Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders & Chapter 15: Therapies

Psycopatholody

the scientific study of the origins, symptoms, and development of psychological disorders

Psychological Disorder

a pattern of behavioral or psychological symptoms that causes significant personal distress, impairs the ability to function in one or more important areas of life

DSM-5

the abbreviation for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Disorders, Fifth Edition, which describes the symptoms of a disorder and diagnostic guidelines

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

wide range of developmental, behavioral, learning, and communication disorders that are usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence. Symptoms of a particular disorder may vary depending on a child’s age and developmental level.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Onset of symptoms prior to age of 3. Characterized by: (1) deficits in social communication and social interaction and (2) restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities; diagnosed according to level of symptom of severity, ranging from “requiring support” to “requiring very substantial support.”

Tourette’s Disorder

Onset prior to age of 18. Characterized by motor tics, such as recurring spasmodic movements of the head or arms, and vocal tics, such as recurring and sudden clicking, grunting, or snorting sounds. Sometimes involves uncontrollable utterances of profane or obscene words.

Substance-related and Addictive Disorders

Cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and psychological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance or engaging in the behavior despite significant problems.

Substance Use Disorder

Recurrent substance use that involves impaired control, disruption of social, occupational, and interpersonal functioning, and the development of craving, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms

Gambling Disorder

Persistent gambling that disrupts personal, family, and/or vocational pursuits

Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders

Persistent, recurring complaints of bodily (or somatic) symptoms that are accompanied by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to these symptoms.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Characterized by excessive worry or distress that is out of proportion to the seriousness of physical symptoms that are present

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Excessive worry or distress that is out of proportion to the seriousness of physical symptoms that are present.

Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders

Problems in the self-control of emotions and behaviors as manifested in behaviors that harm or violate the rights of others

Kleptomania

the recurrent failure to steam items that are not needed for personal use or their monetary value.

Pyromania

Deliberately setting fires on more than one occasion, accompanied by pleasure, gratification, or relief of tension.

Anxiety

an unpleasant emotional state characterized by physical arousal and feelings of tension, apprehension, and worry

Anxiety Disorders

a category of psychological disorders in which extreme anxiety is the main diagnostic feature and causes significant disruptions in the person’s cognitive, behavioral, or interpersonal functioning

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, global, and persistent symptoms of anxiety

Panic Attack

Problems in the self-control of emotions and behaviors as manifested in behaviors that harm or violate the rights of others

Panic Disorder

the recurrent failure to steam items that are not needed for personal use or their monetary value.

Agoraphobia

Deliberately setting fires on more than one occasion, accompanied by pleasure, gratification, or relief of tension.

Catastrophic Cognitions Theory

people with panic disorder are not only oversensitive to physical sensations, they also tend to catastrophize the meaning of their experience

Phobia

a persistent and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity

Specific Phobia

an excessive, intense, and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that is actively avoided or endured with marked anxiety

Social Anxiety Disorder

an anxiety disorder involving the extreme and irrational fear of being embarrassed, judged, or scrutinized by others in social situations

Taijin Kyofusho

a disorder that usually affects young Japanese men

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

a disorder triggered by extreme trauma that results in intrusive memories; avoidance of stimuli; negative changes in thoughts and emotions; and a persistent state of heightened physical arousal

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

a disorder characterized by intrusive, repetitive, and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform (compulsions)

Obsessions

repeated, intrusive, uncontrollable irrational thoughts or mental images that cause extreme anxiety and distress

Compulsions

repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in order to prevent or reduce anxiety and distress or to prevent a dreaded event or situation

Major Depressive Disorder

a mood disorder characterized by extreme and persistent feelings of despondency, worthlessness, and hopelessness, causing impaired emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical functioning

Panic Attack

a mood disorder involving periods of incapacitating depression alternating with periods of extreme euphoria and excitement; formerly called manic depression

