Abnormal Psychology: Disorders, Etiology, Diagnosis & Treatment

Internalizing Disorders

Emotional-based symptoms, often ignored or overlooked.

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Difficulty trusting adults due to abuse/neglect.

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)

Overly trusting and attached to strangers.

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

Self-harm without suicidal intent, common in adolescents.

Depression

Often presents as irritability in children.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

Persistent irritability in children aged 6-10.

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Rapid mood shifts, more common in adolescence.

Externalizing Disorders

Behavioral-based symptoms, often more noticeable than internalizing disorders.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Persistent defiance toward adults and authority figures.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)

Intense, short-lived outbursts of aggression.

Conduct Disorder (CD)

Severe behaviors like violence, bullying, cruelty to animals, and disregard for consequences.

Biological Factors in Disorders

Dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala.

Spillover Effect

Aggression directed at children due to stress or violence in the home.

SafeCare Colorado

In-home parenting program teaching nurturing and non-violent discipline.

Importance of Early Intervention

Preventing the progression of disorders like conduct disorder into antisocial personality disorder.

Personality Disorders

Patterns of inflexible and pervasive behavior that deviate from cultural expectations and cause distress or impairment.

Cluster A Disorders

Odd or eccentric behaviors (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal).

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Key traits: Distrust, suspicion, rigid thinking, and pushing others away.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Key traits: Lack of desire for relationships, emotional coldness, and preference for solitude.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Key traits: Magical thinking, odd beliefs, illusions/hallucinations, and eccentric behavior.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Key traits: Disregard for societal norms, lack of remorse, manipulative behavior, and impulsivity.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Key traits: Emotional instability, fear of abandonment, impulsivity, and self-injurious behavior.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Key traits: Excessive attention-seeking, dramatic behavior, and emotionality.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Key traits: Grandiosity, need for admiration, fragile ego, and lack of empathy.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Key traits: Fear of rejection, social avoidance, and distress over lack of relationships.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Key traits: Excessive reliance on others, fear of abandonment, and difficulty making decisions.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Key traits: Perfectionism, need for control, and preoccupation with orderliness.

Etiology of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Biological factors: Dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system (fear circuitry).

Jim Jones

Example of Narcisism

Ted Bundy

Example of Antisocial Personality Disorder, Psychopath

Ted Kaczynski

Example of Schizoid Personality Disorder

Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

A disorder characterized by a lack of sexual desire in males.

Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder

A disorder characterized by a lack of sexual interest or arousal in females.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Treatment involving hormones like testosterone or estrogen.

Paraphilic Disorders

Sexual interest involving non-normative targets causing distress.

Fetishistic Disorder

Sexual attraction to inanimate objects.

Transvestic Disorder

Sexual gratification from dressing in clothes of the opposite gender.

Frotteuristic Disorder

Sexual gratification from rubbing against non-consenting individuals.

Neurocognitive Disorders

Disorders involving temporary or permanent brain dysfunction.

Delirium

Acute, temporary brain dysfunction often caused by substance abuse or severe illness.

Concussion

The most common TBI, caused by a blow to the head.

Stroke

Loss of blood flow to the brain causing brain dysfunction.

Korsakoff Syndrome

Neurocognitive disorder caused by chronic alcohol abuse.

Delusions

False beliefs that are strongly held despite evidence to the contrary.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences without external stimuli, especially auditory hallucinations.

Disorganized thinking

Cognitive slippage and loosening of associations.

Psychomotor abnormalities

Includes behaviors like catatonia and withdrawn catatonia.

Avolition

Loss of goal-directed behavior.

Alogia

Reduced speech output.

Anhedonia

Loss of interest in pleasurable activities.

Diagnostic Criteria for Schizophrenia

At least 2 symptoms (positive or negative), symptoms must persist for 6 months or more, and deterioration in functioning over time.

Prodromal Phase

Early signs of schizophrenia, often negative symptoms mistaken for depression.

Active Phase

Full-blown symptoms, including both positive and negative symptoms.

