CHP 14 PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS Flashcards
Psychopathology
sickness or disorder of the mind; psychological disorder
Etiology
factors that contribute to the development of a disorder
Diagnostic + Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
3 main sections
1. Intro with instructions for using the manual
2. Diagnostic criteria for all of the disorders, which are grouped so that similar categories of disorders are located near each other
3. A guide for future psychopathology research
Categorical approach
Either the person is in the category or not
Dimensional approach
Pyschological disorders exist along a continuum
Comorbidity
Many psychological disorders occur together (maybe because of common underlying factors)
P-factor
A common general factor, analogous to general intelligence.
High scores on the p-factor were associated with more life impairment (suicide, criminal behavior, etc.)
US National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIHM) research domain criteria (RDoC)
a method that defines basic aspects of functioning and considers them across multiple levels of analysis, from genes to brain systems to behavior. Its purpose is to guide research rather than classify disorders
Assessment
examination of a person’s cognitive, behavioral, or emotional functioning to diagnose possible psychological disorders so treatment can be provided
Diathesis-stress model
a diagnostic model that believes a disorder may develop when underlying vulnerability is coupled with an event (like a stressful situation) that causes a disorder to develop
Biological perspective
Physiological factors contribute to psychological disorders
Genes–>size of brain structures and connectivity, production and levels of neurotransmitters and receptor sites
Environmental effects–>prenatal malnutrition, exposure to toxins, maternal illness; postnatal exposure to toxins/malnutrition during childhood/adolesence
Situational factors
play role in expression and treatment of mental disorders
Situational factors models
Family systems model: diagnostic model that considers problems within an individual as indicating problems within the family
Sociocultural model: diagnostic model that views psychopathology as the result of the interaction between individuals and their cultures
Cognitive behavioral approach
diagnostic model that views psychopathology as the result of learned, maladaptive thoughts and beliefs
abnormal behavior is learned and can be unlearned
mental disorders result from classical and operant conditioning
thoughts can become distorted and cause maladaptive behaviors and maladaptive emotions
Internalizing disorders
characterized by negative emotions (ex. anxiety, depression, etc.) and more common in women because of societal pressures to be up to an unachievable standard
Externalizing disorders
characterized by impulsive or out-of-control behavior (ex. alcoholism, antisocial, etc.) and more common in men
Cultural syndromes
Disorders with a strong biological component will tend to be more similar across cultures
Anxiety Disorders
psychological disorders characterized by excessive fear and anxiety in the absence of true danger
1 in 4 Americans
Anxiety disorder symptoms
chronic arousal of autonomic nervous system (sweating, dry mouth, rapid pulse, shallow breathing, inc blood pressure, inc muscular tension)
Specific phobia
diagnosed with a specific phobia based on the object of fear (involve particular objects and situations)
1 in 8 people
Social anxiety disorder
(formally called social phobia) fear of being negatively evaluated by others (fear of public speaking, speaking up in class, meeting new people, eating in front of thers)
the more social fears a person has, the more likely they are to develop other disorders (ie depression and substance abuse problems)
Often develops around age 13
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
state of constant anxiety not associated with any specific object or event
6% of pop has it (more women than men)
Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder
fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, headaches, restlessness, light-headedness, muscle pain
Panic disorder
anxiety disorder that consists of sudden, overwhelming attacks of terror (sweating and trembling, racing heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizzy and light-headed)
3% of pop has it, more common in women than men
Agoraphobia
anxiety disorder marked by fear of being in situations in which escape may be difficult or impossible
fear causes panic attacks
Factors of development of anxiety disorder
biased thinking
biased toward perceiving neutral stim as threatening
excessive attention on perceived threats
learning
developed fear by observing another person’s fearful reaction to a neutral stim
biological
inhibited temperament is more likely to develop anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
disorder characterized by frequent intrusive thoughts and compulsive actions
1-2% of pop, more common in women
Obsessions
recurrent, intrusive, unwanted thoughts or ideas or mental images that INCREASE anxiety