72605 - Psychopathology of Emotional Disorders

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: - knows the methodologies of the multifactorial investigation of the development and of the alterations of the emotions; - knows the clinical criteria and diagnostic tools in the assessment of emotional disorders; - knows and is able to apply the techniques for the personalised treatment of emotional disorders.

Course contents

Development of the emotional system

Emotional regulation system

The clinical interview and diagnosis in psychiatry

Anger, aggression and personality disorders

Fear, anxiety disorders, obsessive disorders and post-traumatic disorders

Sadness, joy and mood disorders

Emotional dysfunction and psychotic disorders

Shame, guilt, pride and eating disorders

Therapeutic approaches

New challenges and mental health: immigration and neurocognitive disorders

Organisation of psychiatric care services in Italy

Psychiatric legislation, involuntary treatments

Rehabilitation and integrated treatments in mental health services

Readings/Bibliography

De Plato G. Manual of Psychology and Psychopathology of Emotions. Bononia University Press, 2nd edition, 2015.

For further study:

Schore A.N. Affect Dysregulation and Disorders of the Self. Norton, 2003. In particolare: I Parte: cap. 1; II Parte: capp. 7 e 9.

De Plato G., Corsi C. Il ruolo dello psicologo nel nuovo welfare Bononia University Press Bologna, 2019.

Battistella et al. Il Libro Bianco sulla Schizofrenia. Centro Studi Fondazione The Bridge, 2019.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons, discussion of clinical cases, work in groups.

Assessment methods

Exam divided into two parts (done one after the other during the same day): the first part is written (16 multiple choice questions), then an oral part which includes typically two questions, on different topics of the course.  

Determination of the final grade:

The final grade is the sum of the scores obtained in the written and oral tests (if score> 30, honors are awarded), according to the following criteria:

Written test (EOL): 16 multiple choice questions, 5 possible answers (only one is correct), one point for each correct answer, zero points for each incorrect answer. Maximum time 20 minutes. Minimum score to be admitted to the oral exam is 9 points, maximum score is 16 points

Oral test: assignment of a maximum score of 16 points based on the following criteria:

Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical skills that emerge only with the help of the teacher, expression in a correct language → 9;

Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and autonomous analysis skills only on purely executive questions, expression in correct language → 10-11;

Preparation on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analysis, mastery of specific terminology → 12-15;

Comprehensive preparation on the topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis and connection, full mastery of specific terminology and ability of discussion and self-reflection → 16

Teaching tools

Presentations of the lessons in PowerPoint, description of clinical cases, videos, audio recordings, group work and open discussions.

Presentation slides are available to students and can be downloaded from a dedicated online space (Virtuale).

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Fabbri