PSYCH 509 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Mental Disorder, Nomothetic, Managed Care
20 Jan 2017
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Behavior, thoughts, and emotions that differ from society"s norms. Society"s norms vary from society to society. Behavior, ideas, or emotions have to cause distress. Does not always have to be case: dysfunction. Elusive nature of abnormality: society defines abnormality, society may have trouble separating abnormality with eccentricity. 3 key features: sufferer seeks relief from healer, trained, socially accepted healer, series of contacts between healer and sufferer. Current trends: psychotropic medications: affects brain and reduces many symptoms of mental dysfunction. Antipsychotic, antidepressant, and antianxiety medications: deinstitutionalization: releasing thousands of mental health patients. Begun in 1960s: community programs for severe disorders. Not enough programs and not very effective at keeping people out of institutions: outpatient is primary form of treatment. How are people with less severe disturbances treated: before 1950s: private psychotherapy. Individuals seek out self-employed therapists: now covered by insurance, outpatient therapy. Growing emphasis on preventing disorders and promoting mental health: positive psychology study and promotion of positive feelings.
