Abnormal Psychology Final (Defintions/Guestions)

Stress

A process where environmental demands strain an organism’s adaptive capacity, leading to both psychological and biological changes that can increase the risk of illness

Adjustment Disorder

A mental health condition where a person has emotional or behavioral symptoms (like sadness, anxiety, or acting out) in response to a stressful life event

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

An anxiety disorder in which a person experiences a pattern of intense, fear- related reactions after being exposed to a highly stressful event

Acute Stress Disorder

A mental disorder in which a person who has undergone a traumatic event experiences trauma-related symptoms similar to PTSD that begin within 1 month of the trauma and less than 1 month

Reactive Attachment Disorder

A trauma and stressor-related disorder where children fail to form healthy emotional attachments with caregivers

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder

A pattern in children of actively approaching and interacting with unfamiliar adults with overly familiar behavior

Dissociation

The process by which the normally integrated elements of consciousness, memory, and personal identity become splintered

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) Definition

A mental disorder in which individuals experience a shattering of their unified identity into at least two separate but coexisting personalities with different memories, behavior patterns, and emotions

Alter

In dissociative identity disorder, one of the different personalities that seems to assume control over the individual’s functioning in different situations

Dissociative Amnesia

Sudden loss of memory for personally important information that is not caused by a medical condition or other mental disorder, usually following a stressful event

Dissociative Fugue

A dissociative state in which individuals travel to a new location without remembering their pre-fugue life, often also becoming confused about their identity

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

A disorder in which individuals experience both depersonalization (detachment from others or themselves) and derealization (feeling that the world is not real) in the absence of other physical and mental disorders

Absorption

A dimension of personality that describes a person’s tendency to become caught up in private reveries, imaginings, or a current task, to the exclusion of surrounding stimuli

Fantasy Model

The claim that dissociation makes individuals prone to fantasy, thereby causing fabricating imaginative memories of trauma commonly seen in people with dissociative identity disorders.

Post-Traumatic Model

The claim that dissociative identity disorder is caused by childhood trauma, with which the person tries to cope by creating alternate personalities

Somatization

Expressing mental distress or conflict through physical symptoms.

Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS)

Symptoms that are present (experienced by the person) but cannot be accounted for by medical testing or investigation

Somatic Symptom Disorder

A disorder describing one or more somatic (physical) symptoms that are distressing or that disrupt a person’s life, with a large amount of time spent thinking about or feeling anxiety about personal physical health or symptoms

Illness Anxiety Disorder

A disorder defined by persistent concerns about having or acquiring a serious illness without the presence of strong somatic (physical) symptoms

Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder

A psychiatric disorder in which individuals experience problems with motor or sensory abilities that suggest a neurological impairment, but no recognized medical condition exists to explain the symptoms; previously called conversion disorder

Factitious Disorder

Pretending to have a physical illness or mental disorder, despite no obvious external rewards for having the disease

Malingering

The purposeful production of false or grossly exaggerated complaints with the goal of receiving a benefit

Secondary Gain

External rewards, including interpersonal or social advantages, gained indirectly from an illness

Glove Anesthesia

Loss of sensation in an area that would be covered by a glove

Body Mass Index (BMI) Definition

A measure that uses weight and height to identify individuals who may be at risk for weight-related health problems

Anorexia Nervosa

A disorder whose main characteristics are an unreasonable fear of gaining weight, disturbances in the perception of one’s body shape or size, and the relentless pursuit of thinness, leading to a significantly low body weight

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating in which large quantities of food are consumed in one sitting, followed by purging or other efforts to prevent weight gain

Binge-Eating Disorder

An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating unusually large quantities of food without purging attempts

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

A problem with eating/feeding, not due to body image concerns, that result in inadequate nutrition or calorie consumption

Pica

The ongoing consumption of nonnutritive, nonfood items that are inappropriate for an individual’s developmental level

Circadian Rhythm

An internally cued rhythmic schedule of biological activity that repeats roughly every 24 hours

Insomnia Disorder

A condition in which a person experiences difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early

Narcolepsy

A sleep disturbance in which a person has sudden attacks of REM sleep, usually accompanied by temporary muscle paralysis and immobility

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disturbance involving repeated cessation of breathing during sleep

Sleep Hygiene

A psychoeducational approach to sleep in which the person is taught how to develop and maintain effective sleep habits

Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSI/AD) Definition

A sexual dysfunction in women marked by low or no sexual interest or arousal

Erectile Disorder

A sexual dysfunction characterized by a recurrent failure to obtain or maintain an erection adequate for sexual activity

Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

A sexual disorder characterized by a man’s lack of sexual thoughts and desire for sexual activity

Genito Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPD) Definition

A sexual dysfunction in women that describes tension or pain during intercourse or penetration, or fear of pain or penetration

Gender Dysphoria

A mental disorder that describes strong incongruence between one’s assigned or expressed gender that causes distress to the individual

Sexual Dysfunction Modifers

Lifelong (always had)

Acquired (developed after normal functioning)

Generalized (all settings)

Situational (specific setting/partners)

Sensate Focus

A method of increasing sensuality and the ability to experience physical pleasure by focusing on kissing, massage, or touch without attempting direct genital stimulation of a partner

Stop-Start Technique

A method of treating premature (early) ejaculation by stopping sexual stimulation before ejaculation

Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) Definition

A persistent and problematic pattern of alcohol use that causes significant distress and impairment

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Definition

The amount of unmetabolized ethanol (alcohol) absorbed into the blood

Delirium Tremens (DTs) Definition

A set of symptoms, including muscle tremors, hallucinations, and profuse sweating, that result from withdrawal from heavy alcohol use

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) Definition

Measured brain responses that occur as the direct result of a specific, sensory, cognitive, or motor event

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Definition

A hallucinogenic drug that excites the central nervous system

Substance Abuse Disorder

A disorder involving a problematic pattern of use of one 10 categories of substances, leading to impairment or distress

Withdrawal

A pattern of physical symptoms that results from discontinuing drug use once individuals have become physically dependent on it

Tolerance

A condition in which increasingly larger doses of a drug are required to achieve the same physical effect or subjective state

Alcohol and it’s Affects

GABA System (Brain’s calming system; alcohol makes it more active, causing sedation)

Glutamate System (Brain’s excitatory system; alcohol suppresses it, causing slow reactions and memory problems)

Reward Pathway

Alcohol and drugs increase dopamine (brain’s “feel-good” chemical) in areas like the nucleus accumbens (major reward center in the brain), making you feel pleasure and reinforcing addiction

Medications for AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder)

Naltrexone: Reduces alcohol cravings by blocking opioid receptors in the brain

Disulfiram (Antabuse): Makes you sick if you drink alcohol (Punishment-based)

Acamprosate: Helps balance brain chemicals to reduce drinking cravings (blocks glutamate stimulates GABA)

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) - Key Brain Changes

Substance use disorder causes major changes in the brain, including hijacking of the reward pathway and dysfunction of the frontal cortex.

Reward Pathway Hijacking

A process in which drugs or alcohol flood the brain's reward system (especially the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area) with excessive dopamine, making the substance feel much more rewarding than normal activities like eating or socializing.

Nucleus Accumbens

A part of the brain's reward system that becomes overstimulated by drugs, causing intense feelings of pleasure and reinforcing repeated substance use.

Frontal Cortex Dysfunction

Impairment of the brain region responsible for decision-making, planning, impulse control, and judgment, leading to poor choices and difficulty resisting the urge to use substances.

Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)

A brain region that produces dopamine and sends it to the nucleus accumbens, playing a central role in the experience of pleasure and the development of addiction.

Frontal Cortex

The part of the brain that manages executive functions like thinking, planning, self-control, and decision-making; damaged or weakened in individuals with substance use disorder.

Dopamine

A natural neurotransmitter involved in pleasure, reward, and motivation; excessively released during substance use, reinforcing drug-taking behavior.

Neurocognitive Disorder (NCD) Definition

A mental disorder involving a loss of cognitive function in one or more key domains

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that helps with muscle movement, learning, memory, and attention. It sends signals between nerves and muscles and is important for brain function.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Definition

A term used in health care to refer to daily self-care and independent living activities

Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Definition

A form of protein produced by a gene on chromosome 21, thought to mutate in people with Alzheimer’s disease

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) Definition

A protein that transports cholesterol in the blood and clears waste from the brain (ex. beta-amyloid)

Delirium

A disturbance in consciousness involving impairments in attention, disorientation, memory and language problems, and hallucinations

Alzheimer’s Disease

The most frequent cause of dementia, characterized by memory loss, apathy, cognitive difficulties, language problems, and personality changes

Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder

Cognitive disorder caused by a stroke or other problems with blood flow to the brain

Parkinson’s Disease

A degenerative dementia characterized by tremor, difficulty in movement, and reduced production of dopamine

Huntington’s disease

A dementia involving progressive subcortical degeneration that leads to motor disturbances, changes in personality, and cognitive difficulties

