Objectives
Upon completion of the course, students will obtain:
- General knowledge of the history of psychopathology and the construct of Mental Disorder
- A general knowledge of psychopathological mechanisms in emotional and personality disorders
- A general knowledge of the descriptive and explanatory paradigms of psychopathology
- Knowledge of the following psychological disorders: anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, stress-related disorders, substance use disorders, personality disorders
- Ability to identify symptoms and psychopathological processes within the psychological interview to recognize diagnoses and make assessments of comorbidity and differential diagnosis.
Syllabus
The course is aimed at:
- acquire knowledge of the epistemological system of assessment and diagnosis of psychological disorders,
- acquire the fundamentals of the clinical approach to the patient,
- learn about the main theoretical models of psychological suffering, exploring their strengths and weaknesses,
- deepen and recognize psychopathological mechanisms and clinical diagnoses according to DSM-5 such as Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, Somatic Symptom Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Personality Disorders.
The course aims to develop knowledge of diagnostic guidelines, the ability to discriminate and differentiate the clinical pictures described, and to apply the knowledge gained.
The exercises’ part will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of clinical cases and excerpts from diagnostic interviews.
Lecture program:
- Introduction to the course
- Panic disorder
- Theoretical paradigms in clinical psychology
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Somatic Symptom Disorders
- Depressive Disorders
- Personality Disorders 1
- Personality Disorders 2
Exam
The assessment will consist of a written, practical and oral test.
The written test involves answering questions on the topics covered in lectures and references.
The practical test will consist of evaluating symptoms and psychopathological processes in listening to a clinical interview.
The oral test will consist of deepening knowledge and clinical and diagnostic reflection skills.
The written test and the practical test constitute access criteria for the oral test and define the starting grade.
The oral test may improve, worsen or confirm the outcome of the written test and practical test.
Preparation for study
Students in the course are required to study the lecture topics in the bibliographic references in parallel with the lectures. This study is intended to facilitate discussion of topics and clinical cases that may be presented during the lectures.
Bibliography
Essential Bibliography
- Castonguay, L.G., Oltmanns, T.F. (2016). Psicologia Clinica e Psicopatologia. Milano: Raffaello Cortina Editore. Capitoli 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9.
- Caselli, G, Ruggiero, G.M., Sassaroli, S. (2017). Rimuginio. Teoria e terapia del pensiero ripetitivo. Raffaello Cortina Editore. Capitoli 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
- Weiss Roberts, L., Louie, A.K. (2017). DSM-5 Istruzioni per l’uso. Raffaello Cortina Editore. Capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 21.
Further Reading Bibliography
- American Psychological Association (2014). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, DSM-5. Raffaello Cortina Editore
- Rovetto, F., (2015). Psicologia clinica, psichiatria, psicofarmacologia. Uno spazio di integrazione. Franco Angeli Editore.
