Abnormal Psychology Final Study Guide

eating disorder, substance user disorder, sexual disorders and gender variations, schizophrenia, personality disorder, disorders common among children and adolescents, and disorders of aging and cognition

what is the main difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa?

anorexia - significantly underweight due to severe food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight

bulimia - can be under, normal, or over weight ; they engage in recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging or other inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain 

identify and define the three categories of symptoms of schizophrenia

positive schizophrenia - excess or distortion of normal functions, representing “added” mental phenomena

• hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior

negative schizophrenia - reduction in range of emotions expressed on the face, through the tone of voice, and in hand and head movements

• diminished emotional expression, avolition (lack of motivation or drive to engage in activities), alogia (poverty of speech), anhedonia (decreased ability to experience pleasure), and asociality (social withdrawal from friends and activities) 

cognitive schizophrenia - deficits in neurocognitive functioning, affecting a person’s ability to think clearly and process information

• working memory deficits, attention problems, executive function deficits, poor social cognition

what types of symptoms are associated with the “odd” category of personality disorders?

extreme pervasive mistrust and suspicion of others

interpreting others’ motive as malevolent

holding grudges and believing others are harming or demeaning them

what are the specific disorders in the “odd” personality disorder category?

paranoid personality disorder - deep distrust and suspicion of mothers of others

schizoid personality disorder - range of interpersonal problems marked by extreme discomfort in close relationships, very odd patterns of thinking and perceiving, and behavioral eccentricities

schizotypal personality disorder - range of interpersonal problems, marked by extreme discomfort in close relationships, odd (even bizarre) ways of thinking, and behavioral eccentricities 

what types of symptoms are associated with the “dramatic” category of personality disorders?

emotional and behavioral instability

relationship problems

impulsivity

distorted self-image

what are the specific disorders in the “dramatic” personality disorder category?

antisocial personality disorder - persistently disregard and violates others’s rights

borderline personality disorder - instability, including major shifts in mood, unstable self-image, and impulsivity

histrionic personality disorder - extremely emotional and continually seek to be the center of attention

narcissistic personality disorder - generally grandiose, need much admiration, and feel no empathy for others

what types of symptoms are associated with the “anxious” category of personality disorders?

pervasive feelings of anxiety and fear

overly sensitive to negative feedback or rejection

belief in being socially inept or personally unappealing

difficulty controlling worry and fear

physical signs of anxiety (racing heart, sweating, trembling, or shortness of breath)

what are the specific disorders in the “anxious” personality disorder category?

avoidant personality disorder - consistent discomfort and restraint in social situations, overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, and extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation

dependent personality disorder - pervasive, excessive need to be cared for

obsessive-compulsive personality disorder - intense focus on orderliness, perfectionism, and control and resulting loss of flexibility, openness, and efficency

how do childhood anxiety and depressive disorders differ from their adulthood manifestations?

children w/ depression - more likely to show irritability than sadness ; may also have observable physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches

anxiety in children - involves worry and fear ; can also present as irritability ; harder to focus or sleep

adult symptoms - consistency expressed as sadness, worry, and specific social fears ; also more likely to self-report their own distress

how do disorders of old age differ from their adulthood manifestation?

greater emphasis on physical and cognitive symptoms rather than classic emotional ones like sadness