PSCI 102C Final Exam

Core features of eating disorders

A severe disturbance in eating behavior, intense fear of becoming fat, and pursuit of thinness.

Definition of significantly low body weight (AN)

Body weight less than minimally normal for age, sex, development, and health.

DSM AN Subtype: Restricting Type

No binge eating or purging in last 3 months.

DSM AN Subtype: Binge-Eating/Purging Type

Recurrent binge eating or purging in last 3 months.

DSM Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa

Restriction → low weight; intense fear of gaining weight; disturbance in body image or lack of recognition of seriousness.

Difference between AN and BN (body weight)

AN = significantly low weight; BN = normal or overweight.

Common physical consequences of AN

Malnutrition, brittle hair/nails, lanugo, cognitive changes, arrhythmias, yellowish skin, high mortality.

Biological causes of AN

Heritability; serotonin/dopamine dysfunction; locus on chromosome 12.

Psychological causes of AN

Body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, negative affect, dieting, self-objectification, family criticism.

First-line treatment goal for AN

Restore weight to non-life-threatening levels.

Most effective treatment for adolescents with AN

Family-based therapy (75-90% recovery).

DSM criteria for Bulimia Nervosa

Recurrent binges + compensatory behaviors, at least 1×/week for 3 months, self-worth influenced by weight/shape, not solely during AN.

Purging vs. Non-Purging BN

Purging = vomiting/laxatives; Non-purging = fasting/excessive exercise.

Differences between AN and BN

AN = low weight, denial; BN = normal weight, guilt/shame.

Biological causes of BN

3.7× increased risk with bulimic relatives; reward system drives bingeing.

Most effective therapy for BN

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

DSM criteria for BED

Recurrent binge episodes + 3 symptoms (rapid eating, uncomfortably full, not hungry, eating alone, guilt), distress, 1×/week for 3 months, NO compensatory behaviors.

How BED differs from BN

No compensatory behavior; more prevalent; more equal between sexes; associated with obesity.

Common treatments for BED

CBT, antidepressants, appetite suppressants, behavioral weight-loss strategies.

Definition of obesity (BMI)

BMI > 30; morbid obesity > 40.

Key biological contributors to obesity

MC4R mutations, leptin resistance, ghrelin abnormalities, polygenic influences.

Why leptin is often ineffective in obesity

High leptin levels but resistance to its appetite-reducing effects.

Thin Ideal Definition

Western ideal of thinness with very low body fat.

Fiji Study Finding

Western TV increased dieting and body dissatisfaction among Fijian women.

Tolerance definition

Need more substance to get same effect OR diminished effect with same amount.

Withdrawal definition

Physical symptoms (e.g., sweating, shaking) during abstinence.

Lifetime prevalence of AUD in US adults

~30% will meet criteria at some point.

College consequences of alcohol use

Injuries, assault, academic problems, alcohol use disorder (14%).

Myth: Alcohol is only a depressant

Fact: Alcohol is both a stimulant and a depressant.

Alcohol effects: low vs. high levels

Low = dopamine release; high = suppresses glutamate → slows brain activity.

Most dangerous withdrawal: alcohol or heroin?

Alcohol withdrawal is more lethal than heroin withdrawal.

How Naltrexone works

Blocks pleasure-producing effects of alcohol, reducing craving.

Relapse prevention definition

Teaching clients to recognize early warning decisions leading to relapse.

DSM criteria for Gambling Disorder

Problematic gambling with 4+ symptoms in 12 months (chasing losses, lying, needing increasing money, etc.).

DSM-5 criteria for Personality Disorders

Enduring patterns deviating in cognition, affect, interpersonal functioning, or impulse control; stable and inflexible; early onset; distress/impairment.

Why PDs are hard to study

High comorbidity; limited prospective research; multifactorial causes.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Suspiciousness, mistrust, sees self as blameless; withdraws or acts aggressively.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Detachment from relationships; no desire for closeness; limited emotional expression.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Odd beliefs, superstitions, peculiar speech/perception; social/interpersonal deficits.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Attention-seeking, self-dramatization, uses appearance for attention.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy, sense of entitlement.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Violation of rights of others, deceit, impulsivity, aggression, irresponsibility; must have conduct disorder before age 15.

Psychopathy

Callousness, superficial charm, manipulation, lack of remorse; predicts violence and recidivism.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Instability in relationships, identity, and emotions; fear of abandonment; impulsivity; self-harm; chronic emptiness.

Linehan's Biosocial Theory of BPD

BPD results from emotion dysregulation + invalidating environment.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Social inhibition, hypersensitivity to rejection, desires relationships.

Difference between Avoidant PD and Schizoid PD

Avoidant wants relationships; Schizoid does NOT.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Needs excessive support; difficulty making decisions; fear of separation.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Perfectionism, rigidity, orderliness; NO true obsessions/compulsions