Ch 15 - Psychological Disorders Flashcards
Describe the medical models view of mental illness and why it is bad.
Abnormal behaviour = disease.
This view may cause stigma. (More stigma in mental illness than physical illness.
List + Describe 3 Criteria of Abnormal Behaviour
Deviance; Behaviour deviates from what society considers acceptance
Maladaptive Behaviour; Everyday adaptive behaviour is impaired
Personal Distress; Subjective pain and suffering
List 3 Stereotypes of Psychological Disorders
- They are incurable
- People w/ them are often violent + dangerous
- People w/ them behave in bizarre ways + are very different from normal people
Define Epidemiology
Study of distribution of mental/physical disorders
Define Prevalence
Percentage of population exhibiting a disorder during a specified time period
Define Life Prevalence
Percentage of people who have been diagnosed w/ disorder at any time in their lives
List the 4 Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia
Define General Anxiety Disorder
Chronic, high level of anxiety that is not tied to any specific threat
Describe the Physical Symptoms of General Anxiety Disorder
Muscle tension, dizziness, faintness, heart palipations
Define Specific Phobias
Persistent + irrational fear of an object/situation that presents no realistic danger
What is the lifetime prevalence of Specific Phobias + is it more common in men or women
10%
2/3 victims female
Define Panic Disorder
Recurrent Attacks of overwhelming anxiety that usually occur suddenly + unexpectedly
Is Panic Disorder more common in men or women?
2/3 victims are females
Define Agoraphobia
Fear of going out in public places. May co-exist with Panic Disorder.
Define Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Marked by persistent, uncontrollable intrusions of unwanted thoughts + urges to to engage in senseless rituals
Difference b/w Obsessions + Compulsions
Obsessions; Thoughts that repeatedly intrude on one’s consciousness in a distressing way
Compulsions; Actions that one feels forced to carry out
What is PTSD triggered by + when does it surface?
Triggered by traumatic events (Ex. war, natural disasters). Can surface right after or many years after event.
What is the lifetime prevalence of PTSD?
7-8%
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Re-experiencing traumatic event in form of nightmares + flashbacks, emotional numbing, problems in social relationships, elevated levels of arousal + anxiety + anger + guilt.
Biological Etiologgy of Anxiety Disorders
Genetic predisposition, abnormalities in neurotransmitter activity at GABA synapses (anxiety) & serotonin synapses (OCD)
Name the 4 categories of Etiology Factors of Anxiety DIsorders
Biological Factors, Conditioning + Learning, Cognitive Factors, Stress
Conditioning + Learning Etiologgy of Anxiety Disorders
Acquired through classical conditioning/observational learning. Maintained through operant conditioning.
Cognitive Factors Etiologgy of Anxiety Disorders
Judgements of perceived threat
Stress Etiologgy of Anxiety Disorders
It is a precipitator
Define Dissociative Disorders
People lose contact w/ portions of their consciousness/memory resulting in disruptions in their sense of identity
Define Dissociative Amnesia
Sudden loss of memory for personal info
Define Dissociative Identity Disorder
Coexistence of 2+ distinct personalities in 1 person.
Define the Etiology of Dissociative Disorders
Related to severe emotional trauma during childhood.
List the 4 types of Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Postpartum Depression