1. Abnormal Psychology Abnormal Psychology: study of behavior & mental processes connected with emotional distress or impairment in functioning

3. Psychological Disorders About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a DSM-IV disorder at some time in life About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a DSM-IV disorder at some time in life By age 75, the lifetime probability of a(n)… By age 75, the lifetime probability of a(n)… Anxiety disorder (including phobias) = 32% Anxiety disorder (including phobias) = 32% Mood disorder (including depression) = 28% Mood disorder (including depression) = 28% Impulse control = 25% Impulse control = 25% Alcohol abuse = 15% Alcohol abuse = 15% Drug abuse = 9% Drug abuse = 9% Median age of onset is earlier for anxiety disorders and impulse control (11 years) than for substance abuse disorders (20 years) and mood disorders (30 years) Median age of onset is earlier for anxiety disorders and impulse control (11 years) than for substance abuse disorders (20 years) and mood disorders (30 years) Half of all cases start by 14 years and ¾ of cases start by 24 years Half of all cases start by 14 years and ¾ of cases start by 24 years

4. Psychological Disorders Rates of mental illness have flattened in the past 15 years after steadily rising from the 1950s Rates of mental illness have flattened in the past 15 years after steadily rising from the 1950s More people are seeking treatment  41% of those having a disorder went for treatment in the prior year which is up from 25% a decade ago More people are seeking treatment  41% of those having a disorder went for treatment in the prior year which is up from 25% a decade ago Younger adults are more likely to seek prompt care, so the stigma of mental illness is waning Younger adults are more likely to seek prompt care, so the stigma of mental illness is waning Because schizophrenia, autism, and some other severe disorders were not surveyed, the researchers conclude that he prevalence of psychological disorders is even higher than their statistics suggest Because schizophrenia, autism, and some other severe disorders were not surveyed, the researchers conclude that he prevalence of psychological disorders is even higher than their statistics suggest

5. Historical Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior – Old Beliefs Perceived CausesPerceived Causes –Movements of sun or moon (lunacy = full moon) –Evil spirits, demonic possession Ancient TreatmentsAncient Treatments –Exorcism, caged like animals, beaten/burned, castrated, mutilated, blood replaced with animal’s blood, trephening

6. Trephening = cut hole in head to let out evil spirit

7. Historical Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior In the 1800s, disturbed people no longer thought of as “madmen” but as “mentally ill”In the 1800s, disturbed people no longer thought of as “madmen” but as “mentally ill” Early mental hospitalsEarly mental hospitals –Barbaric prisons –Patients chained & locked away –Charged admission to see “crazies”

8. Fig. 16.5 The Mad Hatter, from Lewis Carroll ’ s Alice ’ s Adventures in Wonderland. History provides numerous examples of psychosis caused by toxic chemicals. Carroll ’ s Mad Hatter character is modeled after an occupational disease of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In that era, hatmakers were heavily exposed to mercury used in the preparation of felt. Consequently, many suffered brain damage and became psychotic, or “ mad ” (Kety, 1979). © Bettmann/CORBIS

9. Historical Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior – 18 th & 19 th Centuries Philippe Pinel (France)Philippe Pinel (France) –Compassionate model for treatment – humane hospital in Paris William Tuke (England)William Tuke (England) –Trained nurses for mentally ill, change public attitudes Benjamin Rush (U.S.)Benjamin Rush (U.S.) –Founder of American psychiatry –Encouraged humane treatment, establishment of hospitals

10. It’s All a Matter of Degree

11. Epidemiology v. Etiology Epidemiology is the study of diseases in populations of humans or other animals, specifically how, when and where they occur. –Epidemiological studies can never prove causation –Incidence = new cases of a condition which occur during a specified period –Prevalence = cases (both new and existing) of a condition observed at a point in time or during a period of time. Etiology is the study of the origins and causes of disease

12. Rosenhan’s “Labeling” Study How does being “labeled” affect one’s treatment by others? Had 7 confederates admitted to mental hospitals, labeled as schizophrenic The confederates were told not to show any unusual behaviors at all, but be completely normal Normal events/behaviors were perceived as irregular and abnormal by hospital staff Rosenhan reasoned that labels were so powerful that they profoundly affected the way information was processed & perceived

