Ch 13: Psychological Disorders Flashcards

Question

What happens during a depressive episode in someone that has bipolar?

Answer 1

Lethargy, social withdrawal, and irritability, which may lead to suicidal thoughts.

Answer 2

Affects more Canadian men than women. The lifetime rate is higher in men (4.5%) than in women (3.5%) for those aged 15-24.

Answer 3

Episodes can last for months, with a varying duration between episodes. - Average length of depression = 4 months - Average time between episodes is six to nine months - Some individuals experience rapid cycling (four or more episodes per year).

Answer 4

The neurotransmitter serotonin plays a role, with lower levels being linked to depression. - Research shows that learned helplessness is connected with lower serotonin levels in rats’ brains Neuroticism: a personality trait characterized largely by persistent anxiety - Depression & anxiety is often associated w/ this trait, which is heritable

Answer 5

Depression can stem from irrational self-expectations, perfectionism, and a negative attribution style (e.g., attributing failures to internal, stable, and global causes). - People who ruminate on their depression are more likely to prolong it.

Answer 6

Learned helplessness is the belief that one has no control over their circumstances, leading to passivity and withdrawal, which can contribute to depression.

Answer 7

the tendency to attribute one’s behaviour to internal or external factors, stable or unstable factors, and so on

Answer 8

1) Internal attribution: - involves self-blame - "I really screwed it up." 2) External attribution: - places the blame elsewhere - “She was the wrong person for me” 3) Stable attribution: - suggests a problem that cannot be changed - “It’s my personality” 4) Unstable attribution: - suggests a temporary condition - “It was because I had a head cold” 5) Global attribution: - failure suggests that the problem is quite large - “I have no idea what to do when I’m with other people” 6) Specific attribution: - chops the problem down to a manageable size. - “I have problems making small talk at the beginning of a relationship”

Answer 9

Risk factors include a history of depression, family history of suicide, stressful life events (e.g., loss, failure), and certain personality traits (e.g., perfectionism).

Answer 10

High-achieving perfectionists that have high expectations Depressed due to comparison Concerns over things like grades, sexuality, problems at home & substance abuse Attempts are more common after stressful life events (exit events) -> psychological pain, or “psychache” - Ex: death, divorce, etc Anxiety over being “found out” (ex: failing a course)

Answer 11

1) confusion about the self 2) impulsiveness 3) emotional instability 4) interpersonal problems

Answer 12

Anxiety disorders are influenced by biological factors (genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances), psychological factors (e.g., cognitive biases, conditioning) & social factors (e.g., childhood experiences)

Answer 13

People with anxiety disorders often misinterpret situations as threatening, which increases anxiety and perpetuates the disorder (e.g., overreacting to physical sensations in panic disorder).

Answer 14

Treatment options include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and medication (e.g., SSRIs).

Answer 15

Panic disorder involves sudden, intense anxiety attacks without a clear external trigger. GAD involves chronic, excessive worry and physical symptoms like restlessness and muscle tension.

Answer 16

Common phobias include claustrophobia (fear of small places), acrophobia (fear of heights), social phobia (fear of public scrutiny), and agoraphobia (fear of open or crowded places).

Answer 17

Suicide prevention strategies include reducing stigma, offering social support, encouraging help-seeking behaviors, and addressing underlying mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Answer 18

Media portrayals, such as in shows like "13 Reasons Why," can increase suicide rates, especially among vulnerable youth, due to the phenomenon known as "suicide contagion."

Answer 19

The biopsychosocial model recognizes that psychological disorders result from the interaction of biological factors (e.g., genetic predispositions), psychological factors (e.g., cognitive patterns), and social factors (e.g., stressful life events). - Effective treatment addresses all three areas.

Answer 20

Stress can trigger or exacerbate mental disorders, particularly for individuals with a genetic vulnerability. Stress management techniques and reducing life stress can help in managing vulnerability.

Answer 21

Genetic predisposition can increase susceptibility to anxiety. Neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA play a role in anxiety regulation. - Faulty regulation of them may be the reason A predisposition toward anxiety—in the form of a highly reactive autonomic nervous system—can be inherited

Answer 22

People with panic attacks often overreact to physical sensations, and obsessions or compulsions may distract them from deeper anxieties, such as concerns about their future. When anxieties develop early in life, they can be seen as permanent traits, leading people to identify themselves with specific fears. T Believing that they can't handle a threat increases anxiety, while feeling in control reduces it

Answer 23

OCD involves recurring intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. People recognize that the obsessions are irrational but feel unable to stop them.

Answer 24

Obsessions are recurring, anxiety-inducing thoughts or images that feel irrational but can't be controlled. Ex: constantly worrying about whether doors are locked.

