AP Psych Unit 8

Medical Model

view that mental disorders are a treatable disease

Diagnosis

"Labeling a disorder", distinguishing one illness from another

Etiology

cause of an illness

Level of Dysfunction

The extent that the person struggles to function with day-to-day responsibilities, socially, and occupationally

Perception of Distress

How much psychological, emotional and physical pain the person is experiencing

Deviation of the Societal Norm

The extent to which a person's behaviors &/or functionality is considered socially 'normal' or acceptable vs. socially unacceptable or 'abnormal'

The Positives & Negatives of Diagnosis

"Diagnosing or classifying psychological disorders has positive and negative consequences depending on the nature of the disorder, the individual being diagnosed, and the presence of cultural/societal norms, stigma, racism, sexism, ageism, and discrimination"

DSM(Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders)

- Developed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to classify & describe disorders

- Most current is known as the DSM-5-TR

- Does not explain causes

Eclecticism

Most psychologists employ an eclectic approach (using more than one psychological perspective) when diagnosing and treating clients.

Behavioral Approach

Causes of mental disorders focus on maladaptive learned associations between or among responses to stimuli (reinforcements & punishments; observational learning, etc)

Psychodynamic Approach

Causes of mental disorders focus on unconscious thoughts and experiences, often developed during childhood; socially unacceptable thoughts create anxieties; early childhood trauma

Humanistic Approach

Causes of mental disorders focus on a lack of social support and being unable to fulfill one's potential/reach goals

Cognitive Approach

Causes of mental disorders focus on maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, or emotions

Evolutionary Approach

Maladaptive behaviors that enabled

human survival

Sociocultural Approach

Causes of mental disorders focus on maladaptive social and cultural relationships and dynamics; trying to live up to societal standards: roles, expectations, norms; differences between cultural standards

Biological Approach

Causes of mental disorders focus on physiological (brain parts, brain chemistry, nervous system, etc.) or genetic issues

Biopsychosocial Approach

Any psychological problem potentially involves a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors

Diathesis-Stress

Psychological disorders develop due to a genetic vulnerability (diathesis) in combination with stressful life experiences and coping mechanisms (stress)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal that is not tied to any specific threat

Specific Phobia

Fear or anxiety toward a specific object or situation, such as acrophobia (heights) or arachnophobia (spiders)

Panic Disorder

A type of anxiety disorder marked by unpredictable, minutes-long episodes of intense dread in which a person may experience terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening sensations often followed by worry over a possible next attack; many times the attacks occur suddenly and unexpectedly.

Ataque de Nervios

a form of panic attack; experienced mainly by people of Caribbean or Iberian descent; is characterized primarily by a range of symptoms such as trembling, convulsions, uncontrollable screaming, shouting or crying, feelings of impending loss of control, shortness of breath, chest tightness, palpitations, feelings of heat in the chest that rise to the head, shaking arms and legs, and physical and/or verbal aggression.

Social Phobia

Characterized by extreme anxiety related to social or performance situations where they fear being scrutinized/evaluated by others (spotlight effect); often leads to avoidance of those situations

Taijin Kyofusho

a culture-bound anxiety disorder experienced mainly by Japanese people in which people fear others are judging their bodies as undesirable, offensive, or unpleasing

Agoraphobia

An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear and avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult or help may not be available; fear of being away from a safe space

Etiology of Anxiety

1. Behavioral: Learned associations between and among stimuli; observational learning

2. Cognitive: Maladaptive thinking or emotional responses (rumination and catastrophizing)

3. Biological: High levels of norepinephrine; low levels of GABA; genetic predisposition

4. Diathesis-Stress

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

characterized by obsessions and compulsions

Obsession

unwanted thoughts that are intrusive and will not go away

Compulsion

ritualistic/repetitive behavior a person engages in to manage anxiety caused by the thoughts. (Compulsive behavior is driven by obsessions)

Hoarding

difficulty discarding or parting with possessions regardless of their actual value

Etiology of OCD

1. Behavioral: Learned associations between and among stimuli; observational learning

2. Cognitive: Maladaptive thinking or emotional responses (rumination and catastrophizing)

3. Biological: Serotonin (deficiency) & Glutamate (excess); genetic predisposition

4. Diathesis-Stress

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

involuntary recollections of trauma/flashbacks, nightmares, intense/prolonged distress, persistent negative emotions (sadness, irritability, etc), avoidance behaviors (of things associated with the traumatic event), dissociative symptoms, impaired social functioning

Etiology of PTSD

Significant/severe trauma or life stressors

Somatoform Disorders

physical symptoms with no physical cause

Conversion Disorder

temporary functional impairment (e.g. blind,deaf, paralyzed) with no physical cause

