The diagnosis of a mental disorder cannot easily be supported by biological or anatomical evidence, unlike cancers or infections which can be confirmed using scanning techniques, biopsies or the detection of disease organisms. The diagnosis of a mental disorder is, therefore, much more dependent on the patient’s reporting of otherwise undetectable symptoms, and so is less reliable than diagnoses of purely physical illnesses. outline of what “DSM-IV” is. A2 Psychology AQA specification by Holt and Lewis 3.9.2 Symptoms of mental disorders Learn about the major symptoms and causes of two of the following disorders: Schizophrenia Depression Bipolar affective disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder Generalised anxiety disorder Specific phobias, e.g. social phobia Alcoholism Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Understand that mental disorders are to some extent disabling and that ‘feeling depressed’ is not the same as suffering from depression as a mental disorder. Be aware that the term ‘clinical depression’ means ‘depression serious enough to have been diagnosed as a mental disorder’. Schizophrenia Depression Bipolar affective disorder disorder Generalised anxiety disorder Phobia Alcoholism Relevant YouTube clips, BBC i-Player, 4 OD etc clips of documentaries pertaining to mental health. (e.g. October 2012 “999 What’s Your Emergency” featured an individual suffering from a schizophrenic episode”). Case studies of ‘everyday’ people as well as celebrities who have talked about mental disorders in the past (e.g. Stephen Fry, David Beckham). “Complete Companion AQA A2 Student Book” by Mike Cardwell Psychology for A2 level for AQA A by Cardwell, Clark, and Meldrum
Understand the difference between a phobia (which is likely to disrupt or curtail a person’s activities seriously) and a dislike or a justified fear. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder A2 Psychology AQA specification by Holt and Lewis 3.9.3 Causes Learn about the following possible contributing causes of mental disorder, and the empirical evidence supporting them: Genetics: the presence of predisposing genes, with relevant evidence of twin studies and adoption studies Biochemical factors, including the activity of the neurotransmitters gamma amino butyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, as well as nutrition and the use of drugs Life events, including separation in infancy, maternal privation, disorders, unemployment, social deprivation The learning of maladaptive behaviours, including avoiding situations. Understand that in practice it is impossible to determine the causes of a particular case of a mental disorder. This is partly because such a disorder is unlikely to have a single cause. Understand that patients (and their families) often wish to attribute single causes to their symptoms, and can mistakenly assume cause on the basis of a coincidence (for example, assuming that depression occurring Genetics Twin study Adoption study Biochemistry Neurotransmitter Life event Maladaptive behaviour Teacher led presentations on the different possible contributing causes. “Complete Companion AQA A2 Student Book” by Mike Cardwell Psychology for A2 level for AQA A by Cardwell, Clark, and Meldrum A2 Psychology AQA specification by Holt and Lewis related
Psychological interventions, including counselling, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy Complementary and alternative approaches, including acupuncture, reflexology, arts therapies, nutritional theory, yoga and relaxation Self-management approaches, including social prescribing (e.g. bibliotherapy, green gyms) and peer support Other approaches including: community-based provision, employment projects, education, physical health promotion, supported living, coming off medication, skills development. Know about the main strengths, weaknesses and problems associated with these interventions and approaches. Be aware that some of these approaches have been found to be ineffective for some mental disorders. Learn to distinguish between therapies for which there is a rational and scientific explanation and therapies which rely on less rational assumptions. Learn about how the effectiveness of a therapy can be measured, including the use of clinical trials with control and placebo groups. Psychotherapy Cognitive behavioural therapy Complementary therapy Alternative therapy Bibliotherapy Green gym Supported living Intervention Control group Placebo If available, a talk from a practitioner practising one of approaches. Student research into roles and responsibilities of other practitioners involved in care. For example, local Community Mental Health Team, social workers. Research the provisions afforded by legislation including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and NHS and Community Care Act. “” by National Institute of Mental Health and Erickson (Kindle) “” by Christine A Padesky and Dennis Greenberger