Psychopathy Exam 2 Study Guide

Somatic Symptom Disorder

psychological disorder in which the symptoms take a somatic (bodily) form without apparent physical cause

illness anxiety disorder

a disorder in which a person interprets normal physical sensations as symptoms of a disease

conversion disorder

A rare somatoform disorder in which a person experiences very specific genuine physical symptoms for which no physiological basis can be found.

Factitious Disorder

Condition in which a person acts as if he or she has a physical or mental illness when he or she is not really sick.

Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative disorder characterized by the sudden and extensive inability to recall important personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature.

dissociative identity disorder

A rare dissociative disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities. Also called multiple personality disorder.

depersonalization/derealization disorder

a dissociative disorder marked by the presence of persistent and recurrent episodes of depersonalization, derealization, or both

What is the difference between malingering and factitious disorders?

Regarding symptoms, factitious is intentionally produced, while malingering is intentionally produced. Regarding motivation, factitious assumes the sick role, while malingering obtains external incentives. Factitious recieves no external gains while melingering does. Factitious strives for sympathy and care while malingering strives for financial gain and avoidance.

What role do stress and trauma play in dissociative disorders?

Trauma and stress are often foundational in dissoviative disorders, shaping both their onset and ongoing experience. Addressing trauma is typically a key element of treatment.

How can clinicians differentiate between medical and psychological explanations for physical symptoms?

Comprehensive medical evaluation, symptom characteristics and patterns, consistency over time and testing, assessment of psychological factors, use of diagnostic criteria, collaborations with specialists, and monitoring response to treatment.

CBT in Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders

A structured, goal-oriented therapy that helps identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. Focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Uses practical strategies like thought challenging and behavioral experiments. Effective for anxiety, depression, OCD, somatic symptom disorders, and more. Usually short-term with homework between sessions to practice skill.

Psychoeducation

the process of educating patients about research findings and therapy procedures relevant to their situation

What cultural considerations are important in assessing somatic complaints?

Important cultural considerations include understanding that some cultures express distress primarily through physical complaints, differing beliefs about illness and health, stigma around mental health, and various expectations about medical treatment. Clinicians should be culturally sensitive and avoid dismissing somatic symtoms, recognizing that cultural context shapes symptom presentation and help-seeking behavior.

What are the controversies surrounding Dissociative Identity Disorder?

Controversies around Dissociative Identity Disorder include debates about its validity as a distinct diagnosis, concerns about misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis, its rare and complex nature, the role of trauma as a cause, and media sensationalism that can distort public understanding and stigma. Some question whether DID is a genuine disorder or influenced by therapist suggestion.

Anorexia Nervosa

an eating disorder in which an irrational fear of weight gain leads people to starve themselves

bulimia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by episodes of overeating, usually of high-calorie foods, followed by vomiting, laxative use, fasting, or excessive exercise

binge eating disorder

significant binge-eating episodes, followed by distress, disgust, or guilt, but without the compensatory purging, fasting, or excessive exercise that marks bulimia nervosa

How do cultural and societal factors influence the development of eating disorders?

Promoting thinness as an ideal body standard, creating pressure to conform. Shaping body image distortions through social comparison with peers or media. Encouraging behaviors like "finishing your plate" and large portion norms. Centering social gatherings around food, increasing overeating or restriction. Influencing stress and coping mechanisms linked to disordered eating.

What are the medical complications associated with different eating disorders?

Reduced metabolism, bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, anemia, electrolyte imbalances, high mortality risks, esophageal irritation, chronic acid reflux, dehydration, electrolyte and mineral deficiencies, obesity related health issues, and stress hormone dysregulation.

How do anorexia and bulimia differ, on average, in terms of physical presentation, psychological characteristics, and prognosis?

