c15: addiction, developmental disorders, and affective disorders Flashcards
addiction
repeated behaviors where the behavior itself or the desire to do the behavior continues regardless of its harmful consequences
what risk factors play a role in addiction
genetics and neurological disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety)
what is the rat park study
the rat park study is research done on rats showing that rats that are comfortable in an environment thats healthy and social won’t be motivated to take drugs. 2 parks were made, one with an isolated rat and one with lots of rats. each park had a morphine solution that was provided. it was found that the isolated rat had more of the morphine solution than the social rats
negative reinforcement theory
drugs are taken to avoid feelings or pain
positive reinforcement theory
drugs are taken due to the pleasure and good feelings it causes
what is the mesothelencephalic dopamine system (MTDS)? what 2 parts are a part of it
a path of dopamine involved in addictions and cravings. made of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NA)
what is the job of the ventral tegmental area (VTA)? when is it active
sends projections to nucleus accumbens. active in the craving of drugs
what is the nucleus accumbens (NA)? what happens in this area?
receives dopamine signals from VTA. when dopamine increases in this area, it causes addiction and cravings
what are some examples of developmental disorders? describe each of them
cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit disorder
describe cerebral palsy (CP)
a neurological disease that is due to brain damage before, during, or after birth. caused by a lack of oxygen
describe autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and symptoms of it
a disorder characterized by difficulty with social interactions and communication. symptoms include hypersensitivity to stimuli, restricted interests, and repetitive routines
describe attention deficit disorder (ADHD)
difficulty keeping attention and regulating/controlling behavior
what is major depressive disorder (MDD)? symptoms?
a disorder associated with saddened mood. symptoms include feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and inability to feel pleasure
what is the monoamin hypothesis? what are the two NTs involved in this hypothesis?
a theory stating that depression is due to underactivity of serotonin and norepinephrine
what are the two treatments for depression
antidepressants and electrical stimulation of the brain
what are the 3 types of antidepressants
MOAIs, tricyclics, SSRIs/SNRIs
what is bipolar disorder? what are the two states for a bipolar person
a disorder associated with mood swings. from mania and hypomania (high/low energy)
what is the treatment for bipolar disorder
mood stabilizing drugs ie lithium
what are anxiety disorders? what parts of the brain are overactivated in anxiety disorders?
neuropsychiatric disorders associated with excessive fear. HPA and SAM axis are overactivated
what are the types of anxiety disorders (5)
generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD
generalized anxiety disorder
stress and fear not linked to specific events or experiences
phobias
irrational fears to specific things or situations
panic disorder
disorder with feelings of fear being associated with activity in the sympathetic nervous system, panic attacks
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
disorder characterized by compulsive and anxious thoughts. obsessions about being clean, avoid cracks on sidewalks, etc.
post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
anxiety disorder experienced after a traumatic event. problems with sleeping, memory issues, flashbacks to the event
what do anxiety disorders tend to link to
depression and substance abuse
what is the treatment for anxiety disorders (2)
antidepressants and benzodiazepines