Manic Episode

a sudden, rapidly escalating emotional state characterized by extreme euphoria, excitement, physical energy, and rapid thoughts and speech

Cyclothymic Disorder

people experience moderate but frequent mood swings for two years or longer

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

recurring depressive episodes that follow a seasonal pattern, typically occurring in the fall and winter and subsiding in the spring and summer

Persistent Depressive Disorder

chronic depressed feelings that are often less severe than those that accompany major depressive disorder

Eating Disorders

a category of psychological disorders characterized by severe disturbances in eating behavior

Anorexia Nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by excessive weight loss, an irrational fear of gaining weight, and distorted body self-perception

Bulimia Nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by binges of extreme overeating followed by self-inducing vomiting, misuse of laxatives, or other methods to purge excess food and prevent weight gain

Hikikomori

pattern of extreme social withdrawal in Japan

Personality Disorder

inflexible, maladaptive, and stable pattern of thoughts, emotions, behavior, and interpersonal functioning that deviate from the expectations of the individual’s culture

Antisocial Personality Disorder

a personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregarding and violating the rights of others; psychopath or sociopath

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

a personality disorder characterized by instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions, and marked impulsivity

Dissociative Experience

a break or disruption in consciousness during which awareness, memory, and personal identity become separated or divided

Dissociative Disorders

a category of psychological disorders in which extreme and frequent disruption of awareness, memory, and personal identity impair the ability to function

Dissociative Amnesia

dissociative disorder involving the partial or total inability to recall important information

Dissociative Fugue

a type of dissociative amnesia involving sudden and unexpected travel away from home, extensive amnesia, and identity confusion

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

a dissociative disorder involving extensive memory disruptions for personal information along with the presence of two or more distinct identities, or “personalities,” within a single person

Schizophrenia

a psychological disorder in which the ability to function is impaired by severely distorted beliefs, perceptions, and thought processes

Positive Symptoms

an excess or distortion of normal functioning including delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts and behavior

Negative Symptoms

defects or deficits in normal functioning, including flat affect

Delusion

a false belief that persists despite compelling contradictory evidence

Hallucination

a false or distorted perception that seems vividly real to the person experiencing it

Psychotherapy

treatment of emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal problems through psychological techniques that promote understanding of problems and modify troubling feelings, behaviors, or relationships

Clinical Psychologist

Holds an academic doctorate (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) and is required to be licensed to practice. Assesses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Has expertise in psychological testing and evaluation, diagnosis, psychotherapy, research, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.

Counseling Psychologist

Holds an academic doctorate and must be licensed to practice. Assesses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral problems and disorders. Historically treated disorders of lesser severity, but now there is less distinction between the practices of clinical and counseling psychologists.

Psychiatrist

Holds a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.) and is required to be licensed to practice. Has expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Often has training in psychotherapy. May prescribe medications and medical procedures.

Psychoanalyst

Usually a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who has received additional training in the specific techniques of psychoanalysis, the form of psychotherapy originated by Sigmund Freud.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Holds at least a master's degree in counseling, with supervised training in assessment and therapy techniques. May be certified in specialty areas. Most states require licensure or certification.

Psychiatric Social Worker

Holds a master's degree in social work (M.S.W.). Training includes an internship in a social service agency or mental health center. Usually has certification or licensing. May have training in psychotherapy.

Marriage and Family Therapist

Usually holds a master's degree, with extensive supervised experience in couple or family therapy. May also have training in individual therapy. Many states require licensing.

Psychiatric Nurse

Holds an R.N. degree and has selected psychiatry or mental health nursing as a specialty. May or may not have training in psychotherapy.

