Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders

What is generally emphasized when determining abnormality in clinical settings?

Impairment in daily functioning.

What model does the DSM use to define disorders?

A categorical model of psychopathology.

What emotional state is characterized by worry, dread, apprehension, and tension?

Anxiety.

What disorder is the most common category of psychological disorders?

Anxiety disorders.

What is a strong, irrational fear triggered by a specific object or situation called?

A phobia.

What long-lasting anxiety disorder develops after exposure to severe trauma?

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What does it mean when a person experiences a compulsion?

They are driven to perform repetitive behaviors in a particular sequence or pattern.

What have scientists discovered about the brains of people with anxiety disorders regarding the amygdala and prefrontal cortex?

The amygdala is overactive while the prefrontal cortex is underactive.

What is often referred to as 'the common cold' of psychological disorders?

Major depression.

What was bipolar disorder formerly known as?

Manic depression.

What is a key finding regarding major depression and bipolar disorder in relation to families?

They tend to run in families.

At what age do people with personality disorders usually display characteristics of their disorder?

By adolescence or early adulthood.

Which personality disorder is most likely to be self-destructive and poses a risk of self-harm?

Borderline personality disorder.

What severe psychological disorder involves bizarre disturbances in thinking, perception, and behavior?

Schizophrenia.

What is the most common type of schizophrenia?

The paranoid type.

What is often a common experience for individuals diagnosed with dissociative disorders?

Severe abuse or trauma.

Why are some psychologists skeptical about dissociative identity disorder?

The number of reported cases has increased dramatically in recent decades.