Exam 2 Flashcards
localized memory loss
forget events within a time period
selective memory loss
forget some but not all events within time period
generalized memory loss
loss of memory for personal identity
continuous memory loss
person cannot make new memories
dissociative fugue
subtype of dissociative amnesia
most regain memories and have no recurrence
psychological explanations for dissociative amnesia
psychodynamic- repression of painful information
self-hypnosis- used to forget trauma event
state dependent learning- trauma memories rigidly linked to arousal states
primary treatments for dissociative amnesia
recovery is often spontaneous
but psychodynamic therapy, hypnosis, or barbiturates can be used to restore memory
diagnostic features of DID
2 or more distinct personalities (own memories, behaviors, and emotions)
memory gaps
distress/dysfunction
competing explanations for DID
trauma based- personalities develop to “hold” painful memories
malingering- client is faking the disorder
iatrogenic- client is highly susceptible and therapist uses suggestive techniques so client (unconsciously) creates personalities
DID treatment goals
stability, safety, and boundaries
recognize DID
memory recovery
integrating personalities
maintenance treatment
depersonalization
feeling disconnected from self
observing self from outside
derealization
sense of unreality or detachment from surroundings
depersonalization-derealization
a dissociative disorder because of a disturbance in self-in-the-world
memory is NOT a core problem
single experiences are common but disorder is not
can be symptoms of other conditions
2 main types of appraisals that influence stress reactions
threat appraisals
coping appraisals
developmental perspective of fear and anxiety
fear and anxiety occur across the lifespan
can be similar or different
coping skills and resources change over time
fear
immediate alarm to threat
create the same physiological reaction as anxiety
anxiety
alarm to anticipated threat
create the same physiological reaction as fear
anxiety disorders
most common disorders in US (29%)
diagnosed when anxiety is severe, frequent, long-lasting, or too easily/inappropriately triggered
specific phobias and agoraphobia
-excessive fear of object of situation
-exposure elicits immediate fear
-avoid object or situation
-symptoms last 6+ months
-distress or dysfunction
specific phobias
fear of specific object or situation
DSM subtypes: animal, nature, blood-injection-injury, situational
agoraphobia
avoid places that might cause panic and make person feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed
public transport, being in a crowd/line, and open/enclosed spaces are common fears
anxiety is caused by the fear that there is no easy escape or help
explanations for phobias
-learned through classical conditioning, modeling
-predisposition to learn certain fears based on evolutionary preparedness
-maintained by avoidance because avoidance is reinforced by fear reduction
treatments for phobias
exposure therapy (70% of people improve)
systematic desensitization- fear hierarchy, gradual exposure + relaxation
modeling
flooding (not typically recommended)
Panic disorder
recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
1+ month of worry about attacks
related change in behavior (avoidance)
panic attack symptoms
pounding heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feelings of choking, chest pain, nausea, dizzy, chills/heat, numbness/tingling, derealization, fear of losing control, fear of dying
biological explanations for panic disorders
early explanations focused on NE activity in locus coeruleus
evolving explanations focus on a hyperactive panic circuit or an inherited predisposition
cognitive explanations for panic disorder
bodily sensations are experienced intensely and focused on, and then (mis)interpreted as harmful
biological panic disorder treatment
antidepressants (NE), benzodiazepines
relapse of panic attacks typically happen when meds are stopped
cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder
educate about panic attacks
help person correct misinterpretations (identify expectations, teach new interpretations, teach new coping skills)
biological challenge test to produce panic symptoms and practice new interpretations
80% of people improve with this treatment with no major relapse
social anxiety diagnostic features
high anxiety in social or performance situations
fear of acting in a way that will be negatively evaluated or cause offense to others
the situations elicit anxiety and are avoided
distress or impairment present
cognitive-behavioral explanation for social anxiety
high social standards
view self as unlikable
perception of low anxiety control
three above add together to expect social disasters and avoidance of social situations
social anxiety treatments
cognitive-behavioral therapy (exposure to social situations and social skills training)
antidepressants
both therapies have similar outcomes but less relapse with therapy
generalized anxiety disorder criteria
excessive anxiety and worry (happens more days than not about multiple things that are difficult to control)
symptoms for 6+ months (feeling on edge, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, fatigued, sleep problems)
significant distress or dysfunction
sociocultural theory of GAD
GAD is more common in dangerous environments (especially poverty in US)
modern cognitive behavioral therapies
key idea is that GAD results from maladaptive thinking (esp about danger)
meta cognitive theory, intolerance of uncertainty theory, avoidance theory
meta cognitive theory
worrying helps me prepare + worry is harmful = worrying about worrying
intolerance of uncertainty theory
i must be 100% certain that danger will not happen + I must prevent the danger = constant worry about uncertainty and things cannot control
avoidance theory
worry distracts from physical arousal symptoms + distraction reinforces worry = GAD
cognitive behavioral treatment for GAD
psychoeducation
self monitoring
cognitive restructuring
Goal: decrease perceptions of danger and become more accepting of fears/worries
biological explanations for GAD
heritability plays a role
antianxiety meds reduce GABA
two brain circuits may be involved (1 in physiology and 1 in cognition)
biological treatments for GAD
anxiolytics- barbiturates (highly addictive) and benzodiazepines
antidepressants- those that target serotonin and NE
OCD diagnosis
obsessions, compulsions, or both
symptoms take up a lot of time
cause significant distress or impairment
obsessions
persistent and intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images
trigger anxiety
common themes: dirt/contamination, losing control, harm, perfectionism, religion, sexuality
compulsions
repetitive behaviors or mental acts a person “must” perform
occur in response to obsessions that can reduce anxiety in the short term
common themes: cleaning, checking, order/balance, touching, verbalizing, counting
biological causes of OCD
genetic link established
evidence points to atypical serotonin activity in orbitofrontal cortex and caudate nuclei
atypicality in brain circuits that convert sensory info into thoughts and actions, detect errors, and inhibit responses
OCD treatments
serotonin based antidepressants
50-80% or people improve, but relapse when stopped
cognitive behavioral therapy (exposure and response prevention)
exposure and response prevention for OCD
help the person expose themselves to triggers (usually in a hierarchy process)
help person refrain from the compulsion until anxiety diminishes
OCD related disorders
hoarding disorder
trichotillomania (hair pulling)
excoriation disorder (skin picking)
body dysmorphic disorder
post traumatic stress disorder
experiencing fear and other symptoms long after a traumatic event
symptoms include:
increased arousal, negative emotions, and guilt
reexperiencing the traumatic event
avoidance
reduced responsiveness and dissociation
biological factors for stress disorders
brain-body stress routes- increased arousal, even before trauma, can be associated with PTSD (cortisol and NE)
stress circuit- amygdala, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and hippocampus connections
inherited predisposition
cognitive factors for stress disorders
inflexible coping style and intolerance for uncertainty
stress disorder treatments
antidepressants, cognitive-behavioral therapy, couple/family therapy, and/or group therapy
prolonged exposure
clients confront trauma-related objects and situations but also painful memories of traumatic experiences
eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
move eyes in a rhythmic manner from side to side while thinking “repressed” things
psychological debriefing
victims talk about feeling and feelings
state dependent learning
learning that becomes associated with the the conditions under which it is learned, remembrance occurs in the same conditions
