Unit 8 - Clinical Psychologist

Insanity Defense

Insanity Defense

A legal, law term that states that psychological factors are a main reason for one’s crimes

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

A book that psychologists refer to in order diagnose their patients with disorders. Has symptoms of everything that is psychological disorder

Anxiety disorders

General term for disorders with persistent uneasiness or maladaptive behaviors that increase uneasiness

Specific phobia

An anxiety disorder where a person is irrationally scared of an object, activity, or situation

Agoraphobia

A fear of open, public spaces and crowds, were one has no type of control of their surroundings; a type of anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder/Social Phobia

A mental health condition characterized by intense fear or anxiety about social situations where individuals may be scrutinized or judged by others.

Generalized anxiety disorder

A common mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry or anxiety about various aspects of life, such as work, relationships, health, or everyday situations. Individuals often find it difficult to control their worrying, and the anxiety is often disproportionate to the actual situation. Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating may also accompany the anxiety.

Panic disorder

A type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are sudden and intense episodes of fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes, accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a feeling of impending doom or losing control.

Somatic symptom disorder

A type of psychological disorder that takes a somatic (bodily) form without an identifiable physical cause

Conversion disorder

A type of somatic symptom disorder where a person experiences a very specific physical symptom that is not compatible with recognized medical or neurological conditions

Dissociative disorder

A rare psychological disorder where conscious awareness is separated from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings

Dissociative identity disorder

A complex mental health condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities within an individual. These identities may take control of the person's behavior and consciousness at different times, leading to memory gaps, identity confusion, and significant distress or impairment in functioning.

Depressive disorders

A general type of psychological disorder where one experiences extreme or inappropriate emotions of sadness, often at random times.

Major depressive disorder

A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities. Symptoms may also include changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide. To be diagnosed with this, these symptoms must be present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and they must significantly impair functioning. Can can occur at any age and often requires treatment with therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Seasonal affective disorder

A subtype of Major Depressive Disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of depression that occur at specific times of the year, typically during fall and winter when there is less natural sunlight. Symptoms may include low mood, lack of energy, oversleeping, overeating (especially carbohydrates), weight gain, and social withdrawal. Light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication are common treatments.

Bipolar disorder

A mood disorder characterized by fluctuations between periods of elevated mood (mania or hypomania) and periods of depression. Manic episodes involve abnormally elevated mood, increased energy levels, racing thoughts, and impulsive behavior. Depressive episodes are marked by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities. It can significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. Treatment typically involves mood-stabilizing medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle management strategies.

Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Behavioral Theory

A structured, time-limited psychotherapy approach that focuses on identifying and modifying distorted or unhelpful patterns of thinking and beliefs (cognitions) that contribute to emotional distress and problematic behaviors. Developed by psychologist Aaron Beck, this aims to help individuals become aware of their automatic thoughts, challenge irrational beliefs, and develop more adaptive ways of thinking and coping.

Learned helplessness

The state of mind where one realizes that they can’t do anything in their state and gives up; the cognitive theory that explains depressive disorders

Schizophrenic disorder

A chronic and severe mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior. Individuals with this may experience hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impairments in social and occupational functioning. Symptoms often emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood and can be chronic or episodic. The exact cause of it is unknown but is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. Treatment typically involves antipsychotic medications, therapy, and support services to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Delusions of persecution

The delusional idea that people are out to get you

Delusions of grandeur

The delusional idea that you have greater power than you actually do, a subset of schizophrenic disorders

Inappropriate or flat effect

Odd emotional responses to serious situations (ie: laughing or no emotion when reacting to news of death). Signs of a Schizophrenic Disorders

Catatonia

A motor issue for schizophrenic people move in weird motions. They may be motionless in odd positions, or randomly move jerkily

Waxy flexibility

Symptom of catatonia where people’s bodies show resistance to being moved

Dopamine hypothesis

The biological theory that high dopamine is associated with schizophrenia

Tardive dyskinesia

A side effect of antipsychotic drugs that are muscle tremors/random twitching and stiffness

Double bind

A situation where a person gives contradictory messages, which may lead to shcizophrenia

Diathesis-stress model

The interaction between predisposition vulnerability and environmental factors that may lead to a certain types of Schizophrenic disorder

Personality disorder

Umbrella term for well-established, maladaptive ways of behaving that negatively affect people’s ability to function

Antisocial personality disorder

A mental health condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. Individuals with this may engage in behaviors such as deceitfulness, impulsivity, aggression, and irresponsibility. They may disregard societal norms and rules, leading to legal problems and interpersonal conflicts.

