Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Psychopathology in Adults
Other languages of instruction: Catalan
Teaching staff
Introduction
Psychopathology is the area of knowledge that describes the behavioral changes that humans can experience, which cannot be explained by the maturation or development of the individual, and which are known as mental disorders.
These disorders are caused by the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors, and psychopathology focuses on understanding the nature and possible causes of these disorders. Knowledge of adult psychopathology is essential for the practice of clinical psychology, but it is also necessary knowledge in other areas of psychology such as education or organizations.
The aim of this subject is for students to know the manuals and diagnostic systems used in clinical practice, to recognize the different mental disorders and to identify the criteria and main characteristics that define each of the mental disorders that can occur in adulthood, without losing sight of the fact that the subject who suffers from the symptoms is a whole, thus understanding psychiatric comorbidity.
Objectives
General objectives
Knowledge of the different mental disorders that occur in adulthood.
Knowledge of the diagnostic systems used in clinical practice
Specific objectives:
- Differentiate between normality and pathology
- Know the different psychopathological disorders that can occur in adulthood.
- Identify the diagnostic criteria, clinical manifestations and the evolutionary course of each psychopathological disorder.
- Know the risk factors, biological bases and main etiological theories linked to each psychopathological disorder
- Learn to differentiate the different psychopathological disorders through differential diagnosis.
- Know the basic epidemiological data on mental health and enhance the gender perspective.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CE09 - The ability to identify the biological basis of the functions of Psychology and human behaviour, with an understanding of how they work and their influence on other aspects of a person.
- CE14 - The ability to recognise the basis of normal and altered human behaviour.
- CN05 - At the end of the Degree, the student will be able to explain and identify the main stages of human development, their progression and identify the characteristic signs and symptoms of the most frequent psychological conditions in each stage of development.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Once students have completed the course, they should be able to:
a) Know the different diagnostic systems and methods used in clinical practice.
b) Know the different mental disorders that can occur during adulthood.
c) Identify the diagnostic symptoms of each of the mental disorders studied.
d) Be able to make a differential diagnosis.
e) Have knowledge of the main epidemiological characteristics of each disorder.
f) Establish a clinical diagnosis based on work with clinical cases.
Syllabus
1. CLINICAL INTERVIEW, HISTORY AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL EXPLORATION
2.-ADAPTIVE DISORDERS, POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDERS
3.- MOOD DISORDERS
4.- SOMATIC AND RELATED SYMPTOM DISORDERS
5.- ANXIETY DISORDERS
6.- ADDICTIVE DISORDERS
7.- SEXUAL DISORDERS
8.- DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
9.- OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER AND RELATED DISORDERS
10.- EATING DISORDER
11.- SCHIZOPHRENIA AND PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
12.- MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN CATALONIA
13.- SERIOUS MENTAL DISORDER: EXPERT PATIENT
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Master classes
Work on clinical cases
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The evaluation of the subject will be carried out through a FINAL EXAM that will consist of two parts:
1) Multiple choice exam (20%): PIR content (20 multiple choice questions with 4 answer alternatives and errors subtract 0.33)
2) Written exam (80%): open questions on clinical cases
To pass the subject, the final grade must be equal to or greater than 5.
Bibliography and resources
American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2014): Manual Diagnòstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales. DSM-5. Masson. Barcelona
Belloch, A., Sandín, B. Y Ramos, F. (4ª ed 2024): Manual de Psicopatología (vol. 1). McGraw-Hill. Madrid
Belloch, A., Sandín, B. Y Ramos, F. (4ª ed 2024): Manual de Psicopatología (vol. 2). McGraw-Hill. Madrid
Caballo, V.E., Salazar, I.C., Carrobles, J.A. (2024): Manual de psicopatologia y trastornos psicológicos. adaptado al DMS 5-TR y CIE-11. Piramide. Madrid.
Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) (1992): Classificación internacional de las enfermedades (CIE-10). MS. Madrid.
Evaluation period
- E1 21/01/2026 I3 08:00h