1. Intro to Psychopathology Dr. Kayj Nash Okine

2. Fact or Myth ? How much do you know about the field of psychopathology? Read the following statements and specify whether each is true or false. 1.Creative people are usually psychologically disturbed. 2.Psychologically disturbed persons are dangerous. 3.Inkblot tests are bogus. 4.Freud’s theory was all about sex. 5.Behaviorists have no interest in thoughts or feelings. 6.Criminals are born “bad.” 7.People who make a big deal out a traumatic experience are just looking for an easy way out.

3. Fact or Myth ? (continued) 8.Asthma is caused by emotional problems. 9.Most of the people who sexually abuse children are gay men. 10.Suicidal individuals keep their intentions to themselves. 11.People with schizophrenia have multiple personalities. 12.Kids become hyperactive from eating too much sugar. 13.Most older people are “senile.” 14.It’s easy to spot a drug addict. 15.People with eating disorders are uninterested in food.

4. What Is Abnormal? Read the following statements and put a check mark next to the behaviors you regard as abnormal. 1.Kissing another person of the same sex. 2.Slapping one’s child. 3.Driving a nail through one’s hand. 4.Refusing to eat for several days. 5.Barking like a dog and crawling on the floor on one’s hands and knees. 6.Building a shrine to one’s dead spouse in the corner of one’s living room and leaving food and gifts for him/her at the alter.

5. What Is Abnormal? (Continued) 7.Finding a “lucky” seat in an exam. 8.Being unable to sleep, eat, study, or talk to anyone for days after a lover says “it’s over.” 9.Breaking into a cold sweat at the thought of being trapped in an elevator. 10.Hyperventilating after hearing upsetting news. 11.Having to engage in a thorough hand-washing after coming home from a ride on the bus. 12.Believing the government has agents who are listening in on telephone conversations. 13.Drinking a six pack in order to be sociable with friends.

6. Myths & Misconceptions About Abnormal Behavior There is no single definition of abnormality. There is no single definition of normality. Those who are mentally ill are assumed to be lazy, crazy, dumb, weak in character, a danger to self or others.

7. Whether A Particular Behavior Is Viewed As Normal Depends On Context Need to consider: Time Place Tradition Culture Purpose of the behavior Gender & gender roles Age

8. Criteria for Defining Abnormality Various Criteria  Cultural Relativism  Unusualness  Subjective Distress or Discomfort  Mental Illness  Maladaptive or dysfunctional Evaluating the Criteria for Abnormality:  Advantages & disadvantages, strengths & weaknesses  Inclusion & exclusion  Practicality & usefulness

9. Characteristics of Maladaptive or Dysfunctional Behavior Risk of or damage to self or others Subjective distress Impairment in functioning Loss of touch with reality Lack of controllability

10. Clinical Terminology Presenting problem – the identified reason for coming to treatment. Prevalence – the # of people in a population who have a disorder. Incidence – the # of new cases of a disorder occurring during a specific period of time, e.g. a year. Course – the pattern of the disorder in time: chronic, episodic, time-limited; related to prognosis. Onset – acute or insidious. Etiology – causal factors; include psychological, social, and biological dimensions. Treatment – psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, ECT, etc. Outcome – the effect of treatment