Etiology of Conversion Disorder

trauma (form of repression?) or a psychological crisis (too much stress/anxiety)

Somatic Symptom Disorder

preoccupied with concern they have a serious disease; may believe that minor complaints are signs of very serious medical problems

Etiology of Somatic Symptom Disorder

cognitive: too much attention to bodily sensations, minor symptoms = catastrophic, unrealistic definition of "healthy"

learning: reinforced (attention) for being sick

Depressive Disorders

emotional disturbances of various kinds that disrupt physical, perceptual, social, and thought processes

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

persistent feelings of sadness, despair,loss of interest, etc. that impairs everyday adaptive behavior for more than 2 wks

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Symptoms of depression that come & go over a period of years, often with changing intensity

Etiology of Depression

Biological: Low levels of serotonin & norepinephrine; genetic predisposition

Cognitive: negative/distorted thought process

Socio-cultural: societal or cultural pressures

Diathesis-Stress

Bipolar Disorder

formerly known as "manic-depression"; characterized by experience of one or more manic episodes as well as periods of depression

Mania

euphoric, elated state characterized by impulsiveness, racing thoughts (flight of ideas), delusions of grandeur, little sleep, & spending $

Bipolar I

Intense mania & intense depression

Bipolar II

Mild mania & intense depression

Etiology of Bipolar Disorder

Biological: Fluctuation of serotonin; genetic predisposition

Cognitive: negative thoughts/distorted perceptions, flight of ideas (mania)

Diathesis-Stress

Eating Disorders

Altered consumption or absorption of food that impairs health or psychological functioning.

Anorexia Nervosa

intense fear of gaining weight, disturbed body image, refusal to maintain normal weight, and use of dangerous measures to lose weight

Bulimia Nervosa

habitually engaging in out-of-control overeating followed by unhealthy compensatory efforts (purging, laxatives, excessive exercise)

Etiology of Eating Disorders

*Genetic Vulnerability - not much research

*Personality (need for control & perfection)

*Cultural Values (sociocultural)

*Observational learning, operant conditioning

(behavioral)

*Maladaptive thought patterns (cognitive)

Personality Disorders

Marked by extreme, inflexible personality traits that cause subjective distress or impaired social and occupational functioning

3 Clusters of Personality Disorders

Cluster A - odd/eccentric

Cluster B - dramatic/erratic

Cluster C - anxious/fearful

Cluster A

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disoder

Paranoid: suspicious, hypersensitive, secretive

Schizoid: seclusive, indifferent, passive

Schizotypal: odd in thinking, bizarre fantasy, peculiar language

CLuster B

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Antisocial: exploitive, delinquent, criminal behavior

Borderline: impulsive, irritable, risk-taking, feeling of emptiness, fear of abandonment, unstable relationships and self-image, emotional dysregulation

Histrionic: self-centered, attention seeker, over dramatic, seductive, and sexually provocative behavior

Narcissistic: act as superior, exaggerate, their achievement, need for admiration, fantasies about unlimited sucess+beauty+power, lack of empathy, arrogant

Cluster C

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Dependent Personality Disorder

Obsessive Personality Disorder

Avoidant: fears criticism, overly serious, withdrawn, fear rejection

Dependent: clingy, indecisive, submissive

Obsessive: perfectionist, passive aggressive, rigid

Etiology of Personality Disorder

- Most likely a genetic predisposition

- BPD:genetic predisposition (esp. mother)

- Antisocial - lack inhibitions; brain differences (thinning of the white & grey matter in the prefrontal cortex)

- Dysfunctional Family Systems; abuse or neglect

Dissociative Disorders

loss of contact with portions of their consciousness or memory, resulting in disruptions in their sense of identity

Dissociative Amnesia

sudden loss of memory for important personal info (too extensive to be due to normal forgetting & NOT due to physical damage to the brain)

Dissociative Fugue

loss of memory of entire life/identity; often found in a new location

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Coexistence in one person of two or more different personalities (each identity has own name, memories, traits, & physical mannerisms)

Etiology of Dissociative Disorders

- excessive stress (ALL)

- severe emotional trauma in childhood (DID, specifically)

- severe repression -- psychoanalytic approach

- Lack of coping mechanisms

Schizophrenic Disorders

A group of disorders marked by irrational ideas, distorted perceptions, deterioration of adaptive behavior & a general loss of contact with reality

Schizophrenia

A disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized motor behavior, and/or diminished, inappropriate emotional expression (affect). Can be acute or chronic

