psych final - combined notes

Normative data

Data that represents what is considered normal or typical in terms of sexual behavior, which can be compared to an individual's own experiences.

Sexual Dysfunctions

Medical or psychological impairments that affect a person's sexual response cycle, including desire, arousal, and orgasm.

Sexual Desire Disorders

Gendered disorders characterized by little to no desire for sexual activity, decreased frequency in sexual intercourse, masturbation, and sexual fantasy.

Sexual Aversion Disorder

A disorder characterized by very little interest in sex, active avoidance of sexual interaction, fear, panic, and disgust related to sex.

Sexual Arousal Disorders

Disorders characterized by difficulty achieving and maintaining sexual arousal, such as male erectile dysfunction disorder and female sexual arousal disorder.

Orgasm Disorders

Disorders characterized by the inability to achieve orgasm or delayed orgasm, such as delayed ejaculation in males and female orgasmic disorder.

Sexual Pain Disorders

Disorders characterized by regular pain during intercourse, extreme pain at times, and potential avoidance of sexual activity, such as genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder.

Paraphilic Disorders

Disorders characterized by sexual attraction and arousal to socially inappropriate people or objects, including frotteuristic disorder, fetishistic disorder, voyeuristic disorder, exhibitionism disorder, transvestic disorder, sexual sadism, sexual masochism, and pedophilic disorder.

Gender Dysphoria

A condition where an individual feels trapped in the body of the wrong sex and identifies with a non-biological sex, causing distress. It is not the same as being intersex or having transvestic disorder.

Testosterone/Estrogen

Hormones that can masculinize a female fetus or feminize a male fetus during critical periods of development.

Gender Reassignment Treatments/Surgery

Preferred treatment for individuals seeking to transition genders, involving hormone replacement and surgery.

Substance Use

Occasional use of a substance without it becoming a problem.

Substance Intoxication

Transient acute effects of being intoxicated by a substance.

Substance Abuse

Repeated/persistent problematic use of a substance that affects personal, social, or occupational functioning.

Substance Dependence

Physical symptoms and a physical need for a substance, indicating problematic excessive use.

Tolerance

The need for increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the desired effect.

Withdrawal

The physical and psychological symptoms experienced when discontinuing substance use.

Drug Seeking Behavior

Desperation to continue seeking out a drug, regardless of its legality.

Alcohol Related Disorders

Disorders related to the use and abuse of alcohol.

CNS Depressant

A substance that slows down heart rate, brain wave activity, and cognitive functioning.

Paradoxical Substance

A substance that, despite being a depressant, can make a person feel more lively and engaged.

Sedative Related Disorders

Disorders related to the use and abuse of sedative drugs.

Stimulant-Related Disorders

Disorders related to the use and abuse of stimulant drugs.

Amphetamines

Stimulant drugs that increase alertness, energy, and can cause sociability changes and increased sensitivity.

Cocaine

A stimulant drug that blocks dopamine reuptake, leading to feelings of euphoria, increased blood pressure, and paranoia.

Opioids

Drugs that significantly slow down the central nervous system, block pain receptors, and induce temporary euphoria.

Marijuana

Cannabis, a psychoactive substance that does not lead to physical dependency but can cause psychological dependence.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that cause hallucinations, such as LSD and mushrooms.

Inhalants

Substances that are inhaled to produce a high, such as whip cream cans.

Designer Drugs

Synthetic drugs created to mimic the effects of other substances.

Biological Causes

Factors related to genetics and brain chemistry that contribute to substance addiction.

Psychological Causes

Factors related to family systems, behaviorism, and poor coping mechanisms that contribute to substance addiction.

Social Causes

Factors related to social norms, media influence, and peer pressure that contribute to substance addiction.

Medication

Treatment option for substance addiction that involves the use of medications to substitute or antagonize the effects of the addictive substance.

Naltrexone

A medication that blocks or counteracts the pleasurable effects of substances.

Aversive medications

Medications that create unwanted symptoms, primarily used for alcohol addiction.

Counterconditioning

A therapeutic technique used to recondition a person to not liking an abusive substance.

Antabuse

A drug used for counterconditioning in alcohol addiction, causing unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed.

Withdrawal Medication

Medication used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms during addiction recovery.

Counseling

Therapy that is effective for addiction treatment, often done in inpatient or outpatient settings.

Multidisciplinary approach

A treatment approach that involves multiple professionals, such as psychologists, addiction specialists, psychiatrists, and social workers.

Long-term therapy

Therapy that is necessary for recovery from addiction, often addressing the underlying causes of addiction.