Anorexia has very low body weight, visible weight loss, and signs of starvation, while bulimia's weight is often normal or fluctuating. Anorexia includes the intense fear of gaining weight, body image distortion, food viewed negatively, and a lack of positive incentive to eat, while bulimia includes cycles of binge eating followed by purging, and often less awareness of disordered eating.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in eating disorders

challenge unrealistic expectations about body

challenge belief that appearance determines self- worth

exposure with response prevention- eat forbidden foods while therapist is present

Family-Based Therapy

a type of therapy that involves parents or guardians, and siblings of patients in treatment

Nutritional Rehabilitation

An initial phase of treatment in a number of cases of anorexia nervosa that includes supportive nursing care, day-to-day increased caloric intake, nutrition counseling, support, and, in some programs, motivational interviewing.

What are common co-morbid mental health conditions with different eating disorders?

Anorexia and bulimia include anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive traits, and emotional suppression. Binge-Eating Disorder is often linked with stress-related disorders and mood disturbances. Family history of psychological issues and alcoholism may increase risk.

What are risk and protective factors for developing eating disorders?

Risk Factors: Genetic predisposition and family history. Personality traits like emotional suppression, anxiety, and perfectionism. Exposure to societal thinness ideals and body dissatisfaction. Stress, trauma, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Protective Factors: Supportive family environment and healthy communication. Positive body image and self-esteem. Effective coping skills and stress management. Early intervention and education about eating disorders.

How do eating disorders differ across gender, age, and culture?

More common in females but occur in all genders. Males may be underdiagnosed. Typically onset in adolescense or young adulthood. Some shifts in prevalence across age groups. Western societies emphasize thinness more, increasing risk. Cultural ideals and food availability influence disorder types and rates.

Depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Stimulants

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Hallucinogens

psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Opioids

Any drug or agent with actions similar to morphine.

Cannabis

The hemp plant from which marijuana, hashish, and THC are derived.

What are the diagnostic criteria for Substance Use Disorder?

Substance Use Disorder diagnosis involves criteria like impaired control over use, social and risky use problems, tolerance, withdrawal, craving, and continued use despite negative consequences.

What is the difference between tolerance, withdrawal, and dependence?

Tolerance is needing increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect. Withdrawal is physical or psychological symptoms that occur when substance use is reduced or stopped. Dependance is a state where the body requires the substance to function normally, leading to withdrawal symptoms if use stops.

What biological and psychological factors contribute to addiction?

Addiction is influenced by biological factors like genetics, brain chemistry, and neurobiology, as well as psychological factors such as personality traits, coping skills, and mental health conditions. Social and enviornmental factors also play key roles.

Detoxification

A process in which the body adjusts to functioning without alcohol

Motivational Interviewing

a collaborative, person-centered form of guiding to elicit and strengthen motivation for change

Community Support Groups

Local organizations providing assistance and resources.

CBT in substance use disorders

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to their disorders, including substance use and eating disorders.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Full opioid agonists like methadone block (or partially block) opioid receptors in the brain, which eventually extinguishes withdrawal symptoms (Nalaxone/NARCAN)

What are the social and cultural factors that affect substance use and treatment access?

Social and cultural factors influence substance use and treatment access include peer pressure, family enviornment, cultural norms, stigma, availability of substances, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare resources.

Gambling Disorder

a disorder marked by persistent and recurrent gambling behavior, leading to a range of life problems

Internet Gaming Disorder

A disorder marked by persistent, recurrent, and excessive Internet gaming. Recommended for further study by the DSM-5 task force.

Neurological pathways in behavioral and substance addictions

Both behavioral and substance addictions have similar neurological pathways, especially involving dopamine and reward circuits in the brain. Substance addictions add chemical effects altering brain chemistry directly, while behavioral addictions activate these pathways through natural rewards, without external substances.

Compulsive behaviors in behavioral and substance addictions

Both behavioral and substance addictions feature compulsive behaviors driven by cravings and loss of control. Substance addictions involve compulsive drug or substance use, while behavioral addictions involve compulsive engagement in activities like gambling or gaming. Both can lead to negative consequences despite attempts to stop.

Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

delusions and hallucinations

negative symptoms of schizophrenia

the absence of appropriate behaviors (expressionless faces, rigid bodies)

cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia

problems with working memory, attention, verbal and visual learning and memory, reasoning and problem solving, processing, and speech

Psychomotor abnormalities of schizophrenia

catatonia, withdrawn catatonia, excited catatonia

How do delusions and hallucinations differ?