Positive vs. Negative Symptoms

Positive: presence of problematic behaviors

Negative: absence of healthy behaviors

Delusions

False beliefs (positive symptoms) that are maintained even though they are clearly out of touch with reality. (General paranoia

Delusions of persecution

Delusions that others are trying to cause harm

Delusions of grandeur

Delusions that that one has special powers, wealth, knowledge, or a special identity

Delusions of thought broadcasting, thought blocking, thought insertion

Delusion that one's thought is projected and perceived by others

Hallucinations

False sensory perceptions that occur in the absence of real, external stimuli or are gross distortions of perceptual input (positive symptom); involves one or more senses

Deterioration of Adaptive Behavior

deterioration of routine functioning in work, social relations, and personal care

Disturbed Emotion

little emotional responsiveness (blunted/flat affect) or inappropriate emotional responses (neg. symptom)

Disorganized Thinking &/or Speech: Word Salad

mix of real words/phrases that don't make sense when put together

Disorganized Motor Behavior: Catatonia

Disordered movement, may be experienced as excitement (a positive symptom) or stupor (a negative symptom)

Etiology of Psychotic Disorders(schizophrenia)

- Genetic vulnerability= Very High

- Biological: Excess dopamine (dopamine hypothesis)

- Prenatal virus exposure

- Diathesis Stress (key role in triggering; high stress can trigger relapse)

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A group of disorders that affect the brain and nervous system, and can cause a range of disabilities: Symptoms focus on whether the person is exhibiting behaviors appropriate for their age or maturity range.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Lacking theory of mind; persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts; Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities & inflexibility

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

persistent pattern of inattentionand/or hyperactivity/impulsivity

Deinstitutionalization

The process of moving mental health care from long-term psychiatric hospitals to community-based services (late 20th Century)

*Occurred largely due to the increased use and effectiveness of psychotropic medication therapy

Psychotherapy (talk therapy)

A trained therapist uses psychological techniques to help someone overcome difficulties and achieve personal growth

Biomedical therapy

The use of medications or procedures that act directly on the person's physiology.

Eclectic approach

An approach to psychotherapy that uses techniques from various forms of therapy and medications to treat a client.

Goal of Psychodynamic Therapy

- Emphasizes the recovery of unconscious conflicts, motives, defenses; early childhood trauma, etc.

- By helping people uncover their unconscious thoughts and feelings, and giving them insight into their disorders and struggles, the therapist could help them reduce growth-impeding inner conflicts.

Free Association

Spontaneously expressing their thoughts and feelings exactly as they occur, with as little censorship as possible (saying first things that come to mind

Dream Analysis

Therapist interprets the symbolic meaning (latent content) of the client's dreams

Hypnosis

Hypnosis, also known as hypnotherapy, is an altered state of consciousness where a person is more receptive to suggestion and has a reduced awareness of their surroundings. It's a state of deep relaxation that's similar to sleep, but the person can still access their thoughts, sensations, and memories.

Best-treated Disorders Using Psychoanalysis

Somatoform Disorders & Dissociative Disorders

Some forms of PTSD (or other trauma & stress related disorders)

Goal of Humanistic Therapy

- Providing a supportive emotional climate for clients; client plays a major role in determining the pace and direction of their therapy

- Focuses on growth, self-awareness and self-acceptance (not on illness)

- Focuses on the present and taking responsibility for one's feelings and actions

Active Listening

Empathetic listening in which the listener echoes, restates, and seeks clarification

Unconditional Positive Regard

Complete, nonjudgmental acceptance of a client as a person

Best- treated Disorders Using Humanistic Therapy

Most disorders

Group Therapy

simultaneous psychological treatment of several clients in a group

Participants Role

- function as therapists for one another

- describe problems, trade viewpoints, share experiences, and - discuss coping strategies

-provide acceptance and support for each other

Advantages of the Group Experience

- more affordable

- just as effective as individual therapy for some people/problems

- shared experience + social support

- social skills work in safe environment

Best-treated Disorders Using Group Therapy

Eating disorders, addiction, anxiety disorders

Goal of Behavioral Therapy

The application of learning principles to direct efforts to change clients' maladaptive behaviors

Counterconditioning

conditioning an unwanted behavior or response to a stimulus into a wanted behavior or response by the association of positive actions with the stimulus

Exposure Therapies: Systematic Desensitization

step by step process used to reduce phobic clients' anxiety responses through using deep breathing & a hierarchy

Exposure Therapies: Flooding/Immersion

clients are confronted with situations that they fear so that they learn that these situations are really harmless

Best-treated Disorders by using Exposure Therapy

Anxiety disorders, phobias, OCD, PTSD