Exam 1 Flashcards
Dan was a ex-military member and witnessed his a traumatic war experience. His symptoms include recurrent, involuntary and intrusive distressing memories of the event and he often dissociates. These effects have LASTED for less a couple weeks but less than a month. Dan most likely would be diagnosed with…
Acute Stress Disorder
What are the advantages of a diagnosis?
Allows psychologists to give a baseline reading for a person, can prescribe medicine and treatment. (NB I made up this definition cause I couldn’t find it in the notes)
Marcy stays at home all the time because she feels panic and fearful in public spaces. She rarely leaves the house because when she does she often has panic attacks in public and fear of getting overwhelmed in public areas. Marcy would most likely be diagnosed with what?
Agoraphobia
This part of the brain is responsible for emotional processing, especially fear and anxiety.
Amygdala
This psychological condition is characterized by a persistent loss of interest and pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
Anhedonia
A type of drug that is used to prevent or treat seizures or convulsions by controlling abnormal electrical activity in the brain
anticonvulsants
This is an innate, adaptive response to anticipation of danger/threat, more diffuse than fear. This occurs when the feared stimulus/event is vague, not identifiable, or in future
anxiety
This is when natural anxiety/fear response becomes inappropriate and dysfunctional
Anxiety Disorder
Whenever Susie feels anxious, she often feels terrible, to the point where she fears becoming anxious and avoids activities that would induce a high heart rate. This most likely would be categorized as…
Anxiety Sensitivity
This system contains both the parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system
the autonomic nervous system
This part of the neuron connects to the soma and the terminal buttons
axon
This theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, and conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment
behaviorism
A set of drugs that are a depressant/sedative
Benzodiazepines
The belief that abnormal behaviors arise from underlying physiological issues within the brain, including genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances, brain structure abnormalities, and hormonal fluctuations
Biological theories of Abnormal Behavior
This disorder has the presence of at least one Manic Episode and significant interference with functioning with home life or something
Bipolar Disorder I
This disorder has the presence of at least 1 major depressive episode and at least 1 Hypomanic Episode as well as never been in a manic episode.
Bipolar Disorder II
What is the difference between the Categorical and Dimensional approach
Categorical psychology is based on a yes-or-no decision, while dimensional psychology views behaviors on a continuum.
Abnormal functioning with these brain parts may may contribute to the symptoms of OCD
Orbital frontal region»_space;> caudate nucleus»_space; thalamus
In an experiment, a dog salivates when it hears a bell because it has been repeatedly paired with food presentation. This type of psychological training is known as ____
Classical Conditioning
Juan sees that he has gotten an 85% on this test, however, he feels that he bombed the test and the 85% score is simply not good. This would be an example of _____
cognitive distortions
What is cognitive restructuring?
Cognitive restructuring is a therapeutic technique used to help individuals identify and change negative or irrational thought patterns.
A young child sees a plane in the sky, the child calls the plane a bird because birds fly so anything that flies is a bird. This child is using a ____ to identify the plane.
schema
________ is a broad psychological framework that focuses on how people perceive, think about, and interpret the world around them. It suggests that our thoughts, beliefs, and mental processes play a crucial role in shaping our emotions and behaviors.
