PSYCH111 Exam 4

What is a psychological disorder

a pattern of behavior that interferes with a person’s life by causing significant distress or dysfunction

What are 4 ways to consider a psychological disorder

• infrequency

• deviation from social norms

• personal distress

• impairment in daily functioning

Know the theories that support what cause abnormality

• biological theory of abnormality

• psychological theory of abnormality

• sociocultural theory of abnormality

• biophysical theory of abnormality

What is the DSM and what does it tell us?

• book in which mental disorders are officially defined

• criteria for diagnosis, how common the disorder is, how the disorder may appear differently across cultures, how the disorder may develop over time

Understand generalized anxiety disorder and give an example of a symptom someone could have that would lead to us diagnosing them with that disorder.

• anxiety symptoms thar persist for a long time across a wide range of situations and activities

• Someone feels that they will not be able to come home for the holidays, even though their parents’ house is only one town over from where they stay. They know if their car breaks down, they can call an uber or their friend. They know that if work goes late, they still will make it and the party is lasting until 2 am. Despite everything, 100% working out, they are still worried.

Understand specific phobias and give an example of a symptom someone could have that would lead to us diagnosing them with that disorder.

• excessive anxiety toward a specific object or situation

• Someone has an overwhelming fear of flying and avoids airplanes entirely, even when it limits important activities.

Understand social anxiety disorder and give an example of a symptom someone could have that would lead to us diagnosing them with that disorder.

• intense and irrational fear of situations in which a person may be judged or scrutinized

• A student avoids speaking in class or social events because they are extremely afraid of being judged or humiliated.

Understand panic disorder and give an example of a symptom someone could have that would lead to us diagnosing them with that disorder.

• sudden, intense, unpredictable brief bursts or anxiety

• A person experiences unexpected episodes of rapid heart rate, chest tightness, dizziness, and feels like they are losing control or in danger, even without a clear cause.

Understand obsessive-compulsive disorder and give an example of a symptom someone could have that would lead to us diagnosing them with that disorder.

• unwanted, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and uncontrollable actions done in response to these thoughts (compulsions)

• A person feels compelled to wash their hands repeatedly because they fear contamination, even when there is no real danger.