Models of Abnormal Behavior

Models of Abnormal Behavior. Dr. Ruja Shrestha MBBS, MD ( Neuropsychiatry).

EMOTIONS. Role of Emotions in Psychopathology Emotions play a major role in daily life. They significantly contribute to the development of psychopathology. Fear is one of the most studied basic emotions..

Fear as an Evolutionary Response Fear occurs in dangerous or life-threatening situations. Produces a sudden surge of physiological arousal. Charles Darwin proposed emotions serve adaptive evolutionary functions. Fear response is programmed in humans and animals..

Fight or Flight Response Automatic alarm reaction in emergencies. Mobilizes the body to: Fight (confront threat) Flight (escape danger) Triggered by adrenaline surge. Enhances survival chances..

Fight or Flight? — Austin Spine Health.

Physiology of Fear Explained by Walter Cannon (1929). Activation of cardiovascular system. Blood vessels constrict → ↑ blood pressure Blood redirected to skeletal muscles & vital organs Pale appearance (“white with fear”).

The Psychology of Fear.

Additional Physical Changes in Fear Faster and deeper breathing. Increased oxygen supply to brain → heightened alertness. Release of glucose from liver → more energy. Dilated pupils → improved vision. Dry mouth (reduced saliva). Digestive activity suppressed. Urge to urinate, defecate, or vomit..

10 Effective Strategies to Overcome Fear and Anxiety.

What Is the Fight-or-Flight Response?.

Purpose of Fear Response Prepares body for concentrated action. Increases strength and reaction speed. Improved survival in ancestral environments. Individuals with strong emergency responses passed genes forward..

Emotion are feelings that generally have both physiological and cognitive elements and that influence behaviours.( Robert Feldman). Action Tendencies in Emotion Emotions are linked to behavioral tendencies. Fear → avoidance/escape. Anger → confrontation. Love → approach/attachment. Purpose: Promote survival and reproduction..

Mood and Affect: Affect: is the immediate, observable, and outward expression of a person's internal emotional state. broad term for feelings. includes both emotions and moods. describes how a person feels at a given time. Mood : sustained, pervasive, and subjective internal emotional climate experienced by an individual. Long-lasting, covering periods of hours, days, or even weeks.

Examples: Depression Mood: Patient reports feeling sad and hopeless for the past 2 weeks Affect: Depressed affect – tearful, reduced facial expression, low tone of voice Mania Mood: Patient reports feeling extremely happy and energetic Affect: Elated affect – overfamiliar, expansive, animated gestures.

Circumplex Model of Emotions Two main dimensions: Valence (positive ↔ negative) Arousal (high ↔ low activation) Called the circumplex model of emotions. Time dimension may also be considered (short vs long lasting)..

content joyful pleased delighted satisfied glad calm Arousal tired bored Valen alarmed miserable frustrated depressing annoyed angry.

Affective Circumplex (arousal+valence) nervous distressed overwhelmed Mid unpleasant active valence High Arousal energized interested excited pleasant active valence discontent neutral content Arousal Mid Arousal unpleasant inactive valence lethargic bored depressed Low Arousal Pleasant inactive valence restful serene.

Circumplex Model of Emotions [15]. This model contains already all the... | Download Scientific Diagram.

Emotion Wheel for Kids: Free Printable + How to Use It.

COMPONENT OF EMOTION: (A) Physiological (Physical) Component of Emotion Emotion causes changes in the physiological system Controlled mainly by the Sympathetic nervous system Common physiological changes: Respiration Heart rate & pulse Blood pressure Hormonal secretion Digestion.

Direct Brain Pathways in Emotion Emotional centers connect directly to: Retina (vision) Ear (hearing) Supported by research of Joseph LeDoux. Explains rapid emotional reactions without awareness. Example: Sudden fear before conscious evaluation..

(B) Behavioral Component of Emotion Behavior reflects: Thoughts Physiological arousal Emotions produce observable actions Forms of Emotional Expression Facial expressions Voice Gestures Posture.

Body gestures of different emotions. (a) The MASR dataset which... | Download Scientific Diagram.

Examples In Anger: Flushed face Lowered brows Clenched jaw Aggressive movements Facial expression: Pleasant emotion → mouth turns up Unpleasant emotion → mouth turns down Voice: Loud voice → excitement Rising tone → surprise Monotonous voice → sadness/depression Gestures & posture: Anxiety → leaning forward Depression → slow movements Excitement/anger → increased activity.

(C) Cognitive Component of Emotion Emotions depend on how a situation is interpreted Same situation → different emotions in different people Due to individual cognitive processing Subjective Nature of Emotion Emotional labels are broad (happy, sad, angry) Actual experience is personal and subjective Example: Friend arrives late: One person → mild annoyance Another → intense anger.

