P2.PS Psychological Problems — Topic Overview

This topic examines mental health — what it means to have a psychological problem, how conditions are classified, and what treatments are available.

Defining mental health

Mental health exists on a continuum. The statistical definition of abnormality defines behaviour as abnormal if it is statistically rare. The deviation from social norms definition sees abnormality as behaviour that violates cultural expectations. The ideal mental health approach (Jahoda) lists criteria for positive mental health.

DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) is the major classification system used by mental health professionals.

Depression

A mood disorder characterised by:

• Persistent low mood (most of the day, nearly every day for 2+ weeks)
• Anhedonia (loss of pleasure)
• Sleep disturbances, appetite changes, fatigue, poor concentration, thoughts of death

Biological explanation: reduced serotonin and noradrenaline activity; genetic vulnerability.

Psychological explanation: Beck's negative cognitive triad (negative views of self, world and future); learned helplessness (Seligman).

Treatments: antidepressants (SSRIs — fluoxetine), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exercise, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe cases.

Addiction

Characterised by compulsive use despite harmful consequences. Physical and/or psychological dependence. Drug use changes brain reward circuits (dopamine). Smoking/alcohol/gambling are common examples.

Treatments: nicotine replacement therapy, CBT, aversion therapy, 12-step programmes AA, motivational interviewing.

Evaluating treatments

• Drug treatments: effective quickly; but side effects; treat symptoms not cause; dependency risk.
• CBT: addresses underlying thought patterns; long-lasting; time-consuming; requires motivation.
• Combination of biological and psychological approaches often most effective.

Exam focus

• Know symptoms of depression
• Compare biological and psychological explanations
• Evaluate at least two different treatments