Comprehensive Guide to Psychological Disorders, Treatments, and Ethical Considerations

What is a psychological disorder?

A clinically significant disturbance in a person's thoughts, emotions, or behavior that causes distress and reflects dysfunction in functioning.

How are psychological disorders different from normal reactions to stressors?

They are dysfunctional and affect the individual's ability to live a normal life.

What is cultural relativism?

An understanding that any individual's behavior or psychological symptom must be evaluated in the context of their own culture.

What were historically believed causes of psychological disorders?

They were considered a supernatural phenomenon or demonic possession.

What are some historical treatments for mental illness?

Drilling holes in the skull, beatings, and caging/restraint.

Why was the discovery that some disorders were caused by syphilis important?

It led to a search for physical causes of mental disorders and the birth of the 'medical model'.

What is deinstitutionalization?

A discharge from an institution such as a mental hospital.

What were negative consequences of deinstitutionalization?

Increased rates of homelessness and higher prison populations.

What is the Medical Model for diagnosing psychological disorders?

It views psychological disorders as illnesses of the mind that can be diagnosed and treated.

What is the Bio-psycho-social approach?

A combination of psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, sociocultural, and biological perspectives.

What is the DSM?

A guide used by the APA to classify and diagnose mental illnesses, offering information on symptoms, prevalence, risk factors, and treatment.

What are some controversies related to the DSM?

Original diagnoses were influenced by political bias and funding, and homosexuality was previously included.

Why is the DSM still used despite its limitations?

It is a helpful tool for medical professionals and becomes more research-driven with each edition.

What are pros of the DSM?

Labels help guide diagnosis and treatment, and facilitate communication among professionals.

What are cons of the DSM?

Labels can be self-fulfilling and lead to stigma against individuals with psychological disorders.

What is person-first language?

Referring to individuals as 'a person with [condition]' to emphasize their humanity over their condition.

What is the problem with terms like 'abnormal' or 'crazy'?

They carry negative connotations and can lead to stigma and fear of individuals with mental illness.

What distinguishes psychotic from psychopathic symptoms?

Psychotic symptoms include hallucinations and delusions; psychopathic individuals show severe antisocial tendencies.

Are people with mental health concerns dangerous?

They are rarely dangerous and are more likely to be victims of crimes.

How common are mental health disorders?

1 in 5 American adults and 1 in 4.5 children have a mental health condition.

What is the most common disorder in the world?

Depression.

What is the biggest distinction between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychologists cannot prescribe medication, while psychiatrists can.

What is the process to become a licensed psychologist?

Complete a PhD or PsyD, finish a post-doctoral internship, and pass licensure exams.

What are mental health disparities?

Higher rates of mental health disorders in minority groups that are less likely to be diagnosed.

What are causes of healthcare disparities?

Structural racism, discrimination, lack of access to care, and stigma.

What is the difference between fear and anxiety?

Fear is present-focused with sudden arousal; anxiety is future-focused with gradual arousal.

When is anxiety considered problematic?

When it is prolonged, uncontrollable, and hinders functioning.

What does co-morbidity mean?

The simultaneous presence of two or more disorders in a person.

What are the major anxiety disorders according to the DSM?

Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, social phobia, and separation anxiety disorder.

What is excessive worry or anxiety about multiple events or activities for 6 months or longer?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

What distinguishes panic disorder from a panic attack?

Panic disorder involves repeated panic attacks and fear of future attacks, while a panic attack is a single episode of intense dread.

What is agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is the avoidance of situations where one fears having a panic attack.

How do GAD symptoms differ from Panic Disorder symptoms?

GAD is chronic and generalized, while Panic Disorder is episodic with intense emotions.

What is Specific Phobia Disorder?

It is a fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation that provokes immediate fear, disproportionate to the actual danger.

What are some examples of specific phobias?

Situational (needles, public speaking), environmental (heights), animals/insects.

What distinguishes a phobia from a fear?

A phobia is an irrational fear response to something that is not a real threat.

How do phobia symptoms differ from GAD symptoms?

Phobia symptoms are triggered by a specific object or situation, while GAD symptoms are more generalized and constant.

What are common phobias in the US?

Spiders, heights, needles.

What is Separation Anxiety?

An intense fear of being alone or separated from a primary support person.

What is Social Phobia?

An intense fear of being watched or judged by others, often related to public embarrassment.

What characterizes Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

It is characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) that cause distress.

What are obsessions in OCD?

Recurrent and persistent intrusive thoughts or urges that cause distress.

What are compulsions in OCD?

Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals performed in response to obsessive thoughts.

What is Tourette's Disorder?

It involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds that are difficult to control.

What is Trichotillomania?

A disorder characterized by chronic hair pulling due to anxiety or boredom.

What is Hoarding Disorder?

Difficulty parting with possessions due to a compulsive need to save items.

What are the core symptom clusters of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Intrusive symptoms, avoidance symptoms, negative alteration symptoms, and arousal symptoms.

What are triggers in PTSD?

Environmental cues that remind individuals of a traumatic event, causing distress.

Do all people who experience trauma develop PTSD?

No.

What factors predict maladjustment after trauma exposure?

Prior trauma, pre-existing mental health issues, and lack of social support.

What is the most effective psychological therapy for treating anxiety?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What are automatic thoughts?

Unconscious and quick mental sayings that link events to emotional responses.

When do automatic thoughts become maladaptive?

When they are distorted or negative, reinforcing negative self-ideas.

What is Cognitive Restructuring?

A process where therapists help clients identify, evaluate, and replace maladaptive thoughts.

What is diaphragmatic breathing?

A deep and slow breathing technique used to promote relaxation and ease anxiety.

What is exposure therapy?

A treatment that involves exposing patients to feared situations to reduce anxiety.

How does exposure therapy work?

By exposing the patient to feared situations and allowing anxiety to subside.

What is systematic desensitization?

Gradually increasing exposure to a feared situation starting from a small reminder.

What is flooding in exposure therapy?

Immediate and intense exposure to the feared object or situation.

What is in vivo exposure?

Real-life exposure to the feared object or situation.

How prevalent are mood disorders?

They vary by sex and cultural differences.

What is the worldwide lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder?

16%.

Which group has a higher prevalence of major depressive disorder?

Native Americans (4x general population).

How much more likely are women to have major depression compared to men?

Twice as likely.

What characterizes a depressive episode?

Intense sadness or disinterest in activities, fatigue, appetite problems, guilt, difficulty concentrating, or suicidal thoughts.

What is dysthymia?

A persistent but less intense chronic form of depression.

What is mania?

A state of elevated mood characterized by racing thoughts, reduced need for sleep, and impulsiveness.

What is hypomania?

A milder, less severe form of mania.

What is cyclothymia?

A chronic disorder characterized by periods of hypomania and depressive symptoms.

What are the defining features of Major Depressive Disorder?

Depressed mood, diminished interest or pleasure, significant appetite or weight changes, sleep problems, fatigue, excessive guilt, and suicidal thoughts.

How does clinical depression differ from sadness or grief?

Clinical depression is persistent and generalized, lacking a specific cause.

What is anhedonia?

The inability to feel pleasure in activities usually considered pleasurable.

What is rumination?

Stuck focusing on negative thoughts.

What is learned helplessness?

Self-defeating beliefs about one's ability to cope or achieve.

What is depressive explanatory style?

The tendency to analyze bad news negatively and apply it broadly to one's life.

What is the vicious cycle of depression?

A negative outlook leads to stress, which worsens mood and thinking, making stress more likely.

What are the most effective treatments for depression?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing behaviors and thoughts.

What is behavior activation?

Engaging in specific behaviors to improve mood.

What characterizes Bipolar Disorder, Type I?

Mania, a period of hyper-elevated mood.

What characterizes Bipolar Disorder, Type II?

Hypomania and depressive episodes.

How are bipolar disorders treated?

Medication, CBT, and family therapy.

What is essential for managing episodes of bipolar disorder?

Medication.

What can therapy target in bipolar disorder treatment?

Medication adherence, safety planning, stress management, and family communication.

Which groups are most at risk for suicidal ideation?

Individuals with learning disabilities, history of abuse, and LGBTQIA+.

What is the biggest risk factor for a suicide attempt?

Feelings of hopelessness.

What is the biggest risk factor for completed suicide?

Immediate access to a gun.

What are warning signs that someone may be considering suicide?

Social withdrawal, talking about suicide, expressing hopelessness.

What are reasons someone might engage in self-injury other than being suicidal?

A cry for help or maladaptive coping strategy.

What is involved in safety planning for crisis response?

Limiting access to means of harm and having a crisis response plan.

What should you do if you are concerned about someone with suicidal thoughts?

Talk to someone or a mental health professional.

What should you avoid saying to someone who is suicidal?

Do not leave them alone or tell them they are weak.

What are the sex differences in rates of eating disorders?

More common in females, but often missed in males.

What is the most lethal mental health diagnosis?

Anorexia.

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

An eating disorder where an individual purposely loses weight to unhealthy levels.

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Cycles of binging and purging.

What is binge eating?

Consumption of abnormally large quantities of food in a short period.

What is purging?

Behaviors to compensate for food intake, such as vomiting or over-exercising.

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Recurrent episodes of binge eating without compensatory behaviors.

What is Orthorexia?

Obsession with pure/clean eating leading to restrictive behaviors.

What is Diabulimia?

Mis-dosing insulin in individuals with diabetes to purge.