| Effective Term: | 2025/02 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Adult Psychopathology |
| Unit ID: | PSYCM7015 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 090701 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit addresses the common psychological disorders occurring in adulthood. Knowledge and skills will be taught in relation to aetiology and diagnosis of these disorders, the mechanisms that maintain them as well as their neurobiological underpinnings. It will also introduce students to frameworks of assessment, formulation and intervention with consideration of client and clinician variables. Intervention will be approached from a pharmacological as well psychological perspective. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: No |
| Supplementary Assessment:No |
| Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit. |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | |  | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Accurately and effectively communicate the key features of mental disorders, including prevalence, presenting clinical features, diagnostic criteria (DSM), and comorbidities to peers and clinicians/supervisors. |
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| K2. | Effectively and accurately articulate the role of psychopharmacology in psychological practice to peers, clinicians, and clients. |
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| K3. | Evaluate complex cases of psychological disorders, analysing and communicating clinical information to inform treatment planning and intervention strategies. |
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| K4. | Explore evidence-based approaches to treating psychological disorders and use critical thinking to develop treatment plans for individual clients. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Perform a detailed clinical assessment of adult psychological disorders and evidence-based formulation and treatment plan |
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| S2. | Create a detailed diagnosis of adult psychological disorders based on DSM-5 criteria and relevant international taxonomies of classification in conjunction with a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment. |
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| S3. | Critically evaluate the relevant literature to create an informed best-practice/evidenced based approach to clinical assessment and diagnosis. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Describe, explain and evaluate the process of clinical assessment and diagnostic procedures. |
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| A2. | Communicate professional insights from clinical data and assessments to enhance understanding and clinical decision-making between and within teams. |
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| A3. | Incorporate feedback from peers and supervisors on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment practices, showing self-awareness and a commitment to ongoing improvement. |
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| Unit Content: |
• Diagnosis of psychological disorders using diagnostic classification systems such as the DSM-5 • Sress and adjustment • Anxiety Disorders • Mood disorders • Neurobiological bases for common mental health problems |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | Case study presentation for a multi-disciplinary team in a primary health care setting and written reflection. | Oral Presentation and Written Reflection | 40-60% | | 2. | K1, K2, S1, S2, A1, A2 | Students will complete a test to demonstrate their knowledge of common psychological disorders, competency in the application of DSM and international diagnostic classification systems for diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and knowledge of the role of psychopharmacology within psychological practice. | Test | 40-60% |
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