UNIT VIII STUDY GUIDE Abnormal Behaviors and Therapies Course Learning Outcomes for Unit VIII Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: 6. Identify symptoms of various abnormal conditions. 6.1 Differentiate the major symptoms of psychological disorders. 6.2 Prepare a therapeutic treatment plan. 6.3 Describe how an individual’s daily life functions could be affected by an abnormal condition. Reading Assignment Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders, pp. 537-574 Chapter 16: Approaches to Treatment and Therapy, pp. 581-607 Additional Reading Assignment: In order to access the following resources, click the links below: Russell, G. (Producer). (2015). Addiction to video games (Segment 9 of 15)[Video file]. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=http://fod.infobase.com/PortalPla ylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=124990&loid=442191 To view a transcript of this video, click here. TED (Producer). (2007). The Capgras delusion (Segment 2 of 13)[Video file]. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=http://fod.infobase.com/PortalPla ylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=48098&loid=132941 To view a transcript of this video, click here. Unit Lesson Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders How do you define abnormal behavior? Does a person who behaves strangely automatically have a mental disorder? During this unit, you will learn the difference between abnormal behavior and a mental disorder. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, the definitions are quite different. The reference used to diagnose various mental disorders is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM provides diagnostic categories to assist researchers and physicians on proper identification and treatment options. As a matter of fact, the American Psychiatric Association released the 5th version of the manual in 2013 (DSM-V). This version has undergone numerous changes to include updated research findings within mental health. For instance, autism spectrum disorder now encompasses four disorders, which were previously separated: Asperger’s, autism, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, and childhood disintegrative disorder. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been updated with four categorical symptom clusters. Another notable change is the fact that premenstrual dysphoric disorder now has an official diagnosis in the DSM-V. Furthermore, hoarding disorder has been identified separately from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Numerous additional changes have occurred, and, of course, as with any change, there are critics. Ultimately, the DSM-V is a reference tool to help clinicians provide effective PSY 1010, General Psychology 1 treatment efforts for their patients. As with any resource, it is only as effective as the critical practices that are embraced when utilizing it. Within this unit, you will learn about various mental disorders including anxiety, mood, and antisocial personality. Although you have probably heard about PTSD, panic disorders, and OCD, there exists a plethora of commonly unknown syndromes that are quite fascinating. According to Enoch and Ball (2000), Capgras’ delusion is described as a syndrome that occurs when a patient believes that an individual close to him or her has been exchanged with a twin or exact double. Watch this short video segment to learn more about this condition: TED (Producer). (2007). The Capgras delusion (Segment 2 of 13)[Video file]. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=http://fod.infobase.com/PortalPla ylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=48098&loid=132941 To view a transcript of this video, click here. In Ekbom’s syndrome, patients experience delusions in which they believe that various maggots, lice, or other insects live within their skin. Have you heard about Munchausen syndrome by proxy? This syndrome is gaining new attention by doctors as a form of child endangerment. In this case, a caregiver persistently fabricates medical symptoms in the person for which he or she is responsible for basic care. In many instances, a mother will fabricate her child’s symptoms in order to receive attention. This often leads to unnecessary, hazardous treatment procedures. What do you think? Have you seen any reports in which a mother traveled to various clinics and hospitals to pursue care for her child and it was discovered that she had fabricated every detail of the illness? A person with OCD typically has compulsions, or repetitive behaviors. Hand-washing is a common compulsion seen in people who suffer from this disorder. Did I unplug the iron when I left home this morning? Am I sure? Do I need to go back and check again? Maybe I need to check it one more time? Taken in isolation, these thoughts might seem like common reminders for safety purposes. However, in individuals who suffer from obsessivecompulsive disorder, these plaguing insecurities are a way of life. Individuals who suffer from OCD often find themselves repeating tasks over and over again, up to 25 times in one day. Begley and Biddle (1996) examined a study conducted by Jeffrey Schwartz and colleagues at UCLA. The PET scans of patients with OCD revealed that the part of the brain that serves as an alert system, the orbital cortex, was seemingly in a constant active state. Schwartz and his colleagues suggest that behavior modification and cognitive therapy can assist these individuals with overcoming their obsessions. For instance, when an obsessive thought floods one’s mind, these scholars suggest that the individual relabel the thought as an obsession and begin to focus on a constructive activity instead, such as paying the bills for 15 minutes. This allows the caudate nucleus time to get refocused on other thoughts. Do you think you can you alter your brain to