Virginia Union University Introduction to Psychology.

Virginia Union University Introduction to Psychology

A prolonged and disturbed emotional state that affects almost all of the persons thoughts, feelings & behaviors 3 of the most common Major depressive disorder Bipolar I disorder Dysthymic disorder

Major Depressive Disorders About 16% of US adults report at least one episode of depression Women outnumbering men, 2 to 1 Marked by at least 2 weeks of continually being in a bad mood, having no interest in anything, and getting no pleasure from activities. Person must have at least 4 of the following symptoms: Problems with Eating Sleeping Thinking Concentrating Making decisions Lacking energy Thinking about suicide Feeling worthless or guilty

Bipolar I Disorder About 1.3% of the population suffer from bipolar I disorder 1.6% suffer from only manic episodes Marked by fluctuations between episodes of depression and mania A manic episode goes on for at least a week, during which a person is unusually euphoric, cheerful, and high and has at least 3 of the following symptoms: Has great self-esteem Has little need for sleep Speaks rapidly and frequently Has racing thoughts Is easily distracted Pursues pleasurable activities

Dysthymic Disorder Affects about 6% of the population; less serious than major depression Feeling down in the dumps Characterized by being chronically but not continuously depressed for a period of two years While depressed, a person experiences at least 2 of the following symptoms: Poor appetite Insomnia Fatigue Low self-esteem Poor concentration Feelings of hopelessness

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) Depression as a result of a decrease in the number of sunny days Occurs in fall and winter months, recovery in the summer months

Causes Biological Factors genetic, neurological, chemical & physiological components that may predispose or put someone at risk for developing a mood disorder

Causes Biological Factors Genetic factor 40-60% of susceptibility to depression is genetic Not a single gene, but a combination of genes Deficits in specific genes affect sensitivity to stress Genes involved in regulating the brains neurotransmitters or chemical systems used in communication

Causes Biological Factors Neurological factors Chemical imbalance in the brain Group of neurotransmitters called monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) involved in mood problems Continued stress alters the brain & bodys stress management system, altering hormonal & neurotransmitter levels & can trigger depression

Causes Biological Factors Brain scans Brain area called the anterior cingulate cortex shown to be overactive in depressed patients Depression treated by stimulating (and reducing activity) in this brain region

Causes Psychosocial Factors such as personality traits, cognitive styles, social supports, and the ability to deal with stressors, interact with predisposing biological factors to put one at risk for developing a mood disorder

Causes Psychosocial Factors Stressful live events Strongly related to the onset of mood disorders

Causes Psychosocial Factors Negative cognitive style(Negative way of thinking) Depression may result from ones perceiving the world in a negative way, which in turn leads to feeling depressed

Causes Psychosocial Factors Personality factors Individuals who are especially sensitive to and overreact to negative events with feelings of fear, anxiety, guilt, sadness, and anger are at risk for developing a mood disorder Socially dependent people or individuals who make their self worth contingent on what others say or think have increased risk of depression Need for control also influences depression risk when uncontrollable stress encountered

Causes Psychosocial Factors Depressed mothers Mothers depression influences childs susceptibility for depression, even if the child is adopted Mothers treatment produces positive outcomes for the child too

Treatment Major depression & dysthymic disorder Antidepressants act by increasing the levels of a specific group of neurotransmitters (monoamines serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) that are involved in the regulation of emotions and moods SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) 80% of antidepressants are SSRIs, raise the level of the neurotransmitter serotonin Antidepressants most commonly prescribed medication in the US, used by 10% of the population Effectiveness of antidepressants May take up to 8 weeks to work, symptoms for only 1/3 will go away Some antidepressants work better than others, depends on the individual

Treatment Major depression & dysthymic disorder Psychotherapy Less severe depression psychotherapy as effective as antidepressants More severe depression combo of psychotherapy & antidepressants most effective Relapse 70% of patients relapsed 18 months after treatment, required additional treatment Depression viewed as a chronic disease or long-term disease 30% maintained recovery patients treated with psychotherapy less likely to relapse