Cognitive Theory
This approach combines cognitive & behavioral approaches. Is relatively brief (10-14 sessions) and highly effective, with long-term benefits
Cognitive-Behavioral
______ is the presence of two or more mental health disorders or conditions that occur simultaneously in the same individual
comorbidity
Brett often feels the need to wash his hands 3 times in a row or else something bad will happen. This type of repeated uncontrollable behavior that reduces anxiety would be classified as a
compulsion
When Pavlov rings the bell and then feeds his dogs. After a while simply when Pavlov rings the bell the dogs start to drool at the sound of the bell, their drooling is a _____
conditioned response
When Pavlov rings the bell and then feeds his dogs. After a while simply when Pavlov rings the bell the dogs start to drool at the sound of the bell, the sound of the bell is a _____
conditioned stimulus
Countertransference refers to the
therapist’s unconscious feelings influenced by their patient
What are the criteria for Acute Stress Disorder? (4 criteria)
A. Exposure to a Traumatic Event
B. Presence of Intrusive Symptoms (≥ 9 symptoms from 5 categories)
C. Duration of Symptoms (3 days - 1 month)
D. Functional Impairment in daily life/social circle
What are the criteria for (GAD) General Anxiety Disorder? (5 criteria)
A. Excessive Anxiety and Worry
B. Difficulty controlling Anxiety and Worry
C. Associated Symptoms (≥ 3 symptoms required)
D. Functional Impairment
E. Not Due to Other Causes
(a common mental health condition characterized by excessive, persistent, and uncontrollable worry and anxiety about a variety of events or activities.)
What are the criteria for Cyclothymic Disorder disorder? (4 criteria)
(a less extreme version of bipolar disorder)
A. Chronic Mood Instability (For at least 2 years (or 1 year in children and adolescents)
B. Symptom Frequency (During the 2 years (or 1 year for children/adolescents), the person has not been without symptoms for more than 2 months at a time)
C. No Full Mood Episodes
F. Not comorbid with other Psychotic Disorders
What are the criteria for Hoarding Disorder (6 criteria)
(a mental health condition characterized by the persistent difficulty in discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value.)
A. Persistent Difficulty Discarding Possessions
B. Perceived Need to Save Items
C. Accumulation of Possessions
D. Functional Impairment
E. Not Due to Another Condition
F. Not Better Explained by Another Mental Disorder
What are the criteria for Major Depressive Episode?
A. Core Symptoms (≥ 5 symptoms for ≥ 2 weeks)
At least five (or more) of the following symptoms must be present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning. At least one of the symptoms must be either:
Depressed mood (most of the day, nearly every day; subjective report or observed by others) Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities (anhedonia)
Additional symptoms:
Significant weight change (weight loss or gain of ≥5% of body weight in a month) or appetite change (increase or decrease) Insomnia or hypersomnia (nearly every day) Psychomotor agitation or retardation (observable by others) Fatigue or loss of energy (nearly every day) Feelings of worthlessness or excessive/inappropriate guilt (not just self-blame about being sick) Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or indecisiveness (nearly every day) Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or a suicide attempt/plan
What are the criteria of Panic Disorder?
Persistent Concern or Behavioral Change
At least 1 month of one or both of the following: Persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences (e.g., losing control, having a heart attack). Significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attacks (e.g., avoiding situations associated with panic).
Recurrent, Unexpected Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are abrupt surges of intense fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes, during which four (or more) of the following symptoms occur: Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate Sweating Trembling or shaking Shortness of breath or smothering sensation Feelings of choking Chest pain or discomfort Nausea or abdominal distress Dizziness, light-headedness, or feeling faint Chills or heat sensations Numbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias) Derealization (feeling of unreality) or depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself) Fear of losing control or “going crazy” Fear of dying At least one of the panic attacks must be unexpected (i.e., not triggered by a specific situation).
What are the criteria for Persistent Depressive Disorder?
A. Chronic Depressed Mood
B. Additional Depressive Symptoms (≥ 2 required)
While depressed, two (or more) of the following symptoms must be present:
Poor appetite or overeating
Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleep disturbances)
Low energy or fatigue
Low self-esteem
Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
Feelings of hopelessness
C. Symptom Duration
The individual has not been without symptoms for more than 2 months at a time during the 2 years.
D. No History of Mania or Hypomania
What are the criteria for Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder? (6 criteria)
A. Marked Fear or Anxiety in Social Situations
B. Fear of Negative Evaluation
C. Consistent Anxiety Response
D. Avoidance or Endurance with Intense Anxiety
E. Disproportionate Fear
F. Duration of Symptoms
The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months or more.
What is a defense mechanism?
a way of thinking or behaving that helps someone avoid anxiety or deal with uncomfortable feelings
What is Degradation?
