Psychological Disorders Exam 2

What are the DSM-5 criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Excessive anxiety or worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months about multiple events or activities. Must include at least 3 of: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance.

What distinguishes fear from anxiety?

Fear is an immediate reaction to a present threat; anxiety is anticipation of a future threat.

What treatments are effective for Generalized Anxiety Disorder ?

CBT and SSRIs/SNRIs are both effective; relaxation training and mindfulness may also help.

Define a Panic Attack and its key symptoms.

Sudden episode of intense fear reaching a peak within 10 minutes; includes symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, choking sensations, dizziness, chills, or fear of dying.

How is Panic Disorder diagnosed?

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks followed by at least 1 month of concern about additional attacks or behavioral changes.

Describe the learning theories behind Specific Phobias.

Acquired through classical conditioning or observational learning (modeling).

What therapies are used for Specific Phobias?

Exposure therapy and CBT are most effective; systematic desensitization is often used.

What causes Social Anxiety Disorder?

Conditioning, genetic predisposition (behavioral inhibition), and early negative social experiences like bullying.

What are treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder?

SSRIs (Zoloft, Paxil), CBT, and exposure-based therapy.

Selective Mutism?

Inability to speak in certain situations despite normal speech in others; lasts ≥1 month and linked to social anxiety.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Excessive distress about separation from attachment figures (≥4 weeks in children, ≥6 months in adults).

Obsessions in OCD?

Intrusive thoughts causing significant anxiety.

Compulsions in OCD?

Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety.

How does OCD develop?

Through classical and operant conditioning fear response to intrusive thoughts becomes reinforced through compulsive behaviors.

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?

Preoccupation with imagined defects in appearance, leading to repetitive checking or cosmetic procedures. Often comorbid with OCD or depression.

What are the features of Hoarding Disorder?

Persistent difficulty discarding items regardless of value, causing clutter, distress, and social impairment.

Define Trichotillomania Disorder

Recurrent pulling of one's hair

Define Excoriation Disorder

Repetitive skin picking causing injury

What are the diagnostic criteria for PTSD?

Exposure to trauma (directly or indirectly), intrusive memories/flashbacks, avoidance, negative mood changes, and hyperarousal lasting >1 month.

How does Acute Stress Disorder differ from PTSD?

Symptoms last 3 days to 1 month; if longer, diagnosis changes to PTSD.

Define Adjustment Disorder

Emotional or behavioral response to an identifiable stressor within 3 months that causes impairment but doesn't meet criteria for another disorder.

What is Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Inhibited emotional withdrawal from caregivers due to neglect.

What is Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)

Disinhibited behavior with unfamiliar adults.

What are key treatments for OCD

SSRIs, CBT, exposure and response prevention (ERP), habit reversal training.

What are key treatments for PTSD?

CBT, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Virtual Reality Therapy, and sometimes SSRIs.

What are the core symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

Depressed mood or loss of interest plus ≥4 of: weight/appetite change, sleep issues, fatigue, guilt/worthlessness, concentration problems, or suicidal thoughts for ≥2 weeks.

Name subtypes of Major Depressive Disorder

Anxious distress, mixed features, melancholic, atypical, psychotic, catatonic, seasonal pattern, peripartum onset.

What is Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Chronic depression lasting ≥2 years (≥1 year in youth) with at least two depressive symptoms.

Define Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

Severe temper outbursts and chronic irritability in children (onset before 10)

Define Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Severe irritability, mood swings, and depression in the luteal phase of menstruation that resolve after onset.

Bipolar I

At least one full manic episode.

Bipolar II

Hypomanic episodes + major depression, no full mania

What is Cyclothymic Disorder

At least 2 years of fluctuating hypomanic and depressive symptoms not meeting criteria for full episodes.

What biological factors contribute to mood disorders?

Genetic predisposition, serotonin/norepinephrine imbalance, high cortisol levels.

What are common treatments for depression

SSRIs/SNRIs, CBT, ECT, TMS.

What are common treatments for bipolar disorder?

Lithium, mood stabilizers, psychotherapy.

What are suicide risk factors in mood disorders?

Substance abuse, prior attempts, lack of social support, access to means, and comorbid anxiety

What is Somatic Symptom Disorder?

Excessive thoughts, anxiety, or behaviors about physical symptoms lasting at least 6 months; symptoms cause distress but lack medical explanation.

How does Illness Anxiety Disorder differ?

Focus on fear of having an illness without significant physical symptoms; may be care-seeking or care-avoidant.

What is Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (Conversion Disorder)

Neurological-like symptoms (paralysis, blindness, seizures) with no medical cause, often linked to psychological stress.

Define Factitious Disorder

Self falsifying illness for psychological attention (Munchausen)

Define Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another

Proxy inducing illness in another person for attention or sympathy.

What is Dissociative Amnesia

Inability to recall personal info following trauma, not due to substance or medical condition.

What is Dissociative Fugue?

Sudden travel or wandering with amnesia for identity and past.

Define Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Recurrent detachment from self (depersonalization) or surroundings (derealization) while reality testing remains intact.

Define Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

Two or more distinct identities recurrently take control, with memory gaps and distress.

What are the primary treatments for somatic and dissociative disorders?

Long-term psychotherapy, CBT, DBT, EMDR, and sometimes hypnosis or stress-management therapy.