restore your peace of mind? (James, 2009) As you further your examination of this chapter, pay close attention to additional disorders discussed. Take note of the numerous symptoms and possible treatment options. Begin to notice others around you that possibly might fit some of the characteristics associated with the various disorders. According to Halgin and Whitbourne (1994), some individuals lack a notable sense of self-control. For instance, have you ever noticed someone who obsessively pulls out his or her hair? This is known as trichotillomania. Do you know someone who is overly obsessed with fires? This person would be classified as a pyromaniac. Further still, do you know someone who seems to have recurrent bouts of excessive rage? This is a characteristic of intermittent explosive disorder. Have you ever noticed these abnormal behaviors? This chapter further discusses the issue of drug abuse and addiction. Wade and Tavris (2017) report that genetics may play a role in one’s vulnerability to alcohol abuse. Furthermore, cultures possess varying views PSY 1010, General Psychology 2 on practices and values related to alcohol and drug usage. As you read this section, begin to notice your peer associations and influences. Is social drinking acceptable in your community? Are you an advocate for the usage of marijuana for medicinal purposes? What is your stance on alcohol and drug use? Are you a gamer? Could you go one day without playing your favorite video game for hours on end? New research is emerging that suggests that a person can become addicted to playing videogames. According to Wood (2008), in extreme cases, many individuals have become so fixated on games that they neglect major aspects of their lives: job, school, and relationships, just to name a few. Although excessive playing can produce negative consequences, videogame abuse does not normally elicit illegal actions and debt, behaviors that are often present with other addictions. Could excessive playing, however, be a symptom of additional psychological issues? More research is still needed in this area. Video gaming addiction is examined in this short video segment. Russell, G. (Producer). (2015). Addiction to video games (Segment 9 of 15)[Video file]. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=http://fod.infobase.com/PortalPla ylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=124990&loid=442191 To view a transcript of this video, click here. As you conclude your studies for this section, examine the psychotic disorder of schizophrenia. Research has discovered that many schizophrenics are heavy cigarette smokers. Neergaard (1997) reported that by taking a long drag, one can receive temporary relief to information overload. Schizophrenics often find it difficult to filter out various forms of stimulation. Researchers discovered a gene that was linked to a brain receptor site that is stimulated by the nicotine drug. In essence, when the nicotine is ingested, this can trigger a short increase in one’s ability to filter information. This seemingly helps the schizophrenic reduce the stimulation received from the outside world and achieve momentary selective focus. So what do you think? Can smoking a hazardous drug actually have beneficial side effects? PSY 1010, General Psychology 3 Chapter 16: Approaches to Treatment and Therapy After a person has been diagnosed with a mental disorder, how does he or she deal with it? In this chapter, Wade and Tavris (2017) confront the issue of various approaches to treatment and therapy. During this section, you will learn about various biological treatment techniques used with varying results. Antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and tranquilizers are often prescribed to treat the various disorders. However, have you ever considered the usage of a service dog? For instance, in a growing number of cases, service dogs are assisting individuals who suffer from anxiety. They are trained to lick or nudge the owner if it senses that he or she is experiencing an anxiety attack. This has a two-fold purpose. It distracts the owner and reminds him or her to relax. The dogs are also trained to fetch the owner’s medications when needed as well. Some organizations have even begun to provide service dogs to veterans who suffer from PTSD. The dogs provide emotional support, companionship, and encourage positive behaviors (Wellman, 2009). This information provides a whole new perspective on man’s best friend. As you continue your examination of this chapter, you will be introduced to the major schools of psychotherapy. For example, some proponents argue that evidence-based therapy (EBT) should be the foundation for therapeutic decisions. In essence, if research purports that a certain therapy has proven effective to treat a certain disorder, this form of therapy should be used as the preferential form of treatment. Although this may seem like common sense, some This PTSD service dog stands behind his owner clinicians argue that this will limit their ability to exercise their and serves as a companion for the soldier. personal judgment and force them to use EBT. Should (Reguyla, 2016). therapists be allowed to continue to use outdated therapies when new research indicates more effective treatment options? How do you define success? Although many therapeutic efforts have proven beneficial, there are still challenges that warrant further examination. For example, many complex issues must be evaluated to effectively measure outcomes. People can experience depression and anxiety for numerous reasons. Additionally, it is quite easy for a patient to become attached to his or her therapist due to all of the time and effort that is extended. Further still, many individuals embrace a false sense of improvement because we naturally edit our memories in order to believe we have changed for the better. Keeping the above factors in