psych disorders

How are anxiety disorders characterized?

By excessive fear and/or anxiety accompanied by related behavioral disturbances.

What is the approximate lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders in adults?

Approximately 25%.

What is the gender prevalence ratio for anxiety disorders?

Women are affected more than men, with a ratio of nearly 2:1.

At what age do anxiety disorders typically begin?

They can develop at any age but often start in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood.

What is the behavioral explanation for the development of anxiety disorders?

Learned associations between and among stimuli.

What are the cognitive factors contributing to anxiety disorders?

Maladaptive thinking or emotional responses.

What biological or genetic factors are linked to anxiety disorders?

Abnormalities in neurotransmitters and structural differences in the brain related to fear and stress.

What is a specific phobia?

An intense fear or anxiety toward a specific object or situation.

What is acrophobia?

The fear of heights.

What is arachnophobia?

The fear of spiders.

What is agoraphobia?

An intense fear of specific social situations, such as public transportation, open or enclosed spaces, crowds, or being outside the home alone.

What defines panic disorder?

The experience of unanticipated and overwhelming biological, cognitive, and emotional panic attacks.

What is 'ataque de nervios'?

A culture-bound syndrome experienced by people of Caribbean or Iberian descent, often triggered by acute family stress or grief.

What are the common manifestations of 'ataque de nervios'?

Uncontrollable shouting, crying, trembling, heat in the chest, and sometimes fainting or aggression, often followed by amnesia.

What is social anxiety disorder?

An intense fear of being judged or watched by others.

What is 'taijin kyofusho'?

A culture-bound anxiety disorder mainly in Japanese people where individuals fear others are judging their bodies as undesirable, offensive, or unpleasing.

What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

A disorder involving prolonged experiences of nonspecific anxiety or fear.

In the context of behavioral learning, what happens if someone is bitten by a dog?

They may develop anxiety around all dogs, even without further negative encounters.

What is the primary focus of biological causes for anxiety?

Neurotransmitter abnormalities and brain structure differences related to fear and stress.

Are anxiety disorders limited to a specific developmental stage?

No, they can develop at any age.

What is the defining characteristic of bipolar disorders?

Alternating periods of mania and depression.

What is bipolar cycling?

The experience of mania and depression in alternating periods that can last for varying amounts of time.

How does the prevalence of bipolar disorder compare between genders?

It affects as many men as women.

What specific group has shown a 40-fold increase in bipolar diagnoses?

Americans under the age of 20.

Which personality traits are associated with a higher likelihood of being affected by bipolar disorder?

Reliance on emotional expression and vivid imagery.

What are the broad categories of potential causes for bipolar disorders?

Biological, genetic, social, cultural, behavioral, and cognitive sources.

Why is Bipolar I considered the most severe form?

It involves week-long manic states followed by low depressive states, sometimes with rapid cycling.

How is mania defined in the context of Bipolar I?

A hyperactive, wildly optimistic state characterized by dangerously poor judgment.

How does Bipolar II differ from Bipolar I?

Bipolar II is a less severe form involving cycles between depression and milder hypomania.

What is hypomania?

Less intense symptoms of mania that last for shorter periods of time.

What is the estimated worldwide prevalence of bipolar disorder?

Approximately 60 million people.

What are the primary characteristics of depressive disorders?

The presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood accompanied by physical and cognitive changes that impair functioning.

How does the prevalence of depressive disorders compare between genders?

Women have a 2-3 times higher risk of developing depressive disorders than men.

What is the biological/genetic risk factor for depressive disorders?

The risk increases if parents or siblings have the disorder.

What are three cognitive factors that contribute to depressive disorders?

Learned helplessness, self-defeating beliefs, and a negative explanatory style.

What are some social factors that may contribute to depressive disorders in women?

Juggling multiple roles, caring for family, and receiving less pay.

What behavioral factor is mentioned as a potential cause for depressive disorders?

Diet, specifically alcohol intake.

What criteria must be met to diagnose Major Depressive Disorder?

Experiencing 5 or more symptoms over the course of 2 or more weeks, including depressed mood and loss of interest in pleasure.

How is Persistent Depressive Disorder defined?

Experiencing a mood of depression for more days than not for a period of 2 years or more.

List three examples of traumatic experiences that serve as social risk factors for depression.

Death of a loved one, physical assault, and losing a job.

What is the core characteristic of dissociative disorders?

Disconnections from consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and behavior.

What typically triggers a dissociative episode?

An overwhelmingly stressful or traumatic situation.

What is the average number of identities found in patients with dissociative identity disorder?

3 to 12 identities per patient.

Where is the prevalence of dissociative disorders highest?

North America.

What are the three primary causes of dissociative disorders?

Trauma, stress, and abnormal brain anatomy or activity.

How is dissociative amnesia without fugue defined?

Significant memory loss regarding personal information or traumatic events without unexpected travel or identity loss.

What distinguishes dissociative amnesia with fugue from the standard form?

The presence of sudden, unexpected travel or bewildered wandering away from home.

What often happens to an individual's identity during a dissociative fugue?

They may experience amnesia for their past identity and potentially adopt a new one.

What is the clinical definition of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?

A disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities.

What was the former name for Dissociative Identity Disorder?

Multiple personality disorder.

In DID, what is the typical relationship between the original personality and the others?

The original personality typically denies knowledge of the other personalities.

Are dissociative disorders considered highly prevalent globally?

