Psyc 100B Chapter 15 Module 48

What is a psychological disorder?

A psychological disorder is a disturbance in people’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that causes suffering or distress and impairs their daily lives.

What is the medical model?

The concept that diseases, in this case psychological disorders, have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and, in most cases, cured, often through treatment in a hospital

What are epigenetics? What model does it support?

The study of how your behaviours or environment - such as diet, stress, and lifestyle - that cause chemical changes that turn your genes on or off, without altering your underlying DNA sequence. It supports the vulnerability stress disorder.

What does it mean for a behaviour to be dysfunctional or maladaptive?

It means the thoughts, emotions, or behaviours interfere with your daily life.

What is the vulnerability stress model?

The idea the personal vulnerability combines with environmental stressors to influence whether a disorder develops.

What is comorbidity?

Two or more disorders for one person

Why might suicide risk increase when a depressed person begins to recover?

Because they may regain the energy and initiative needed to act.

Emma feels sad for a few days after failing a midterm, but she still goes to class, sees friends, and functions normally. Is this more likely normal stress or a psychological disorder?

More likely normal stress, because it is not clearly disrupting daily functioning.

Noah has been so sad for weeks that he stays in bed, skips work, and cannot manage daily life. Is this more likely ordinary sadness or a psychological disorder?

More likely a psychological disorder because it is persistent and disabling.

Ava has a genetic vulnerability for anxiety, but her symptoms only become severe after ongoing family stress and lack of support. What model best explains this?

The vulnerability-stress model.

clinician looks at a client’s genes, trauma history, coping skills, and family environment together. Which approach is this?

A: The biopsychosocial approach.

iam cuts his skin when overwhelmed but says he is not trying to die. Is this most likely a suicide attempt or nonsuicidal self-injury?

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI).

Someone believes all people with mental illness are dangerous because of media stories about shootings. According to the module, is that accurate?

No. Most people with psychological disorders are not violent.