Psychopathological Disorders— Test 4

Question 1

Psychopathology

Answer 1

The study of mental disorders

When a psychological problem disrupts a person’s life and causes significant distress over a long period, the problem is considered a disorder

Question 2

The 4 D’s of Psychopathology

Answer 2

1. Deviance: Does the person act in a way that deviates from cultural norms for acceptable behavior?
2. Danger: Is the behavior self-destructive, or causing danger to others in the environment??
3. Dysfunction: Is the behavior maladaptive, and disturbing day-to-day life?
4. Distress: Does the behavior cause discomfort and negative feelings about the person’s state?

Question 3

Different types of Assessment

Answer 3

Interviews (structured and unstructured)

Questionnaires

Neuropsychological testing

Question 4

Causes of disorder

Answer 4

Diathesis-stress model:
A model that proposes that a disorder may develop when an underlying vulnerability is coupled with a precipitating event

Biological factors
—The biological perspective focuses on how physiological factors contribute to psychological disorders

Question 5

Mood disorders

Answer 5

Depressive disorders

Bipolar disorders

Question 6

Dysthymia

Answer 6

A form of depression not severe enough to be diagnosed as major depression, but still chronic, and can impair day-to-day life

Question 7

Bipolar Disorder

Manic vs. Hypomanic episodes

Answer 7

A mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania

Manic episodes:
Characterized by elevated mood, increased activity, diminished need for sleep, grandiose ideas, racing thoughts, and extreme distractibility, excessive involvement in pleasurable but foolish activities (3-6 months)

Hypomanic episodes:
Less extreme mood elevations characterized by heightened creativity and productivity. Higher functioning.

Question 8

Schizophrenia

read over in slideshow

Answer 8

A psychological disorder characterized by a split between thought and emotion. Involves alterations in thoughts, perception, or consciousness

Ventricles in the brain are enlarged and there are abnormalities throughout many brain regions

Question 9

Schizophrenia Positive vs. Negative

read over in slideshow

Answer 9

Positive (excessive) symptoms:
Excesses in functioning, such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech or behavior

Negative symptoms:
Deficits in functioning, such as apathy, lack of emotion, and slowed speech and movement

Question 10

Borderline personality disorder

Answer 10

Characterized by disturbances in identity, affect, and impulse control

Question 11

Antisocial personality disorder (APD)

Answer 11

A personality disorder marked by a lack of empathy and remorse

Question 12

Antisocial personality disorder (APD) effects

Answer 12

Affected individuals are often charming and intelligent, lacking remorse, willing to lie or cheat, and lacking empathy. Some with APD manage to be successful professionals

Individuals do not seem to feel fear or anxiety:
—Evidence of amygdala abnormalities

Question 13

Autistic disorder

Answer 13

Characterized by deficits in social interaction, by impaired communication, and by restricted interests.

Children with severe autism are seemingly unaware of others, have deficits in communication, and have very restricted interests.