Pyschological problems

• Classical conditioning


  Substance taken in a positive environment will be associated with the positive feelings from that environment
• Symptoms of unipolar depression

  • Mild (4 symptoms), able to do day to day stuff
  • Moderate (5-6 symptoms), conscious problems with completing day to day activities
  • Severe (7+ symptoms), suicidal thoughts and struggle to cope with emotions
• Symptoms of depression;

  • lowering mood
  • lack of energy
  • lack of motivation
• 17 different gene variations were linked to developing depression, so made depression harder to identify
• Positive reinforcement


  Rewarded, pleasure
• Negative reinforcement


  Removes unwanted feelings (painkillers remove back pains)
• Social learning theory


  Learnt from a role model (e.g. parent who smokes)
• Participants with two short ended alleles of the 5-HTT gene were more likely to develop depression after stressful life events
• ABC model

  A - Activating event, B - Irrational beliefs, C - Consequences
• CBT uses discussion of symptoms, challenging rationalities, and independent homework
• SSRIs


  Block reuptake inhibitors which increase serotonin in the synapse
• Addiction


  A disorder where addicts feel compelled to take something, inaction leads to withdrawal
• Symptoms of addiction


  • Difficulty stopping
  • has withdrawal symptoms
  • addiction is prioritised over normal routine
  • ignores that it's harmful
• Effects of addiction on society;

  • reduced productivity
  • financial costs
  • corruption
  • criminality
  • half a billion spent on NHS substance abuse care
• Addiction can be inherited without a shared environment
• If one monozygotic twin suffers from depression
there is a 46% chance their twin will also develop depression