Biomedical Therapies

use of medication, electroconvulsive therapy, or other medical treatments to treat the symptoms associated with psychological disorders

Psychoanalysis

originated by Sigmund Freud in which free association and transference are used to explore repressed or unconscious impulses, anxieties, and internal conflicts

Free Association

psychoanalytic technique in which the patient spontaneously reports all thoughts, feelings, and mental images that arise, revealing unconscious thoughts and emotions

Resistance

the patient’s conscious or unconscious attempts to block the process of revealing repressed memories and conflicts

Interpretation

a psychoanalytic technique in which the psychoanalyst offers carefully timed explanations of the patient’s dreams, feelings, or behaviors to help explore unconscious conflicts or motivations

Transference

the process by which emotions and desires associated with a significant person in the patient’s life, such as a parent, are unconsciously transferred onto the psychoanalyst

Short-term Dynamic Therapy

type of psychotherapy based on psychoanalytical theory but differing in that it is time-limited, has specific goals, and involves an active, rather than neutral, role for the therapist

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

a brief psychodynamic psychotherapy that focuses on current relationships and is based on the assumption that symptoms are caused and maintained by interpersonal problems

Client-Centered Therapy

type of psychotherapy in which the therapist is nondirective and reflective, and the client direct the focus of each therapy session

Three Qualities of a Therapist

genuineness, unconditional positive regard, empathetic understanding

Motivational Interviewing

a technique designed to help clients overcome the mixed feelings or reluctance they might have about committing to change

Comparing Psychodynamic and Humanistic Therapies

Behavior Therapy

type of psychotherapy that focuses on directly changing maladaptive behavior patterns by using basic learning principles and techniques; Behavior Modification

Counterconditioning

a behavior therapy technique that involves learning a new conditioned response that is incompatible with a previously learned response

Exposure Therapy

behavioral therapy for phobias, panic disorder, PTSD, or related anxiety disorders in which the person is repeatedly exposed to the disturbing object or situation under controlled conditions

Systematic Desensitization

type of behavior therapy that involves learning a new conditioned response (relaxation) that is incompatible with or inhibits the old conditioned response (fear and anxiety)

Basic Steps in Systematic Desensitization

progressive relaxation, exposure therapy, feared experiences

Aversive Conditioning

a relatively ineffective type of behavior that involves repeatedly pairing an aversive stimulus with the occurrence of undesirable behavior or thoughts

Operant Conditioning

model of learning based on the simple principle that behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences

Shaping

involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior

Token Economy

a form of behavior therapy in which the therapeutic environment is structures to reward desired behaviors with tokens or points that may eventually be exchanged for tangible rewards

Cognitive Therapies

group of psychotherapies based on the assumption that psychological problems are due to illogical patterns of thinking; techniques focus on recognizing and altering unhealthy thinking patterns

Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy

type of cognitive therapy that focuses on changing the client’s irrational beliefs

ABC Model

(A) Activating Events, (B) Beliefs, (C) Consequences

Cognitive Therapy

therapy developed by Aaron T. Beck that focuses on changing the client’s unrealistic and maladaptive beliefs

Arbitrary Inference

drawing a negative conclusion when there is little or no evidence to support

Selective Abstraction

focusing on a single negative detail taken out of context and ignoring the more important aspects of the situation

Overgeneralization

drawing a sweeping, global conclusion based on an isolated incident and applying that conclusion to other unrelated areas of life

Personalization

taking responsibility, blaming oneself, or applying external events to oneself when there is no basis or evidence for making the connection

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

therapy that integrates cognitive and behavioral techniques and that is based on the assumption that thoughts, moods, and behaviors are interrelated

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy

was developed to treat major depressive disorder

Group Therapy

a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working simultaneously

Cognitive Therapy

a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working simultaneously with a small group of clients

Family Therapy

a form of psychotherapy that is based on the assumption that the family is a system and that treats the family as a unit

Network Therapy

kind of extended-family therapy, including a wide range of a patient’s community in their treatment

Behavioral Couple Therapy

based on the assumption that couples are satisfied when they experience more reinforcement than punishment in their relationship

Eclecticism

the pragmatic and integrated use of techniques from different psychotherapies

Psychotropic Medications

prescription drugs that alter mental functions, alleviate psychological symptoms, and are used to treat psychological disorders