Abnormal Behavior Flashcards
DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS (DSM-IV-TR)
Classification system developed by the American Psychiatric Association used to describe abnormal
behaviors. The “IV-TR” indicates it is the text revision (TR) of the fourth major revision (IV).
PHOBIAS
Characterized by a strong, irrational fear of specific objects or situations that are normally
considered harmless.
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Characterized by persistent, repetitive, and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors
(compulsions).
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Characterized by intense feelings of anxiety, horror, and helplessness after experiencing a traumatic
event such as a violent crime, natural disaster, or military combat.
BIPOLAR DISORDER
Characterized by periods of both depression and mania.
SOMATOFORM DISORDERS
Characterized by physical complaints about conditions that are caused by psychological factors
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Group of severe disorders involving major disturbances in perception, language, thought, emotion,
and balance. Delusional beliefs, hallucinations, and disorganized speech and thought are three key
characteristic symptoms.
NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER
Characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, fantasies of unlimited success, need for
excessive admiration, and a willingness to exploit others to achieve personal goals.
DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
Involve a splitting apart of significant aspects of a person’s awareness, memory, or identity.
Dissociative amnesia is characterized by a partial or total inability to recall past experiences and
important information. Dissociative fugue is characterized by suddenly and inexplicably leaving
home and taking on a completely new identity with no memory of a former life. Dissociative identity
disorder (DID) is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality systems in the
same individual.
