Chapter 17

1. Chapter 17

2. Norms • “rules” for behavior that are appropriate and acceptable in everyday life • i.e. Covering your mouth when you sneeze

3. Why is it so difficult to define abnormal behavior? • What’s normal in one society/culture or even in one situation is not necessarily abnormal in another

4. What is mental illness? • A disorder of the brain • Just as cancer is a disease of the body, mental illness is a disease of the brain

5. How mental illness is “like cancer” • It is no more the fault of someone who develops it than someone who develops cancer • It is NOT a sign of personal weakness • It is a disease of the mind, just like cancer is a disease of the body

6. When does abnormal behavior become mental illness? • 5 criteria - MUUDI • M – Maladaptive • U – Unpredictable • U – Unconventional • D – Distressing • I – Irrational

7. Maladaptive • Person fails to adapt to the demands of everyday life, either by acting counter to his/her well-being or against the goals and needs of society

8. Unpredictable • Person loses control or acts erratically • Don’t know how they might act from one minute to the next

9. Unconventional • Rare, undesirable, behavior that violates social standards

10. Distressing • Person suffers from severe personal distress or intensely negative emotions (like anger or anxiety)

11. Irrational • Behavior is incomprehensible to others • Doesn’t make any sense to most

12. Nature vs. Nurture • Biological vs. Psychological explanation for mental illness

13. Biological explanation • Says mental illness is caused by genetics, the brain, brain chemicals, hormones or something in the body • Internal causes

14. Neurons • Nerve cells in the brain • Misfire or send mixed up signals in the brains of those with mental illness

15. Neurotransmitters • Chemicals in the brain that carry messages between nerve cells • Examples – dopamine, serotonin

16. Neurotransmitters • Are out of balance in those with M.I. • Psychiatric drugs like prozac attempt to bring these chemicals back into balance

17. Psychological explanation • Mental illness is caused by our experiences and our environment • Our upbringing, social experiences, and traumatic events • External causes

18. Warning signs of mental illness • Changes in daily routine • Confused thinking • Delusions • Denial • Abuse of drugs/alcohol • Lasting depression • Hallucinations • Inability to cope • Mood swings • Excessive fears • Strong negative feelings (anger, etc.) • Suicidal thoughts or threats • withdrawal

19. Who is at risk? • M.I. doesn’t discriminate – anyone, regardless of wealth, gender, or race is vulnerable

20. Men vs. Women • Women are more likely to be diagnosed with mood and anxiety disorders than men • Men are more likely to have substance abuse related and antisocial pers. disorder

21. Can mental illness be treated? • Yes, it can be treated • There is no cure • However, people can live very normal, productive lives with treatment

22. Historical Treatment • Historically the mentally ill have been treated very poorly • Beaten, locked away from the rest of society

23. Today’s Treatment • Medication – antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and antipsychotic medications

24. Combination of the Two • Therapy – talking to a therapist to work on your issues • Medication will treat the symptoms, but only with therapy can you address the bigger issues

25. Types of therapy • CBT – cognitive behavioral therapy • Helps change negative thinking and behavior patterns Interpersonal therapy – works by changing relationships that contribute to depression or other mental illnesses

26. Inpatient vs. outpatient • Inpatient – hospitalization – very small % of people – usually just for 72 hours to be evaluated • Outpatient – not in a hospital – go somewhere for therapy or medication

27. APA • American Psychological Association • Large professional organization of psychologists that helps ensure high ethical standards within the profession

28. What is a psychological diagnosis? • A label used to identify and describe a mental disorder

29. DSM -IV • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – 4th edt. • The mental health catalog that lists more than 300 mental disorders • The “encyclopedia” of disorders

30. What 2 conditions must be met in order to receive a psychological diagnosis? • Has to be bad enough to disrupt daily activities • Must have for a long period of time • (as little as 2 weeks for clinical depression or 2 years for a personality disorder)

31. psychopathology • The clinical term for an abnormality or disorder in thought, emotion, or behavior

32. Neurotic vs. Psychotic • Neurosis – a relatively common pattern of distress or self-defeating behavior • Psychosis – person has lost touch with reality

33. What does it mean to be insane? • Insanity is a legal decision, not a medical term like mentally ill • To be deemed insane means: • You were unable to tell right from wrong and were unable to control your behavior • As a result of this, you are not legally responsible for your behavior

34. Why labeling is dangerous • Being able to put a label on one’s disorder can be beneficial because now you can understand and hopefully treat your condition

35. Why Labeling can be Bad • However, it can also be dangerous because: • 1.) sometimes the label is all that people see - it shouldn’t define you • 2.) you might start to believe that all you are is the label

36. Stereotypes of the mentally ill • Violent toward others • Frequently portrayed this way in the media and in movie • If a danger to anyone, more likely to be a threat to themselves

37. Ways to fight the stereotypes • Educate yourself • Avoid using slang like “crazy”

38. How to Help • Take charge of your own mental health • Don’t be afraid to talk to someone if you are concerned about their mental health

39. The End