Psychopathology of Adulthood

This course includes a couple of lectures related to the definition, description, understanding and rehabilitation of deviant behavior. Among its main issues are the classification systems of deviant behaviors and the basic diagnostic categories using the clinical criteria of DSM and it covers the entire spectrum of mental disorders in adults. Emphasis is placed on understanding the clinical characteristics and the psychological and neurobiological theories for the pathogenesis of these disorders. It also includes some therapeutic approaches for the treatment of the previous mentionyed diseases and discussed the utility, limitations and consequences of the diagnosis as institutional practice. Finally, it includes clinical material for a better understanding of psychopathology.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course the students will be able to: - possess the necessary knowledge in order to be able to understand the various types of Psychopathology - to improve interpersonal communication skills with patients show significant differences in behavior, as well as their clinical experience - to provide counseling and support to psychiatric patients diagnosed with communication disorders - as member of the interdisciplinary team to advise patients who need specific interventions to visit a professional of mental health (psychiatrist or psychologist)

Prerequisites

Adequate knowledge of English Language.

Syllabus

01. Introduction During introductory lesson, students will learn what it is and which are the main Mental disorders, which is the science of Psychopathology and which is its research object, which is the meaning of the deviant behavior, and how are classified the mental disorders in nowadays and according which criteria. 02. Anxiety Disorders During this section are analysed the following issues : what is anxiety, anxiety disorders and a number of other clinical entities such as fear, phobia and which are the specific phobias, panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic and after acute stress and which are the risk factors for all the above mentioned. 03. Mood disorders During this section are analysed the following issues : which are the mood disorders and how they are classified, which are the basic criteria for the diagnosis of the each disorder and which are the criteria for differential diagnosis. Listed epidemiology data of each disorder and the major theories of etiopathogenesis of each disorder. Finally, the more popular therapeutic approaches for each disorder are analysed. 04. Schizophrenia In this section we analyze what is Schizophrenia, which are the clinical criteria for its diagnosis and what is the pathogenesis of this mental disorder. We discuss pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and which is their efficacy. Finally, we analyze the relationship of schizophrenia with the art. 05. Suicide In this section we analyze the following issues: what is suicide, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt and when they occur; which is the epidemiology of suicide and which are the most popular psychological models for the explanation of suicide; which are the possible causes for suicidal behavior and who have more thoughts of suicide; if suicide can be prevented and how and where can somebody request help. 06. Personality Disorders This module because it is quite long is divided into two subsections. The following issues are discussed: the classification of personality disorders according to DSM-IV criteria and the 3 groups (A, B, C) in which these disorders are divided. Which are the clinical symptoms of each disorder and which are the causes of personality disorders and how different psychological approaches interpret them. It is also analysed the prevalence of personality disorders in the general population and which are the most popular and most effective therapeutic approaches for them. 07. Disorders related with Substances This section is divided into two subsections. The following issues are discussed: what is abuse, what does dependence of substances mean and which are the main differences between them; What the DSM criteria for substance abuse and what the prevalence of alcohol abuse. It analyzes what is the withdrawal syndrome and short-term and long-term consequences of alcohol abuse. It also deals with the effects of the abuse of other substances: nicotine, marijuana, heroin, morphine, opium, the withdrawal symptoms in opioid use and the healing properties of some of these substances. 08. Paraphilias In this section we analyze what are paraphilias and what are sexual disorders; which are the paraphilias and their etiology and which is their treatment. 09. Sexual Diorders In this section we analyze which are the sexual disorders, their etiology and summarized some of their therapeutic interventions. 10. Body dysmorphic disorders In this section comprised by two subsections, we analyze which are the body dysmorphic disorders and which psychological problems they which cause to the general health services, how they are explained by the model of Looper and Kirmayer and which is their etiology. We also refer some methods of their treatment.