Subject

Psychopathology in Adults

  • code 12754
  • course 2
  • term Semester 2
  • type OB
  • credits 9

Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

Teaching staff

Introduction

In the event that the health authorities announce a new period of confinement due to the evolution of the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the teaching staff will promptly communicate how this may effect the teaching methodologies and activities as well as the assessment.

Psychopathology is the area of knowledge that describes changes in behavior that can be experienced by the human being, which are not explained by the maturation or development of the individual, and are known as mental disorders.

These disorders are given by the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors, and psychopathology focuses on understanding the nature and possible causes of these disorders. Knowledge of the psychopathology of adulthood is essential for the practice of clinical psychology, but it is also a necessary knowledge in other areas of psychology such as education or organizations.

It is intended with this subject that the student, know the manuals and diagnostic systems used in clinical practice, recognize the different mental disorders and identify the criteria and the main characteristics that define each of the mental disorders that may occur in the adulthood, without losing sight of the fact that the subject who suffers the symptoms is a whole, understanding this way the psychiatric comorbidity.

Pre-course requirements

Have completed and approved the subject Introduction to psychopathology.

Objectives

OBJECTIVES

-          Acquire knowledge about the diagnostic systems used in clinical practice

-          Acquire knowledge about the different mental disorders that occur in adulthood.

Specific objectives:

-          Differentiate between normality and pathology

-          Recognize the different psychopathological disorders that can occur to adulthood.

-          Identify clinical manifestations, course and the diagnostic criteria of each psychopathological disorder.

-          Know the risk factors, the biological bases and the main etiological theories linked to each psychopathological disorder

-          Learn to differentiate the different psychopathological disorders through differential diagnosis.

-          Know the basic epidemiological data on mental health and enhance the gender perspective.

Competencies

  • CB01 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study that is based on general secondary education and that usually includes, through support from advanced textbooks, certain aspects of knowledge from the cutting-edge of their field of study.
  • CB02 - Students must know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and have competences that are usually demonstrated through the creation and defence of arguments and the solving of problems within their field of study.
  • CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) in order to issue judgements that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
  • CB04 - Students must be able to convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • CE03 - The ability to make adequate decisions about what Psychology-specific methods and measuring instruments to use in each situation or evaluation context.
  • CE09 - The ability to identify the biological basis of the functions of Psychology and human behaviour, with an understanding of how they work and their influence on other aspects of a person.
  • CE14 - The ability to recognise the basis of normal and altered human behaviour.
  • CE16 - The ability to communicate evaluations in a critical, well-founded manner, respecting the ethical commitment involved in disseminating psychological knowledge.
  • CG09 - The ability to integrate psychological knowledge and developments into professional practice.
  • CG10 - Sensitivity to the needs and expectations of others.
  • CG11 - Recognition, understanding and respect for the complexity of multicultural diversity.
  • CT04 - The capacity to work in a team
  • CT08 - The ability to put theoretical knowledge into practice
  • CT09 - The ability to communicate adequately, both orally and in writing

Learning outcomes

Once the students have finished the course, they should be able to:

a) Know the different systems and diagnostic methods used in clinical practice.

b) Know the main clinical characteristics and the main symptoms of the different mental disorders that can occur during adulthood.

c) be able to establish a clinical diagnosis from work with clinical cases

Syllabus

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

ADAPTIVE DISORDERS, POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDERS

DISORDERS FOR SOMATIC AND RELATED SYMPTOMS

DISORDERS OF SLEEP AND VIGILY

EATING DISORDERS

MOOD DISORDERS

DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS

DEMENTIA AND NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS

ADDICTIVE DISORDERS

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER AND RELATED DISORDERS

ANXIETY DISORDERS

SCHIZOPHRENIA AND PSYCHIC DISORDERS

MENTAL HEALTH AND GENDER PERSPECTIVE

SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITY

Teaching and learning activities

In person

TRAINING ACTIVITY
Lectures will be the setting in which students will learn and use the terminology and linguistic structures related to the sphere of study, for the purpose of practising and developing oral and written communication skills and becoming familiar with the literature and instruction materials provided to better integrate the curricular content.
Case studies are a learning technique in which the subject is given the description of a specific situation that poses a problem, which must be understood, assessed and resolved by a group of people through discussion. Case studies are generally resolved in groups to promote student participation and develop their critical thinking skills. They also prepare students to make decisions, teaching them how to back up their arguments and contrast them with the opinions of the other group members.
The guided reading of texts aims to develop the students’ critical thinking skills, which play a fundamental role in creating citizens who are both aware and responsible.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person

Theoretical note. The theoretical module of the course will be evaluated by two test exams. The contents of the exam will be based, on the one hand, on the PIR syllabus and, on the other hand, on the subject matter explained in the classes and on the recommended study literature for each subject. The minimum grade to pass is 5 in each case.

Practical note. Continuous evaluation Several clinical cases will be proposed for the student to make the identification of symptoms, the diagnostic approach and the differential diagnosis. The student must present a written work for each of the cases proposed.

Final note. Both the theoretical and the practical grades will be scored from 0 to 10, being necessary to obtain at least a grade of 5 in each of them. Subsequently, a weighted average will be obtained

Bibliography and resources

American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2014): Manual Diagnòstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales. DSM-5. Masson. Barcelona

Belloch, A., Sandín, B. Y Ramos, F. (2008): Manual de Psicopatología (vol. 1). McGraw-Hill. Madrid

Belloch, A., Sandín, B. Y Ramos, F. (2008): Manual de Psicopatología (vol. 2). McGraw-Hill. Madrid

Buela-casal, G., Caballo, V., Y Carrobles, J.A. (2002): Manual de psicopatologia y trastornos psiquiátricos. Siglo XXI. Madrid.

Caballo, V.E., Salazar, I.C., Carrobles, J.A. (2014): Manual de psicopatologia y trastornos psicológicos. Piramide. Madrid.

Kaplan, H. Y Sandok, B. (1999): Sinopsis de la Psiquiatría. Editorial Médica Paramericana. Madrid.

Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) (1992): Classificación internacional de las enfermedades (CIE-10). MS. Madrid.

Vallejo Ruiloba, J. (2011): Introducción a la psicopatologia y la psiquiatría (7ªed). Masson. Barcelona.

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