Psychological Disorders

Question 1

What are the 3 D’s of abnormality?

Answer 1

1. Deviant
2. Dysfunctional
3. Distressing

Question 2

What are some causes of psych disorders?

Answer 2

Genetics, childhood trauma, high reactivity, etc.

Question 3

Symptoms: re-experiencing, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, depression common, arousal (reckless, agressive, etc).

Answer 3

PTSD

Question 4

In OCD, what does the Obsession mean?

Answer 4

Reocurring, irracional, unwanted thoughts.

Question 5

Compulsion?

Answer 5

Uncontrollable, repetitive behaviour. Often in response to the obsession. Acts as a defence against anxiety.

Question 6

Causes of OCD?

Answer 6

Learning: compulsions are reinforced by reducing anxiety.
Biological: NT imbalance, genetic

Question 7

What is somatic symptom disorder?

Answer 7

Symptoms of a physical disfunction or illness. Usually has no cause and can’t be treated.

Question 8

Description: irrational belief of having a serious illness. Overly concerned about health but no overt symptoms. Regular bodily functions believed to be serious health problems. Subtype of avoiding doctors.

Answer 8

Illness anxiety disorder

Question 9

What is dissociative amnesia?

Answer 9

Inability to remember personal information or events without organic cause or substance abuse. Can still recall habits, tastes, previously acquired skills.

Question 10

What is Fugue?

Answer 10

When a person can’t recall some or all of their past. Either the loss of identity or formation of a new identity may occur with sudden, unexpected, purposeful travel away from home.

Question 11

Depression:

Severe symptoms that last at least 2 weeks with no notable cause.

Answer 11

Major depressive disorder

Question 12

Depression:

Severe symptoms that can be milder than major depression that last for at least 2 years without periods of remission lasting more than two months.

Answer 12

Persistant Depressive Disorder

Question 13

What are some causes of depression ?

Answer 13

Somewhat heritable. Neurochemical imbalance (low levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, and/or dopamine. Decrease in pleasure and reward mechanism.

More REM sleep and less slow-wave sleep. (Less REM sleep = less depression)

Question 14

What are some symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Answer 14

Mood swings: depression to mania. (Some just mania or hypomania).

Question 15

Characteristics on mania?

Answer 15

Elation, feelings of power, confidence, and energy, talkativeness, irritability.

Question 16

Characteristics of hypomania?

Answer 16

Similar to mania but not as intense. Unusual for the person in question, but could be normal from someone else.

Question 17

What is the difference between Bipolar | and Bipolar ||?

Answer 17

Bipolar | is most severe, one or more manic episodes, usually accompanied by major depressive episodes (may include hypomania).
Bipolar || is less severe. Moods alter between hypomania and depression. Sometimes more depressed than BP |. Can’t have psychotic episodes.

Question 18

Causes for bipolar disorder?

Answer 18

Bipolar more heritable than depression.

Chemical imbalance: lower sensitivity to serotonin, increased sensitivity to dopamine

Question 19

What is the diagnosis for schizophrenia?

Answer 19

Disturbance must last more than six months with one month of active phase symptoms.

Question 20

5 key symptoms for schizophrenia

Answer 20

1. Delusions
2. Hallucinations
3. Disorganized speech
4. Disorganized behaviour
5. Negative symptoms

Question 21

Positive symptoms?

Answer 21

Delusions: false beliefs.
Hallucinations
Thought disturbances

Question 22

Negative symptoms?

Answer 22

Slowing down of bodily movements, poverty of speech, flattened affect, apathy, inattentiveness, withdrawal from loved ones