Psychopathology - Characteristics of Disorders

Question 1

Behavioural -Phobia

Answer 1

• Panic Behaviours (e.g running
  away, screaming, crying) (may
  depend on age)
• Avoidance [of contact with
  phobic stimulus] (can lead to
  limited everyday functioning)
• Disruption of functioning
  (inability to carry out everyday
  tasks)

Question 2

Behavioural - Depression

Answer 2

• Loss of energy
  (results in fatigue, lethargy, high levels of inactivity or even unable to get out of bed)
• Psychomotor agitation
  (unable to relax)
• Social impairment
  (limited social interaction)
• Weight Changes
  (Significant increase/decrease
  OR disrupted appetite/eating)
• Poor personal hygiene
  (e.g less washing, clean clothes)
• Sleep pattern disturbance
  (Insomnia or hypersomnia)

Question 3

Behavioural - OCD

Answer 3

Compulsive Behaviour
- Repetitive Compulsions
(e.g. washing hands)
- Compulsions reduce anxiety
(e.g. ^ obsessive fear of germs)
[Anxiety itself is emotional]
- Avoidance
(Try to reduce anxiety by
avoiding stimulus)
- Inability to complete everyday tasks

Question 4

Emotional - Phobia

Answer 4

• Persistent Excessive Fear/Anxiety
  (Anxiety = unpleasant high
  arousal -> Prevents relaxation
  as even anticipation can cause
  anxiety)
• Fear of phobic stimulus exposure
  (Can result in immediate fear,
  even panic attacks)
• Unreasonable response
  (Disproportionate to danger)

Question 5

Emotional - Depression

Answer 5

• Loss of enthusiasm
  (Less concern/pleasure in daily
  activities)
• Constant lowered mood
  (Overwhelming
  sadness/negativity/emptiness)
• Worthlessness
  (Or low self-esteem/guilt or
  even self-loathing
  inappropriately)
• Anger
  (Towards self and/or others)
  (Sometimes self-harming)

Question 6

Emotional - OCD

Answer 6

• Anxiety & Distress
  (Obsessive thoughts-> Fear ->
  Anxiety -> Urge to repeat
  compulsions -> anxiety)
• Accompanying Depression
  (Or irrational guilt/disgust)

Question 7

Cognitive - Phobia

Answer 7

• Selective attention to phobic stimulus
  (Unable to look away, due to
  evolutionary purposes)
• Irrational beliefs
  (Causes unnecessary pressure)
• Cognitive distortions
  (Perception of stimulus is off)

Question 8

Cognitive - Depression

Answer 8

• Reduced concentration
  (Attention, thinking, decisiveness all suffer/slow down)
• Attending to/dwelling on negatives
  (‘glass half empty’, negative schemas, ‘absolute thinking’)
• Thoughts of death/suicide

Question 9

Cognitive - OCD

Answer 9

• Obsessive Thoughts
  (Reoccurring)
• Recognition these are self-generated
• Irrational (Sometimes aware)
• Catastrophic
  (Worst-case scenario thoughts)
• Hyper-vigilant
  (Constant alertness)