IB Unit 5 Abnormal Psychology

Behavior that varies from societal norms

When abnormal behavior disturbs ability to work/function in life

Produced by American Psychiatric Association which focused on symptoms of disorders but it was expensive

Produced by World Health organizations which indicates causes rather than symptoms and it’s cheaper

Varies based off self-reported data

Same diagnosis but different clinicians

Favoring information that confirms existing beliefs

Prejudice towards a specific gender

Participants watched a video of a healthy individual. One group heard a respected psychologist say they were psychotic. Participants selected a diagnosis from a list. Majority of diagnosed patients as psychotic, while control had no diagnosis as psychotic. Patients paid attention to behaviors that agreed with the statement.

Participants filled out a paper survey, it described a male or female. Both met the criteria for depression and were identical except for the gender. Participants were asked if individual suffered from a disorder. Participants were more likely to indicate that a male didn’t suffer from a disorder compared to a female.

Proportion of people that at some point in their life have experienced a particular disorder

Proportion of people that has had the disorder at some time in a GIVEN PERIOD

Diagnosis isn’t reliable and symptoms may be different across cultures

May lead to increase in disorders, events that can cause mental illnesses

Media plays a role in how mental are portrayed, a change in norms will either decrease or increase Prevalence rates

Society dictates what an appropriate illness is, more globalization means an increase in illnesses formerly seen outside culture. Cultural groups can change expression of distress b/c of media from other cultures

Increase in people seeking out more advice and reported prevalence rate of a disorder

The cause of a disorder being genetics

Found participants with shorter alleles in the 5HTTPR gene were more likely to develop depression, suggesting that genetics play a role in the risk that a person will develop depression. Researchers also found that stress levels correlated with depression levels, suggesting that environmental factors also play a role in developing depression. There isn’t a particular gene responsible for MDD. It’s many genes scattered throughout the genome each contribute to the risk

Associated with the susceptibility for anxiety/depression

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 7 twin studies. They found a concordance rate of depression for MZ twins was 65%, while DZ twins had a concordance rate of 14%. They were unable to determine which genes were linked with depression. Although research suggests a genetic component to MDD, there must also be an environmental influence. Otherwise twin studies would indicate 100% concordance rate between MZ twins, which they don’t

Treatments would be medications/drugs

Inhibits the reuptake of neurotransmitter serotonin by releasing neurons, supposedly treats depression by leaving more serotonin in the brain.

280 patients with depression received different treatments. 50% of the participants who took an SSRI recovered from depression, 29% of the placebo group did as well. Since almost as many people on a placebo pill as the real SSRI drug recovered, it left clinicians wondering if antidepressants were truly effective.

Found data on the effectiveness of the six most prescribed antidepressants in the United States between 1987 and 1999. It was found that more than half of drug trials sponsored by drug companies failed to find a significant positive effect. This suggests that many commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressants weren’t as effective as most people believe

The cause of a disorder that isn’t genetic but likely external

Trauma/abuse suffered as a child, early loss, poor ability to relate to others, neglect, substance abuse, change in jobs/schools

Healthy college freshmen were split into two groups (high risk for depression; low risk for depression) based on how the students reported that they interpreted their experiences. Follow-up assessments were conducted. Results showed that 17% of the high-risk group developed MDD, while only 1% of the low-risk group. Claimed that the way people cognitively interpret their experiences influences their vulnerability to depression.

Investigated the possibility of person-to-person spread of depressive symptoms. A small town of roughly 12,000 people was administered a standardized depression scale thrice. Results showed that there was a significant correlation in depressive symptoms between people who were friends or associates. Participants were 93% more likely to be depressed if they’re directly connected to another person who was also depressed. May be b/c depression in one person causes depression in their friends; depressed individuals notice each other and become friends; friends tend to experience similar environments which explains their similar symptoms of depression.

Treatment would be therapy

Changes your mindset and practices new ways of thinking

 Randomly assigned 240 patients with MDD to one group, 16 weeks of medication; 16 weeks of individual CBT or 8 weeks of placebo. Researcher found that after 8 weeks, medication improvement rate was 50%; CBT improvement rate was 43%; placebo improvement rate was 25%. After 16 weeks medication and CBT improvement rate was 58%. CBT can be as effective as medication (skills/experience of therapists is a factor.)

231 depressed outpatients were randomly assigned to CBT, medication, or a placebo. Researchers tracked multiple symptoms individually, such as insomnia and reduction of suicidal thoughts. After four weeks, medication was more effective in reducing suicidal thoughts than CBT or placebo. But CBT was more effective in reducing insomnia. Researchers concluded that medication and CBT may treat different symptoms of the same disease, and that targeting treatments to specific symptoms of a disorder may be more effective, focusing on reducing specific symptoms of MDD, rather than MDD as a whole.

The Belief that seeking help is unnecessary, a sign of weakness, or ineffective

Feelings of shame or anxiety for seeking help or being judged by others

The reluctance to share personal/family problems with others, particularly someone outside the culture.

Carried out by someone in the same/similar culture as patient and it incorporates their cultural beliefs/practices

Anxiety patients were assigned to either CTCP, anxiety-relieving drug, or both. Assessments on anxiety levels were in one month and six months after treatment. Medication patients improved rapidly after on month, but wasn’t sustained after six months. CTCP patients didn’t show much improvement after one month, but significant improvement after six months, including demonstrating coping methods. CTCP/Medication patients showed improvement at both one month and six months. Medication delivered short-terms results, CTCP was more effective for long-term treatment

Combines CBT with Taoist practices/beliefs(Indigenous Therapy)

Japanese patients completed an assessment of their symptoms prior to treatment, participated in two therapy sessions. In between sessions, patients were told to practice meditation therapy using a guiding CD. Patients competed the same assessment of their symptoms after the second therapy session. Anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly lowered by the therapy sessions. Results indicated that indigenous therapy (such as mindfulness-based meditation training) is effective in the treatment of anxiety and depression. 

Guided breathing, yoga, movement, and meditation

Assessing the effectiveness depends on what the outcome of a treatment is

Figuring out what part of the treatment caused the success of it/change

Drugs that aren’t suppose to have an effect miraculously heals people, helps demonstrate how much the really drug outperforms placebo.