Course number: AP 5104
Title: Clinical/Abnormal Psychology
Credit hours: 4
Contact hours: 60
This course has two main goals. The first is the investigation of psychiatric disorders requiring diagnosis and intervention. Focusing on the recognition of psychopathological conditions, the purpose is to help the students in treatment planning and referral. The second goal of the course is learning to use psychological principles in dealing with patients. Crisis intervention communication skills training and therapeutic effectiveness in psychosomatic illness, stress reduction, and pain management are included.
Required Text: Introduction to Clinical Psychiatry, G.D.Elkin, (Ed.), Appleton & Lange, 1999.
General Course Outline:
Week 1: Course Overview
1. Goal for course
a. to help you in your relationships with your patients
b. to help your patients with their personal problems
c. to help you know when to refer
2. Discussion of patients that are difficult to deal with
a. examples from the class
3. What is psychology?
a. study of human behavior
b. research vs. theories
4. Discuss actual patient situations
Professional Skills
1. Listening skills: rapport
a. goals of listening are to let patients know
1) you hear 2) you understand
b. to let patients know you hear - comment on their behavior or experience
c. you understand - comment on their feelings
1) what are feelings 2) feelings versus thoughts
d. Nonverbal listening skills
e. How listening builds rapport
2. Class examples
Week 2: Overview to Abnormal Psychology Pages 1-2, 10-12, 15-26
1. Historical views
a. Demonic possession
b. Medical model
c. Intrapsychic model
d. Learning model
e. Social model
f. Biochemical model
2. Contemporary Views of Abnormality
a. Freud - psychoanalytic
1) developmental stages
2) role of unconscious
3) defense mechanisms
b. Behavioral/Learning Theories
1) classical conditioning
2) operant conditioning
3) observational behavior
c. Cognitive theories
d. Humanistic Theories
1) assumptions about human nature
2) process of change
3. Diagnosis
a. Problems of diagnosis
b. Benefits of diagnosis
Week 3: Mood Disorders Pages 55-86, 27-40
1. Bipolar disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
2. Major depression
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
3. Cyclothymia
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
4. Dysthymia
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
5. Differentiating between dementia & depression
a. Myths about suicide
b. Predisposing factors
c. Assessing dangerousness
1. SAD PERSONS scale
d. Handling a suicidal patient
Week 4: Anxiety Disorders Pages 87-100, 101-112
1. Panic Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
2. Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
4. Phobias - Single
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
5. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/Acute Stress Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
6. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
Week 5: Dissociative Disorders Page 129-141
1. Dissociative Amnesia
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
2. Fugue
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
3. Dissociative Identity Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
4. Depersonalization Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
Week 6: Somatoform Disorders Page 113-128
1. Somatization Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
2. Conversion Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
3. Pain Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
4. Hypochondriasis
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
5. Body Dysmorphic Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
Week 7: Schizophrenic Disorders Pages 41-54
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
Delusional Disorders
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
Other Psychotic Disorders
1. Brief Psychotic Disorder
2. Schizoaffective Disorder
3. Schizophreniform Disorder
Week 8: Sexual Dysfunction
1. Sexual Response Cycle
2. Overview of sexual problems
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
Week 9: Eating Disorders Pages 183-192
1. Anorexia Nervosa
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
2. Bulimia
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
3. Binge eating disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
Childhood Disorders
1. Autistic Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
2. Mental Retardation
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
3. Learning Disabilities
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
4. Pyromania
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
5. Trichotillomania
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
6. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
a. Etiology
b. Symptoms
c. Treatment
d. Appropriate referrals
e. Examples
f. Differential diagnosis
Referral Procedures
1. Types of mental health professionals
2. Licensing
3. How to make a referral
4. Patient Confidentiality
Week 11: Personality Disorders Page 162-182
Week 12: : Patient Compliance Page 208-220
1. Correlates of compliance
2. Correlates of noncompliance
3. Ways to increase compliance
a. set small goals
b. reinforce steps to goal
4. Client self-responsibility
a. Barriers to:
1. Passivity
2. Learned helplessness
3. Disabling self-talk
b. Self-efficacy
5. Recognizing and dealing with angry patients
Stress/Burnout
1. What is stress
2. Dangers of stress
3. To combat stress
a. relaxation exercises
b. hardy personality
c. lifestyle
4. Burnout defined
a. Stages
1. Enthusiasm
2. Stagnation
3. Frustration
4. Apathy
Improving relationships with colleagues/staff with communication
1. Assertiveness training
a. assertive vs. passive vs. aggressive
b. how to be assertive
c. class examples and role-play
Week 13: Handling Crisis
1. What is crisis
2. How it affects us
a. Emotionally
b. Cognitively
c. Behaviorally
3. Stages for intervention
a. Relieve current level of stress
Rape Page 259-264
1. Myths about rape
2. Phases of trauma response
a. Immediate - acute
b. Disorganization
c. Reorganization
3. What to do for a patient who has been raped
Domestic violence
1. Definition & Etiology
2. Psychological reactions
3. Underlying theme: power & control
4. How to help a patient who is in a violent home
Week 14: Alcohol Abuse & Drug Abuse Page 142-161
1. Etiology & Definitions
2. Signs of alcoholism/drug abuse
3. Treatment - Referrals
4. Family Issues
a. Codependency defined
b. Related somatic problems
c. Treatment
Chronic Pain: Page 214-215
Psychological Assessment