Module 40: Basic Concepts of Psychological Disorders

Question 1

psychological disorder

Answer 1

a syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior.

Such thoughts and behaviors must be dysfunctional and maladaptive or distressing– they must interfere with normal day-to-day life.

Question 2

medical model

Answer 2

the concept that diseases, in this case psychological disorders, have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and in most cases, cured through treatment in a hospital

Question 3

epigenetics

Answer 3

“above” or “in addition to” (epi) genetics; the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence genetic expression (without a DNA change)

Question 4

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5)

Answer 4

a widely used system from the American Psychiatric Association to classify psychological disorders

Question 5

attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Answer 5

a psychological disorder marked by extreme inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity

Question 6

What factors increase risk of suicide?

Answer 6

(see page 500 in your textbook for more details)

• national differences, racial differences, gender differences, trait differences, age differences and trends
• higher in the rich, nonreligious, and those single, widowed, divorced
• higher in those who witness physical pain and trauma
• higher in LGBTQ communities
• higher in those with alcohol use disorder
• trends related to days of the week & seasonal differences

Question 7

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

Answer 7

Self-harm behaviors that are painful but not intended to be fatal.

More common in adolescence and females.

Why?

• find relief from intense negative thoughts through the distraction of pain
• attract attention and possibly get help
• relieve gilt by punishing themselves
• get others to change their negative behavior (bullying, criticism)
• fit in with a peer group.