Psychopathology Spectrum Mini-Lecture

1. Psychopathology Spectrum Mini-Lecture Heidi Combs, MD Julie Lord, MD Colin Dauria, MD

2. Objectives By the end of the session, you should be able to: Assess a patient’s level of psychological functioning on a spectrum from low to high functioning.

3. Definition of Psychopathology • Major deficits in one or more of the following: reality testing, affect regulation, relationships with others, ability to sustain work, impulse control.

4. The why and what of psychopathology • The patient’s level of functioning helps to determine what type of treatment is indicated. • Functioning ranges from low to high. • Level of function can be determined by looking at interpersonal relationships and work histories

5. “To Love and to Work”Assessing level of function • Does your pt have at least one give-and-take relationship? Are relationships stable? • Can your patient sustain effort at things such as work or long-term projects? • Can your patient delay gratification and control impulses? Adapt to changes? • How does your patient handle anxiety or painful emotions?

6. Low High • People with major deficits in reality testing, affect regulation, poor relationships with others, inability to sustain work, poor impulse control • People who can think realistically, have durable relationships, lead productive lives, and enjoy a range of activities

7. Practice Exercises • Review the sample cases • Complete the Psychopathology Spectrum Worksheets for the cases. You may not be able to answer every question for each patient. • Determine whether the patient is low functioning (highly impaired,) moderate, or highly functioning (minimally impaired.)