Psychopathology Study Guide

Flashcards about Psychopathology

What is Psychopathology?

The study of mental disorders, looking at abnormal behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.

What are the five factors considered when defining abnormal behavior?

Statistical rarity, violation of social norms, personal distress, dysfunction, and unexpected reactions.

What are some problems with using labels for mental disorders?

They can make a person feel less unique and create judgment and stigma.

Why are labels still used in diagnosing mental disorders?

Court cases, insurance coverage, and legal matters.

What is Neurosis?

Person feels anxious but stays in reality.

Examples of Neurosis

Phobias, OCD, generalized anxiety

What is Psychosis?

Person loses touch with reality.

Examples of Psychosis

Schizophrenia, mania

What can cause Psychosis?

Brain damage (organic) or genetics (functional).

What are the psychological symptoms of anxiety?

Nervousness, irritability, indecision, feeling helpless or scared.

What are the physical symptoms of anxiety?

Trembling, nausea, sweating, heart racing, muscle tension, headaches.

What is comorbidity?

The presence of more than one disorder.

Name some celebrities with Mental Health Disorders

Mindy Kaling (social anxiety), Brandon Marshall (borderline personality), Awkwafina (anxiety + depression), Meghan Trainor (panic disorder).

What is the DSM-V?

Official rulebook for diagnosing mental illness, lists 300+ disorders in 22 categories, describes symptoms, and is widely used by psychologists.

What are some mental illness stats?

Affects 20% of people during their lives, women experience more depression and anxiety, men experience more drug abuse and psychopathy, and trans people are at higher risk due to discrimination and poverty.

What are the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Worry almost every day for 6+ months, can’t control the worry, and 3 or more of: restlessness, fatigue, trouble focusing, irritability, muscle tension, sleep problems.

What are the causes of GAD?

Freud (internal conflict), social learning (past fearful experience), cognitive (feeling out of control = anxiety).

What are Phobias?

Intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation, fear is bigger than the actual danger, person avoids it or panics, and causes life problems.

What are the different types of phobias?

Agoraphobia (fear of open/public spaces), acrophobia (fear of heights), claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces), social phobia (fear of being judged by others).

What causes phobias?

Psychoanalysis (fear is symbolic), social learning (trauma, observing fear in others), reward loop (avoiding = temporary relief).

What are the treatments for phobias?

Desensitization (gradual exposure).

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsession = unwanted, repeated thoughts; compulsion = repetitive actions to calm anxiety; must take 1+ hour a day or cause major life problems.

What are the causes of OCD?

Psychoanalysis (stuck in anal stage), social learning (ritual reduces anxiety = reinforced), cognitive (avoiding thoughts makes them come back), biological (brain injury or genetics).

What are the diagnostic criteria for depression?

Must have 5+ symptoms for at least 2 weeks, including: depressed mood, loss of interest, weight gain/loss, sleep issues, restlessness or slowed movement, fatigue, worthlessness or guilt, trouble thinking/concentrating, thoughts of death/suicide.