Chapter 12 -Psychological Disorders Psych

Psychopathology

The study of psychological disorders including their symptoms causes and treatments.

Criteria for a psychological disorder

A disorder involves atypical behavior that is maladaptive causes personal distress and interferes with daily functioning.

Etiology

The factors and origins that contribute to the development of a psychological disorder.

Diathesis stress model

A disorder develops when a vulnerability combines with environmental stress to trigger symptoms.

Biopsychosocial approach

Disorders arise from interacting biological psychological and social factors rather than a single cause.

Symptoms

Observable or reported patterns of thoughts feelings or behaviors that indicate a disorder.

Assessing symptoms

Clinicians gather information through interviews tests and observation to understand severity and impact.

Categorization approach

Symptoms are sorted into distinct diagnostic categories like “either you have it or you don’t.”

Dimensional approach

Disorders exist on a continuum capturing how severe symptoms are instead of using strict categories.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

The primary system used by clinicians to classify and diagnose psychological disorders.

Comorbidity

When a person meets criteria for more than one disorder at the same time often due to overlapping causes.

Specific phobia

Intense irrational fear of a specific object or situation that interferes with daily life.

Social anxiety disorder

Fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations leading to avoidance.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Chronic constant worry about many areas of life paired with tension and restlessness.

Panic disorder

Repeated sudden panic attacks with physical symptoms like chest pain dizziness and fear of dying.

Agoraphobia

Fear of situations where escape is difficult often leading to avoidance of public spaces or staying home.

Development of anxiety disorders

Anxiety develops through learning genetics and biased thinking that exaggerates threat or danger.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

A condition involving intrusive unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors meant to reduce anxiety.

Development of OCD

Caused by genetic vulnerability brain abnormalities and learned behaviors reinforced by temporary anxiety relief.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A disorder triggered by trauma involving flashbacks avoidance hyperarousal and negative mood changes.

Major depressive disorder

Persistent sadness loss of interest and physical or cognitive symptoms lasting at least two weeks.

Cognitive triad

A pattern of negative thinking about the self the world and the future that contributes to depression.

Learned helplessness

Believing you cannot control outcomes leading to passivity and increased risk of depression.

Bipolar disorders

Conditions involving alternating periods of depression and mania with shifts in energy and activity.

Manic episode

A state of elevated mood high energy impulsivity and risky behavior lasting at least one week.

Bipolar I disorder

Characterized by full manic episodes often with depression but mania is required for diagnosis.

Bipolar II disorder

Involves hypomania which is less extreme than full mania combined with major depression.

Schizophrenia

A severe disorder involving disruptions in thinking emotion and behavior that distort reality.

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Added experiences like hallucinations delusions or disorganized thinking.

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Loss of normal functions like flat affect slow speech and reduced motivation.

Delusions

Strongly held false beliefs that distort interpretations of reality.

Hallucinations

Perceiving things like voices or visions that are not actually present.

Disorganized speech

Communication that is incoherent tangential or impossible to follow.

Disorganized behavior

Odd unpredictable or inappropriate actions including problems with movement or self care.

Biological factors in schizophrenia

Genetic risk brain structure differences neurotransmitter imbalances and prenatal complications.

Environmental factors in schizophrenia

Stress family conflict social adversity or viral exposure increasing vulnerability.

Neurodevelopmental disorders

Conditions that appear early in life and affect brain development learning and behavior.

Autism spectrum disorder

Characterized by social communication difficulties restricted behaviors and sensitivity to sensory input.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Involves problems with attention impulsivity and hyperactivity that impair functioning across settings.