Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders Flashcards
14.1 Identify five common myths about mental illness.
The five common myths are: People with psychological disorders act in bizarre ways and are very different from normal people; mental disorders are a sign of personal weakness; mentally ill people are often dangerous and unpredictable; the mentally ill never fully recover; and most can only work at low-level jobs.
14.2 Define abnormal behavior, and list four standards for identifying it.
Abnormal behavior refers to patterns of emotion, thought, and action considered pathological for one or more of these reasons: statistical infrequency, disability or dysfunction, personal distress, or violation of norms.
14.3 Compare and contrast culture-general and culture-bound symptoms versus culture-genreal and culture-bound mental disorders.
Culture-general symptoms (nervousness or trouble sleeping) are similarly expressed and identified in most cultures around the world, whereas culture-bound symptoms (“Fullness in head”) are unique to certain cultures. Similarly, culture-general disorders (schizophrenia) are similar across cultures, whereas culture-bound disorders (Koro or running amok) are unique.
14.4 Briefly describe the history of abnormal behavior.
In ancient times, people commonly believed that demons were the cause of abnormal behavior. The medical model, which emphasizes disease, later replaced this demonological model.
14.5 Describe the purpose and criticisms of the DSM-IV-TR, and differentiate between neurosis, psychosis, and insanity.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) classification system provides detailed descriptions of symptoms. It also allows standardized diagnosis and improved communication among professionals.
14.6 Define anxiety disorders and the five major subtypes.
People with anxiety disorders experience unreasonable, often paralyzing, anxiety or fear. In generalized anxiety disorder, there is a persistent, uncontrrollable, and free-floating anxiety. In panic disorder, anxiety is concentrated into sudden and inexplicable panic attacks. Phobias are intense, irrational fears and avoidance of specific objects or situations. Obsessive-compuslive disorder involves persistent anxiety-arousing thoughts (obessisions) and/or ritualistic actions (compulsions). The fifth major anxiety disorder, PTSD, was discussed in Chapter 3.
14.7 Identify the major contributors to anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders are influenced by psycholgical, bioligical, and sociocultural factors (the biopsychosocial model). Psycholigcial theories focus on faulty cognitions
14.8 Compare and contrast the two major mood disorders.
Mood disorders are extreme disturbances or affect (emotion). In major depressive disorder, individuals experience a long-lasting depressed mood that interferes with their ability to function, feel pleasure or maintain interest in life. The feelings have no apparent cause, and the individual may lose contact with reality (psychosis). In bipolar disorder, episodes of mania and depression alternate with normal periods. During the manic episode, the person is overly excited, his or her speech and thinking are rapid, and the poor judgment is common. The person also many experience delusions of grandeur and act impulsively.
14.9 What are the major similarities and differences in depression across cultures and between genders?
Some symptoms of depression, such as frequent and intense sad affect, seem to exist across cultures, but other symptoms, like feelings of guilt, seem to be unique to certain cultures. Although both men and women suffer from depression, the rate for women in North America is two or three times the rate for men.
14.10 Describe the key biological and psychosocial factors that contribute to mood disorders.
Biological theories of mood disorders emphasize brain function abnormalities and disruptions in neurotransmitters (especially serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine). Genetic predisposition also plays a role in both major dperession and biopolar disorder. Psychosocial theories of mood disorders emphasize disturbed interpersonal relationships, faulty thinking, poor self-concept, and maladaptive learning. According to learned helplessness theory, depression results from repeatedly failing to escape from a punishing situation.
14.11 What do we need to know about suicide and its prevention?
Suicide is a serious problem associated with depression. If you are having suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately. You also can help others who may be contemplating suicide by becoming involved and showing concern.
14.12 Briefly explain how faulty thinking may contribute to depression.
People with a depressive explanatory style tend to attribute bad events to internal factors and stable, global causes, and good events to external factors and unstable, specific causes. This pattern of negative thinking increases the chances for depression.
14.13 Define schizophrenia, and describe its five major symptoms.
Schizophrenia is a serious psychotic mental disorder that afflicts approximately 1 of every 100 people. The five major symptoms are disturbances in perception (hallucinations), language (word salad and neologisms), thought (impaired logic and delusions), emotion (exaggerated, changeable, or blunted), and behavior (social withdrawal, bizarre mannerisms, catalepsy, waxy flexibility).
14.14 Describe the key methods for classifying schizophrenia.
There are five major subtypes of schizophrenia – paranoid, catatonic, disorganized, undifferentiated, and residual. There are also two groups of symptoms – positive and negative.
14.15 What are the major biological and psychosocial factors that influence schizophrenia?
Biological theories of schizophrenia emphasize the role of genetics (people inherit a predisposition), disruptions in neurotransmitters (the dopamine hypothesis), and abnormal brain structure and function (such as enlarged ventricles and lower levels of activity in the frontal and temporal lobes). Psychosocial theories of schizophrenia focus on the diathesis stress model and disturbed communication.
