Psychology Unit 5.4

PART 1

Neurodevelopmental disorders

 are characterized by early onset and behaviors that may not align with typical age or maturity ranges

ADHD

 Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity

ASD

Social communication challenges, repetitive behaviors

Neurodevelopmental Causes

Environmental Factors: Prenatal exposure to toxins, malnutrition

Physiological Factors: Brain structure abnormalities, neurotransmitter imbalances

Genetic Factors: Family history, genetic mutations

Schizophrenic spectrum disorders

 involve a range of symptoms affecting perception and behavior

Positive Symptoms

• Delusions: False beliefs (e.g., persecution or grandeur).

• Hallucinations: False perceptions (e.g., auditory or visual).

• Disorganized Thinking/Speech: Incoherent or nonsensical speech (word salad)

• Disorganized Motor Behavior: Catatonia, either excitement or stupor (insensibility)

Negative Symptoms

 flat affect, lack of movement

Causes of Schizophrenia

Genetic Links: Family history increases risk

Biological Links: Prenatal virus exposure, 

neurotransmitter imbalances (dopamine hypothesis)

Depressive disorders

impact mood, behavior, and physical functions

Causes of Depressive Disorders

• Biological Factors: Neurotransmitter imbalances, genetic predisposition

• Social Factors: Life stressors, lack of social support

• Cognitive Factors: Maladaptive thinking patterns

Bipolar disorders

involve alternating periods of mania and depression

Characterized by cycles of manic (a period of abnormally elevated, extreme changes in your mood or emotions, energy level or activity level) and depressive episodes 

Bipolar Cycling

 Periods of depression and mania vary in duration and intensity

Causes of Bipolar Disorders

Biological Factors: Neurotransmitter imbalances, genetic predisposition

Social and Cognitive Factors: Life stressors, maladaptive thoughts

Anxiety disorders

involve excessive fear and anxiety affecting behavior

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Specific Phobia: Fear of a specific object or situation

Agoraphobia: Fear of specific social situations

Panic Disorder: Experiencing panic attacks

Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of being judged or watched by others
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Prolonged nonspecific anxiety

Causes of Anxiety Disorders

Learned Associations: Maladaptive learning between stimuli

Cognitive Factors: Maladaptive thinking patterns

Biological Factors: Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances

Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders

involve obsessions and compulsions

Causes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Learned Associations: Maladaptive learning between stimuli

Cognitive Factors: Maladaptive thoughts

Biological Factors: Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances

Dissociative disorders

 involve dissociations from consciousness and identity

Causes of Dissociative Disorders

Trauma: Childhood abuse, severe stress

Stress: Severe or prolonged stress

Stressor-related disorders

 result from exposure to traumatic or stressful events

(PTSD)

Causes of Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders

Trauma: Exposure to life-threatening events or severe stress

Stress: Prolonged or intense stressors

Feeding and Eating Disorders

These disorders involve altered consumption or absorption of food

Causes of Feeding and Eating Disorders

Biological Factors: Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances

Social Factors: Societal pressures, cultural norms

Cognitive Factors: Maladaptive thoughts and beliefs about body image