Psychopathology Qs Flashcards
For individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a better prognosis has been linked to which of the following?
(a). No or minimal delays in motor development
(b). An ability to communicate verbally by age five or six
(c). A brief period of active-phase symptoms
(d). Strong family support
b. An ability to communicate verbally by age five or six.
A better prognosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder has been linked to an ability to communicate verbally by age five or six, an IQ over 70, and a later onset of symptoms.
Research investigating the effectiveness of neurofeedback as a treatment for ADHD has generally found which of the following?
(a). It is not an effective treatment for most individuals with this disorder.
(b). It is an effective treatment and exerts its strongest effects on inattention and impulsivity.
(c). It is an effective treatment and exerts its strongest effects on hyperactivity.
(d). It is an effective treatment only when used in conjunction with a central nervous system stimulant.
(b). It is an effective treatment and exerts its strongest effects on inattention and impulsivity.
A meta-analysis of the research by Arns et al. (2009) found that neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) produced a large effect size for inattention and impulsivity and a medium effect size for hyperactivity and that its effects are similar to those of stimulant medication. The
results also indicated that the benefits of neurofeedback remained stable or increased over a two-year period.
Compared to children in the general population, children with a Specific Learning Disorder are:
(a). At lower risk for ADHD and other mental disorders.
(b). At about the same risk for ADHD and other mental disorders.
(c). At about the same risk for ADHD and other mental disorders but at higher risk for more severe symptoms.
(d). At higher risk for ADHD and other mental disorders.
(d). At higher risk for ADHD and other mental disorders.
Children with Specific Learning Disorders tend to be at higher risk for other mental health problems. For example, the rate of ADHD is about 5% for children in the general population but 20 to 30% for children with Specific Learning Disorder.
The mean age of onset of motor tics in Tourette’s Disorder is:
(a). 1 to 3 years.
(b). 5 to 7 years.
(c). 9 to 11 years.
(d). 12 to 14 years.
(b). 5 to 7 years.
The reported mean age of onset of motor tics varies, but a commonly reported range is between 5 and 7 years. The onset of vocal tics is usually later, with a mean age of 11 years.
See, e.g., A. Carroll and A. Robertson, Tourette Syndrome: A practical guide for teachers, parents, and careers, New York, David Fulton Publishers, 2003.
Of the brain abnormalities associated with Schizophrenia, which of the following has been found in the largest proportion of patients?
(a). Enlarged hippocampus
(b). Enlarged frontal lobes
(c). Enlarged temporal lobes
(d). Enlarged ventricles
(d). Enlarged ventricles
Of the structural brain abnormalities linked to Schizophrenia, enlarged lateral and third ventricles have been found in the largest proportion of patients with reported percentages ranging from 15 to 30%.
The biological brother of a person who has received a diagnosis of Schizophrenia is ________ times more likely to develop the disorder than a member of the general population.
(a). Two
(b). Five
(c). Ten
(d). Twenty
(c). Ten
Approximately 1% of the general population develops Schizophrenia. For biological siblings of a person with Schizophrenia, this increases to about 10%.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) has been most consistently linked to _______ abnormalities.
(a). Cortisol
(b). Glutamate
(c). Melatonin
(d). GABA
(c). Melatonin
Seasonal affective disorder has been linked to a disruption in circadian rhythms that is caused by abnormalities in the secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland.
In adults, the rate of Major Depressive Disorder for women is about 1.5 to 3 times the rate for men. This gender difference:
(a). Is the opposite of what is found in prepubertal children.
(b). Is the same as what is found in prepubertal children.
(c). Does not become evident until early adulthood.
(d). Does not become evident until mid-adolescence.
(d). Does not become evident until mid-adolescence.
The gender difference in the rates of Major Depressive Disorder does not become evident until puberty. Prior to that time, the rates for males and females are about equal.
