psychological disorders

Question 1

What has influenced the rise of mental health disorders?

Answer 1

Either we are better at diagnosing, people feel more comfortable asking for help, or our lifestyle promotes mental health disorders

Question 2

What are the three D’s of mental health disorders?

Answer 2

Deviant, Distressing, Dysfunctional

Question 3

How do we decide if something is pathological?

Answer 3

f something is caused by a physical or mental disease

Question 4

What do we use to diagnose?

Answer 4

The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual)

Question 5

How should we talk about disorders in order to reduce stigma?

Answer 5

“someone who suffers from anxiety” instead of someone with anxiety or someone
who has anxiety

Question 6

Diathesis Stress Model

Answer 6

is a psychological theory that attempts to explain a disorder, or its trajectory, as the result of an interaction between a pre-dispositional vulnerability, and stress caused by life experiences.

Question 7

What makes worry or anxiety Pathological?

Answer 7

it is constant, over many different issues, at times irrational

Question 8

Three broad categories of anxiety symptoms?

Answer 8

Cognitive symptoms, Somatic symptoms, and Behavioral symptoms

Question 9

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Answer 9

Excessive, uncontrollable anxiety for 6+ months, with more than one stressor, and 3+ anxiety symptoms

Question 10

What are the main symptoms of anxiety disorders?

Answer 10

Being on edge, tight chest, racing heart, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbances

Question 11

What is a panic disorder?

Answer 11

Having recurrent, unexpected panic attacks (4+ in a year)

Question 12

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Answer 12

Having either or both: Obsessions (intrustive, unwanted thoughts) and Compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts)

Question 13

Do you need to have both obsessions and compulsions in order to meet the criteria for OCD?

Answer 13

No, but it is common to have both

Question 14

What does it mean to have an intrusive thought?

Answer 14

To have a recurrent or persistent thoughts, usually about violent or destructive urges, that you cannot stop or control

Question 15

How do you help and treat mental health disorders?

Answer 15

Medication, telling your story to someone safe, see a therapist

Question 16

What is a depressive episode?

Answer 16

When an individual experiences a depressed mood, and/or lack of motivation and pleasure

Question 17

What is a manic episode?

Answer 17

When an individual experiences elevated/irritable mood for 1+ weeks and persistent goal directed activity plus 3+ other manic symptoms

Question 18

What is the difference between the three kinds of depression we discussed in class?

Answer 18

Major Depressive Disorder is constant highs and lows, Persistent Depressive Disorder is constant lows, and Premenstrual Depressive Disorder is due to women’s menstrual cycles, so lows every month

Question 19

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Answer 19

There are two kinds of Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar I (having at least one manic episode, likely followed by a depressive one) and Bipolar II (having a hypomanic episode, which is a lesser degree episode)

Question 20

What is Bipolar Disorder wrongfully stereotyped as?

Answer 20

People will call moody individuals bipolar, which is inaccurate

Question 21

What is a hypomanic episode?

Answer 21

A shorter manic episode (around 4 days) with less intense symptoms

Question 22

Why does therapy help individuals who suffer from mental health disorders?

Answer 22

It gives them a safe space to feel seen and heard, as well as provides access to proper medication and specific kinds of treatments

Question 23

How do you decide if a therapist is a good fit for you?

Answer 23

If it feels like you are talking to a friend. You should form an emotional bond with your therapist, and they should also know how to continue your treatment past the fist stage (when you’re getting to know them) as well as the plateau (when it feels like you’ve shared all you can)

Question 24

Your friend no longer gets joy from things they used to be interested in. This is an example of:

Answer 24

Anhedonia (diminished interest or pleasure)