mind, how would you measure success in therapy? Which is more important, quality of life or maintaining control over the disorder? Many researchers argue that the focus has been primarily on treating the symptoms of various disorders while ignoring the patient’s happiness and quality of life. Should a patient’s level of happiness and ability to function as a viable member of his or her community be notable points as well? Some psychologists have begun to embrace the Recovery Model. According to Gottlieb (2009), many therapists now place less emphasis on treating the symptoms of the disorder and focus more on helping the patient to recover a happy, healthy, fulfilling life. This will often mean that some patients will choose not to take certain drugs and participate in specific treatments. Ponder this. If one is suffering from a mental disorder, is he or she actually capable of making rational decisions in regard to his or her treatment options? As you conclude your examination of the material, continue to reflect upon evaluating the need for effective psychotherapy. Does one therapist have a better fit with certain clients than others? Could one’s cultural background matter when choosing a therapist? How long should therapy actually last? Although therapy should elicit productive results, can it ever produce more harm than good? It is inherently important that one PSY 1010, General Psychology 4 remain cognizant of realistic goals when seeking to treat any disorder. Consumers beware; all therapeutic methods are not created equally. References Begley, S., & Biddle, N. A. (1996, February 26). For the obsessed, the mind can fix the brain. Newsweek, 60. Enoch, M. D., & Ball, H. N. (2000). Uncommon psychiatric syndromes (4th ed.). London: Edward Arnold. Gottlieb, D. (2009, December 14). Recovery and mental health. Voices in the Family. Philadelphia, PA: WHYY. Halgin, R. P., & Whitbourne, S. K. (1994). Abnormal psychology: The human experience of psychological disorders. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace. James, D. (2009, December 12). OCD handwash [Image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OCD_handwash.jpg Neergaard, L. (1997, January 21). Scientists find link between schizophrenia gene, nicotine. Austin AmericanStatesman, A2. Reguyla. (2016, November 28). Man’s best friend helps NC guardsman with PTSD [Image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Man%E2%80%99s_best_friend_helps_NC_Guardsman_with _PTSD_(Image_1_of_8)_(12002105586).jpg Wade, C., & Tavris, C. (2017). Psychology (12th ed.)[VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781323598269/ Wellman, E. (2009, December 7). Demand grows for psychiatric service dogs. Cleveland, OH: WCPN. Wood, R. (2008). Problems with the concept of video game “addiction”: Some case study examples. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 6, 169-178. Suggested Reading The links below will direct you to both a PowerPoint and PDF view of the Chapter 15 and 16 Presentations, which will summarize and reinforce the information from these chapters in your textbook. Click here to access the Chapter 15 PowerPoint Presentation. (Click here to access a PDF version of the presentation.) Click here to access the Chapter 16 PowerPoint Presentation. (Click here to access a PDF version of the presentation.) In order to access the following resources, click the links below: In this unit, you have read about various disorders. For further enrichment about two of these disorders, browse the following websites to learn more. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Answers to your questions about panic disorder. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/panic.html The website of the International OCD Foundation explains the symptoms of OCD and effective treatments, and offers resources for support. International OCD Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ocfoundation.org/ PSY 1010, General Psychology 5 Learning Activities (Non-Graded) Non-graded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. Knowledge check! The short quizzes below are a great way to self-test your knowledge of the concepts learned in this unit. Take a few minutes to complete these quizzes to check your understanding. They are located in the textbook on the page(s) given. The answers are provided in the document below the quizzes, but try to answer the questions before checking the answers. Chapter 15 Quiz for Module 15.1 (page 546) Quiz for Module 15.2 (page 547) Quiz for Module 15.3 (page 552) Quiz for Module 15.4 (pages 555-556) Quiz for Module 15.5 (page 560) Quiz for Module 15.6 (page 566) Quiz for Module 15.7 (pages 568-569) Quiz for Module 15.8 (page 574) Chapter 15 Quiz (pages 578-580) Chapter 16 Quiz for Module 16.1 (page 590) Quiz for Module 16.2 (pages 598-599) Quiz for Module 16.3 (pages 607-608) Chapter 16 Quiz (pages 611-613) Answer Keys Click here for the Chapter 15 answer keys. Click here for the Chapter 16 answer keys. Movies for Enrichment Review Various movies exist that illustrate aspects of psychological disorders. Some of the movies listed below even relate to the therapeutic process as well. For additional enrichment, take a couple of hours to review one or more of these movies.      David and Lisa (1962) Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1990) Clean, Shaven (1995) Nuts (1987) As Good as it Gets (1997) Films on Demand Within this unit, you have learned that multiple treatment approaches to assist with various psychological disorders exist. One such approach involves the family. For additional enrichment, view the video from Films on Demand and reflect upon how a “team approach” could best assist the patient with his or her recovery efforts. Yu, J. (Producer), & West, S. (Co-producer). (2006). Getting an addict into treatment: The CRAFT approach [Video file]. 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