Treatment Bipolar I disorder Drugs Mood stabilizer lithium combined with other drugs Lithium thought to prevent manic episodes by preventing neurons from being overstimulated 50% of patients who stop taking lithium experience a manic episode Only 50% of patients are helped by the drug combo (30% partially helped, 20% little to no help) Relapse 10-30% of patients receive no help from current drugs 30-70% initially improve but later relapse Researchers continue to look for new ways to treat mood disorders Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment of last resort

Involves placing electrodes on the skull and administering a mild electric current that passes through the brain and causes a seizure. Usual treatment consists of a series of 10 to 12 ECT sessions, at the rate of about 3 per week Used as a last resort for the 40% of patients whose depression doesnt decrease from the use of antidepressants In the US, ECT is currently used for 100,000 patients/year

ECT as last resort Risks: may cause varying degrees of memory loss Gradual improvement in memory after ECT, for most memory returns to normal ECT effective in reducing depressive symptoms in 70-90% of patients Avg. relapse rate after ECT exceeds 50%, patients may need antidepressants after ECT or additional ECT treatments for depression No evidence to suggest that ECT causes brain damage

New treatment option for treatment- resistant depression Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Noninvasive technique that activates neurons by sending pulses of magnetic energy in the brain Depressed patients who did not respond to antidepressants experienced improvement after 40 mins of TMS daily for 4 weeks Side effects may occur (headache, lightheadness, scalp discomfort), less severe than ECT (unlikely to cause seizures & doesnt require anesthesia)

Consists of inflexible, long-standing, maladaptive traits that cause significantly impaired functioning or great distress in ones personal & social life Found in about 9% of the population Affect men & women equally, gender influences which personality disorder develops

Seven most common personality disorders 1. Paranoid personality disorder Pattern of distrust & suspiciousness & perceiving others as having evil motives (0.5-2.5% of the pop.) 2. Schizotypal personality disorder Acute discomfort in close relationships, distortions in thinking & eccentric behavior (3-5% of the pop.) 3. Histrionic personality disorder Excessive emotionality & attention seeking (2% of the pop.)

Seven most common personality disorders 4. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder Intense interest in being orderly, achieving perfection & having control (4% of the pop.) 5. Dependent personality disorder Pattern of being submissive & clingy because of an excessive need to be taken care of (2% of the pop.) 6. Borderline personality disorder Pattern of instability in personal relationships, self-image & emotions as well as impulsive behavior (2% of the pop.) 7. Antisocial personality disorder Pattern of disregarding or violating the rights of others without feeling guilt or remorse (3% of pop., predominantly male)

Borderline Personality Disorder Intense, unpredictable emotional outbursts & lack impulse control causing them to express inappropriate anger & engage in dangerous behaviors Emotionally erratic express love & rage simultaneously, emotionally volatile, unable to maintain stable relationships 75% hurt themselves through self-mutilation 10% eventually commit suicide

Borderline Personality Disorder Causes Environmental & genetic causes Experienced trauma in childhood Overactive amygdala (emotional center of brain) Underactive area of brain that controls emotional responses Impulsivity & aggression are heritable Treatment Dialectical behavior therapy most effective A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps patient identify thoughts, beliefs & assumptions that make their life challenging & teaches them different ways to think & react

Antisocial Personality Disorder Killers from Most Evil 50-80% of prisoners meet criteria for antisocial personality disorder Not all are alike, diagnostic symptoms vary along a continuum One end: delinquents, bullies, lawbreakers Other end: serial killers

Antisocial Personality Disorder Causes Psychosocial factors Aggressive & antisocial children who are difficult to control Early appearance of behavioral problems (temper tantrums, bullying, torturing animals, habitual lying) Children who experience physical or sexual abuse

Antisocial Personality Disorder Causes Biological factors Genetic factors Genetics contribute 30-50% to the development of antisocial personality disorder Neurological factors Prefrontal cortex damage/impairment Involved in important executive functioning, such as making decisions & planning

Antisocial Personality Disorder Treatment Psychotherapy not shown to be effective, patient does not see their behaviors as wrong Drugs tried that raise brain serotonin levels Serotonin may underline impulsive & aggressive behaviors For 69% of patients, antisocial personality disorder is an ongoing & long-term problem

Virginia Union University Introduction to Psychology.

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