Delusions are false, fixed beliefs that are not based in reality, while hallucinations are sensory experiences without an external stimulus.

What are common challenges related to insight and treatment adherence?

Lack of insight, denial of symptoms or illness, distrust of treatment or providers, forgetting or refusing medication, and side effects leading to non-adherence.

How do brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, and schizophrenia disorder differ?

For brief psychotic disorder, symptoms last less than one month. For schizophreniform disorder, symptoms last one to six months. For schizophrenia disorder, symptoms last six months or more, including at least one month of active symptoms.

What is the typical course and prognosis for individuals with schizophrenia?

Onset in late adolescence or early adulthood, episodes of active symptoms alternating with periods of remission, and many experience chronic symptoms and functional impairments. For prognosis, some improve with treatments and support, while others have persistent symptoms and disability. Early intervention and adhearance to treatment improves outcomes.

Antipsychotic Medications

Prescription drugs that are used to reduce psychotic symptoms; frequently used in the treatment of schizophrenia; also called neuroleptics.

Psychosocial Interventions

nursing activities that enhance the client's social and psychological functioning and improve social skills, interpersonal relationships, and communication

Computer Based Programs

Cognitive remediation to improve attention, memory, and problem-solving, skills training modules for emotion regulation and social interactions, psychoeducational and self-management tools, and accessible, flexible support that can complement traditional therapy.

What is the role of family support and psychoeducation in managing schizophrenia?

Improving understanding of the disorder and treatment, reducing family stress and conflict, enhancing communication and problem-solving skills, increasing medication adherence and early relapse detection, and providing emotional support, promoting recovery and better outcomes overall.

Major Neurocognitive Disorder

neurocognitive disorder in which the decline in cognitive functioning is substantial and interferes with the ability to be independent

Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

neurocognitive disorder in which the decline in cognitive functioning is modest and does not interfere with the ability to be independent

Traumatic Brain Injury

a blow to the head or a penetrating head injury that damages the brain

vascular dementia

form of dementia caused by a stroke or other restriction of the flow of blood to the brain

Substance Use

the ingestion of psychoactive substances in moderate amounts that does not significantly interfere with social, educational, or occupational functioning

Alzheimer's disease

a progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, finally, physical functioning

How are neurocognitive disorders assessed and diagnosed?

Mental status screening, neuropsychological testing, and neuroimaging.

Rehabilitative Services

programs that enable or restore people's ability to participate in the community

Biological Interventions

benzodiazepines, breathing retraining and exercise

Cognitive and Behavioral Treatment

Therapy focusing on changing negative thought patterns.

Lifestyle Changes

Modifications in daily habits to improve health.

Environmental Support

characteristics of a retention test that support retrieval

Insomnia Disorder

condition in which insufficient sleep interferes with normal functioning

Hypersomnolence Disorder

sleep dysfunction involving an excessive amount of sleep that disrupts normal routines

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

Parasomnias

Abnormal behaviors such as nightmares or sleepwalking that occur during sleep.

How do sleep disorders affect cognitive and emotional functioning?

Sleep disorders can impair cognitive functions like attention, memory, and decision-making, and contribute to emotional issues such as irritability, mood swings, anxiety, and depression

Sleep Hygiene

The practice of following good sleep habits to sleep soundly and be alert during the day

CBT for Insomnia

Psychoeducation about sleep

Changing beliefs about sleep

Extensive monitoring using sleep diary

Practicing better sleep-related habits

CPAP for Sleep Apnea

continuous positive airway pressure

How do aging and lifestyle impact neurocognitive and sleep disorders?

Aging increases risk for neurocognitive disorders and sleep problems, while a healthy lifestyle—including mental activity, physical exercise, and good sleep hygiene—can help slow cognitive decline and improve sleep quality.

