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A comprehensive set of flashcards based on the lecture notes covering psychopathology, historical context, diagnosis, treatment, and various psychological disorders.

What is a psychological disorder?

A psychological dysfunction within an individual associated with distress or impairment in functioning and a response that is not typical or culturally expected.

What does psychological dysfunction involve?

A breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning.

What is distress or impairment in the context of psychological disorders?

Emotional, social, spiritual, or physical pain or suffering that must be extreme to satisfy the criteria for a psychological disorder.

What does it mean for behavior to be atypical or not culturally expected?

It indicates a deviation from the average, and cultural differences play a role in determining what is considered a disorder.

What is a phobia?

A psychological disorder characterized by marked and persistent fear of an object or situation.

What is a prototype in the context of psychological disorders?

A profile of a disorder to which a suspected disorder is compared.

What is the DSM-5?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, which describes psychological disorders as behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunctions that are unexpected in their cultural context.

What are the two models that guided historical conceptions of abnormal behavior?

The supernatural tradition and the biological model.

What does moral therapy refer to?

A psychosocial approach in the 19th century that involved treating patients as normally as possible.

What is mass hysteria?

Large-scale outbreaks of bizarre behavior often attributed to demonic possession.

How did Hippocrates influence the understanding of mental illness?

He suggested that psychological disorders should be treated like any other diseases and identified the brain as the center of wisdom.

What is humoral theory?

The idea that mental and physical health depended on a balance of four bodily fluids.

What were some ancient treatments for psychological disorders?

Treatments included bloodletting, rest, sleep, positive environments, and the use of herbal remedies.

What is the biological tradition in understanding psychopathology?

It focuses on biological causes of psychological disorders, such as genetics and brain pathology.

What does the integration of biological, psychological, and social factors suggest about mental disorders?

That they develop from multiple interacting causal factors rather than a single cause.

What is the significance of the diathesis-stress model?

It explains how genetic vulnerabilities interact with environmental stressors to trigger psychological disorders.

What does epigenetics study in terms of mental health?

Changes in gene expression caused by environmental factors without altering the DNA sequence.

What are the main types of anxiety disorders?

Panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and social anxiety disorder.

What characterizes generalized anxiety disorder?

Excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday events that lasts for six months or more.

What is a panic attack?

A sudden overwhelming reaction characterized by intense fear and physical symptoms.

What is agoraphobia?

Anxiety about being in places or situations where escape might be difficult in case of panic symptoms.

What is the difference between specific phobia and social anxiety disorder?

Specific phobia involves fear of a specific object or situation; social anxiety disorder involves fear of social situations.

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?

A disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

What are the symptoms of delusions in schizophrenia?

Irrational beliefs such as grandeur, persecution, and the belief that one has been replaced by an imposter (Capgras syndrome).

What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Symptoms that reflect excess or distortion of normal functions, such as hallucinations and delusions.

What characterizes negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Deficits in normal behavior such as flat affect, alogia, and avolition.

What is the role of dopamine in schizophrenia?

Excessive dopamine activity is linked to positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

What are common treatments for schizophrenia?

Antipsychotic medications and psychosocial interventions.

What is the general prognosis for individuals with schizophrenia?

Chronic condition with episodic relapses, generally poorer prognosis than many other disorders.

What is a common concern regarding deinstitutionalization?

It has led to increased rates of homelessness and transinstitutionalization.

What is the purpose of therapies targeting the underlying processes of change in mental disorders?

To achieve more effective and meaningful treatment outcomes.

What are common symptoms of anxiety sensitivity?

Distress in response to arousal-related sensations due to fears of harmful consequences.

What is the significance of a patient’s age in the clinical description of psychological disorders?

Children may experience and express symptoms differently than adults.

What is the difference between internal and external validity in research?

Internal validity assesses whether the study effectively demonstrates cause-and-effect, while external validity evaluates the generalizability of findings.