Chapter 15 - Psychological Disorders Flashcards
What is a psychological disorder?
A syndrome marked by a “clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour.”
A lawyer is distressed by feeling the need to wash his hands 100 times a day. He has little time to meet with his clients, and his colleagues are wondering about his competence. His behaviour would probably be labelled disordered because it is _____________, that is, it interferes with his day-to-day life.
Dysfunctional or maladaptive
What is the biopsychosocial approach to psychological disorders? And what does it help us understand?
Biological, psychological, and social-cultural influences combine to produce psychological disorders.
It helps us understand that our well-being is affected by our genes, brain functioning, inner thoughts and feelings, and influences on our social and cultural environment.
What is the medical model? And how does it correlate to psychological disorders?
The medical model is a term that refers to the assumption that psychopathology is a result of one’s biology, and these disorders can be diagnosed, treated, and cured - just like other illnesses.
What is the DSM-5TR?
It is a manual to label and diagnose disorders. The acronym is Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of mental disorders, fifth edition, Text revision.
What is the value, and what are the dangers, of labelling individuals with disorders?
For value, psychologists can communicate with one another using a common language (these disorder labels). For dangers, individuals may begin to act if they have been labelled, and the labels can trigger assumptions that will change people’s behaviour towards those labels.
Suicide is more likely to occur when?
Individuals feel disconnected and have depression.
What are the causes of non-suicidal self-injury?
Cloud negative thoughts, gain help and attention, relieving guilt, prevent bullying, and to fit in.
What is generalized anxiety disorder? And give an example.
An anxiety disorder in which a person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal.
For example, a person who is constantly worrying and can not control it.
What is panic disorder? And give an example.
An anxiety disorder where you have sudden attacks of panic or fear. For example, people with this disorder associate a pounding heart with a heart attack.
What is a phobia?
A Phobia is an anxiety disorder where an individual fears a particular thing and avoids it.
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? And give an example.
A disorder where the individual has obsessive thoughts, compulsive actions, or both.
For example, hand washing until your hands become raw.
What is post-traumatic stress disorder? And give an example.
A mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event - either experiencing it or witnessing it.
For example, an individual becoming anxious over a traumatic event from the past.
What is somatic symptom disorder? And give an example.
Individuals experience this disorder when they have physical pain - but no cause for it - resulting in significant distress and problems functioning.
What is illness anxiety disorder? And give an example.
Repeatedly checking your body for signs of illness or disease. For example, individuals with this disorder often make regular checks because they believe something is wrong with them.
