behaviour, but can also
influence the development of the CNS, which contributes to some of the behavioural differences between men and
women.

TEMPERAMENT (pg. 99)

Temperament: refers to a child’s reactivity and characteristic ways of self-regulating their behaviour, which are believed
to be biologically programmed. These factors are influenced by both genetic factors and also prenatal and postnatal
environmental factors. *Our early temperament is believed to be the basis from which our personality develops*.

Starting at 2 to 3 months of age, FIVE dimensions of temperament have been identified:

1. Fearfulness 2. Irritability/frustration 3. Positive affect

4. Activity level 5. Attentional persistence.

These seem to be related to THREE dimensions of adult personality: INFANT BEHAVIOURS

1. Neuroticism/negative emotionality > (fearfulness and irritability – few gender differences)
2. Extraversion/positive emotionality > (positive affect)
3. Constraint, or conscientiousness/agreeableness > (Attentional persistence and effortful control)

- on average, boys show slightly higher levels of activity and intense pleasure than girls, while girls (on average) seem to
have greater control over their impulses and have greater ability to regulate their attention levels.
- Some aspects of temperament typically appear to remain stable from around 12 months of age into middle childhood.
- A child temperament effects their experiences (i.e., a fearful child will experience more things as scary)
- Children with > positive affect and activity > higher levels of mastery motivation
- Children with > ear and sadness < mastery motivation .
Children with > negative emotionality > more difficult for parents to be supportive of.

Temperament sets the stage for various psychopathology developments later in life
(i.e., > fearful and hypervigilant = behaviourally inhibited in unfamiliar situations >> @ RISK OF ANXIETY DISORDER
While un-inhibited (not fearful or hypervigilant) might lead to difficulties in learning moral standards >> aggression @
13yrs + hostility = CONDUCT DISORDER & ANTISOCIAL PERSONALIITY DISORDER.
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: PSY30010
WEEK 2 – CHAPTER ONE (pg. 160-197)
Behavioural medicine: an approach to physical illnesses which are concerned with or worsened by psychological factors
which predispose individuals to medical problems (i.e., negative life event, personality traits, coping styles or lack of
support). Behavioural medicine thus also considers the effects that stress can have on the physical body
(i.e., immune functioning, endocrine, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular).

Health psychology (a subspecialty of behavioural medicine): is concerned with the effects of stress and other
psychological factors in both the development and maintenance of physical problems.

The diathesis stress model specifically acknowledges the role that stress can play in triggering onset of mental disorder
in vulnerable people.

WHAT IS STRESS (pg.161)

5.1 Explain the factors that make people more stress sensitive and the characteristics of stressors that make them
hardest to cope with

Stress typically occurs when we experience (or perceive) challenges to physical or emotional well-being that exceed our
coping abilities and resources. It is an interactive construct, reflecting the interaction between the organism and the
environment over time.

Stressors – are external demands – any situation which requires adjustment could be considered as stressful –

Stressors can be either positive or negative, with both potentially taxing a person’s resources and coping skills.

Distress is bad stress, which has the potential to do more damage.

Coping strategies – are the efforts to deal with stress

STRESS AND THE DSM (pg.162)

The relationship between stress and psychopathy is important. This is why yhe DSM-5 includes a diagnostic category for
trauma and stress related disorders. These disorders involve patterns of psychological and behavioural disturbances
that occur in response to identifiable stressors.

The key differences are In the severity, the nature and the time frame during which the disorder occurs.

FACTORS PREDISPOSING A PERSON TO STRESS

It is important to remember that people perceive situations differently. Some are more likely to develop long-term
problems under stress than others.

Adolescents with parents who are depressed are more sensitive to stressful events – they are also more likely to have
problems with depression after experiencing stressful life events.

Some individual characteristics have also been identified as improving a person’s ability to handle stress:

- Optimism - Greater physiological control/mastery - Good self-esteem - Good social support

It is now widely accepted that our genetic makeup can render us more or less sensitive to stress.
- a particular form of the 5HTTLPR gene has been linked to persons’ likelihood of becoming depressed in the face of life
stress >> Two short forms of the gene were more likely to develop when the individual experiences 4 or more stressful
life events. This is most marked for interpersonal events.
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: PSY30010
WEEK 4 – CHAPTER SEVEN (pg. 244-293)
MOOD DISORDERS
Mood disorders: involve severe alterations in mood for long periods of time. The disturbances are intense and
persistent, leading to serious problems in relationships and work performance.
They are diverse in nature, but all involve extremes of emotion (aka affect) which dominate the clinical picture.
Abnormal mood is the defining feature.