The breakdown of NT
Nate refuses to acknowledge the death of this mother, avoiding the topic at hand and refusing to even talk about it. This defense mechanism is known as?
denial
______ is a general term that refers to a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in daily activities.
depression
Diathesis-stress:
______ + _____ → development of the disorder
Genetic predisposition, stressors
Development of the disorder requires the person to hit a certain threshold
higher genetic predisposition, smaller stressors needed for the development of the disorder
Jess, feeling mad that her boss is mean to her, took out her anger by yelling at her husband. This would be an example of
displacement
This nurse was a pioneering American activist and reformer who played a crucial role in improving the treatment of mental illness in the 19th century.
Dorothea Dix
This is a reference book on mental health and brain-related conditions and disorders.
DSM-5
This is a type of treatment that involves electroshock therapy, introduced in the early 20th century for schizophrenia but found effective for depression. Typically 6-12 sessions.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
This balances the desires of the id and superego
ego
This is a network of glands that produce hormones, which are chemical messengers that regulate various bodily functions, including mood, behavior, and growth
endocrine system
Sydney for no apparent reason suddenly developed depression despite no trigger, this type of depression is called:
Endogenous depression
Sydney developed depression as a result of his daughter becoming sick, this type of depression is called as a result of a trigger is called:
Exogenous depression
a psychological treatment that helps people face their fears through exposure to their fears
Exposure Therapy
What is Expressed Emotion?
a measure of how family members of a person with a mental health condition talk about them
________ a theoretical framework and therapeutic approach that views the family as an interconnected and interdependent system
Family Systems
____ is a primal emotion that arises in response to perceived or actual danger.
fear
A process activated by the sympathetic nervous system in response to perceived threat or danger.
fight or flight (or freeze!)
_____ is a sudden and involuntary re-experiencing of a past event
flashback
Gary has a fear of spiders so to get over it, his psychologist without warning makes him hold a spider directly in his palm. This type of exposure is called
flooding
This is when a client can just say their stream of thoughts, they tell everything to a therapist, self-guided/ without judgment
free association
This is the Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis
Freud
What is GABA and what is it used for?
the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It slows down nerve cell activity, reducing excitability and calming the brain
GABA plays a crucial role in managing anxiety, stress, and fear. It helps to suppress overactive neurons that contribute to these conditions
Gary has a fear of spiders. So his psychologist makes a plan for him to start by talking about spiders, then looking at pictures of spiders, and eventually being around the spider. This type of systematic exposure to fear is called…
graded exposure
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs 5 levels
the levels are physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Hippocampus is ______
a small, curved part of the brain that helps with learning, memory, and emotions
Hippocrates’ Humoral Theory: Mental disorders result from an imbalance in ___
bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile)
Humanistic Approach is when____
People strive for self-actualization.
Requires unconditional positive regard (acceptance and empathy).
Therapy: Active listening, non-judgment. empathy, unconditional positive regard
This approach is the need to face the fact that life has no inherent meaning & death is inescapable
- If can, have created a meaningful life by accepting responsibility for their own life. If not, it leads to disorder
Existential Approach
this type of mania is a period of abnormally elevated, extreme changes in your mood or emotions, energy level or activity level. This energized level of energy, mood and behavior must be a change from your usual self and be noticeable by others. Less serve when compared to other mania
hypomania/hypomanic episode
a structure deep in your brain, acts as your body’s smart control coordinating center. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis. It does its job by directly influencing your autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones.
hypothalamus
This part of your subconscious is responsible for your primal urges and desires
id
This type of therapeutic technique used to treat anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and phobias. It involves repeatedly imagining and reliving feared or traumatic events in a safe and controlled environment.
Imaginal Exposure
This type of exposure involves directly facing a feared object, situation or activity in real life. For example, someone with a fear of snakes might be instructed to handle a snake, or someone with social anxiety might be instructed to give a speech in front of an audience.
