Abnormal Psychology

Question 1

Abnormal

Answer 1

Defining is tricky to do
-Cognitive Model
—Abnormal thoughts or beliefs
-Sociocultural model
—Violation of local social norms
-Biological Model
—Changes in biological functioning
-At what level does it become a clinical issue?
—When harming others or themself

Question 2

Abnormal Continued

Answer 2

inextricably attached to cultural norms, expectations and laws
-ADHD in US vs Europe
-Disorders of sexuality
-Cultural responses to abnormality and misbehavior

Question 3

Psychological Disorder

Answer 3

“a condition characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors”
-very broad

Question 4

Thomas Szasz, MD

Answer 4

-Wrote “The Myth of Mental Illness”
-Argued that the mental disorder classification system is an attempt by society to control those who are different
—Vehemently criticized the system of involuntary commitment
-Criticized medical model as turning people into passive “patients” instead of active controllers of their own lives
-Szasz preferred the term “problems in living”

Question 5

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

Answer 5

The standard reference manual for disorder diagnosis and classification

Question 6

Advantages of the DSM

Answer 6

-Can be a useful tool, when used properly, for diagnosis and treatment of disorders
-Provides systematic structure for future research
-Provides systematic structure for insurance reimbursement

Question 7

Criticisms of the DSM

Answer 7

-Number of disorders increases with each new edition
—From 66 in first DSM to over 400 in DSM-5
-Providing classifications may lead to overdiagnosis
—ADHD, MPD/DID
—PD-NOS is most commonly diagnosed disorder, despite there being over 400 diagnosed disorders
—Particularly a concern with newer dimensional approach and risk syndromes

Question 8

Criticisms of the DSM continued

Answer 8

-People may live up to the labels, use them as excuses
—May hinder an effort at improvement
-Some “disorders” may just be everyday problems
—“caffeine induced sleep disorder, mathematics disorder
-Gives an illusion of objectivity
—Still subject to individual judgement
—Still subject to cultural norms (e.g. homosexuality)
—Subject to circumvention (NOS Diagnoses)

Question 9

Subjective Latitude and the DSM

Answer 9

-inattention: six or more symptoms for children up to age 16, or 5 or more for adolescents age 17 years and older ad adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:
-Often fails to give lose attention to details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities
-Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities
-Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
-Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
-Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities
-Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork and homework)
-Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities
-Is often easily distracted
-Is often forgetful in daily activities

Question 10

Anxiety Disorders

Answer 10

-An anxiety disorder in which a person experiences recurring panic attacks, feelings of impending doom or death, accompanied by physiological symptoms such as rapid breathing and dizziness

Question 11

Phobia

Answer 11

An exaggerated, unrealistic fear of a specific situation, activity, or object

Question 12

Agoraphobia

Answer 12

-A set of phobias, often set off by a panic attack, involving the base fear of being away from a safe place or person
-Often self-fulfilling
—Public panic attacks, will avoid going out, now at higher risk of having panic attack when going out again

Question 13

PTSD

Answer 13

-When a person who has experienced traumatic events have symptoms such as numbing, reliving of trauma, detachment, relationship challenges, self-destructive behaviors
—Military service
—Sexual abuse
—9/11
—First responders
-Symptoms last longer than 6 months

Question 14

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Answer 14

-People feel trapped in repetitive, persistent thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualized behaviors (compulsions) designed to reduce anxiety
-Person understands that the ritual behavior is senseless but guilt and anxiety increase if not performed
-Often tied into cleanliness vs contamination

Question 15

Mood Disorders

Answer 15

Major Depressive Disorder
-A mood disorder involving
—Disturbances in emotion (excessive sadness)
—Behavior (loss of interest in one’s usual activities)
—Cognition (thoughts of hopelessness)
-Body function (fatigue and loss of appetite0
-Affects about twice as many women as men
-Aso Persistent Depressive Disorder, which is more chronic, but may have lower severity of symptoms

Question 16

Major Depressive Disorder

Answer 16

Requires 5 of the following symptoms in last 2 weeks
-Depressed mood
-Reduced interest in almost all activities
-Significant weight gain or loss, without dieting
-Sleep disturbance (insomnia or too much sleep)
-Change in motor activity (too much or too little)
-Fatigue or loss of energy
-Feeling of worthlessness or guilt
-Reduced ability to think or concentrate
-Recurrent thoughts of death

Question 17

Theories of Depression

Answer 17

Biological- genetics and brain chemistry
Social- the stressful circumstances of people’s lives
Attachment- problems with close relationships
Cognitive- negative / maladaptive habits of thinking or interpreting events (e.g. learned helplessness)
Diathesis-Stress model draws on all of these

Question 18

Diathesis-Stress model

Answer 18

Pearson has an underlying biological vulnerability, which is then triggered by stressors in the environment

Question 19

Bipolar Disorder

Answer 19

-A mood disorder in which a person alternates between episodes of depression and mania (excessive euphoria)
-Driven primarily by brain chemistry