Schizophrenia

A psychotic mental disorder marked by serious impairments in basic psychological functions: attention, perception, thought, emotion, and behavior

Positive Symptoms

Symptoms associated with schizophrenia, involving distorted or excessive behaviors, such as hallucinations, delusions, bizarre behavior, confused thinking, and disorganized speech

Negative Symptoms

Symptoms associated with schizophrenia, involving a diminution, absence, or loss of normal psychological functions: examples include apathy, flat emotions, lack of self-care, and social withdrawal

Delusion

An extreme, false belief that is so firmly held without any evidence for it’s veracity (truthfulness)

Hallucinations

A sensory experience that seems real but is not based on external stimulation of the relevant sensory organ

Disorganized Speech

Incoherent, illogical patterns of talking

Catatonia

A dimension of disordered behavior ranging from immobility (where a person may maintain awkward body positions for hours at a time, appearing stuporous); great excitement; extreme activity; repetitive gestures; mannerisms; or undirected violent behaviors.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A mental disorder in which the person displays symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder without satisfying the full criteria for either diagnosis

Brief Psychotic Disorder

The sudden onset of psychotic symptoms marked by intense emotional turmoil and confusion

Glutamate

The brain’s main excitatory neurotransmitter which excites brain cells and makes them send signals faster, also creates GABA (the brain’s main calming neurotransmitter)

Abnormal Amyloid Precursor Protein

Can lead to beta-amyloid (protein fragments from APP) plaques, which clog up neurons and disrupt brain function

ApoE4

A form of apolipoprotein E that can mess up cholesterol transport and not properly clear waste (ex. beta-amyloid) in the brain and can increase plaque build-up.

Parkinson’s Disease Causes and Symptoms

Cause: the death of cells that produce dopamine

Symptoms: tremors, slow movement, still muscles

Huntingtons Disease Causes and Symptoms

Cause: Genetic disorder causing the gradual breakdown of brain cells

Symptoms: movement problems, memory loss, emotional disturbances

Medications for Neurocognitive Disorders

Donepezil (Aricept): Boosts acetylcholine to help memory

Memantine: Regulates glutamate to prevent too much brain cell death.

Levodopa (for Parkinson’s): Converts to dopamine to improve motor symptoms.

Personality Disorders

An enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that is inflexible (unwilling to change), pervasive (harmfully spreading), and stable (fixed in their ways); deviates markedly from the expectations of a person’s culture; and causes them significant distress or impairment

Cluster A: (Odd/Eccentric) Personality Disorders

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Cluster B: (Dramatic/Emotional/Erratic) Personality Disorders

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful) Personality Disorders

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Dependent Personality Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Borderline Persoanlity Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by impulsivity and instability in several areas of (Constant emotional rollercoaster tied to relationships and fear of abandonment.)

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by repeated rule-breaking, chronic manipulativeness, a callous outlook towards the rights of others and society, and tendencies to behave impulsively, dishonestly, irresponsibly, and without remorse

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A personality characterized by an overinflated sense of self-importance and worth that leads to a sense of entitlement to special privileges and exemptions from the rules that apply to others

Avoidant Personality Disorder

A personality characterized by constant feelings of inadequacy, especially in social situations

Highcode Morbitiy

Refers to the presence of two or more chronic health conditions that occur simultaneously in an individual. These conditions can interact with each other, potentially affecting treatment and overall health.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

A long-term pattern of detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression in interpersonal settings. Individuals with this disorder often appear indifferent to others, display little interest in forming close relationships, and may seem emotionally cold or aloof. (Zero Interest in Others)

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

A personality disorder marked by severe social anxiety, eccentric behavior, odd thoughts, and unusual beliefs — but without full-blown psychosis not loosing touch with reality completely

(Type of Strange)

Dependent Personality Disorder

Dependent Personality Disorder is a chronic pattern of extreme fear of being alone and an excessive need to be taken care of by others. People with DPD are overly submissive, clingy, and dependent on others to make decisions for them.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

A mental health condition marked by a long-standing pattern of distrust and suspicion of others without sufficient reason. People with PPD often believe that others are trying to harm, deceive, or exploit them, even when there is no evidence. They tend to hold grudges, are reluctant to confide in others, and often interpret innocent actions as threatening or demeaning. Their behavior feels normal to them (ego-syntonic), meaning they usually don’t realize their distrust is extreme or harmful.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. People with HPD constantly seek approval, are uncomfortable when not the center of attention, and often use dramatic, flirtatious, or exaggerated behaviors to gain attention. Their emotions may seem shallow or rapidly shifting, and they may see relationships as closer than they really are (Hollywood)