Psychological and pedagogical sciences

Module CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

The objectives of the course include acquiring adequate knowledge of the basic constructs and methods of clinical psychology and their application in the areas of prevention, psychological assessment, and psychological interventions within the clinical psychology field.

The course will also provide an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of both functional and dysfunctional adaptation, the main psychopathological disorders, and their related cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes.

• THE CLINICAL INTERVIEW IN PSYCHOLOGY
• THEORIES AND MODELS OF EMOTION PROCESSING AND REGULATION
• STRESS AND STRESS-RELATED CLINICAL CONDITIONS
• UNIPOLAR AND BIPOLAR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
• POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
• ANXIETY DISORDERS AND OBSESSIVE SPECTRUM DISORDERS
• ILLNESS ANXIETY DISORDER AND THE ROLE OF THE PATIENT
• TRAUMA AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
• PERSONALITY DISORDERS

“Contribution of the course to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being

The assessment consists of an oral exam on the topics covered in the syllabus.
The evaluation criteria are based on:

• Acquisition of the main models and theoretical approaches in clinical psychology and clinical psychopathology;

• Clarity of presentation on the course content;

• Competence in using specialized terminology.

§ What is meant by emotion? What are the consequences of emotions?

§ What is the difference between primary and secondary emotions?

§ What is the evolutionary function of emotions?

§ How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems act in the expression of emotions?

§ Describe James Gross' model of emotional regulation.

§ What is meant by alexithymia?

§ What are the characteristic symptoms of depression (affective, cognitive, motivational, behavioral, and physiological symptoms)?

§ How does a depressed patient evaluate themselves, the world, and the future?

§ What are cognitive biases? What are the cognitive biases typical of depression?

§ What are the clinical characteristics of postpartum depression?

§ What is the difference between suicide, failed suicide, and parasuicide?

§ What is a suicidal plan and what meanings can it take for the patient?

§ Describe the evaluation of suicidal risk (what should be evaluated)?

§ Provide a definition of anxiety.

§ What is the difference between physiological and pathological anxiety?

§ What are the cognitive and physiological aspects of anxiety?

§ How does an anxious patient evaluate themselves and the world?

§ What is meant by the "white bear effect"?

§ What is the main characteristic of social anxiety disorder? What is the main fear for the patient?

§ How does the vicious cycle develop in a patient with social anxiety?

§ What are the cognitive symptoms of panic?

§ What strategies do patients with anxiety disorders typically use? Do these strategies work?

§ What is the main fear of a patient with agoraphobia? What are the most feared situations?

§ What is meant by specific phobia?

§ Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): What are obsessions? What are compulsions? What is the purpose of compulsions?

§ What types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are identified?

§ Discuss the role of the patient and the sick role behavior.

§ What are the characteristics of illness anxiety disorder? What are the fears of a patient with this disorder?

§ How does a hypochondriac perceive themselves? Besides anxiety, what other emotion is typical of this disorder?