PSYC 351 Exam Two

In which situations would an agoraphobic be most likely to exhibit avoidance or fear?

Situations where escape may be difficult or help unavailable, such as crowds, public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, or being outside the home alone.

Compared to anxiety, a panic attack tends to be

More intense, sudden, and short-lived. Anxiety builds gradually, while panic attacks peak rapidly.

Which statement about panic attacks is true?

Panic attacks can occur in several different disorders and are not exclusive to Panic Disorder.

Fear is not considered phobic unless

It is excessive, persistent, irrational, and significantly interferes with daily functioning.

How do patients typically view their compulsions?

They usually recognize them as excessive or unreasonable but feel unable to resist performing them.

Why is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) considered controversial?

Its symptoms overlap with many other disorders, making diagnosis difficult.

After Alex was in a bicycle accident, she became fearful of riding bicycles. Which theory explains this fear?

Classical Conditioning Theory—fear became associated with bicycles after the traumatic experience.

What does systematic desensitization involve?

Gradual exposure to feared stimuli while practicing relaxation techniques.

What broad definition of stress has scientists offered?

The body's response to demands or challenges that disrupt normal functioning.

Which responses occur during the fight-or-flight response?

Increased heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and release of energy reserves.

Which hormone is known as the "stress hormone"?

Cortisol.

Which is NOT a common symptom of Acute Stress Disorder?

Long-term personality change.

Stress that continues long after a traumatic event is called ________.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

According to twin studies, stress disorders ________.

Have both genetic and environmental influences.

What is a criticism of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)?

The eye movement component may not contribute significantly beyond exposure therapy.

What is dissociation?

A disruption in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception.

Mary feels detached from her environment and "like a robot" after trauma. What is she experiencing?

Depersonalization.

For long-term PTSD recovery, what is the most important therapeutic strategy?

Gradual confrontation and processing of traumatic memories rather than avoidance.

Lisa cannot remember events before a traumatic crime. This is an example of

Dissociative amnesia.

What evidence suggests dissociative disorders may be overdiagnosed?

Rates vary dramatically across cultures and increased substantially after media attention.

What is the most common alternative explanation for Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?

Role enactment or sociocognitive theory—the symptoms may be shaped by suggestion and cultural expectations.

What does the term affect mean?

The outward expression of emotion.

What term describes a pervasive and sustained emotional state?

Mood.

What is a clinical feature of mania?

Elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, grandiosity, impulsivity, and increased activity.

Robert has experienced a manic episode. What diagnosis is most likely?

Bipolar I Disorder.

How do SSRIs produce antidepressant effects?

By blocking the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the brain.

Nick has experienced mild depressive symptoms for two years but not a major depressive episode. What diagnosis should be considered?

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia).

Over the past 20 years, suicide rates have generally been

Increasing.

________ have higher suicide attempt rates, but ________ are more likely to die by suicide.

Women; Men.

What is the single greatest predictor of suicide?

A previous suicide attempt.

Robin Williams' suicide was followed by a temporary increase in suicides. This is explained by

The Werther Effect (suicide contagion).

Which is NOT a typical suicide risk factor?

Strong social support.

Olivia has thoughts of suicide but no specific plan. What is this called?

Suicidal ideation.

In the DSM-5, eating disorders are known as

Feeding and Eating Disorders.

Eating non-food substances is the hallmark symptom of

Pica

Refusing certain foods to the point of malnutrition is most likely

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).

Which is NOT a common symptom of Binge-Eating Disorder?

Regular compensatory behaviors such as purging.

During what life stage does Anorexia Nervosa most commonly develop?

Adolescence.

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Excessive preoccupation with perceived physical flaws that are minor or nonexistent.

What are the two subtypes of Anorexia Nervosa?

Restricting Type and Binge-Eating/Purging Type.

Bulimia Nervosa is most associated with

Recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise.

Substance Use Disorder requires

Significant impairment or distress resulting from substance use, often including tolerance, withdrawal, and inability to control use.

Cocaine belongs to which drug category?

Stimulants.

Nicotine's cognitive-enhancing effects are primarily due to

Activation of acetylcholine receptors that increase attention and alertness.

Why is smoking so difficult to quit?

Nicotine is highly addictive, produces withdrawal symptoms, and is strongly reinforced by environmental cues.

Drugs that slow the nervous system are known as

Depressants.

Why can alcohol appear to act like a stimulant?

It suppresses inhibitory brain functions first, leading to increased sociability and impulsiveness.

Long-term marijuana use can

Impair memory, attention, learning, and motivation in some individuals.

The pleasurable feeling associated with many drugs is largely due to

Increased dopamine activity in the brain's reward pathway.

Panic Disorder

Sudden and Intense Fear. Panic attacks come on quickly

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Excessive worry about many aspects of life. For at least six months

Phobias

Fear +Impairment. This happens when the fear is excessive and irrational. Daily functioning has to be impaired

OCD Compulsions

Obsessions: Unwanted intrusive thoughts

Compulsions: Behaviors performed to reduce anxiety

People typically realize these things are unreasonable, but have to perform them because their anxiety is overwhelming. Typically diminished through negative reinforcement.

Acute Stress Disorder

Three Days to one month after trauma

Symptoms: Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance, dissociation

PTSD

Symptoms persist for more than one month

Four symptom clusters: Intrusion, Avoidance, Negative Mood/Cognition, Hyperarousal

Dissociation

A disruption in consciousness, identity, memory, or perception
Depersonalization, Derealization, Dissociative Amnesia

Mania = Bipolar I

One manic disorder automatically qualifies for Bipolar I disorder

Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder)

Chronic severe depression
Symptoms: Low energy, poor concentration, low self-esteem, sleep problems, hopelessness

Symptoms are milder, but last much longer

Affect vs Mood

Affect: Observable emotional expression
Ex: Smiling, Crying

Mood: Internal emotional state
Ex: Happy, Depressed, Irritable, Anxious

Protective Factors for Suicide

Strong social support from family, friends, community, and therapy

Support provides: emotional connection, problem-solving assistance, hope

PICA

Persistent eating of non-food substances

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Texture Issues, Smell sensitivity, fear of choking, lack of interest in food

No fear of weight gain

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge + Purge

Anorexia Nervosa

Restriction: Severe calorie restriction.

Low Body Weight: Significantly below expected weight.

Fear of Weight Gain: Persistent fear despite being underweight.

Distorted Body Image: A person sees themselves as overweight.

Most Common Age of Onset: Adolescence

Cocaine

Stimulant

Alcohol

Depressant: Slows brain activity, reaction time, and impairs judgement and coordination
It’s not a stimulant even though it suppresses inhibitory brain regions first

Nicotine

Acetylcholine Agonist

Increased attention, concentration, and alertness

Why is it addictive?: Rapid reward, frequent dosing, strong environmental cues

Dopamine

Reward Pathway: Helps to reinforce behaviors that feel rewarding
Drugs that increase dopamine: Cocaine, Nicotine, Alcohol, Opioids, Methamphetamine
Repeated dopamine surges teach the brain to do it over again.