Ap Pysch Abnormal Vocab #2

Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

The most complex and severe disorder we encounter. A person with this disorder has lost contact with reality and may live life as an unreal dream.

Delusions

False beliefs

Hallucinations

Can be visual or auditory. Frequently voices making insulting remarks or giving orders, usually to hurt oneself.

Disorganized thinking/speech

Speak like word salad. Thinking of a person with schizophrenia is fragmented and bizarre, as they do not have selective attention.

Negative symptoms

Lack of a type of behavior

Positive symptoms

Presence of inappropriate symptoms

Acute Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia appears suddenly as a reaction to stress.

Chronic Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia develops gradually.

Delusions of persecution

Paranoia, somebody is out to get me

Delusions of grandeur

Believe you have some sort of extraordinary trait or special ability

Word Salad

Stringing together words in nonsensical ways

Catatonia

Motor behavior may be inappropriate.

Flat affect

Expressionless.

Catatonic stupor

Others may remain motionless for hours and then become agitated. Some display waxy flexibility, when they allow their bodies to be moved into any alternative shape and then will hold that new pose

Catatonic excitement

Some perform senseless, compulsive acts, such as continually rocking or rubbing arm, or making the same facial expressions over and over again. Some repeat anything said called parrot behavior.

Dopamine hypothesis

Schizophrenic brains have an excess of receptors for dopamine and such high levels may intensify brain signals, creating hallucinations and paranoia.

Dissociative disorders

“Break from Reality” such as daydreaming. Often occurs in response to an overwhelmingly stressful or traumatic situation.

Dissociative amnesia

A person cannot remember things with NO physiological (brain trauma) basis for the disruption in memory.

Fugue state

“Traveling amnesia” during which individuals experience memory loss of their identity, personal history, and past events.

Dissociative identity disorder

Disorder when a person has several rather than one integrated personality. Each personality has its own voice and mannerism.

Personality disorders

Characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning.

Cluster A

Express eccentric/odd behavior

Paranoid personality disorder

Distrust and suspicious of others motives and usually those motives are believed to intentionally cause harm.

Schizoid personality disorder

Lack of interest in social relationships. Limited range of emotional expression.

Schizotypal personality disorder

Peculiar thinking and beliefs, including unusual mannerisms and dressing inappropriately.

Cluster B

Express dramatic/impulsive behavior

Antisocial personality disorder

Formally called sociopaths or psychopaths. Lack of empathy, little regard for others feelings, dishonesty, lie, and manipulation.

Histrionic personality disorder

Needs to be the center of attention, whether acting silly or dressing provocatively.

Narcissistic personality disorder

Fantasizing about power, success, and attractiveness. They think they are the center of the universe.

Borderline personality disorder

Impulsive and risky behavior, shaky relationships, unstable mood, suicidal behavior, and fear of being alone.

Cluster C (anxious or fearful cluster)

Express anxiety

Avoidant personality disorder

Hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection. Extreme shyness in social situations.

Dependent personality disorder

Submissiveness towards others. Rely too much on the attention and help of others, needs to be in a relationship of some sort with someone.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Overly concerned with certain thoughts and performing certain behaviors. Preoccupation with orderliness and rules. Extreme perfection.