In Vivo Exposure
Rebecca’s roommate announced that she was moving out, the Rebecca might conduct a detailed financial analysis of her new budget rather than confront her emotions of sadness, loneliness, or anger. This defense mechanism of using logic to avoid difficult emotions is known as?
intellectualization
This type of therapy helps people with their fears by deliberately bringing on physical sensations that are harmless, yet feared. For example, someone with Panic Disorder might be instructed to run in place in order to make his or her heart speed up, and therefore learn that this sensation is not dangerous.
interoceptive exposure
Rudy repeatedly fails tests and as a result believes his situation is impossible and doesn’t make an effort to study anymore. This situation when someone feels unable to change their situation and gives up is called:
Learned Helplessness
What are some limitations of a diagnosis: (list 4)
The danger of labels, stigma
Individual gets lost in the diagnosis
Cultural factors
Gender biased
This is often the most common treatment for bipolar disorders
Good for episodes ______ but not for ______
_____%: experience sig. sx reductions
May stabilize neurotrans. systems: incl. ______ and _____ systems
Lithium
manic, depression
80-90%
serotonin and dopamine
_______ is a nucleus in the pons of the brainstem involved with physiological responses to stress and panic.
Locus coeruleus
Major Depressive Disorder
What are the specifiers?
What is the Prevalence in women vs men?
- Specifiers: Mild, moderate, severe, with psychotic features
- Must have had one or more major depressive episodes
- No manic or hypomanic episode
- Causes significant distress or impairment
- Women 2 times as likely as men to have severe dep (26% vs 12%)
- May manifest as somatic sx in some ethnic groups
- Lower income, more likely to have depression
- Higher dep. In sexual & gender minority
- Point: 5-10% of US adults. Rates similar in other countries
- Lifetime: 16% of Americans will experience major depressive episode (MDE)
What is the criteria of a MDE (Major Depressive Episode)
- Sx cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning
- 5 or more of following during same 2 week period (short) and change from previous functioning. Must have either/both depressed mood or anhedonia.
1) Depressed mood most of day, nearly every day (in kids can be irritable)
2) Anhedonia (lose interest or pleasure in most or all fun activities) most of day, nearly every day
3) Significant weight loss (not dieting) or weight gain, or loss or gain in appetite nearly every day
4) Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
5) Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others)
6) Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7) Worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day
8) Diff concentrating, or indecisiveness nearly every day
9) Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or specific plan for committing suicide
State of breathless euphoria or frenzied energy in which people may have exaggerated belief that world is theirs for the taking
Mania
What are the criteria for a Manic Episode?
- Distinct period of abnormally & persistently elevated, or irritable mood lasting at least 1 wk (or any durat. if hospitalization is nec.)
- During mood disturb. 3 or more of following (4 if mood is only irritable):
↑ self-esteem or grandiosity
↓ need for sleep
More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
Flight of ideas/thoughts feel like racing
Distractibility
↑ in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation - Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have high potential for negative consequences (shopping sprees, sexual indiscretions, etc)
- Marked impairment or hospitalization nec to prevent harm to self/others
What do MAOIS do?
What sorts of food should you avoid if you are taking MAOIS
- Prevents breakdown of serotonin & dopamine –> MAOI decrease action of MOI (-Enzyme that causes breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters in the synapse (such as serotonin and dopamine))
- antidepressant
As effective as tricyclics, but side effects potentially more dangerous - Must avoid tyramine-rich foods: wine, cheese, chocolate (blood pressure)
Risk of liver damage - weight gain
- interact with antihypertension drugs and antihistamines X
What does the minority stress model indicate?
minorities face chronic stress due to discrimination leading to higher risk for disorders
– Minorities and other marginalized groups (LGBTQ+ , racial/ethnic minorities)
Jess observes her mom yell a lot at home, as a result, she starts to yell more. This is known as:
modeling
What are the three parts of the Negative Cognitive Triad?
negative views of self, future, and world
Tracy punishes her daughter by taking away her TV privileges, this is an example of:
negative punishment
Bob rewards his son for getting an A by letting him skip his chores for that week. This is an example of:
Negative Reinforcement
chemicals that allow neurons to communicate in synapses
Neurotransmitters
a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a vital role in the body’s response to stress, anxiety, and fear
norepinephrine
a psychoanalytic theory that focuses on how early experiences with caregivers shape adult relationships
Object Relations Theory
a persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thought, image, or urge that causes significant distress or anxiety
obsession
What are the criteria for OCD?
