Psychology Unit 8: Psychological Disorders Study Guide

A series of practice flashcards covering key concepts related to psychological disorders, their symptoms, and treatment modalities.

Psychological Disorder

Symptoms that disrupt an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior in day-to-day life.

Abnormality

Out of the normal spectrum, occurring at two extremes of the spectrum.

Dysfunctional

Struggles in everyday life.

Maladaptive/distressing

Up-setting to the individuals and others.

Medical Model

Developed by Philippe Pinel; mental illness must be diagnosed based on symptoms, which can then be treated.

Biopsychosocial Model

A perspective that considers biological, mental, and social factors in understanding and treating disorders.

DSM-5TR

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; a manual of different disorders with symptoms for consistent diagnosis.

Rosenhans’s Study (1973)

A study showing that labels matter; patients were misdiagnosed due to normal symptoms being viewed as abnormal.

Insanity

A legal term used to define a crime that has occurred due to a mental disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Anxiety about multiple everyday tasks, characterized by symptoms like restlessness and panic attacks.

Panic Disorder

Having multiple unexpected panic attacks and the fear of having more.

Phobia

An intense and irrational fear of something that poses little to no threat.

Agoraphobia

Fear of being trapped in situations where escape is difficult or impossible.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Excessive worry and fear about social situations, often leading to avoidance.

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

A disorder characterized by unwanted thoughts (obsessions) leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

A mental health disorder resulting from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Major Depressive Disorder

A common mental health diagnosis characterized by persistently low mood and loss of interest in activities.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder involving episodes of mania and depression.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by a split from reality, including delusions and hallucinations.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Physical symptoms without a clear medical cause.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)

A disorder where an individual has two or more distinct identity states.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a disregard for others' well-being and criminal behavior.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A form of therapy that combines cognitive and behavioral approaches to change thoughts and behaviors.

Therapeutic Alliance

The collaborative relationship between therapist and client, essential for effective therapy.

Positive Reinforcement in Therapy

Encouraging desired behaviors by providing rewards or removing negative stimuli.

Exposure Therapy

A behavioral treatment that involves gradual exposure to feared stimuli while using relaxation techniques.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

A form of therapy focusing on emotion regulation and skill-building, particularly effective for borderline personality disorder.