| CODE | PSY5597 | ||||||
| TITLE | Adult Psychopathology | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Psychology | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The unit builds on the knowledge in psychopathology which trainees gained at undergraduate level. It focuses on the signs and symptoms of the major mental disorders with particular emphasis on their meaning and the contexts in which they occur. An in-depth examination of each disorder, from both psychiatric and psychogenic perspectives will be held. The main objective of the unit is to generate understanding of the various signs and symptoms of psychic and behavioural problems in the context of different clinical syndromes with an aim towards accurate evaluation and diagnosis. Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding At the end of the unit the student will be able to comprehend the signs and symptoms of psychological and behavioural problems in the context of different clinical syndromes. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will possess beginning skills in evaluating and diagnosing psychiatric disorders and in arriving at a comprehensive formulation of cases. Attitude The students will be asked to become aware of their own personal approach to mental illness and to think about their own biases and attitudes which may hinder the helping process. Students will be encouraged to adopt a phenomenological approach to conceptualization. A de-pathologizing use of language, where the focus is on the individual rather than the diagnostic label, will be encouraged. Outline: Adult Psychopathology Introduction The Mental State Examination Assessment and The Clinical Interview Disturbed consciousness related to attention, concentration, orientation, memory and time-keeping in intellectual performance Abnormality of Perception Abnormality of the thinking process: Disorders of speech Abnormality of experience of self and the awareness of body Abnormality of affect, anxiety, irritability, phobia and obsession Personality Disorders I Personality Disorders II Psychosis Affective Disorders Anxiety Disorders Suicide and Deliberate self-harm Eating Disorders Sexual Disorders Required Text: Adult Psychopathology Oyebode, R. (2008). Sims’ symptoms in the mind: An introduction to descriptive psychopathology. Saunders Elsevier. Bibliography: Alloy, L. B., Riskind, J.H., Manos, M.J., (2005). Abnormal psychology – current perspectives. New York: McGraw- Hill American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (text revision). Washington, DC: Author Bentall, R.P., (2003). Madness explained. Psychosis and human nature. Penguin Davison, G.C., Neale, J.M., Kring, M,A. (2001) Abnormal psychology. New York: Wiley Gelder, M., Mayou, R., Cowen, P. (2001). The shorter oxford textbook of psychiatry. Oxford Press Kendall, R.E. & Zealley, A. K. (1996) 5th ed. companion to psychiatric studies. London: Churchill Livingstone Spitzer, R.L., Gibbon, M.., Skodol, A.E., Williams, J. B.W., First, M.B. (1994) DSM IV case book – A learning companion to the DSM. Washington:APA WHO (1992). The ICD-10 Classification of mental and behavioural disorders – clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines. Geneva |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Greta Darmanin Kissaun (Co-ord.) Anthony Dimech David Mamo Antonella Mizzi Peter Muscat |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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