16: Psychological Disorders - Disorders of Childhood and Old Age

Question 1

Childhood Disorders

Answer 1

• Externalizing disorders – directed toward the environment in the form of behaviours that are disruptive and often aggressive. This
  
  • ADHD
  • Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) – children consistently behave in a disobedient, defiant, and hostile manner
  • Conduct disorder – children violate important social norms and show disregard for others
• Internalizing disorders – involve maladaptive thoughts and emotions

Question 2

Childhood Disorders

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Answer 2

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – problems take form of attentional difficulties, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or a combination of the two that results in impaired functioning
• Much more common in boys

Question 3

Childhood Disorders

Autistic Disorder

Answer 3

is a long-term disorder characterized by extreme unresponsiveness to others, poor communication skills, and highly repetitive and rigid behaviour patterns.

Question 4

Childhood Disorder

Autistic Disorder

Causal Factors

Question 5

Dementia in Old Age

Answer 5

• Dementia – the gradual loss of cognitive abilities that accompanies brain deterioration and interferes with normal functioning
• Progressive atrophy of brain tissue occurs
• Can occur at any point in life, but elderly are at greater risk
• If began after age 65, called senile dementia
• Alzheimer’s dementia – leading cause of dementia in elderly, accounting for 60% of senile dementias