AN OVERVIEW
- Describe the types of mood disorders, their primary symptoms and their prevalence.

There are TWO key moods involved in mood disorders

(1) Depression – feelings of extraordinary sadness and dejection

(2) Mania – intense and unrealistic feelings of excitement and euphoria.

Mixed episode cases: Sometimes an individual may have symptoms of mania and depression during the same time
period – rapidly alternating between moods like sadness, euphoria and irritability within the same period of illness.

TYPES OF MOOD DISORDERS

Unipolar depressive disorders: experience depressive episodes only.

Depressive episodes are the most common form of mood disturbance – the person is markedly depressed or
lacking interest in usual life activities. The depressive symptoms must last at least two weeks, alongside other
symptoms such as changes in appetite and/or sleep, or feelings of worthlessness.

Bipolar and related disorders: experience depressive and manic episodes.

Manic episodes occur when a person shows markedly elevated euphoric or expansive mood which are often
interrupted by outbursts of irritability or even violence. The extreme state must persist for at least a week,
alongside three or more additional symptoms such as, behavioural symptoms (i.e., increased goal directed
activity), mental symptoms (i.e., inflated self-esteem) and physical symptoms (i.e., decreased need for sleep).

Hypomanic episode: has the same symptoms as mania but is milder and shorter.

Hypomanic episodes involve experiencing abnormally elevated, expansive or irritable mood for at least 4 days
as well as three other symptoms (i.e., inflated self-esteem, flights of ideas, pressured speech). The symptoms for
mania and hypomania are the same, however for hypomanic episodes there is much less impairment and
hospitalisation is not required.

PREVALENCE OF MOOD DISORDERS (pg. 246)

Major depressive disorder which is unipolar (only depressive episodes occur) is the most common mood disorder.
It has 17% prevalence. It is also the second most common disorder globally.
Higher for women than for men > except for in children, where boys are equally likely to become depressed.

Unipolar depression is related to SES, where lower SES leads to higher rates of unipolar depression. This may be
because of increased life stress and adversity.

Bipolar disorder which includes both manic and depressive episodes (hence the name) is much less common, with a
prevalence of 1% and no gender differences.

Bipolar is NOT related to SES. Although applicable to unipolar depression too, bipolar is markedly higher in
poets, writers and artists. Mania may actually facilitate the creative process, and depressive episodes may give
creative material for creative expression.
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: PSY30010
WEEK 5 – CHAPTER EIGHT (pg. 307-316 and pg. 294-299 )
DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
Somatic symptom disorder: when a person feels extreme anxiety about physical symptoms (i.e., fatigue, pain,
shortness of breath) and those thoughts begin to interfere with daily functioning, even when medical advice has
excluded serious conditions. The fear of what might be the cause of these pains can cause emotional and physical
suffering.

Dissociative disorders: Involve alterations or detachments in consciousness, memory, identity or perception of/from
the environment. Occurring when the normal processes which regulate awareness become disorganised, leading to
anomalies of consciousness and personal identity.

SOMATIC SYMPTOM AND RELATED DISORDERS: AN OVERVIEW (pg.294)

- List four disorders included in the DMS-5 category of somatic symptom related disorders

Somatic symptom and related disorders are a new category in the DSM-5. Included within this category are conditions
that involve physical symptoms combined with abnormal thoughts, feelings and behaviours in response to those
symptoms. People with somatic symptoms experience bodily symptoms that cause them significant psychological
distress and impairment.

Previously in the DSM-IV emphasis was placed on the symptoms being medically unexplained, however in the DSM-5 no
distinction is made between medically explained and unexplained symptoms

Soma = body

Studies conducted throughout the world suggest that between 20%-50% of physical symptoms which cause people to
visit doctors remain medically unexplained. For some this is okay, however a subset of patients will remain convinced
that something is wrong and continue to seek help for their physical problems.

It is estimated approximately 20% of doctor visits are caused by complaints of this kind.

There are FOUR main somatic symptom related disorders

1. Somatic symptom disorder

2. Illness anxiety disorder

3. Conversion disorder

4. Factitious disorder

SOMATIC SYMPTOM DISORDER (pg. 245)

- Explain the causes of and treatments for somatic symptom disorder

Somatic symptom disorder: The most major diagnosis in the category. Comprising and inclusive of disorders that were
previously considered as separate:

1. Hypochondriasis (fear of contracting or having serious disease even though they do not)

2. Somatization

3. Pain disorder