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PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS (Depression & Addiction)

These notes cover Unipolar Depression and Addiction, exploring their symptoms, incidence, effects, explanations (Genetic, Cognitive, Learning), and treatments (CBT, Drug Therapies) as required by the GCSE Psychology Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 1PS03 course.

Study Outline: Depression & Addiction

1

Core Definitions & Symptoms (ICD)

Unipolar Depression and Addiction features.
2

Incidence and Effects

Societal and individual impacts over time.
3

Explanations

Genetic, Cognitive (Depression), and Learning (Addiction) theories.
4

Treatments

CBT and Drug Interventions.

ICD Definitions & Key Concepts

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Psychological Problems

Patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviours that cause significant distress or impairment in a person's life.
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Unipolar Depression

Mood disorder categorized by a persistent low mood or loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia) lasting for at least two weeks.
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Addiction

Involves dependence on a substance or behaviour despite harmful consequences.
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Incidence

The number of new cases occurring in a specific time period.

ICD Symptoms: Unipolar Depression

Diagnostic Features:

The ICD defines unipolar depression as a mood disorder categorized by a persistent low mood or loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia) lasting for at least two weeks. Common symptoms include feelings of sadness, fatigue, changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia), difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and thoughts of death or suicide. These symptoms must significantly impair social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

ICD Symptoms: Addiction

Diagnostic Features:

Addiction, classified under “disorders due to substance use or addictive behaviours” in the ICD, involves dependence on a substance or behaviour despite harmful consequences. Symptoms include a strong urge or craving, inability to control use, tolerance (needing more for the same effect), withdrawal symptoms upon stopping, and neglect of responsibilities or activities. The disorder leads to significant distress or impairment in personal, social or occupational domains.

Incidence of Mental Health Problems Over Time

Problem Prevalence Influencing Factors
Depression 1 in 10 people (at any time) Greater awareness, reduced stigma.
Addiction 3-5% of adults globally (Alcohol) Changes in substance availability, legal policies.
Risk Window Adolescence & Early Adulthood Fluctuates by age, gender, socioeconomic status.
Note Incidence refers to the number of new cases occurring in a specific time period.

Effects of Mental Health Problems

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On Individuals Depression leads to persistent sadness, reduced motivation, and lowered quality of life. Addiction causes social withdrawal, financial problems, legal issues, and physical health risks. Mental health problems increase the risk of suicide and self-harm.
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On Society The economic costs are huge due to lost productivity, healthcare expenses, and social welfare needs. Stigma associated with mental health problems may deepen exclusion for sufferers.

Genetic Explanation (Depression & Addiction)

The genetic explanation suggests that inherited genes contribute to the risk of developing mental health problems (e.g., 5-HTT gene, dopamine system genes).

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Strengths Explains why some people develop depression without obvious external causes; supported by robust twin and adoption studies (e.g., ~40-50% concordance in identical twins). Accounts for individual differences in susceptibility.
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Weaknesses Genes do not act alone—environmental factors (stressful life events, peer pressure) are also critical; not all family members get depression; genetic explanation can be seen as deterministic.

Cognitive Theory for Depression (Beck)

The Negative Triad:

According to this theory, depressed individuals develop a ‘negative triad’: negative views about themselves, the world, and the future. Thoughts become biased, focusing on failures, assuming the worst outcomes, and discounting positives. These maladaptive cognitions cause low mood and reinforce themselves in a cycle.

Strength: Has practical applications in therapy (CBT); supported by research showing cognitive biases in depressed people.

Learning Theory for Addiction

Learning theory suggests addiction develops through learned behaviours based on experiences.

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Operant Conditioning

Substance use is reinforced by pleasure or relief from negative feelings (positive and negative reinforcement).
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Classical Conditioning

Environmental cues (people, places) become associated with drug use and trigger cravings.
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Social Learning Theory

People learn addictive behaviours by observing role models.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

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CBT for Depression: Helps patients identify and challenge negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic, positive ones. Involves behaviour activation.
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CBT for Addiction: Focuses on identifying triggers, developing coping strategies, and changing beliefs about substance use. Techniques include relapse prevention.

Overall Strength: Evidence-based and effective in reducing symptoms. Weakness: Requires motivation; slower onset than drugs.

Drug Treatments: Depression Mechanism

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Key Mechanism (SSRIs):

Antidepressant drugs include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which increase serotonin levels in the brain. Strengths: Can quickly alleviate symptoms; useful for severe depression. Weaknesses: Side effects (nausea, sleep problems); treat symptoms, not cause.

Drug Treatments: Addiction Focus

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Purpose (e.g., Methadone, Naltrexone):

Drug treatments aim to reduce withdrawal symptoms or block effects of addictive substances. Strengths: Helps manage physical dependence; supports recovery process. Weaknesses: May only treat symptoms; risk of substituting one addiction for another; side effects possible.

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Psychological Problems Deck
Term
Psychological Problems

What are psychological problems?

Answer
Definition

Patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviours causing significant distress or impairment.

Term
Common Psychological Problems

Name two common psychological problems studied in GCSE Psychology.

Answer
Examples

Unipolar depression and addiction.

Term
Unipolar Depression (ICD)

According to the ICD, what is unipolar depression?

Answer
ICD Definition

A mood disorder with persistent low mood or loss of interest for at least two weeks.

Term
Symptoms of Depression

List three symptoms of depression.

Answer
Symptoms

Sadness, fatigue, changes in appetite or weight.

Term
Addiction Characteristics

What characterizes addiction in the ICD classification?

Answer
Definition

Dependence on substance or behaviour despite harm, with cravings and withdrawal.

Term
Incidence

What does incidence of a mental health problem refer to?

Answer
Definition

The number of new cases in a specific time period.

Term
Genetic Factor in Depression

Name one genetic factor linked to depression.

Answer
Example

The 5-HTT serotonin transporter gene.

Term
Beck’s Negative Triad

What is the ‘negative triad’ in Beck’s cognitive theory of depression?

Answer
Explanation

Negative views of self, world, and future.

Term
Learning Theory of Addiction

How does learning theory explain addiction?

Answer
Explanation

Addiction develops through operant and classical conditioning and social learning.

Term
Goal of CBT

What is the main goal of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in treating depression?

Answer
Purpose

To identify and challenge negative thoughts and encourage positive behaviours.

Term
Drug Treatment for Depression

Name one drug treatment for depression.

Answer
Example

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Term
Methadone and Nicotine Patches

How do methadone and nicotine patches assist addiction treatment?

Answer
Function

By reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

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🌸 Psychological Problems Quiz

1. What duration of symptoms is required for a diagnosis of unipolar depression according to the ICD?

The ICD specifies symptoms must persist for at least two weeks.

2. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of addiction according to the ICD?

Persistent low mood is a symptom of depression, not addiction.

3. What does the genetic explanation suggest about depression?

Twin and family studies support heritability in depression.

4. According to Beck’s cognitive theory, what does the ‘negative triad’ refer to?

This triad explains cognitive biases in depressed individuals.

5. Which psychological therapy combines cognitive and behavioural techniques to treat depression and addiction?

CBT targets negative thinking and behaviour patterns.

6. What is a limitation of the learning theory explanation for addiction?

Learning theory focuses mainly on conditioning and social learning.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Psychology
  • GCSE
  • Criminal Psychology
  • EDEXCEL