1 Overheads – Abnormal Psychology Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.

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Overheads – Abnormal PsychologyCarolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.

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What makes behavior abnormal? Actions, thoughts, & feelings = harmful to the

person or to others. Experiencing symptoms like anxiety or

depression Not able to function in a job Not able to relate to people – enduring

relationships

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Abnormal Behavior 18-20 percent of all persons in the U. S.

exhibit symptoms = abnormal. Not the same as unusual behaviors.

E.g. extreme intelligence & total honesty – unusual; but not abnormal.

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Abnormal Behavior Other behaviors are common, e.g. extreme

prejudice, but they are clearly abnormal b/c they are harmful. E.g. Hitler’s Germany Cigarette smoking

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Other issues Abnormal if….

Symptoms are severe enough to be considered harmful

Subjectivity – different depending on culture E.g. Zuni Indians – southwestern U.S. believed it was

good to have hallucinations without drugs – meant Gods blessing you.

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Problems Even Psychologist cannot agree.

Continuity Hypothesis Discontinuity Hypothesis Problems with diagnostic labels

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The concept of sanity Insanity – not a psychological term but a legal

term. Three different legal meanings. Criminal defense Hearing on competency to stand trial Hearing on involuntary commitment to a mental

institution

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Sanity Not guilty by reason of insanity

Issue: could they tell right from wrong of have ability to control their actions?

Severely psychotic or severely mentally retarded persons = insane.

Rarely a successful defense.

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Sanity Competence to stand trial

Can the person aid in his/her own defense?

Involuntary CommitmentDirect danger

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Anxiety Disorders 10-15 million Americans More prevalent with women than men. Increased vigilance (scanning & monitoring)

for events. Phobias

Specific Phobia Social Phobia Agoraphobia

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Anxiety Disorders Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Symptoms not related to environmental trigger Free-floating anxiety Unending presence of symptoms

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Anxiety Disorders Panic Disorder

Sharp, intense attacks of anxiety Respiration increases Rapid heartbeat – feel going crazy / die 5% women; 2% men 2,375 college student sample = 12% Very alert to ANS functioning Theory: classical conditioning

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Anxiety Disorders Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Haunted by terrible recollections Numbed to the ordinary emotions and pleasures of life Survivor guilt Anger & unrest Vietnam War – 500,000 veterans POW during WWII – still meet criteria in their 70s What puts us at risk? Burgess & Holstrom Dean Kilpatrick

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Anxiety Disorders Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD)

Obsessions Compulsions 70% have both 25% only obsessions Problems with the limbic system of the brain

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Somatoform Disorders Soma = body Somatoform = take the form of physical

problems Not faked

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Neurosis versus Psychosis Neurosis Psychosis

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Dissociative Disorders Changes in memory, perception, or identity.

Often due to stress, but can occur in the absence of stress

Detachment or separation from your body & watching yourself with a sense of detachment

Dissociative Identity Disorder – multiple personality disorder

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Mood Disorders Major Depression Dysthmic Disorder BiPolar Disorder The risk for suicide – suicidal talk / plan /

assessment

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Schizophrenia Severe distortion of reality

Disturbance of thought & language Delusions Hallucinations Emotional disturbances – bland affect Withdrawal Positive versus negative symptoms

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Personality Disorders Inflexible, maladapative, personality traits

Cannot function well in society Antisocial personality disorder Borderline personality disorder Narcissistic personality disorder Schizoid personality disorder

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Types of Schizophrenia Catatonic Type Disorganized Type Paranoid Type Residual Type Undifferentiated Type

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Childhood disorders Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder