Psychopathology Review

Flashcards on Psychotic Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Treatments

Psychotic Symptoms

Positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and disorganized symptoms.

Positive Symptoms (Psychosis)

Delusions and hallucinations.

Negative Symptoms (Psychosis)

Avolition, alogia, anhedonia, flat affect, and social withdrawal.

Disorganized Symptoms

Disorganized speech (e.g., word salad), behavior (e.g., inappropriate dress), catatonia.

Delusional Disorder

Involves delusions only and preserved functioning.

Schizophrenia

Lasts 6+ months.

Schizophreniform

Lasts 1–6 months.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A mood episode concurrent with psychotic symptoms.

Core Biological Factors in Schizophrenia

Genetics, brain structure abnormalities, dopamine dysregulation.

Treatments for Psychotic Disorders

Antipsychotics, CBT, family therapy, case management.

Personality Disorder

Chronic, inflexible, and maladaptive personality traits.

Personality Disorders Metaphor

Climate vs. weather.

Clusters of Personality Disorders

Cluster A (odd), Cluster B (dramatic), Cluster C (anxious).

PD Examples From Each Cluster

A: Paranoid; B: Borderline; C: Avoidant.

Borderline Personality Disorder (Core Features)

Instability in affect, relationships, self-image, and impulsivity.

Antisocial PD (Hallmark)

Disregard for others and their rights.

DBT Skills (Four Core)

Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness.

DBT and BPD

Targets emotion regulation, improves relationships, builds distress tolerance.

Levels of Care (Psychopathology)

Emergency, inpatient, residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient.

Types of Care

Biological (e.g., meds, ECT) and psychosocial (e.g., therapy, peer support).

Novel Treatment Approaches

Psychedelics, technology (e.g., VR, teletherapy).

Evidence-Based Practice

Integration of research, clinical expertise, and patient values.

Common CBT Tools

Behavioral experiments, cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, committed action.

Cognitive Restructuring

It challenges unhelpful thoughts and builds alternative interpretations.

WEIRD Research

Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic.

Classification of Disorders (Why a 'Work in Progress')

Psychopathology is dimensional, but current systems are categorical.

Transdiagnostic Factors

Risk factors, symptoms, and treatments that span multiple disorders.

Stigma (Why It Matters)

It discourages treatment, fosters myths, and increases suffering.