PSYC3336 Study Guide - Fall 2018, Comprehensive Midterm Notes - Psychology, Mental Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder
PSYC3336
MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Fall 2018
1
PSYC3336 - CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
● Many people in the field are pushing for clinical psychologists having the ability to
prescribe medication.
○ This is the work of a psychiatrist.
○ What are the pros and cons of this?
■ It takes a lot of time to refer a patient to a colleague psychiatrist, so
wouldn’t it make more sense just to prescribe meds by yourself?
■ The problem with this is that clinical psychologists are not medically
trained, so by prescribing a medication, they could potentially cancel out a
different medication that the patient is already taking. They simply don't
have the same knowledge as a psychiatrist does.
○ Why might people push for this?
■ Places such as Vermont have limited medical care facilities, so that would
aid the push for clinical psychologists to have power to prescribe
medication. There just isn't enough space, time, or knowledge/people to do
so.
Case Examples
● Tammy is a girl who had trouble sleeping. She complained to her mother that she would
lie awake for several hours, get up and ask for water, and would generally be very
exhausted the next day. Tammy was referred to a clinician who examined her habits,
activities, etc. The clinician found nothing wrong with Tammy. She was doing well in
school, had many friends, had a good relationship with her parents, etc. The clinician
asked her what she would think about in bed. Tammy admitted that she would feel fine
for a bit and then get very anxious thinking about the exams coming up, her volleyball
game coming up, etc. The clinician asked her what she could do to stop these feelings, to
which Tammy responded that hugs usually help.
● Cory is an 8 year old boy who shows ADHD activity at home. Watching him tires his
mom out. Cory doesn't remain seated at meals, talked all the time, and was restless. He is
also very impulsive and does dangerous stunts on his bike, his mother says. He found it
difficult to concentrate, especially on HW. His mother tried rewarding him for
completing his work, but that would make him complete it sloppily. He was also super
forgetful, his grades were below average because he forgot to turn things in, and more.
The thing is, he wants to be good and is always apologetic, but just can’t follow through.
● Valery was a 14 year old girl who was referred to a clinic because she refused to go to
school. She would throw a tantrum, say she was sick, refuse to get dressed, etc. She
preferred to stay home instead of go to school, go shopping, have a play date, etc. The
clinician asked her if she was having trouble at school or anything, but she said no, just
that she wanted to be at home with her dad. As it turns out, Valery’s father had heart
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
2
surgery recently and she shows a strong need to be with him after the surgeon told her to
take care of him. Valery says she is sure he is fine, but that she just wants to make sure.
So…
● We must ask ourselves questions.
○ Where do these problems come from?
○ What can we do to help these problems?
● What questions might a clinical psychologist ask in any of these situations?
○ When did these problems start to occur?
○ Probably might want to gain some context, so might ask about social history,
dental history, what is going on with the family, etc.
○ How long have the problems been going on? Are they a temporary reaction to a
sudden change or illness, or have they persisted for a very long time?
■ Also, if they have been happening for a long time, why is the person
interested in getting help NOW? Why not before?
○ Might also want to evaluate what the most significant symptoms are, as well as
areas of success or adaptation.
■ We don't want to just focus on what is wrong.
■ Also want to identify strengths/resources.
● We can use them to implement the work we do to help patients.
○ Long-term adaptation → what we are hoping to achieve in the future.
What is Clinical Psychology?
● It is a subfield of the large field of psychology.
● Clinical psychologists are interested in human behavior and mental processes (like all
psychologists).
● Like some psychologists, they may conduct research, seek to apply results of research,
and engage in individual assessment.
● Like some other professions, they may provide assistance to those with psychological
problems.
● So…it is difficult to capture in a sentence what all clinical psychologists do.
APA Definition of Clinical Psychology:
● Integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate
maladjustment, disability and discomfort and promote human adaptation, adjustment, and
personal development.
○ Patients don't have to stay with you forever → they can develop the skills they
need to help them deal with their problems for the rest of their lives AFTER
leaving your office.
○ Goal is to help patient to get beyond their problem and set them on a course where
they can function more autonomously.
● Focuses on intellectual, emotional, biological, social, etc., aspects of human functioning
across the life span, in varying cultures, and at all socioeconomic levels.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Many people in the field are pushing for clinical psychologists having the ability to prescribe medication. This is the work of a psychiatrist. The problem with this is that clinical psychologists are not medically trained, so by prescribing a medication, they could potentially cancel out a different medication that the patient is already taking. They simply don"t have the same knowledge as a psychiatrist does. Places such as vermont have limited medical care facilities, so that would aid the push for clinical psychologists to have power to prescribe medication. There just isn"t enough space, time, or knowledge/people to do so. Tammy is a girl who had trouble sleeping. She complained to her mother that she would lie awake for several hours, get up and ask for water, and would generally be very exhausted the next day. Tammy was referred to a clinician who examined her habits, activities, etc.
