LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of the key assumptions according to which it is possible to analyze the human behavior and the individual emotional experiences. The ability to recognize and treat the most relevant psychopathological, behavioral, and forensic alterations in psychiatry. The ability to integrally identify the individual distress according to the different personality dimensions.  

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Psychopathology is the scientific discipline related to the study of mental disorders, including efforts to understand their genetic, biological, psychological, and social determinants; reliable classification criteria (nosology); manifestations and course across all stages of psychiatric conditions as well as treatment. The term usually refers to the manifestation of behaviors indicating the presence of a mental disorder.

Among the most relevant objectives of the present teaching course, there are not only the basic knowledge of the psychopathological elements but also the clinical semiological, and diagnostic concepts underlying major psychiatric conditions and closely related to psychopathology. Additional aims imply the development of the ability to connect and successfully interact with clients as well as the role to rapidly identify the presentations and progression of the most relevant existent psychopathological conditions.

At the end of the training course, students will be able to recognize most of the clinical, semiological, and diagnostic pathways as well as to critically identify the most relevant psychiatric conditions analyzing their psychopathological components and identifying their nosological criteria, according to the specific learned abilities.

Further objectives are the achievement of the ability to present with language competence the acquired scientific knowledge and the development of an independent, critical, and thoughtful investigation ability.

TEACHING METHODS

Oral teaching with interactive discussion of clinical cases;

educational activities in acute psychiatric wards.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to psychiatry; epidemiology and classification of psychiatric conditions.

Psychopathology of the most relevant mental functions: sensory perceptual disturbances; quantitative and qualitative consciousness disorders; alterations of the self consciousness; thoughts disturbances; mood disorders; psychomotor behavior disorders; memory, attention, and intellect disturbances. Psychopathology of suicidal behavior.

Introduction to schizophrenia, neurobiology and clinics of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders;

Psychopharmacology: antipsychotics; antidepressants; mood stabilizers and major sedatives/tranquilizers;

Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; binge eating disorder;

Neuroimaging techniques in psychiatry;

Hysteria, somatoform and dissociative disorders;

Unipolar and bipolar mood disorders;

Temperament, character, personality and personality disorders;

Behavioral disturbances associated with dementia and cognitive decline;

Therapeutic continuity and outcome of major psychiatric conditions.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Manuale di Psichiatria. Editore: Il Pensiero Scientifico, seconda edizione, (Italy), 2014. Autore: Alberto Siracusano.

Psicopatologia e Clinica Psichiatrica. UTET Editore, 2006. Autori: Cassano Giovanni Battista, Tundo Alberto. 

Slides in power-point will be also provided to students to further support the teaching proposed topics.