The DSM-5 diagnosis of Panic Disorder requires at least two __________ panic attacks, with at least one attack being followed by __________ or more of persistent concern or worry about having another attack or the consequences of an attack and/or a significant maladaptive change in behavior that is related to the attacks.
(a). Expected or unexpected; one month
(b). Expected or unexpected; three months
(c). Unexpected; one month
(d). Unexpected; two months
(c). Unexpected; one month
For a DSM-5 diagnosis of Panic Disorder, a person must have recurrent unexpected panic attacks, with at least one of the attacks being followed by “persistent concern or worry about additional attacks or their consequences” and/or “a significant maladaptive change in
behavior related to the attacks” (APA, 2013, p. 208).
Mary Ann, age 29, seems very nervous during her first therapy session with you. When she speaks, her hands shake and she blushes. She tells you that, while she isn’t afraid to be around people, she gets anxious and flustered whenever she has to speak to people she doesn’t know. Mary Ann also says she has trouble talking to her supervisor at work because he’s condescending and critical. Based on these symptoms, the most likely diagnosis for Mary Ann is which of the following?
(a). Specific Phobia
(b). Social Anxiety Disorder
(c). Panic Disorder
(d). Generalized Anxiety Disorder
(b). Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder involves marked fear of or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual may be exposed to the scrutiny of others.
Studies suggest that which of the following is the most effective intervention for Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
(a). Flooding
(b). Systematic desensitization
(c). Stress inoculation
(d). Cognitive-behavioral therapy
(d). Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Reviews of the literature have confirmed that multicomponent cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Which of the following is true about the rates of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder for males and females?
(a). In both children and adults, the rates are higher for males than for females.
(b). In both children and adults, the rates are higher for females than for males.
(c). In children, the rates are higher for males; in adults, the rates are about equal for males and females.
(d). In children, the rates are higher for females; in adults, the rates are about equal for males and females.
(c). In children, the rates are higher for males; in adults, the rates are about equal for males and females
Because the average age of onset of OCD is earlier for males than females, among children, the rate of the disorder is higher for males. However, in adulthood, the rates are about equal for males and females.
Your new client, Roberto R., was involved in a car accident three weeks ago in which the driver of the other car was killed. He is having “bad dreams” about car crashes, has
been unable to drive or ride in a car, and is having trouble concentrating at work. He says that he doesn’t remember much about what happened the first few days after the accident and that, since the accident, he’s been unusually irritable and has frequently lost his temper for no good reason. The most likely diagnosis for Roberto is which of the following?
(a). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
(b). Specific Phobia
(c). Acute Stress Disorder
(d). Generalized Anxiety Disorder
(c). Acute Stress Disorder
The nature and duration of Roberto’s symptoms are consistent with Acute Stress Disorder. He was involved in a traumatic event, has memory loss for some time after the event, is re-experiencing the event in dreams, avoiding activities associated with the event, having trouble concentrating, and being unusually irritable, his symptoms have lasted for three weeks.
The presence of which of the following is more suggestive of Malingering than Factitious Disorder?
(a). The motive for feigning symptoms is to obtain an external reward.
(b). The motive for feigning symptoms is to keep a conflict or impulse out of conscious awareness.
(c). Symptoms are related to an identified deception that is not associated with attainment of an external reward.
(d). Symptoms are inconsistent with known neurological or medical conditions.
(a). The motive for feigning symptoms is to obtain an external reward.
Malingering is included in the DSM-5 with Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention and involves the intentional production of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms for personal gain. (Answer c is consistent with Factitious Disorder.)
As a treatment for Erectile Dysfunction, sildenafil citrate (Viagra) exerts its therapeutic effects by increasing:
(a). Androgen levels.
(b). Blood flow to the penis.
(c). Sensitivity in the penis.
(d). Sexual desire.
(b). Blood flow to the penis.
Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) works by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). This inhibition leads to the relaxation of smooth muscle in the blood vessels of the penis, thereby increasing blood flow and facilitating an erection in response to sexual stimulation.