- Obsessions or compulsions are time consuming (at least 1 hour per day) or cause clinically significant distress or impairment
- Specify if:
With good or fair insight: recognizes that beliefs are probably not true.
With poor insight: thinks beliefs are probably true
With absent insight/delusional beliefs: completely convinced that beliefs are true
This is a learning process that uses rewards and punishments to change behavior
operant conditioning
Panic Attacks
An abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak w/i minutes
Attacks include at least 4 of the following:
Palpitations, pounding heart
Sweating
Trembling/shaking
Shortness of breath/smothering
Feelings of choking
Chest pain/discomfort
Nausea/abdominal distress
What is the criteria for Panic Disorder
Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
At least 1 of the attacks has been followed by 1 mnth or more of :
Persistent concern or worry about having another attack or their consequences (losing control, having heart attack, going crazy).
Significant maladaptive change in behav. Related to the attacks (avoidance of exercise, unfamiliar situations, etc).
Not due to a substance.
Not better explained by another psych disorder.
The system calms the body down, promoting “rest and digest” functions
parasympathetic nervous system
A patient with chronic pain receives a capsule filled with sugar and is told it’s a powerful pain reliever. The patient reports significant pain reduction, even though the capsule has no actual pain-relieving properties. This is an example of the
placebo effect
Pam spanks her son after he misbehaves in order to teach him a lesson. The spanking is considered:
positive punishment
Glenn gives his daughter a piece of candy for every time she does her homework, this is an example of:
positive reinforcement
The idea that humans are genetically predisposition to be afraid of certain things more than others (ex: being afraid of snakes more) is called:
Preparedness Theory
This destress technique that involves tensing and relaxing muscles gradually to reduce stress and anxiety
Progressive muscle relaxation
This internal feeling that seems dangerous/unacceptable is attributed to someone else. Hans’ feelings of competition/hostility to horse projected onto horse so Hans thought horse was hostile to him.
projection
a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the unconscious mind and how it influences thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is based on the theories of Sigmund Freud
psychodynamic/psychoanalytic
What are some Psychological theories of ab. Behav.?
The idea that the area of damage to the brain determines personality, behavior and cognitive changes are the:
What is the criteria for PTSD
A. Traumatic event in which was actual or threatened death or serious injury to self/others
B. 1 or more intrusion sx. assoc. w/ the trauma:
C. Avoidance of stimuli assoc w/ trauma (1 or more of following)
D. Negative alterations in thoughts or mood assoc w/ trauma (2 or more of the following)
E. Alterations in arousal (2 or more of following)
F. Symptoms must have lasted more than 1 month. -> important to know
G. Clinically sig distress/impairment.
A student who is rejected from her dream college may explain that she’s happy to be attending a school that’s less competitive and more welcoming, this defense mechanism is known as:
rationalism
These are the receivers on the dendrites in the neuron
receptors
When someone involuntarily relives a traumatic event
Flashback
Sarah seeks therapy due to chronic anxiety, difficulty forming close relationships, and frequent feelings of helplessness. During sessions, she often becomes emotionally overwhelmed and exhibits childlike behaviors, such as speaking in a higher-pitched voice, curling into a fetal position, or expressing a need for reassurance like a young child. This is an example of:
regression
John seeks therapy for chronic anxiety and recurring nightmares. He reports feeling on edge most of the time but cannot pinpoint the cause. He describes his childhood as “normal” and insists there was no significant trauma. This is an example of
Repression
What are some aspects of Response Prevention?
