Psychological Disorders Flashcards
Define a psychological disorder
There is NO agreed-upon definition, ONLY certain elements
How does DSM 5 define a psychological disorder
Clusters of symptoms occuring simultaneously; clinically significant disturbance of cognition, emotion recognition, behaviour
What factors make up psychological abnormalities
- Being different than general public
- Behaviour violating social norms
- Behaviour considered socially unacceptable
- Behaviour dangerous to indiv
- Person is in no signifcant distress
- Behaviour is dysfunctional/maladaptive to either HIMSELF or Society
- Perception of reality is fale
Define cultural diversity
Affecting peoples views on social standards; norm in one cultural might be abnormal in another
Define “normal”
Whaat keeps us functional, productive
How are clinical diagnoses made
Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) matching symptoms to disorders
Define a symptom
Physical, psychological sign of disorder helping to determine prognosis and aiding in research
Define a personality disorder
Inflexibile, maladaptive personality traits
What are the 3 personality disorder clusters
A: Odd behaviour
B: Dramatic, emotional, erratic
C: Fearful
What is the diathesis-stress model
Diathesis: identify factors increasing chance of disorder (biological vulernability)
Stress: identify factors triggering disorder
Define the odd behaviour disorder types
Paranoia: suspicious, hold grudges
Schizoid: prefers isolation, lack of emotional bonds
Schizotypal: odd appearance, magical thinking
Define the dramatic, emotional, erratic disorder types
Antisocial: violate social norms, lack of remorse, impuslive
Borderline: fear of abandonement, unstable self image, innaprop. anger
Narcissim: sense of self importance, lacking empathy
Histmanic: attention seeking, exagerate illness
Define the fearful disorder types
Avoidant: extreme shy, sensitive to critics
Dependent: clingy, need to be taken care of
OC: need for order, perfectionism, control
Define a genetic predisposition
Interacting with environment influences brain alterations
What are social and cultural influences for disorders
Stress, trauma, inconsistent parental discipline
How do genes affect disorders
Most are genetically influence but not determined
Define schizophrenia
Psychosis (significant loss of contact with reality)
Lifetime risk 1%
Beings in late adolescene or early adulthoot
What are “positive” symptoms of schizophrenia
Delusions
Hallucinations (usually auditory)
Disorganized behaviour
What are the 2 types of delusions
Grandeur: belief of being an important person of authority
Persecution: belief that people are out to get you
What are the “negative” symptoms of schizophrenia
Flat effect
Alogia (reduced speech)
Avolition (no goal-directed behaviour)
Anhedonia (loss of joy of activites)
Define negative symtpoms
Absence of behaviours seen in healthy people
Define positive symptoms
Addition of behaviours not seen in healthy people
Define the dopamine hypothesis
Schizo associated with abnormally high levels of brain activity sensitive to dopamine; by blocking dopamine, symptoms are relieved
Which other NT is associated with schizophrenia
Glutuamate
Which part of the brain is enlarged in schizos
Cerebral ventricles
What causes schizophrenia
- Genetics
- Prenatal issues (malnutrition mother)
- Brain abnormalities
- Birth complications (lack of oxygen)
- Psychosis
- Cultural aspects (poverty)
What brain abnormalities are associated with schizophrenia
Low front lobe activity
Reduces hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, grey matter
Define a neurodevelopmental disorder
Stemming from early brain abnormalities
Define a personality disorder
- deviates a lot from cultural norms
- inflexible, pervasive among personal/social situations
- clinically significant distress, impairement
Define a though disturbance
Switching topics mid sentence
Define grossly disorganized behaviour
Difficulty starting, completing tasks
Difficulty making decisions
Define an inapropriate effect
Facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures not reflecting situation
Which type of twins are more likely to have schizophrenia
Monozygotic (identical)
Which sex is more likley to have schizophrenia
Men
Define the 3 symptoms of anxiety disorder
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Physiological
Characteristics of general anxiety disorder
Excessive worrying
Difficulty controlling it
Difficulty making decisions
Common in lower income people
Define a phobia
Persistent, irrational fears of objects, situations, activities that a person feels should avoid
Define agoraphobia
Anxiety of being in places where escape is difficult or embarassing
Defina a social phobia
Irrational fear, avoidance of social situations; belief they will embarass or humiliate themselves; feel they will appear clumsy, foolish, incompetent
Do all people with anxiety disorders experience panic attacks
Yes
Define panic disorder
Repeated, unexpected panic attacks leading to behavioural, psychological problems
Which sex is more likely to have GAD
Women
Difference between anxiety and worry
Anxiety = behavioural
Worry = cognitive
Define obsessions
Unwanted, disturbing thoughts
Define compulsions
Ritualistic acts to control obsessions and relieve anxiety
