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Adult Psychopathology

Adult Psychopathology. Michael Hoerger. Disclaimer. Today’s lecture is purely for intellectual discourse. If you are currently undergoing any type of treatment, changes should be made based on professional opinion. For example, it can be extremely dangerous to suddenly stop taking medications.

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Adult Psychopathology

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  1. Adult Psychopathology Michael Hoerger

  2. Disclaimer Today’s lecture is purely for intellectual discourse. If you are currently undergoing any type of treatment, changes should be made based on professional opinion. For example, it can be extremely dangerous to suddenly stop taking medications.

  3. Sleep Problems • Insomnia: difficulty falling asleep • Breathing retraining / muscle relaxation • Establish a routine • Watch TV or read in a dim environment • Use “white noise” or relaxing music • Monitor eating / drinking habits • Sleeping pills / alcohol can be addictive and have withdrawal reactions

  4. Depression • Sadness, low mood, decreased pleasure • Peaks in college years, under-diagnosed in old age • More common in females • More common among low SES • Therapy can be highly effective

  5. Anxiety • Apprehension about the future and physical symptoms • Includes phobia, panic attacks, social phobias, generalized, and PTSD • Therapies focus on exposure, challenging unrealistic beliefs, and physical symptoms • Therapy can be quick and highly effective

  6. “Sex is a problem for everyone. Sex is a problem for children, sex is a problem for adolescents, sex is a problem for young adults, sex is a problem for middle-aged adults, sex is a problem for elderly adults. Sex is a problem for celibates, sex is a problem for married people, sex is a problem for single people, sex is a problem for straight people, sex is a problem for gay people. Sex is a problem for bricklayers and plumbers, sex is a problem for dentists and lawyers, sex is a problem for surgeons and therapists and psychiatrists. And sex is a problem for Scott Peck.”

  7. Sexual • Occasional difficulties are normal • Premature ejaculation and anorgasmia • Most problems have some psychological component • Physical problems or medication also play a role • Treatments: masturbate, have sex again, decrease shame / increase positive affect, decrease focus on sex itself, distraction

  8. Schizophrenia • NOT multiple personality disorder • Unusual beliefs, eccentric/odd, hallucinations, disorganized speech, depressive symptoms • Age 25 • Enormous cultural differences • Psychosocial treatments • Medications and tardive dyskinesia

  9. Eating Disorders • Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa • 10% mortality rate • High degree of overlap • Primarily white females • Age 10 to 25 • Shame, powerlessness, perfectionism • Treatments and prevention work poorly

  10. Self-help • Most self-help books are not effective • What to look for: • Specific guidelines • Research support • University affiliation • Used as part of therapy

  11. Medication • Help reduce some symptoms for some people, but do not solve underlying problems • Shortest effective dose for the shortest time period possible • Dangers: • Going on / off, adjusting dose • Long-term side effects • Multiple medications • Breggin & Cohen’s book

  12. Therapy • Highly successful for depression, anxiety, problems in adjustment • Mixed success with eating disorders, long-standing personality difficulties, and schizophrenia • Can be cheap, quick • Best predictor of therapeutic success is a positive relationship, so it may not be helpful to stick with a disliked therapist

  13. Michael Hoerger To cite this lecture: • Hoerger, M. (2007, March 21). Adult Psychopathology. Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan University.

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