No, they are less prevalent outside of North America, and most patients exhibit mild symptoms.

What role does brain anatomy play in dissociative disorders?

Abnormal brain anatomy and activity are considered potential contributing factors.

What is the primary function of dissociation as a psychological response?

It acts as a protective response to trauma or stress.

Does dissociative amnesia with fugue involve identity loss?

Yes, it is characterized by amnesia for one's identity and past.

What is the primary criterion for identifying symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders?

Whether the person is exhibiting behaviors appropriate for their age or maturity range.

What is the prevalence of ADHD in 2-17 year olds?

9.4%

How does the prevalence of ADHD compare between boys and girls?

It is twice as common in boys than in girls.

How does the likelihood of an Autism diagnosis compare between boys and girls?

Boys are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.

What are three prenatal environmental factors associated with ADHD?

Maternal infection, psychiatric drug use, and stress hormones.

What are two common conditions that often coexist with ASD?

Learning disorders and defiant/temper-prone behavior.

What are the two primary genetic factors linked to ASD?

The involvement of many genes and random genetic mutations in sperm cells.

What physiological brain change is associated with ASD?

Underconnectivity of the brain.

How is ADHD defined?

A disorder marked by extreme inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity that impacts social, academic, and work success.

How is ASD defined?

A cognitive and social-emotional disorder appearing in childhood, marked by social deficiencies, repetitive behaviors, and fixated interests.

What are obsessions in the context of OCD?

Unwanted, intrusive, and seemingly unending thoughts.

What are compulsions in the context of OCD?

Intrusive, repetitive behaviors intended to address obsessions.

What is the estimated lifetime prevalence of OCD in the general population?

Between 1.2% and 2.5%.

How does the prevalence of OCD compare between men and women?

It is higher in women (2.6%) than in men (1.6%).

Which age groups show a higher prevalence of OCD?

Teens and young adults.

What are the three primary categories of causes for OCD?

Learned associations between stimuli, maladaptive thinking/emotional responses, and biological or genetic sources.

Why do compulsive rituals often interfere with daily functioning?

They become time-consuming, making tasks like schoolwork increasingly impossible to complete.

What are the most common themes of OCD-related concerns?

Dirt, germs, toxins, symmetry, order, and exactness.

What are common examples of compulsive grooming behaviors?

Excessive hand washing, bathing, tooth brushing, or grooming.

What is an example of a repetitive ritual in OCD?

Repeating actions such as going in/out of a door or getting up/down from a chair.

What is the defining characteristic of hoarding disorder?

A persistent difficulty parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value.

How are compulsive behaviors related to obsessive thoughts?

Compulsive behaviors serve as responses to the intrusive obsessive thoughts.

What is the clinical definition of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

A disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts, actions, or both.

What are the core characteristics of Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders?

Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or speech, disorganized or unusual motor behavior, and negative symptoms like diminished emotional expression.

What is Acute (reactive) schizophrenia?

A form of schizophrenia that can begin at any age, often triggered by a traumatic event, with a higher likelihood of recovery.

What is Chronic (process) schizophrenia?

A form of schizophrenia where symptoms appear by late adolescence or early adulthood, characterized by longer psychotic episodes and shorter recovery periods as the patient ages.

What are the lifetime odds of developing schizophrenia for the general population?

1 in 270.

How does having an identical twin with schizophrenia affect one's own risk?

The risk increases to nearly 1 in 2.

List four general risk factors for schizophrenia beyond genetics.

Low birth weight, maternal diabetes, older paternal age, and famine or oxygen deprivation during delivery.

How does prenatal virus exposure relate to schizophrenia?

Mid-pregnancy viral infections can impair fetal brain development, increasing the risk of schizophrenia.

What is the Dopamine Hypothesis in schizophrenia?

The theory that an excessive amount of dopamine receptors in the brain intensifies brain signals, leading to hallucinations and paranoia.

What are 'positive symptoms' in the context of schizophrenia?

Symptoms that represent an excess or distortion of normal functions, such as delusions and hallucinations.

What is a delusion of persecution?

The false belief that one is being targeted or harmed by an individual or a group.

What is a delusion of grandeur?

The false belief that one is a supernatural figure, a celebrity, or possesses special abilities or powers.

What are the most common types of hallucinations in schizophrenia?

Auditory hallucinations, specifically voices that may make insulting remarks or give orders.

What is 'word salad' in schizophrenia?

Disorganized thinking or speech characterized by stringing together words in nonsensical ways.

What is catatonia as a positive symptom?

Disordered motor behavior manifested as excessive excitement.

What is stupor as a negative symptom?

Disordered motor behavior manifested as lethargy or lack of movement.

What are 'negative symptoms' in schizophrenia?

Symptoms that represent a decrease or loss of normal functions, such as diminished emotional expression.

What is flat affect?

A negative symptom characterized by a lack of emotional expression.

What is catatonic stupor?

A negative symptom characterized by a lack of movement.

Besides genetics and prenatal factors, what are two lifestyle or environmental triggers for schizophrenia?

Marijuana use and traumatic life experiences.

How do psychotic episodes change over time in chronic schizophrenia?

Episodes tend to last longer and recovery periods become shorter as the individual ages.

What two specific disorders are included under the umbrella of Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders?

Schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder.

How are trauma and stressor-related disorders defined?

Disorders characterized by exposure to a traumatic or stressful event with subsequent psychological distress.