Psychological Disorders Flashcards
Mental Disorder
Disorders/abnormalities of the mind that cause distress/disability (this point is key) and impede life functions
Biomedical approach to psychological disorders
Assumes that there are underlying biomedical disturbances, so the solution must be of biomedical nature
Biopsychosocial approach to psychological disorders
Biomedical, plus psychological and social/cultural considerations when diagnosing, classifying, and treating mental illnesses
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Originally meant to collect statistical data, it is a diagnostic tool for mental health disorders
Schizophrenia
A psychotic disorder consisting of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thought/behavior, and negative symptoms
Positive symptoms
Behaviors, thoughts, or feelings added to normal behavior; for schizophrenia, this includes delusions (reference, persecution, grandeur), thought broadcasting/insertion, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts and behavior
Negative symptoms
The absence or disturbance of normal or desired behaviors; for schizophrenia, this includes emotional flattening or mismatched tone with speech
Prodromal phase
A phase before schizophrenia characterized by poor adjustment and clear evidence of deterioration, social withdrawal, role functioning impairment, and unusual experiences
Downward Drift Hypothesis
Schizophrenia causes a decline in socioeconomic status, leading to worse symptoms, leading to even lower socioeconomic status, etc.
Psychosis
A symptom of mental illness characterized by a removal from reality; includes delusions and hallucinations
Depressive Disorders
A class of disorders that are diagnosed by the severity and duration of abnormal sadness episodes
Affect
How mood and emotions are displayed
Symptoms of a major depressive episode
Prominent and persistent sadness, loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities, appetite disturbances, substantial weight changes, sleep disturbances, decreased energy, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, psychomotor depression (slowing down), and thoughts/attempts at suicide. At least five symptoms, one of which must be one of the first two
Dysthymia
A depressive mood that is not severe enough to be a major depressive episode
Seasonal Affective Disorder
A major depressive disorder with seasonal onset
Bipolar disorders
Mood disorders characterized by depressive and manic episodes
Manic episodes
Characterized by abnormal and persistently elevated mood lasting at least one week with increased distractibility, a decreased need for sleep, inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, racing thoughts, pressured speech, and involvement in high-risk behavior
Bipolar I disorder
Manic episodes without depressive episodes
Bipolar II disorder
Hypomania with at least one major depressive episode
Hypomania
Mania that does not significantly impair functioning nor contain psychotic features
Cyclothymic Disorder
A combination of hypomanic episodes and dysthymia
Monoamine/Catecholamine Theory of Depression
Norepinephrine and serotonin levels contribute to mania and depression; too high of levels contribute to mania, and loo low of levels contribute to depression
Anxiety Disorders
Disorders that result in distress/disability from abnormal worry or fear
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Disproportionate and persistent worry about many different things in life (no certain stimulus)
Phobia
Anxiety is produced by a specific stimulus
Social Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety due to social situations
Agoraphobia
The phobia of being in places or situations where it might be hard to escape
Panic Disorder
A disorder of repeated panic attacks – fear and apprehension, trembling, sweating, hyperventilation, and a sense of impending doom
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Characterized by obsessions (persistent, intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (actions taken to address those thoughts); compulsions relieve the drive caused by obsessions
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Unrealistic negative evaluation of personal appearance and attractiveness
PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Occurs after exposure to a traumatic event and includes intrusion symptoms, avoidance symptoms, negative cognitive symptoms, and arousal symptoms
Intrusion symptoms
Recurrent reliving of the event, flashbacks, nightmares, and prolonged distress