Emotions and Psychopathology. Emotional Suppression & Psychopathology Suppressing emotions (anger, fear) increases: Sympathetic nervous system activity. Chronic suppression may contribute to: Anxiety disorders Mood disorders Emotion dysregulation is central to many disorders..

Fear & Panic Disorder Panic attack = normal fear at wrong time. Occurs without real external threat. Central feature of anxiety disorders. Mania (Bipolar Disorder) Excessive joy, excitement, grandiosity. Increased spending, risk-taking behavior. Inflated self-confidence. Part of Bipolar disorder. Alternates with depressive episodes..

Depression Extreme sadness, hopelessness. Loss of pleasure (anhedonia). Low energy, reduced activity. Risk of suicide in severe cases. Core feature of many mood disorders..

Basic Emotions in Psychological Disorders Core emotions contributing to disorders: Fear → Anxiety disorders Sadness → Depression Excitement → Mania Anger → Impulse & personality disorders.

Mood and Cognition Mood influences: Interpretation of events Memory recall First impressions Positive mood → positive associations. Negative mood → pessimistic interpretations. Depressed individuals recall more negative memories..

Emotion Dysregulation Disruption in normal emotional processing. Affects: Thinking Behavior Social functioning Central focus in modern psychopathology research..

Cultural, Social, and Interpersonal Factors.

Psychopathology is influenced by: Neurobiology Psychological factors Social & cultural factors Cultural and social influences can be powerful—even life-threatening. They shape: Expression of symptoms Type of fears Coping styles.

Culture-Bound Fear Disorders Some cultures have fright disorders. Characterized by: Exaggerated startle response Anxiety symptoms Somatic complaints Example: Dhat (India): A severe anxiety disorder about semen loss. Amok (Malaysia): A sudden, intense outburst of rage and violence, often followed by amnesia..

Evil Eye & Voodoo Death Belief in “evil eye” in many cultures. Fear may become severe and fatal. Walter Cannon (1942): Studied “voodoo death” in Haiti. Death sentence by medicine man → extreme autonomic arousal. Social withdrawal & lack of support worsen condition. Cultural belief → physiological collapse → death..

Cultural Influence on Fear Content Fear is universal. What we fear depends on cultural context. Study of Jewish & Bedouin children (Israel): Jewish children → fewer fears. Bedouin children → more fears. Bedouin fears focused on family disintegration. Culture influences: Number of fears Type of fears Form of psychopathology.

Gender and Psychopathology Gender Differences in Disorders Gender roles influence: Type of disorder Symptom expression Coping patterns Not biological sex alone — social expectations matter..

i) Phobias & Gender Insect/small animal phobia: ~90% cases are female. Social phobia: Affects men & women equally. Cultural norms: Women → more acceptable to express fear. Men → encouraged to hide fear..

ii) Gender & Coping Men may cope with fear by: Suppression Alcohol use Leads to: Higher rates of alcoholism in males. Self-medication increases addiction risk..

iii) Gender & Treatment Response After exposure therapy for PTSD: Both genders improve. Women maintain gains longer. Possible reason: Better emotional memory processing in females..

iv) Eating Disorders & Gender Bulimia nervosa: Mostly affects young females. Cultural emphasis on: Female thinness. Some affected males: Higher prevalence among gay men. Cultural body image standards play major role..

“Tend and Befriend” Response: Proposed by Shelley Taylor. Female stress response: Tend → protect & nurture offspring. Befriend → seek social alliances. Linked to attachment-caregiving system. Neurobiologically influenced..

What Is the Tend & Befriend Response?.

Life-Span Development.

Traditional view: “Snapshot” approach to disorders. Life-span view: Development is continuous and dynamic. Psychological disorders must be understood across: Childhood Adolescence Adulthood Old age.

“End of History” Illusion People believe they will change very little in future –End of History Illusion In reality: Personality, cognition, and emotions continue to evolve. Important for understanding changing vulnerability to disorders..

Development & Vulnerability Experiences at different life stages influence: Stress response Coping skills Risk for psychopathology Early life stress can increase later vulnerability..

Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Proposed by Erik Erikson. Eight major life crises across lifespan. Each stage shaped by: Biological maturation Social demands Unlike Freud: Development continues beyond adolescence. Old age → Integrity vs Despair..

Brain Plasticity Across Life Brain changes at all developmental stages. Study by Kolb et al. (2003): Complex environments affect brain differently by age. Adults & elderly: Increased neuron size & complexity. Young animals: Temporary decrease but long-term cognitive benefit. Suggests lifelong brain plasticity..

Enriched Environment & Neurological Disorders Enriched environments may delay progression of: Huntington's disease Alzheimer's disease Parkinson's disease Fragile X syndrome Down syndrome Environmental stimulation positively impacts brain function..