psych exam 3 - psychological disorders

comborbidity

when someone has more then one psychological disorder at the same time

The DSM-5-TR notes a high degree of comorbidity- people diagnosed with one disorder are often diagnosed with another too

What is the DSM-5-TR

manual used to diagnose psychological disorders

it describes about 100 different psychological disorders

Specific Phobia

a persistent or irrational fear of a specific object/situation

• fear is out of proportion to the actual danger and disrupts behavior

• must last 6 months or more

• women affected more then men (2:1) ratio

• 75% fear multiple objects/situations

• treated with exposure therapy

social anxiety disorder

fear of acting in a way that will be negatively judged/evaluated by others in social situations

• comes with a lot of ANTICIPATORY ANXIETY (worrying about the situation beforehand)

• Must last 6 months or more

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Excessive, uncontrollable worry/axniety happening most days for 6+ months

• called “free-floating anxiety” bc theres no specific trigger

• often comes with SLEEP ONSET INSOMNIA (trouble falling asleep)

• treated with antidepressants

Obessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessions= unwanted, repetitive anxious thoughts, images or urges

Compulsions= repetitive behaviors or mental rituals done to relieve the anxiety from the obsessions

Overall → obessions (anxious thoughts) + compulsions (the ritual response to it)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

trigged by exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence

• a person might seem fine right after the event, but PTSD can develop later

4 symptom clusters (must have ALL 4 SYMPTOMS for more than 1 month)

1. Intrusive symptoms: distressing memories, nightmares, flashbacks

2. Avoidance: avoiding reminders of the traums, social withdrawal

3. Negative Changes in mood/thinking: persistent anxiety, anger guilt, feeling, detached/unreal

4. Altered behavior/reactivity: self-destructive behavior, sleep problems

• Risk factors: childhood trauma, high neuroticism

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

involves recurrent “major depressive episodes”

average age of onset: 19 years old

symptoms must last at least 2 consecutive weeks (average episode length is around 5 months)

Must have ONE of these: 1. depressed mood 2. ANHEDONIA: markedly diminished interest/pleasure

PLUS at least 4 of these:

1. significant weight/appetite changes

2. sleep disturbance (insominia or hypersomina)

3. psychomotor changes (agitation or slow movements)

4. persistent fatigue

5. negative thoughts/rumination

6. trouble concentrating or making decisions

7. recurrent thoughts of death

Bipolar Disorder I and II

Bipolar I: full manic episodes, lasting 1 week minimum

Bipolar II: hypomanic episodes (less severe then full mania), lasting 2 weeks minimum

• a hypomanic episode typically lasts 4-6 weeks with fewer/less severe symptoms

Core symptoms of mania: elevated or irritable mood, increased energy/activity

Other manic symptoms:

• Inflated self-esteem

• Decreased need for sleep

• Flight of ideas / racing thoughts

• Talking more than usual / pressured speech

• Increase in goal-directed OR non-goal-directed activity

• Distractibility / can't disengage from a task

• Excessive risky behavior (high potential for negative consequences)

schizophrenia

defined by abnormalities in 5 domains, must be continuous for at least 6 months

1. Disorganized thinking/speech

2. Delusions- false fixed beliefs

• Persecutory (most common): belief you will be harmed by someone/something

• Grandiose: belief you have exceptional abilities, wealth, or fame

• Erotomanic: belief someone is in love with you

• Nihilistic: belief a major catastrophe has occured

3. hallucinations

4. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior

• CATATONIC BEHAVIOR: includes no verbal/motor response, purposeless repetitive movement, rigid/bizarre posture, resistance to instructions

5.Negative Symptoms:

• flat affect: reduced emotional expression

• Inappropriate affect — laughing at odd/wrong times

• Avolition — lack of motivation to pursue goals

• Asociality — lack of interest in social interaction

• Anhedonia — loss of pleasure

• Dysphoria — depressed mood