AP Physics - Chapter 11.5

Somatic Symptoms Disorder

the expression of psychological distress through physical symptoms; formerly called somatoform or psychosomatic disorder

Conversion Disorder

characterized by a change in, or loss of, physical functioning although there is no medical explanation; due to a trauma or excessive anxiety

Are the behaviors in Somatic Symptoms Disorder and Conversion Disorder faked?

These behaviors are not intentionally produced or faked to avoid work or responsibilities

• people honestly feel an ailment

• one possible contributor: stress

What do conversion disorders most likely account for?

many so-called miracle cures attributed to faith healers

Illness Anxiety Disorder

persistent belief that normal/minor physical ailments are symptomatic of a larger medical issue; formerly known as hypochondriasis

Dissociative Disorders

Characterized by sudden, temporary changes in consciousness or self-identity to remove oneself from a source of stress

Dissociative Amnesia

a sudden inability to recall important personal information (name, friends, a period of time, etc.) usually following a particularly stressful event

• Typically minutes to hours, but can persist longer

Dissociative Amnesia with Fugue

Characterized by forgetting of personal information and suddenly relocating from home to escape extreme conflict or threat

• May last a few hours or persist for years

• Sufferers may take on a new name, residence, and occupation

What make Dissociative Amnesia and Dissociative Amnesia with Fugue different from typical Amnesia?

These cannot be explained biologically, such as infection/head injury

• psychological in origin

Dissociative Identity Disorder

involves the existence of two or more alternating personalities, each with distinct trails and memories, with or without awareness of the others; formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder

• The various personalities may be different sexes, ages, and may even have different eyeglass prescriptions

• Sufferers were usually severely abused in childhood (physcial, sexual, and/or psychological)

Personality Disorders

patterns of inflexible traits that disrupt social functioning and/or distress the affected individual

Cluster A: Odd/Ecentric

Paranoid PD, Schizoid PD, Schizotypal PD

Paranoid PD

a disorder characterized by severe distrust and persistent suspiciousness

• They are quick to blame others and hold long grudges

Schizoid PD

characterized by avoidance of relationships with others and a lack of emotion

• These people are 'loners' who don't develop close relationships with others

Schizotypal PD

characterized by eccentric thought and behavior; similar to schizophrenia, but milder, no hallucinations

• Suffers sometimes believe they have extra sensory abilities or are extremely superstitious

Cluster B: Dramatic/Emotional/Erratic

Antisocial PD, Borderline PD, Histrionic PD, and Narcissistic PD

Antisocial PD

characterized by frequent conflict with society's rules, undeterred by punishment; seem to lack a conscience (they show no guilt or remorse)

• In childhood/early adolescence, these people may run away from home, hurt animals, lie , steal, even kill -> aggressive and/or fearless behaviors

Borderline PD

characterized by unstable emotions and relationships, and self-destructive behavior

• Sufferers are dependent on others, but try to 'test' or sabotage the relationship by driving the other person away

Histrionic PD

characterized by constants attention-seeking behavior and overly dramatic behavior

Narcissistic PD

characterized by a feeling of self-importance, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy

Cluster C: Anxious/Fearful

Avoidant PD, Dependent PD and Obsessive-Compulsive PD

Avoidant PD

characterized by severe shyness, feelings of inadequacy, fear of embarrassment, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation

Dependent PD

characterized by an extreme lack of self-confidence and a need to be looked after/cared for by other people

• To avoid conflict they will not stand up for themselves and are easily manipulated; tend to be 'clingy'; need constant reassurance about their choices

Obsessive-Compulsive PD

characterized by a preoccupation with rules, orderliness, and perfectionism; they are not debilitated to the same extent as someone with OCD - don't see own behavior as a problem

• They tend to be great list makers and adhere to schedules, even at the cost of social relationships

Anorexia

an eating disorder in which a person maintains a near-starvation diet

Bulimia

an eating disorder in which a person binges food/calories followed by purging actions