PYC4802/101/0/2021
These notes include important information, notes and summaries pertaining to the exam from the
prescribed book (Understanding Psychopathology, South African Perspectives, Berke 2018) as well as the
tutorial letter 101/2021 for PYC4802
NB:
In the examination:
Essay questions will be based directly on the focus points of the examination themes. Each
essay needs to have at least 25-30 justified claims / well-argued facts (3-5 pages per essay).
Analyse the examination question before you attempt to answer it directly. Think and answer
the examination question comprehensively in essay format.
Themes 02 to 05 consist of your examination curriculum that you are required to studyon
your own. Apply the same process you have learnt for preparing assignment 03 / use your
own process.
THEME 02
Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders: Acute and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders
The relationship between illness and stress is embedded within complex mutual interactions
between biological, psychological, social, and socio-cultural factors, and although stressor- related
effects have always been present, there was no stressor-related category name in the DSM until now. In
the past, Acute and Post-traumatic Stress Disorders were categorised as Anxiety Disorders in the DSM-IV-
TR until the end of 2012.
The presence of psychological distress (which usually follows the exposure to such a traumatic /stressful
event typically manifests) as symptoms of
- anhedonia (loss of experiencing pleasure),
- dysphoria (a state of feeling sad, unwell / unhappy),
- externalising angry and aggressive symptoms,
- / dissociative symptoms,
in addition to the typical presence of anxiety- and fear- based symptoms.
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Acute Stress Disorder (APA, 2013, pp. 280-281)
A. Exposure to actual / threatened death, serious injury, / sexual violation in one (or more)of the
1
These notes include important information, notes and summaries pertaining to the exam from the
prescribed book (Understanding Psychopathology, South African Perspectives, Berke 2018) as well as the
tutorial letter 101/2021 for PYC4802
NB:
In the examination:
Essay questions will be based directly on the focus points of the examination themes. Each
essay needs to have at least 25-30 justified claims / well-argued facts (3-5 pages per essay).
Analyse the examination question before you attempt to answer it directly. Think and answer
the examination question comprehensively in essay format.
Themes 02 to 05 consist of your examination curriculum that you are required to studyon
your own. Apply the same process you have learnt for preparing assignment 03 / use your
own process.
THEME 02
Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders: Acute and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders
The relationship between illness and stress is embedded within complex mutual interactions
between biological, psychological, social, and socio-cultural factors, and although stressor- related
effects have always been present, there was no stressor-related category name in the DSM until now. In
the past, Acute and Post-traumatic Stress Disorders were categorised as Anxiety Disorders in the DSM-IV-
TR until the end of 2012.
The presence of psychological distress (which usually follows the exposure to such a traumatic /stressful
event typically manifests) as symptoms of
- anhedonia (loss of experiencing pleasure),
- dysphoria (a state of feeling sad, unwell / unhappy),
- externalising angry and aggressive symptoms,
- / dissociative symptoms,
in addition to the typical presence of anxiety- and fear- based symptoms.
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Acute Stress Disorder (APA, 2013, pp. 280-281)
A. Exposure to actual / threatened death, serious injury, / sexual violation in one (or more)of the
1