Answer 25

Compulsions are irresistible urges to repeat actions or engage in ritualistic behaviors to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions Ex: repeatedly checking locks, hand-washing.

Answer 26

Hoarding Disorder is characterized by excessive buying or collecting items with no removal, leading to a severely cluttered living space. People with this disorder struggle to discard items, even when they know the behavior is problematic.

Answer 27

While Hoarding Disorder was previously considered a part of OCD, it is now recognized as its own disorder in the DSM-5. It shares a genetic link with OCD but involves different behaviors and symptoms.

Answer 28

BDD is a somatoform disorder marked by an obsessive focus on a perceived physical flaw, even if it's minor or non-existent. People with BDD may engage in extreme behaviors like excessive grooming or seeking cosmetic surgery.

Answer 29

They are linked to imbalances in serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Neuroimaging shows abnormalities in brain circuits involved in impulse control and focus, particularly the frontal cortex.

Answer 30

Treatments often involve Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medications like SSRIs to manage compulsive behaviors and obsessive thoughts. For BDD, therapy also targets distorted perceptions of physical appearance.

Answer 31

Somatoform disorders are conditions in which people experience physical symptoms without any identifiable medical cause. These symptoms are not intentionally produced.

Answer 32

Conversion Disorder involves a sudden loss of physical function (e.g., paralysis, blindness) without any medical explanation. Symptoms typically arise after stress or traumatic events.

Answer 33

La belle indifference refers to a lack of concern for serious medical symptoms in individuals with Conversion Disorder. Ex: someone with paralysis may show little worry about the condition.

Answer 34

Anxiety Illness Disorder involves a persistent belief that one is seriously ill despite medical tests showing no evidence of disease. Individuals become overly preoccupied with minor bodily sensations

Answer 35

Biological: - Genetic predispositions - brain abnormalities - hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system Psychological: - Cognitive biases, anxiety & stress lead to misinterpretation of normal sensations as signs of illness - Self-hypnosis Social: - Cultural influences and social support can reinforce the focus on physical symptoms - Observational learning - Social stressors

Answer 36

Individuals create their own "subjective reality" from their perception of the input. An individual's construction of reality, not the objective input, may dictate their behavior in the world. Ex: Tendency to catastrophize or ruminate on bodily sensations, interpreting them as signs of disease.

Answer 37

Dissociative disorders are marked by sudden, temporary changes in consciousness or self-identity, often in response to trauma.

Answer 38

Dissociative Amnesia involves the sudden inability to recall important personal information, often following a stressful event. It can include dissociative fugue, where the person forgets their past and may travel to a new location.

Answer 39

Depersonalization: A feeling that one's thoughts, feelings, and actions are coming from outside of oneself. Derealization: The environment feels distorted, lifeless, or unreal.

Answer 40

DID is characterized by the presence of 2 or more distinct personalities within a single individual. Each personality may have different traits, memories, and behaviors. Ex: William, who had multiple personalities, was diagnosed with DID after being linked to crimes

Answer 41

Psychological - People may dissociate to avoid painful memories or disturbing impulses, such as trauma, anxiety, guilt, or shame. Biological - Trauma, especially childhood abuse, is believed to cause neurochemical and brain structural changes that affect memory and cognition, leading to dissociative disorders.

Answer 42

Personality disorders involve enduring patterns of maladaptive behavior that cause distress to the individual or others. These behaviors are rigid, inflexible, and often affect relationships and social functioning.

Answer 43

BPD is characterized by instability in relationships, self-image, and mood, as well as impulsive behaviors. Common symptoms include extreme mood swings, fear of abandonment, and self-harming behaviors.

Answer 44

ASPD involves a pattern of disregard for others' rights, deceitfulness, impulsivity, and a lack of empathy. It is more common in men and often leads to legal problems and trouble with authority.

Answer 45

Individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder are excessively sensitive to rejection or criticism. They avoid social situations due to feelings of inadequacy and fear of embarrassment, but they still desire close relationships.

Answer 46

NPD is characterized by a fragile sense of self-worth, a craving for admiration, and an inability to empathize with others. People with NPD often manipulate situations to maintain their self-esteem.

Answer 47

OCPD involves rigid perfectionism and inflexibility, often leading to poor relationships. Individuals set unrealistically high standards for themselves and others, causing frustration and interpersonal issues.

Answer 48

Schizotypal Personality Disorder involves odd thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions, as well as difficulties in social interactions. However, individuals with this disorder do not experience the more severe symptoms of schizophrenia.

Answer 49

Biological: - Genetic influences - brain abnormalities (e.g., prefrontal cortex in ASPD). Psychological: - Childhood experiences - maladaptive coping mechanisms. Sociocultural: - Cultural influences - societal pressures - biases in diagnosis (e.g., gender differences in diagnoses)