Psychopathology: Fundamental Themes

Recommended Prerequisites

It is strongly recommended that students have previously obtained approval to the following subjects: History and Epistemology of Psychology, Biological Basis of Behaviour, and Developmental Psychology.

Teaching Methods

Different methodologies are planned in order to achieve the learning objectives of this unit:

(1) Theoretical exposition of the contents, case exemplifications, videos watching, and handling diagnostic system classifications;

(2) Critical reflection and discussion;

(3) Practical exercises (role-playing) to illustrate aspects of mental status examination;

(4) Analysis and discussion of clinical cases in small peer study groups;

The articulation between theoretical and practical methodology will allow students to develop reasoning skills and to get practice in mental status examination. 

Learning Outcomes

The objectives of this curricular unit are:

(1) Develop a broad understanding of psychopathology: the origin and etymology of this concept, theoretical and empirical basis;

(2) To promote reflection about the difference between normal and abnormal behaviour;

(3) Contribute to a greater understanding of the nature and history of abnormal behaviour-related approaches and the predominant models underlying our understanding of abnormality;

(4) To inform about the most important clinical assessment tools in psychopathology;

(5) To know the principles and main dimensions of mental status examination;

(6) Develop knowledge about clinical features and diagnosis criteria of specific mental disorders. Topics include Bipolar Disorder, Personality Disorders and Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders.

(7) Develop and training of clinical skills required to perform a mental status examination for Bipolar Disorder, Personality Disorders and Schizophrenia.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Module 1

1. Definition and delimitation of the study object of Psychopathology;

2. Discussion about the boundaries between "normal" and "abnormal” behaviour and the pertinence of contextual approaches to understand human behaviour;

3. Mental disorders: Historical background of mental illness and theoretical paradigms which have influenced the field of abnormal psychology;

4.  Assessment and classification in Psychopathology;

5. Mental status examination: Aims and principles;

6. Mental status examination’s dimensions: Appearance, behaviour, speech and language, attitude, level of consciousness and orientation, mood, anxiety, thought, perception, memory, intelligence and vital biological functions;

Module 2

7. Personality Disorders: Clinical features and diagnosis criteria according to DSM 5

8. Bipolar Disorder: Clinical features and diagnosis criteria according to DSM 5

9. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders: Clinical features and diagnosis criteria according to DSM 5.

Head Lecturer(s)

Cláudia Rute Carlos Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 37.5%
Frequency: 62.5%

Bibliography

American Psychiatric Association, APA. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Craighead, W. E., Miklowitz, D. J., Craighead, L. W. (2017). Psychopathology: History, diagnosis, and empirical foundations (3 rd ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Davey, G. (2014). Psychopathology: Research, assessment and treatment in clinical psychology (2nd. ed.) (pp. 35-64). British Psychological Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Trzepacz, P. & Baker, R. W. (2001). Exame psiquiátrico do estado mental. Lisboa: Climepsi.

Carvalho, A.F. & Vieta, E. (2017). The Treatment of bipolar disorder: Integrative clinical strategies and future directions. Oxford University Press.

Hagen, R. (2010). CBT for Psychosis: A symptom-based approach. New York, NY: Routledge.