Midterm Exams: (3 Versions) NRNP6635 / NRNP 6635
(Latest ): Psychopathology and Diagnostic
Reasoning- Walden
Mental Disorder (DSM) - A syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in
an individual cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the
psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning.
When is a mental disorder considered diagnosable? - Mental disorders are usually associated
with significant distress or disability in social, occupational, or other important activities.
Syndrome - A group or set of concurrent symptoms which, together, are indicative of a
disorder or disease.
What is a syndrome a collection of? - Signs and symptoms.
Symptom - Any sign, physical or mental, that stands for or signifies something (e.g.,
psychopathology).
Sign - Observable phenomena which may signify something (e.g., psychopathology,
behavioral disturbance).
What sometimes makes a syndrome or a disorder? - A symptom and a sign.
What is similar to a syndrome? - An episode.
What are you going to find out from what the client might be telling you? - Symptoms.
What are some examples of symptoms? - Appetite loss, anxiety, depressed mood, auditory
hallucinations.
What are some examples of signs? - Tearful, agitation, severe weight loss.
What is something you don't want to do when making a diagnosis? - Telescoping.
Telescoping. - When you see a symptom and decide it is a disorder. Jumping to conclusions.
What are some issues to keep in mind in regards to diagnosis? - 1. Signs are used
interchangeably for symptoms.
2. One symptom does not constitute a disorder.
What are some cases for when you may want to make a diagnosis off of one disorder? - 1.
Sometimes a symptom (e.g., sleep disturbance) appears in a number of disorder descriptions.
, 2. Other times there are symptoms (e.g., auditory hallucinations) that strongly suggest a certain
disorder (however, rendering a diagnosis based upon a single symptom).
What are some of the reasons to diagnose? - 1. Definition and organization of clinical
information.
2. Communication with other professionals and agencies (e.g., reports, insurance companies).
3. Prediction of clinical course (prognosis).
4. Selection of treatment (most important).
5. To get paid.
What is a prediction of clinical course? - Prognosis.
What is the most important reason to diagnose? - Selection of treatment.
What are the limitations of psychodiagnosis? - 1. Diagnostic language (be descriptive with
clients).
2. Depersonalization.
3. Cultural bias. - nomenclature, evaluator bias.
4. Variable symptom manifestation.
Nomenclature - The devisioning or choosing of names for things, especially in a science or
other discipline.
What are two types of cultural bias in regards to the limitations of psychodiagnosis? -
Nomenclature and evaluator bias.
Etic - Everyone is alike. Assumes/ emphasizes universals among human beings.
Emic - Different. Classifies psychological phenomena in appropriate cultural context -
considers divergent attitudes, values, and behaviors within a given culture.
Id - Drives. Desire to be satisfied.
Superego - Incorporates from culture. Morals and values.
Ego - Struggles. Negotiates between the id and superego.
Derealization - When external environment feels unreal.
Depersonalization - Body detachment.
(Latest ): Psychopathology and Diagnostic
Reasoning- Walden
Mental Disorder (DSM) - A syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in
an individual cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the
psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning.
When is a mental disorder considered diagnosable? - Mental disorders are usually associated
with significant distress or disability in social, occupational, or other important activities.
Syndrome - A group or set of concurrent symptoms which, together, are indicative of a
disorder or disease.
What is a syndrome a collection of? - Signs and symptoms.
Symptom - Any sign, physical or mental, that stands for or signifies something (e.g.,
psychopathology).
Sign - Observable phenomena which may signify something (e.g., psychopathology,
behavioral disturbance).
What sometimes makes a syndrome or a disorder? - A symptom and a sign.
What is similar to a syndrome? - An episode.
What are you going to find out from what the client might be telling you? - Symptoms.
What are some examples of symptoms? - Appetite loss, anxiety, depressed mood, auditory
hallucinations.
What are some examples of signs? - Tearful, agitation, severe weight loss.
What is something you don't want to do when making a diagnosis? - Telescoping.
Telescoping. - When you see a symptom and decide it is a disorder. Jumping to conclusions.
What are some issues to keep in mind in regards to diagnosis? - 1. Signs are used
interchangeably for symptoms.
2. One symptom does not constitute a disorder.
What are some cases for when you may want to make a diagnosis off of one disorder? - 1.
Sometimes a symptom (e.g., sleep disturbance) appears in a number of disorder descriptions.
, 2. Other times there are symptoms (e.g., auditory hallucinations) that strongly suggest a certain
disorder (however, rendering a diagnosis based upon a single symptom).
What are some of the reasons to diagnose? - 1. Definition and organization of clinical
information.
2. Communication with other professionals and agencies (e.g., reports, insurance companies).
3. Prediction of clinical course (prognosis).
4. Selection of treatment (most important).
5. To get paid.
What is a prediction of clinical course? - Prognosis.
What is the most important reason to diagnose? - Selection of treatment.
What are the limitations of psychodiagnosis? - 1. Diagnostic language (be descriptive with
clients).
2. Depersonalization.
3. Cultural bias. - nomenclature, evaluator bias.
4. Variable symptom manifestation.
Nomenclature - The devisioning or choosing of names for things, especially in a science or
other discipline.
What are two types of cultural bias in regards to the limitations of psychodiagnosis? -
Nomenclature and evaluator bias.
Etic - Everyone is alike. Assumes/ emphasizes universals among human beings.
Emic - Different. Classifies psychological phenomena in appropriate cultural context -
considers divergent attitudes, values, and behaviors within a given culture.
Id - Drives. Desire to be satisfied.
Superego - Incorporates from culture. Morals and values.
Ego - Struggles. Negotiates between the id and superego.
Derealization - When external environment feels unreal.
Depersonalization - Body detachment.
