Abnormal Psychology Overview (02:22)

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This series will examine abnormal behaviors from a medical professional viewpoint, including how to use assessment tools and make clinical diagnoses. Meet six patients suffering psychological problems.

Mental Health Assessment (02:37)

Dr. Carl Eisdorfer discusses abnormal psychology and explains the importance of obtaining the patient’s chief complaint, home environment, and background information.

Multidisciplinary Mental Health Approach (02:25)

Learn about the clinical interview and MMPI-2 test. Clinicians may also order physical and neuropsychological tests during the assessment. Dr. Bernard Brucker discusses the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Emergency Mental Health Services (03:35)

Visit the mental health department at Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Jessica says a voice told her to kill her baby; Dr. Antonio Gines prescribes her stabilizing medication and gathers background information.

Mental Status Exam (06:05)

Chris comes to the psychiatric emergency room with voices telling him to commit suicide. Dr. Rafael Conte establishes basic facts and observes his behavior and thought processes. Physical appearance and communication can also provide patient information. Hear examples of delusions.

The First Interview (05:27)

Eisdorfer demonstrates an initial interview with a colleague playing the role of a depressed patient. Clinicians should establish the potential for self-harm or harm to others, try to get the patient to return, and try to form a plan.

Multidisciplinary Intake Interview (04:42)

Dr. Mercedes Gonzalez-Blanco leads a team including a social worker, psychiatric nurse, psychologist and psychiatrist to assess Chris' mental health upon hospital admission. They gather background information on his childhood, family life, drug abuse, and suicide attempts.

Multidisciplinary Intake Interview Discussion (04:18)

Gonzalez-Blanco's team reflects on Chris' psychological, intellectual, and social problems. Some of his responses were incongruous or unreliable; they will gather background information from other sources.

The Practitioners (03:21)

Learn about roles and responsibilities of psychiatric nurses, psychiatric social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

Psychological Testing (11:13)

Neuropsychologist Dr. Jay Weinstein explains the purpose of patient evaluations. Dr. Eddie Roca assesses schizophrenia patient Clifford for frontal lobe damage. Learn about the Bender Gestalt Test, Trails Making Test, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, MMPI-2 Test, and Thematic Apperception Test.

Lafayette Pegboard (02:05)

Psychological tests can indicate other neurological testing. Dr. Weinstein tests Clifford's ability to sort and place pegs with each hand. The motor evaluation assesses whether he has brain dysfunction.

Theoretical Models (07:27)

Diverse theories on causes of abnormal behavior fuel treatment debates. Learn about biological, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral models through the example of depression. Psychologists and psychiatrists use a combination of theories, called the biopsychosocial model, for examination, diagnosis, and treatment.

Credits: Looking at Abnormal Behavior (01:29)

Credits: Looking at Abnormal Behavior