13. Practical Approach for Identifying Abnormality What is the content of the behavior?What is the content of the behavior? –I stop bathing –I shower 37 times every day What is the sociocultural context in which the behavior occurs?What is the sociocultural context in which the behavior occurs? –We are expected to not smell –We are expected to show up to work on time What are the consequences of the behavior for that person and for others?What are the consequences of the behavior for that person and for others? –People avoid me –I get fired from my job

14. What is “Abnormal”? Maladaptive or harmful to individualMaladaptive or harmful to individual Disturbing to othersDisturbing to others Atypical or uncommonAtypical or uncommon Unjustifiable – does not make sense, irrationalUnjustifiable – does not make sense, irrational Psych disorders must cause significant personal distress and impair the ability to function in one or more areas of life

15. Psychological Disorders- Etiology Neurotic disorder (term seldom used now)Neurotic disorder (term seldom used now) –usually distressing but that allows one to think rationally and function socially –Freud saw the neurotic disorders as ways of dealing with anxiety Psychotic disorderPsychotic disorder –person loses contact with reality –experiences irrational ideas and distorted perceptions

16. Psychological Disorders- Etiology Organic Mental Disorder: mental or emotional problem caused by brain pathology (injury, disease)Organic Mental Disorder: mental or emotional problem caused by brain pathology (injury, disease) Substance Related Disorders: abuse or dependence on a mind- or mood-altering drug, like alcohol or cocaineSubstance Related Disorders: abuse or dependence on a mind- or mood-altering drug, like alcohol or cocaine –Person cannot stop using the substance & suffer withdrawal symptoms of they do

17. How are psychological disorders diagnosed? Interviews, self-reportsInterviews, self-reports Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4 th Ed.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4 th Ed.  known as DSM-IV Published by the American Psychiatric AssociationPublished by the American Psychiatric Association Provides set of criteria, but does NOT identify causes or treatmentsProvides set of criteria, but does NOT identify causes or treatments

18. The DSM-IV defines symptoms & diagnoses using hierarchy (Five Axes) Axis 1:Adult psychological disorders (depression, schizophrenia, etc.) Axis 1: Adult psychological disorders (depression, schizophrenia, etc.) Axis 2: Developmental disorders (mental retardation, learning disability), personality disorders Axis 3: Medical conditions Axis 4: Social and environmental sources of stress (loss of job, death of loved one, divorce) Axis 5: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score Scale ranges from 1 to 100 Score of 100 = unimpaired Score of 1 = severe dysfunction

19. The DSM-IV defines symptoms & diagnoses using hierarchy (Five Axes ) Axis 1:Alcohol dependence Axis 1: Alcohol dependence Axis 2: Dependent personality disorder Axis 3: Diabetes Axis 4: Death of spouse, unemployment Axis 5: GAF = 60 (moderate symptoms, occasional panic attacks, difficulty in school/work/social functioning)

20. Perspective Causes of Disorder Biological(Biomedical) Psychoanalytic Humanistic Organic problems (i.e. brain functioning), biochemical imbalances (neurotransmitters), heredity Unconscious conflicts & impulses stemming from childhood Failure to strive to one’s potential, out of touch with one’s feelings

21. Perspective Causes of Disorder Cognitive Behavioral(Learning) Sociocultural Irrational, dysfunctional thoughts or thought processes Abnormal behaviors are observed and/or reinforced Dysfunctional society (i.e. society’s pressure to be thin or powerful, gender socialization, etc.)

22. Biopsychosocial Model Biological (Evolution, individual genes, brain structures and chemistry) Psychological (Stress, trauma, learned helplessness, mood-related perceptions and memories) Sociocultural (Roles, expectations, definition of normality and disorder) Assumes that biological, socio- cultural, and psychological factors combine and interact to produce psychological disorders

23. FYI… Intern’s syndrome  tendency to see self as having symptoms & characteristics of disorder that one is learning Comorbidity  disorders can occur together (depression is sometimes comorbid with an anxiety disorder)

24. Categories of Disorders Anxiety Somatoform Dissociative Mood Personality Schizophrenic Sexual & Gender Identity Eating Substance Abuse Etc.