Dependent personality disorder

A mental health condition characterized by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior. Individuals with this disorder often have difficulty making decisions, even routine ones, without reassurance or advice from others. They may have an intense fear of being alone and may go to great lengths to avoid separation from loved ones or caregivers

Paranoid personality disorder

A mental health condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of distrust and suspicion of others, leading individuals to be constantly on guard for perceived threats or betrayal. People with this disorder may interpret benign remarks or actions as being hostile or demeaning, and they often have difficulty forming close relationships due to their suspicion of others' motives. They may also be reluctant to confide in others or share personal information.

Narcissistic personality disorder

A mental health condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy for others. Individuals with this disorder have an inflated sense of self-importance and may exaggerate their achievements or talents. They often require excessive admiration and may exploit others to achieve their own goals.

Histrionic personality disorder

A mental health condition characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. Individuals with this disorder often crave attention and may engage in dramatic or exaggerated behaviors to attract it. They may have shallow or rapidly shifting emotions, and their relationships may be characterized by intense but unstable attachments.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

A mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental acts that individuals feel driven to perform.

Paraphilia or psychosexual disorder

Disorder where a person has a sexual attraction to object, a person, or activity not seen as sexual

Anorexia nervosa

An eating disorder where people obsess about their weight and what they eat, leading to people being underweight

Bulimia

A disorder where people binge eat, then stop eating for a while (purging).

Autism spectrum disorder

A complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges with social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. Symptoms typically appear in early childhood and vary widely in severity and presentation, forming a "spectrum." Individuals with this issue may have difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, understanding social cues, and forming relationships. They may also engage in repetitive behaviors, have intense interests, or display sensory sensitivities. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with this condition.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that significantly impair functioning or development. Symptoms typically emerge in childhood and can persist into adulthood. Inattention may manifest as difficulty sustaining attention, organizing tasks, or following through on instructions. Hyperactivity and impulsivity may include fidgeting, excessive talking, and difficulty waiting one's turn. Can can impact academic, social, and occupational functioning, but with appropriate support and interventions, individuals with this can lead fulfilling lives.

Martin Seligman

Psychologist who came up with learned helplessness, when a dog that couldn’t avoid shock accepted its fate the next time it was shocked but could escape

David Rosenhan’s Study

A landmark study conducted by a psychologist in 1973 to investigate the reliability of psychiatric diagnosis. Participants feigned auditory hallucinations to gain admission to psychiatric hospitals and were diagnosed with mental illnesses despite displaying no genuine symptoms. The study highlighted flaws in psychiatric diagnosis and raised awareness about the consequences of stigmatization in mental health care.

Disorder

A certain human condition that is considered harmful to oneself and disturbing to others, unusual, and irrational

Post-traumatic stress disorder

A disorder where haunting memories/nightmares that linger after a traumatic experience (ex: war or disaster)

Trephining

An ancient practice of putting holes in skulls in order to get of a certain disorder

Deinstitutionalization

The release from mental institutions that took place due to development of drugs

Prevention

The idea that if psychological problems can be treated proactively, the suffering of the client and the cost of care can be reduced

Psychotherapy

A method of therapy occupied by psychoanalytical, humanistic, behavioral, cognitive psychologists, where talking to a psychologist gets rid of the disorder

Psychoanalysis

A psychoanalytical therapeutic technique that releases repressed feelings and fixes unconscious conflicts for patients to gain self-insight.

Free association

A psychoanalytic technique used in therapy, particularly in psychodynamic therapy, where clients are encouraged to express their thoughts, feelings, and memories without censorship or judgment. The therapist may prompt the client with a word, phrase, or image, and the client responds with the first thing that comes to mind, allowing unconscious thoughts and emotions to emerge.

Dream analysis

A psychoanalysis theory that makes a patient say what they dreamt of, which reveals their true intentions in a relaxed state of mind

Manifest content

Within dream analysis, this is the portion that a patient reports to a psychologist, which is thought to be hiding a true meaning

Latent content

Within dream analysis, the true, hidden meaning of dream, which has to be uncovered by a therapist’s interpretive work

Transference

An event when a patient projects feels of others on therapists, leads to a technique to reveal the source of a problem

Insight therapies

An umbrella term for psychoanalytical and humanistic therapies that refers to when a patient gains understanding to their problems

Humanistic therapy

A type of therapy that focuses on people understanding and accepting themselves, for how they are

Carl Roger’s Client-centered therapy

A humanistic approach to psychotherapy developed by psychologist Carl Rogers. It emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the client's capacity for self-direction and growth. The therapist creates a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel accepted, understood, and empowered to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The therapist demonstrates empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness, allowing clients to develop greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-actualization.