Residual Phase

Symptoms lessen but do not disappear entirely.

Brain Dysfunction

Includes prefrontal cortex issues, enlarged ventricles, and dopamine dysregulation.

Endophenotypic Traits

Early signs like eye-tracking difficulties.

Expressed Emotion

Dysfunctional family communication characterized by hostility and criticism.

First-Generation Antipsychotics

Medications that reduce dopamine levels and treat positive symptoms.

Second-Generation Antipsychotics

Medications that address both dopamine and serotonin, treating positive and negative symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Psychotherapy aimed at addressing negative symptoms and maladaptive thinking.

Delusional Disorder

Presence of delusions without other schizophrenia symptoms.

Brief Psychotic Disorder

Symptoms last 1 day to 1 month with no transition to schizophrenia.

Schizophreniform Disorder

Symptoms last 1 to 6 months and often serve as a precursor to schizophrenia.

Schizoaffective Disorder

Combination of schizophrenia symptoms and a mood disorder.

Psychosis

A state involving delusions and hallucinations.

Dopamine Hypothesis

Elevated dopamine levels are linked to psychotic symptoms.

Suicide

Definition and significance in mental health; currently under investigation for DSM-6.

Psychological Autopsy

Post-mortem psychological examination to gather data about an individual's mental state before suicide.

Suicidal Ideation

Serious thoughts about committing suicide, with 10-11 million adults reporting it annually.

Protective Factors

Social connections, religious affiliation, and purpose in life that can reduce suicide risk.

Copycat Effect

Influence of media portrayals of suicide leading to increased searches and higher suicide rates.

Alcohol-Induced Myopia

Short-sighted focus on immediate problems due to alcohol use, impairing judgment and increasing impulsivity.

Psychoactive substance

A substance that changes mood, thinking, perception, or another psychological state.

Substance use disorder (SUD)

A pattern causing significant impairment or distress; at least 2 of 11 symptoms within 12 months.

Mild SUD severity

2-3 symptoms.

Moderate SUD severity

4-5 symptoms.

Severe SUD severity

6 or more symptoms.

SUD symptom: unintended use

Using more of a substance than intended.

SUD symptom: cutting down

Unsuccessful attempts to cut down substance use.

SUD symptom: neglected responsibilities

Neglecting responsibilities because of substance use.

SUD symptom: hazardous use

Using substances in hazardous situations.

SUD symptom: continued use despite harm

Continuing substance use despite harm.

Depressants

Substances that slow central nervous system activity; examples include alcohol and sedatives.

Opioids

Pain-relieving substances that depress the central nervous system and can cause euphoria and drowsiness.

Stimulants

Substances that increase central nervous system activity and alertness, such as caffeine and cocaine.

Hallucinogens

Substances that alter sensory perception and can cause hallucinations.

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD)

Distressing perceptual disturbances recur after hallucinogen use ends, sometimes weeks or years later.

Delirium tremens (DTs)

A severe, potentially life-threatening form of alcohol withdrawal.

Behavioral undercontrol

A tendency toward impulsivity, rebelliousness, and risk-taking.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change its structure and function in response to experience.

Contingency management

Providing rewards for meeting a treatment goal, such as a substance-free drug test.

Motivational enhancement therapy

Helps resolve mixed feelings about change and strengthens personal motivation to change substance use.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Childhood- or adolescent-onset conditions involving impaired brain or central nervous system functioning.

Neurodevelopmental Disorder Effects

Can affect thinking, behavior, social interactions, and daily functioning.

Tic Disorder Onset

Often begins between ages 5 and 9 and peaks in early adolescence.

Tic Disorder Etiology

Primarily genetic and physiological, unlike stress-induced conversion disorders.

Tics in Adulthood

Often decrease in frequency and severity but may not disappear.

Tourette's Syndrome

A tic disorder involving multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic.

Tic Management

Stress management techniques may reduce tic frequency and severity.

ADHD Diagnosis Age

Often diagnosed at ages 5-6, when formal education makes difficulties apparent.