PYB100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Norm (Social), Psychomotor Agitation, Personal Distress
20 Jun 2018
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PYB100 LECTURE 11
Psychological Disorders I
Mental Illness and Psychopathology
Psychopathology refers to problematic patterns of thought, feeling, or behaviour that
disrupt an individual’s sense of wellbeing or social or occupational functioning
Mental illness is a general term that broadly refers to a group of illnesses which can
affect the brain, in the same way that heart disease refers to a group of illnesses which
affect the heart.
In Australia, almost half the population will experience a mental
illness or mental disorder at some point in their life (AIHW, 2009).
Underlying changes within the heart
Stigmatisation
Culture Context of Mental Illness and Psychopathology
Contextual element
Historical context
Many forms of psychopathology are found across cultures; however, cultures differ
in the disorders to which their members are vulnerable and the ways they categorise
mental illness.
Trepanning
Western centric view
Cultural expressions and types of mental illness differs within cultures and societies
Schizophrenia
Culture variation by symptoms of schizophrenia
Cultural conceptualisation
Cultural specific symptomology
Social Context of Mental Illness and Psychopathology
The notion of abnormality includes the presumption that we can define what is and is
not normal
Define what's normal and what is not
Implications of this
Social context
Notion of defining illness and health, behaviour is normal vs. abnormal
Labelling theory argues that diagnoses of abnormality are labels for people we
consider deviant
Diagnosis can result in consequences
Diagnosis can also be highly useful
Major neurocognitive disorder (Alzheimer, Dementia)
Access to:
Support
Care
Teaching support
Therefore can be highly adaptive and functional
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Apply diagnosis if only useful
Assessing functional impact and how to treat
David Rosenhan’s (1973) study
7 colleagues goal was to be admitted to mental health wards
Faked symptoms
Hearing voices
Voices saying 'empty', 'hollow', 'thud'
Auditory hallucinations
Atypical content (words said)
Were admitted
Diagnosis of schizophrenia
As soon as submitted, acted normally, said no longer experiencing symptoms
Average length of stay was 19 days despite no symptoms as soon as submitted
Every one discharged after 19 days were left with diagnosis of schizophrenia
currently in remission
Strong evidence of issues with labelling and self-fulfilling prophecy
Mental health professionals unable to distinguish between actual mental illness and
individuals lying
While in mental health ward, they took notes on staff and patients
Atypical behaviour (taking notes)
What is Abnormal?
Social norm deviance
Maladaptive behaviour
Not helpful to individual
Personal distress
Causes subjective discomfort
Dependent on these 3 constructs
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find more resources at oneclass.com
PYB100 LECTURE 11
Theoretical Context of Mental Illness & Psychopathology
Depending on their theoretical framework, psychologists may conceptualise the
nature and causes of mental illness very differently (which leads to different treatment
approaches)
Ideas around psych disorders differ depending on type of psychologist
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find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Psychopathology refers to problematic patterns of thought, feeling, or behaviour that disrupt an individual"s sense of wellbeing or social or occupational functioning. Mental illness is a general term that broadly refers to a group of illnesses which can affect the brain, in the same way that heart disease refers to a group of illnesses which affect the heart. In australia, almost half the population will experience a mental illness or mental disorder at some point in their life (aihw, 2009). Many forms of psychopathology are found across cultures; however, cultures differ in the disorders to which their members are vulnerable and the ways they categorise mental illness. Cultural expressions and types of mental illness differs within cultures and societies. The notion of abnormality includes the presumption that we can define what is and is not normal. Define what"s normal and what is not. Notion of defining illness and health, behaviour is normal vs. abnormal.
