Topic 3: Psychological Problems

• What is the broad branch of psychology that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders?

  Clinical psychology
• Who primarily uses the DSM?

  American Psychological Association
• How many axes are included in the DSM?

  5 Axes
• What types of disorders are included in the DSM?

  Clinical disorders and personality disorders
• What does ICD-10 stand for?

  International Classification of Diseases
• Which organization is responsible for the ICD-10?

  World Health Organization (WHO)
• How many groups are included in the ICD-10?

  10 groups
• What is the trend in mental health over time according to the study material?

  Mental health issues are on the rise, but people are more likely to seek help now.
• How does mental health affect individuals and society?

  It affects individuals socially, emotionally, and occupationally, and impacts healthcare, crime, and costs at a societal level.
• What are the social, emotional, and occupational effects of depression on individuals?

  • Social: Withdraw from family and friends
  • Emotional: Feelings of worthlessness and sadness
  • Occupational: Lack of motivation to work
• What are the societal impacts of depression?

  • Costly treatment (e.g., £1.7 billion for NHS in 2007)
  • Increased risk of suicide (10-15% of severe cases)
  • Sick pay and cover costs for employers
• What are the social, emotional, and occupational effects of addiction on individuals?

  • Social: Ignore family and activities
  • Emotional: Feelings of denial and guilt
  • Occupational: Develop health problems affecting work
• What are the societal impacts of addiction?

  • Drug-related crime costs UK society £13.9 billion a year
  • Costly to police and punish crimes
  • Treatment support is expensive
• What is addiction defined as?

  Need to have or do a particular thing to function normally.
• What is withdrawal?

  A set of unpleasant physical or psychological symptoms when trying to quit an addiction.
• What was the number of hospital admissions for drug-related issues in 2015/16?

  8,621 admissions
• What percentage of adults admitted to taking illicit drugs?

  1. 4%
• What are the two types of addiction?

  Dependence disorder and behavioral addiction
• What is the genetic explanation for addiction?

  Genes inherited from biological parents may predispose individuals to addiction.
• What is concordance in the context of twin studies?

  The presence of the same trait in both members of a pair of twins.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the genetic explanation for addiction?

  Strengths:

  • Supported by scientific evidence
  • Controls for factors through twin and adoption studies

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Reductionist, ignoring social factors
  • No single gene identified for addiction
• What is classical conditioning in the context of addiction?

  Behavior learned through associations between two or more stimuli.
• What is operant conditioning in addiction?

  Behaviors are repeated when they lead to positive consequences.
• What is social learning theory in addiction?

  Behavior learned by observing and imitating role models.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of learning theories of addiction?

  Strengths:

  • Behaviors can be unlearned
  • Considers biological factors in operant conditioning

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Ignores biological factors
  • Does not explain why some try drugs but do not become addicted
• What are the two treatments for addiction mentioned?

  • Drug therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• What was the aim of Young et al (2009) study on CBT?

  To investigate the effect of CBT on patients diagnosed with internet addiction.
• What were the findings of Young et al (2009) regarding CBT?

  Clients reported an increase in their ability to control problem behaviors.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Young et al (2009) study?

  Strengths:

  • Real-world application of online CBT
  • Reliable measurement through consistent questions

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Sample not representative of women
  • Validity concerns with self-reported data
• What is the reliability of the study mentioned in the text?

  Using the same questions and rating scales at sessions 3, 8, 12, and after 6 months was reliable.
• How might online CBT benefit individuals with addictions?

  It might encourage more people to access treatment for addictions if other types of therapy are not appropriate.
• What is a limitation regarding the sample gender distribution in the study?

  The sample included slightly more males (58%) than females (42%), making it less representative of women.
• What does the validity issue regarding different types of internet addiction imply?

  It is unclear whether all types of internet addiction achieved the same effects of treatment.
• Why might the questionnaires about feelings and behavior lack validity?

  Participants might lie or give socially desirable responses, leading to inaccurate data.
• How can online CBT contribute to an individual's online addiction?

  Using online CBT can contribute to an individual's online addiction, potentially making the treatment less effective.
• What is unipolar depression characterized by?

  It is characterized by an extreme lowering of mood that is persistent and affects day-to-day functioning.
• How common is depression worldwide?

  More than 300 million people are affected by depression worldwide.
• What is the annual suicide rate related to depression?

  Close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year.
• What are the key symptoms of unipolar depression according to ICD-10?

  • Persistent sadness or low mood
  • Loss of interests or motivation
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Poor concentration or indecisiveness
  • Low self-confidence
  • Poor or increased appetite
  • Suicidal thoughts or acts
  • Guilt or self-blame
  • Agitation or slowing of movements
• What is the genetic explanation of depression?

  Depression is carried in our DNA and is more likely to run in families.