Psychological Disorders and Anxiety Spectrum

This flashcard set covers the fundamental definitions of psychological disorders, diagnostic criteria from the DSM-V-TR, prevalence statistics, specific anxiety spectrum disorders, and the etiologic Diathesis-Stress Model.

Four D's of psychiatric disorder

The four criteria used to identify a psychological disorder: Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, and Danger.

Deviance

Symptoms that are not normal within the patient’s culture.

Distress

A subjective assessment of suffering required for diagnosis in the DSM-V-TR.

Dysfunction

A requirement for diagnosis that can be assessed subjectively or reported by others.

DSM-V-TR

The diagnostic manual that requires a minimum number of symptoms from specific lists, a minimum duration, distress or dysfunction, and deviance for a diagnosis.

Lifetime prevalence of disorder

$46\%$.

One-year prevalence of disorder

$25\%$, which is noted as the leading cause of disability.

Most common disorders

Anxiety disorders, Mood disorders, and Substance use disorders.

Anxiety Spectrum Disorders

A group of disorders including Panic Disorder, Phobic Disorders (Phobias), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A disorder related to and often comorbid with anxiety disorders, though not technically classified as one.

Panic attack

Acute symptoms developing over a few minutes, requiring intense distress and four or more symptoms such as heart palpitation, sweating, numbness, or depersonalization.

Panic Disorder (DSM criteria)

Repeated and unexpected attacks, fear of attacks, and avoidance lasting for a duration of $> 6$ months.

Dopamine (5-HT)

A biological factor and neurotransmitter associated with the genetic causes of Panic Disorder.

Conditioning (Panic Disorder)

A cause of disorder where an individual learns to expect attacks in specific contexts, and those expectations begin to trigger attacks.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A model proposing that most disorders result from the interaction of internal biological factors (predispositions) and external situational factors.

Diathesis

Internal, biological factors or predispositions, such as an inherited tendency or chronically low Dopamine.

Stress (Diathesis-Stress Model)

External, situational factors such as cocaine addiction or conditioning for particular situations.