Sexual Interest Disorders

Sexual Interest Disorders, also known as low sexual desire or sexual interest/arousal disorders, refer to a persistent lack of sexual interest or desire that causes personal distress or impairment. These disorders are included in the DSM because the lack of interest leads to significant distress or relationship difficulties, differentiating them from asexuality, which is an identity without distress. Causes can be biological (hormonal, vascular) as well as psychological (anxiety, trauma). Treatment often involves both medical evaluation and psychological interventions.

erectile disorder

the inability to have or maintain an erection

female orgasmic disorder

distress due to infrequently or never experiencing orgasm

premature ejaculation

a condition in which the male reaches climax too soon, usually before, or shortly after, penetration of the female

Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder

a sexual dysfunction characterized by significant physical discomfort during intercourse

What is Gender Dysphoria and how does this term differ from individuals who identify as transgender more broadly?

Gender Dysphoria is the distress or discomfort someone feels due to a mismatch between their assigned sex at birth and their experienced gender. It focuses on the clinical distress rather than the identity itself. In contrast, identifying as transgender refers to a person's gender identity differing from their assigned sex but does not necessarily involve distress. Gender Dysphoria is diagnosed only when this incongruence causes significant distress or impairment.

What treatments (both socially and medically) are available for individuals experiencing Gender Dysphoria?

Treatments for Gender Dysphoria include psychotherapy to explore and support gender identity, social transition (changing name, pronouns, presentation), hormone therapy to align physical characteristics with gender identity, and gender-affirmation surgeries. Treatment plans are individualized and vary based on the person's needs and access.

Pedophilic Disorder

a paraphilic disorder in which a person has repeated and intense sexual urges or fantasies about watching, touching, or engaging in sexual acts with children, and either acts on these urges or experiences clinically significant distress or impairment

Exhibitionistic Disorder

sexual gratification attained by exposing genitals to unsuspecting strangers

Fetishistic Disorder

long-term, recurring, intense sexually arousing urges, fantasies, or behavior that involve the use of nonliving, unusual objects and that cause distress or impairment in life functioning

voyeuristic disorder

paraphilic disorder in which sexual arousal is derived from observing unsuspecting individuals undressing or naked

How do clinicians differentiate between unusual sexual interests and paraphilic disorders?

Clinicians differentiate unusual sexual interests from paraphilic disorders based on whether the interest causes significant distress or impairment to the individual, or involves harm or non-consent to others. If the behavior is consensual, non-harmful, and not distressing, it is typically not diagnosed as a disorder.

Sensate Focus

a form of sex therapy that involves graduated touching exercises

CBT for sexual disorders

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is a psychological treatment that helps people change negative thought patterns and behaviors, often used to manage sexual dysfunctions, pain disorders, anxiety, and distress related to sexual health.

Medication for sexual disorders

Medication for sexual dysfunctions may include hormone treatments, erectile dysfunction drugs, or other biological interventions to address underlying physical causes, often combined with psychological therapies.

How do stigma and cultural norms affect individuals with sexual and gender-related concerns?

Stigma and cultural norms can cause shame, distress, and social judgment for individuals with sexual and gender-related concerns, affecting their mental health, willingness to seek help, and how their experiences are understood and treated clinically.

What are the controversies in diagnosing and treating paraphilic disorders?

Controversies include determining when atypical sexual interests become disorders, balancing respect for consensual behavior with preventing harm, and ethical debates about diagnosing individuals who experience attraction without distress or who do not act on urges.

What defines a personality disorder and do personality disorders differ from mood and anxiety disorders?

Personality disorders are enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior that deviate from cultural expectations, cause distress or impairment, and affect multiple areas of life. They differ from mood and anxiety disorders, which primarily involve episodic emotional symptoms rather than pervasive personality traits.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

type of personality disorder characterized by extreme suspiciousness or mistrust of others

Schizoid Personality Disorder

a personality disorder characterized by persistent avoidance of social relationships and little expression of emotion

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Person has several traits that causes interpersonal problems, including inappropriate affect, paranoid/magical thinking, off beliefs

antisocial personality disorder

A personality disorder in which the person (usually a man) exhibits a lack of conscience for wrongdoing, even toward friends and family members. May be aggressive and ruthless or a clever con artist.