Philippine Psychometricians Licensure Exam Reviewer

Sunday, June 30, 2013

The Psychologist June 2013

The Psychologist June 2013

The June 2013 issue of The Psychologist is published by the British Psychological Society. To download a full PDF or to subscribe to the print version, see www.bpsshop.org.uk
You may read here as well - issuu.com/thepsychologist/docs/0613?e=0/2587940

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Definitions of Psychopathology

psychopathology

psychopathology /psy·cho·pa·thol·o·gy/ (-pah-thol´ah-je)

1. the branch of medicine dealing with the causes and processes of mental disorders.

2. abnormal, maladaptive behavior or mental activity.

psychopathology,

n 1. the study of the causes, processes, and manifestations of mental disorders.
n 2. the behavioral manifestation of any mental disorder.

psy·cho·pa·thol·o·gy (sī'kō-pă-thol'ŏ-jē)

1. Science concerned with pathology of mind and behavior.

2. Science of mental and behavioral disorders.

[psycho- + G. pathos, disease, + logos, study]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Excerpt from Henry VIII Would Be A Modern Day Psychopath
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/henry-viii-modern-day-psychopath-234910932.html#P9vTdBH

A study of some of the most successful people in British history has found that only one - Henry VIII - was a psychopath.The theory was that in order to be highly successful, a person had to show the sort of charm, selfishness and ruthlessness common to psychopaths.When ranked against the 'psychopathic spectrum', Henry VIII - who beheaded two of his wives - scored 174 against a 'starting' psychopath score of 168. "He scored very highly for emotional detachment and cold-hearted ruthlessness - both characteristics of dangerous psychopaths. The characteristics said to be shared by all psychopaths are: Machiavellian self-interest, persuasiveness, physical fearlessness, emotional detachment, rebelliousness, feelings of alienation, carefree spontaneity, and coolness under pressure. "Psychopathy is a spectrum. Many people have some psychopathic tendencies. Just because a person is a psychopath, it doesn't make them a serial killer.

Image source - http://www.psychology.uci.edu/research/psychopathology.html

Friday, June 28, 2013

The Difference Between Fear and Phobia (Mental Health Guru)

Source - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tEIh_fJ_9g

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder and is defined as an intense irrational fear of a particular situation, object, animal or activity. People who suffer from a phobia may experience extreme emotional and physical reactions when encountering their particular fear. There's a big difference between temporary anxiety that's experienced occasionally and the often crippling uncontrollable fear that can result in a person going to a great lengths to avoid their phobia.

Phobias various symptoms

1) Rapid heartbeat
2) Dizziness
3) Shortness of breath
4) Excessive sweating
5) Trembling
6) Weakness

Most people with phobia realize their fear is excessive and irrational but they typically are unable to overcome their feelings of dread and the often desperate need to escape the subject of their phobia. Ultimately this may interfere with the ability to function in daily life.

3 Main categories of phobia

1) Specific/simple phobia - irrational fear of a very specific situation, animal or object (fear of dog, spider, etc)

2) Social phobia - anxiety disorder - intensely fearful of being singled out, talking to strangers, ridicule, eating or showing embarrassment in social situations (e.g. fear of public speaking)

3) Agoraphobia - fear of any situation where it may be difficult to escape or get help if needed. They feel unsafe in any public place and maybe comes so disabled by their fear that they become housebound.

Phobias are the most common anxiety disorder among women and the second most common anxiety disorder among men over twenty five. For people who suffer from phovia the effects can be life altering. Their lives are often planned around avoiding, concealing or defending their phobia while struggling to cope with their fear. Most phobias can be successfully treated.

(Note - text is based from the transcript of the video)

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phobia

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/phobia_symptoms_types_treatment.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_phobias