Unconditional positive regard

A blanket acceptance and support of a patient regardless of what they say, a strategy employed by client-centered therapy (humanistic idea)

Active or reflective listening

Gestalt therapy

A type of therapy that emphasizes awareness, integration of mind and body, and personal responsibility for one's thoughts, feelings, and actions. In this therapy, therapists help clients become more aware of their present experiences, including thoughts, emotions, sensations, and behaviors, with a focus on the "here and now." The therapy process often involves exploring unresolved conflicts, unfinished business, and blocked emotions through techniques such as role-playing, empty-chair dialogue, and experiential exercises.

Existential therapies

A type of humanistic therapy desgined to help clients achieve meaningful perception of life, helps them feel like life is worthwhile

Systematic desensitization

Method to treat phobias. Teaches the client to replace feelings of anxiety with relaxation by being exposed to anxiety producing stimulus and relaxation the same time, developed by Joseph Wolfe. Steps involve teaching the client to relax, forming anxiety hierarchy, and moving up that hierarchy with real situations to slowly get rid of fears with counterconditioning

Anxiety hierarchy

A ranked list of a certain person’s biggest fears, used in systematic desensitization.

Flooding

Phobia treatment that introduces the most frightening scenario first so they can realize the irrationality of the fear

Aversive conditioning

A type of behavioral therapy technique that aims to modify unwanted behavior by associating it with an unpleasant stimulus. During this, individuals learn to avoid a behavior by experiencing a negative consequence whenever they engage in it. For example, someone trying to quit smoking might use aversive conditioning by pairing smoking with an unpleasant stimulus, such as a foul taste or smell.

Albert Ellis’s rational cognitive-behavioral therapy

A form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on identifying and challenging irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions that contribute to emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors. It helps individuals replace irrational beliefs with rational and adaptive ones through cognitive restructuring techniques. The therapy aims to teach clients to recognize and dispute irrational thoughts, develop more realistic and constructive beliefs, and change their emotional and behavioral responses accordingly.

Group therapy

Therapy conducted with groups instead of individuals, providing benefits from group interactions. Saves time, money, shows other people shares problems.

Somatic therapy

Therapy used by biological psychologists who use therapy that produces bodily change

Psychopharmacology

The study of the effects of drugs on the mind and behavior. It focuses on understanding how various medications, including psychiatric medications, affect neurotransmitter systems and brain function to alleviate symptoms of mental disorders.

Antipsychotic drugs/Neuroleptics

A class of drugs used to treat ____ symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking associated with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, reducing the activity of dopamine, and helping to alleviate symptoms.

Antidepressants

Drug used to treat _____ and other mood disorders by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. They help alleviate symptoms of depression, including low mood, lack of interest or pleasure, changes in appetite or sleep, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

Antianxiety drugs

Drugs used to treat ____ disorders and related conditions by reducing excessive feelings of worry, fear, or nervousness. They work by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which helps to calm the nervous system.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A medical procedure used to treat severe mental health conditions, particularly major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and sometimes schizophrenia, when other treatments have been ineffective or when rapid relief is needed. During this, a brief electrical current is passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a controlled seizure. The exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve changes in neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry.

It is considered safe and effective, with significant improvements in symptoms often seen after a course of treatments. However, it may be associated with temporary memory loss and other side effects, so it is only reserved for severe cases

Psychosurgery

A neurosurgical procedure used to treat severe and treatment-resistant mental disorders by selectively lesioning or ablating specific brain regions or neural pathways. It is rarely used today and only considered as a last resort for severe cases of conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or severe depression when other treatments have failed. Famously was the prefrontal lobotomy.

Psychiatrists

Psychologists with medical degrees that are the only ones who can prescribe medicine. Favor the biomedical model

Clinical psychologists

Psychologists with PhD level education that deal with the worst case patients, the most severe patients

Counseling psychologists

Graduate level degree holders that deal with less extreme patients

Psychoanalysts

Psychologists who only know and take the Freudian psychoanalysis approach.

Sigmund Freud

A psychologist who came up with psychoanalysis, a technique used as therapy

Carl Rogers

A humanistic psychologist who came up with client-centered therapy, used by humanists

B. F. Skinner

Inventor of operant conditioning, where reinforcement and punishment is used to modify an individual’s behavior.