Graded exposure
Exposure client to the feared obsessive situation and prevent compulsion
Have mantras that can say to self while doing exposure (its just OCD, I can handle this)
Modeling
What is reuptake?
reabsorption by presynaptic neuron, takes back some neurotransmitters from reaching synapse
What are some risk factors for PTSD?
- Mental health problems; poor interpersonal relationships; racism
- People who experience more traumatic situations daily: soldiers, EMT ect
- Physiological Hyperreactivity
Structural and chemical abnormalities
Amygdala and hippocampus
Low baseline cortisol - Twin studies demonstrate high concordance
_____ is a concept in psychology that refers to the process of realizing and fulfilling one’s full potential, becoming the best version of oneself.
Self-actualization
This NT is responsible for happiness, focus and calmness
serotonin
The approach incorporates the idea that social forces contribute to psychological disorders, example:
SES, gender, ethnicity
Sociocultural approach
What are some of the features of SSRIs?
- Newest class of antidepressants
- Similar in structure in tricyclics but works more directly on serotonin
- Takes 2-4 weeks to experience effect
- Side effects less severe than others
- Not usu fatal on overdose
- Help anxiety and other issues
– Ex: Prozac, Luvox, Celexa, Paxil, Zoloft
State anxiety
How a person view’s stress (good or bad) is called?
Stress Mindset
This part of the subconscious reflects your good intentions and moral compass:
superego
This part of the ANS is responsible for the Fight or Flight response, quickens heart rate and dilates eyes.
Sympathetic nervous system
Synapse/synaptic cleft
The junction where two neurons communicate
What is Systematic desensitization?
Involves gradually exposing the individual to feared stimuli while simultaneously teaching them relaxation techniques.
Sarah, a 25-year-old woman, struggles with intrusive thoughts about accidentally harming her loved ones. For example, while cooking dinner, she suddenly has the thought, “What if I poison my family?” Even though she knows she would never intentionally harm anyone, the thought feels so real and disturbing that she becomes convinced it means something terrible. This is an example of:
Thought-action Fusion
_____ is when prolonged or frequent activation of stress response that leads to dysregulation of the neuroendocrine immune circuitry - unable to regulate the stress response.
Toxic Stress
_______ is a personality characteristic that reflects a person’s tendency to experience anxiety as a stable and enduring part of their temperament.
Trait anxiety
Martha wants to visit her therapist but is afraid her therapist will think she is clingy. Earlier in Martha’s life her mother developed the same relationship with her. This unconscious projection of attitudes onto someone else is called:
transference
What is trephination
A surgical procedure where holes were drilled into the skull to release spirits. (when Mental illness was thought to be caused by spirits or demonic possession.)
____ is a mental health condition characterized by the recurrent and irresistible urge to pull out one’s own hair, resulting in significant hair loss.
Trichotillomania
What are some features of Tricyclic antidepressants?
What does it prevent the reuptake of
What are some examples?
Prevents reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin in synapse or by changing responsiveness of receptors for these neurotransmitters
– Ex: Imipramine, amitriptyline, desipramine
- Highly effective,
- Many side effects.
- Fatal in overdose
- Takes 4-8 weeks to show an effect
Imipramine, amitriptyline, desipramine
A therapist listens to a client who feels guilty about lying to a friend. Instead of judging or criticizing, the therapist responds with warmth and acceptance, saying, “It’s okay to feel this way. Let’s explore what led to this and how you can grow from it.” This is called:
Unconditional Positive Regard
When Pavlov rings his bell, and serves his dog food. Soon the sound of the bell makes his dog drool on his own. What is the UCR (unconditioned response)
the drool before the getting trained to drool at the sound of the bell
When Pavlov rings his bell, and serves his dog food. Soon the sound of the bell makes his dog drool on his own. What is the UCS (unconditioned Stimulus)
The food
This is the part of the mind that operates without conscious awareness
Unconscious Mind
