Health Psych Exam 3

What are the 5 drug classes and examples of each?

depressants

* alcohol

* benzos (xanax, lorazepam, valium, anti-anxiety, etc.)

* inhalants (huffing paint, whippets, etc.)

stimulants

* meth

* adderal

* cocaine

* caffeine

* nicotine

hallucinogens

* THC

* mushrooms

designer drugs

* molly

* extescy

opiates

* fetenyal

* heroin

What does “pain became the 5th vital sign” mean, and how did it increase opioid use?

This phrase emphasized assessing and treating pain as a key clinical measure, pressuring physicians to prescribe opioids more frequently to manage reported pain levels.

How did patient satisfaction monitoring lead to more opioid prescriptions?

Hospitals were incentivized to improve satisfaction scores, often linked to pain relief, which led doctors to overprescribe opioids to keep patients happy.

Which country leads the world in opioid use and overdoses?

The United States.

What percentage of people prescribed opioids end up misusing them?

About 29%.

What defines binge drinking?

Consuming 5+ drinks for men or 4+ drinks for women in about 2 hours

What are the negative physiological effects of alcohol?

Liver damage, cardiovascular disease, impaired brain function, cancer risk.

What personality traits are linked with alcohol use?

Impulsivity, sensation-seeking, neuroticism.

What is the tension-reduction theory of substance use?

Suggests people use substances to reduce stress or anxiety.

What percentage of alcohol abuse is attributed to genetics?

Around 50%.

Is genetic influence stronger for harder drugs than alcohol?

Yes, genetic influences tend to be stronger for more addictive substances.

How is the adolescent brain structured in decision-making and reward?

The prefrontal cortex is underdeveloped (poor decision-making); the reward system is highly active. Teens are more influenced by environment; adults more by genetics.

Which treatment is most effective: AA, CBT, or individual therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) generally has the strongest evidence, though all can be effective.

What are the purposes of these medications?

• Naloxone (Narcan): Reverses opioid overdoses.

• Vivitrol/Naltrexone: Reduces cravings.

• Methadone: Reduces withdrawal, long-acting opioid.

• Suboxone: Combines buprenorphine/naloxone for maintenance therapy.

What is response substitution?

Replacing an unhealthy behavior (e.g., drinking) with a healthier one (e.g., exercising).

What percentage of people relapse within 4 years of alcohol treatment?

Around 90% and 50% within a year

Common triggers for relapse?

Stress, social pressure, exposure to substance-related cues, negative emotions.

How does smoking relate to education and income?

Higher rates in individuals with lower education and income.

How many times does the average smoker attempt to quit before success?

30 times before it sticks. 8-10 times for just a year

Effective ways to reduce teen vaping?

Education, parental involvement, regulations on advertising, school-based interventions.

What is vaping, and what are its dangers?

Inhaling aerosolized liquid; dangers include lung damage, nicotine addiction, exposure to toxic substances.

What is Zyn?

A synthetic nicotine pouch placed under the lip, smokeless and spit-free.

Are teen vapers more or less likely to smoke cigarettes?

More likely.

Cognitive Therapy application example?

1. Event: Failed exam

2. Thought: "I'm stupid and will never succeed"

3. Emotion: Hopelessness

4. Change: "This was one test; I can learn and improve next time."

Define stimulus control. What is the ABC model?

Managing triggers (Antecedents) to prevent unwanted Behaviors and Consequences.

Two goals of a relapse prevention group?

Identify and avoid high-risk situations; build coping skills and self-efficacy.

What does HALT stand for?

Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired – states that increase relapse risk.

Will Joe quit smoking? Why or why not?

Unlikely due to low motivation, high peer influence, previous failures, and low social support. Predictors like self-efficacy, social support, and readiness to change are lacking.

Different pain types and examples?

• Acute: Short-term (e.g., surgery)

• Chronic malignant: Constant, progressive (e.g., cancer)

• Recurrent acute: Comes/goes (e.g., migraines)

• Intractable-benign: Constant, non-progressive (e.g., back pain)

Gate Control Theory of pain?

Pain signals pass through a "gate" in the spinal cord that can be opened/closed by physical or psychological factors.

What type of stress predicts chronic pain most?

Daily, ongoing stress.

What is secondary gain?

Benefits from being in pain (e.g., attention, avoiding responsibilities). Maintained through negative and positive reinforcement.

How does modeling lead to “pain behaviors”?

Children imitate how parents respond to pain.

How is locus of control linked to pain?

People with external locus feel less control over pain, worsening their experience.

Effects of catastrophizing and rumination on pain?

Increases pain intensity and emotional distress.

Behavior therapy and pain control?

Reinforces healthy behaviors and discourages pain behaviors.

Difference between relaxation techniques?

• Meditation: Mindfulness to reduce tension

• Biofeedback: Feedback from body to control functions

• Systematic desensitization: Gradual exposure to reduce fear

• Progressive muscle relaxation: Tensing/releasing muscles
  All are moderately to highly effective.

Negative aspects of biofeedback?

Expensive, time-consuming, requires motivation.

What is hypnosis and why is it effective?

A state of focused attention and suggestion; helps with acute pain by altering perception.

Why do cognitive approaches work for pain?

They change negative thought patterns that increase pain perception.

Placebo effect and beliefs about treatment?

Beliefs and expectations (by patient or provider) can reduce or intensify pain, even without active treatment.

How were 1800s hospitals different?

Poor conditions, unsanitary, last-resort care. Modern hospitals are clean, high-tech, patient-centered.

Medicaid vs. Medicare?

• Medicaid: For low-income individuals

• Medicare: For people 65+ or disabled

Monitors, somatizers, blunters?

• Monitors: Seek detailed info

• Blunters: Avoid info

• Somatizers: Express psychological distress through physical symptoms

Factors influencing healthcare use?

Cost, access, health literacy, trust in provider, symptom visibility.

Why use ER over a doctor? Problems?

Accessibility, no appointment needed. Leads to overcrowding and higher costs.

Stages of Delay Model?

1. Appraisal delay: The time it takes for a person to interpret symptoms as a sign of illness.

2. Illness delay: The time between recognizing illness and deciding to seek professional help.

3. Behavioral delay: The time between deciding to seek help and actually making a move to get it.

4. Scheduling delay: The time between making an appointment and actually going to it.

5. Treatment delay: The time between receiving a diagnosis and starting the recommended treatment.

Predictors of delay?

Young age, low income, fear of diagnosis, symptom minimization.

“Good” vs. “bad” patient?

Good = compliant, quiet. Bad = demanding, vocal. "Good" patients may not advocate for themselves and receive poorer care.

Define adherence and nonadherence.

Adherence = following medical advice. Nonadherence = not following advice.

Types of nonadherence?

Missing doses, not refilling meds, stopping early, misunderstanding instructions.

What % don’t adhere to medication regimens?

About 50%.

Intentional vs. nonintentional nonadherence?

Intentional = active choice (e.g., side effects, disbelief in treatment).
Nonintentional = forgetfulness, misunderstanding.

Will Brittany adhere to PT? Justify using intentional nonadherence.

Likely not. She lacks trust in providers, perceives treatment as ineffective, has low self-efficacy, feels isolated and depressed.
Ways to increase adherence:

1. Build rapport and validate her experience.

2. Simplify and demonstrate exercises.

3. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate progress.