Family systems therapy

A type of therapy that focuses on the family dynamics and how they contribute to addiction.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

A therapy approach that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Interpersonal/dynamic therapy

A therapy approach that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and understanding underlying dynamics.

Support groups

Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Al-Anon that provide support for individuals and families affected by addiction.

Pathological Gambling

A disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to gamble, with causes and treatments similar to drug addiction.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder

An impulse control disorder characterized by frequent aggressive outbursts.

Kleptomania

A disorder characterized by the failure to resist the urge to steal unnecessary items.

Pyromania

An irresistible urge to set fires, often linked to other violent crimes.

Trichotillomania

An impulse control disorder characterized by the urge to pull out one's own hair.

Personality Disorders

Persistent patterns of emotions, cognitions, and behaviors that cause enduring emotional distress and difficulty in relationships and work.

Cluster A

A cluster of personality disorders characterized by odd and eccentric behavior.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by unjustified mistrust and suspicion of others.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by detachment from social relationships and limited emotional expression.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by odd thinking patterns, social anxiety, and eccentric behaviors.

Cluster B

A cluster of personality disorders characterized by dramatic and erratic behavior.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a disregard for rules, laws, and the rights of others.

Borderline Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by instability in mood, behavior, relationships, and sense of identity.

Impulsivity

More likely to drive recklessly and make impulsive decisions.

Feelings of emptiness

Individuals with poor self-image and highly impressionistic tendencies may experience a lack of emotions and identity, leading them to take on the personalities of those they become close to.

Borderline Personality Disorder

A personality disorder with a prevalence rate of 1-2%, more common among women, and highly co-morbid with depression, suicide, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and eating disorders. It is caused by an underdeveloped limbic system, serotonin imbalance, and cognitive distortions often stemming from childhood trauma.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by intense attention-seeking, superficiality in interpersonal relationships, and obsession with physical appearance. Individuals with this disorder may feel discomfort when not the center of attention, be sexually provocative, and have shallow, shifting emotions.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, exaggerated self-importance, lack of empathy, and intense sensitivity to criticism. Individuals with this disorder often have an unreasonable sense of self-importance and may become envious or arrogant.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of avoidance of social situations and interpersonal relationships due to intense fear of inadequacy or being disliked by others. Individuals with this disorder are extremely sensitive to the opinions of others and may experience sadness and worry over missed social opportunities.

Dependent Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of dependence on others and an unwillingness to assert oneself. Individuals with this disorder rely on others for major and minor decisions, have an unreasonable fear of abandonment, and may be described as clingy, submissive, and passive.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of perfectionism, inflexibility, and preoccupation with rules, lists, and order. Individuals with this disorder may become agitated and anxious when they perceive a lack of control and hold others to unreasonable standards.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by problems of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Individuals with ADHD may have difficulty focusing, be easily distracted, and exhibit hyperactive behaviors. It impairs behavior, academics, and social interactions.

Causes of ADHD

ADHD has physiological causes such as heritability, low levels of dopamine, high levels of norepinephrine, and smaller brain volume. It can also be reinforced through negative responses in the environment and parental over-reaction.

Treatments of ADHD

Psychosocial treatments include behavioral interventions, play therapy, and parental training. Medication, such as stimulants, can also be used to improve focus and decrease negative behaviors.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how one perceives and socializes with others.

DSM-5

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which combined Autism, Autistic Disorder, and Asperger's Disorder into one broad disorder called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Restricted communication and social interaction

One of the major characteristics of ASD, characterized by struggling with eye contact, social cues, and collaboration, as well as social awkwardness and intense shyness.

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities

Another major characteristic of ASD, characterized by physical repeated behaviors, verbal outbursts, difficulty adjusting to change in routine, and hyperfocus on specific hobbies or activities.

Three Levels of Severity

The levels of severity in ASD, ranging from requiring support (affecting school and social skills) to requiring very substantial support (potentially self-harming behavior, nonverbal, and difficulty learning in a traditional way).

Statistics Related to ASD

One in every 50 births in the US, 2% prevalence rate, significantly more prevalent in the US, and 38% have intellectual disabilities.

Causes of ASD

Strong family component, polygenetic vulnerability, underdeveloped oxytocin production, older mothers at increased risk, enlarged amygdala, and debunked vaccination hypothesis.

Treatments for ASD

Varies based on severity level, including behavioral approaches (skill building, reduction of problem behavior, communication and language training, exploring alternative communication strategies, increase socialization, helping child find niche, and naturalistic teaching strategies) and limited medical treatments (tranquilizers and SSRI's).