Psychological Disorder

A general term for a pattern of behavior or psychological symptoms that cause significant personal distress, impairs the ability to function in 1 or more areas of life, or both.

Delirium

A sudden and fluctuating change in mental state characterized by confusion, disorientation, and impaired attention. It often occurs in response to a medical condition, drug intoxication, or withdrawal and is typically reversible once the underlying cause is addressed. This can manifest as disturbances in consciousness, cognition, perception, and behavior. It requires prompt medical evaluation and management to identify and treat the underlying cause and prevent complications.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss. It is the most common form of dementia and typically affects older adults, although early-onset cases can occur. It is is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in the brain, leading to the gradual loss of brain cells and disruption of neural pathways. Symptoms worsen over time, impairing memory, thinking, and behavior, ultimately impacting an individual's ability to perform daily tasks. Currently, there is no cure, but treatments and interventions can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Delusions

A false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary. These belief are typically a result of schizophernia and are typically implausible or irrational and are not shared by others within the person's culture or community. They can involve various themes, such as persecutory (belief of being targeted), grandiose (belief of having exceptional abilities), or paranoid (belief of being spied on).

Hallucinations

Perceptual experiences that occur in the absence of external stimuli. They can involve any of the five senses, but auditory _____ (hearing voices) are most common in conditions like schizophrenia. They may be vivid and seem real to the individual experiencing them, but they are not based on actual sensory input.

Cyclothymic Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by chronic fluctuations in mood involving numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms. These mood swings are less severe than those seen in Bipolar Disorder but are more persistent, lasting for at least two years in adults (one year in children and adolescents). Individuals with this condition may experience periods of elevated mood with increased energy and activity (hypomania) alternating with periods of low mood, sadness, or irritability (depression). Despite the milder symptoms, this can still impair daily functioning and may progress to Bipolar Disorder in some cases.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

A chronic form of depression lasting for at least two years in adults (one year in children and adolescents). Symptoms are milder than those of Major Depressive Disorder but persist for a longer duration. Individuals with this may experience low mood, feelings of hopelessness, poor appetite or overeating, fatigue, low self-esteem, and difficulty concentrating. Treatment typically involves therapy and sometimes medication to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by excessive focus on physical symptoms, such as pain or fatigue, that causes significant distress or impairment in functioning. Individuals with this disorder may have multiple and varied physical complaints, but medical evaluation often fails to identify a medical explanation for the symptoms.

Illness Anxiety Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by excessive worry or fear about having a serious illness, despite medical reassurance and absence of evidence for the illness. Individuals with this disorder may misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of a severe medical condition and often engage in frequent checking for signs of illness, seeking reassurance from medical professionals, or excessive health-related behaviors. The fear of illness causes significant distress and impairment in functioning.

Factitious Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by feigning or producing physical or psychological symptoms for the purpose of assuming the sick role and receiving medical attention or sympathy. Individuals with this disorder may intentionally induce illness or injury upon themselves or exaggerate existing symptoms.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by a persistent pattern of detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression. Individuals with this disorder prefer solitary activities and often appear aloof or indifferent to social cues and interpersonal interactions. They typically have few, if any, close relationships and may seem emotionally cold or detached. While they may function adequately in work or academic settings, they generally lack interest in forming meaningful connections with others.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. Individuals with this may be overly focused on details, rules, and lists, to the extent that it interferes with their ability to complete tasks efficiently. They often have rigid standards for themselves and others, leading to interpersonal conflicts and difficulty delegating tasks

Avoidant Personality Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection. Individuals with this often avoid social interactions and situations that involve interpersonal contact due to fear of embarrassment or rejection. They may perceive themselves as socially inept or inferior to others, leading to significant distress and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

Behavior Modification

A therapeutic approach based on the principles of operant conditioning, aiming to change or modify behaviors by systematically applying reinforcement or punishment techniques. It involves identifying target behaviors, setting specific goals, and implementing strategies to encourage desired behaviors while discouraging undesired ones.

Token Economy

A behavior modification technique used in various settings, such as schools, hospitals, and prisons, to promote desirable behaviors. In this idea, individuals are rewarded with points for engaging in target behaviors or meeting specific criteria. These points can be exchanged for privileges, goods, or other reinforcers. The tokens serve as a form of currency within the system, reinforcing desired behaviors and encouraging individuals to engage in them consistently.