Clinical Psychology: Paradigms, Anxiety, Mood, and Eating Disorders

These flashcards cover the key concepts from the lecture notes on biological paradigms, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, suicide, and eating disorders, including definitions, diagnostic criteria, and major psychological theories.

In behavior genetics, what is the difference between a genotype and a phenotype?

A genotype is the complete set of genetic material or specific allele pairings an organism inherits, while a phenotype is the dynamic, physical expression of those genes, such as observable traits or behavior.

How does behavioral theory define anxiety?

An unpleasant feeling of fear and apprehension accompanied by increased physiological arousal, serving as a drive that mediates between a threatening situation and avoidance behavior.

What are the two main components of anxiety described in the text?

The physiological component (bodily symptoms like shortness of breath or dry mouth) and the cognitive component (mental symptoms like worry and rumination).

How has the diagnosis of separation anxiety (SA) changed in the DSM-5?

It was previously only diagnosed in childhood, but the DSM-5 now includes an adult form for those who are cognitively preoccupied with losing contact with loved ones.

What defines a specific phobia (SP) compared to an intense fear?

A phobia involves unwarranted fear and avoidance that is out of proportion to actual danger and recognized as groundless; if the fear does not cause major distress or clinical impairment, it is technically an intense fear.

What are the five subtypes of specific phobias classified in the DSM-5?

Blood-injection-injury, Situations, Animals, Natural environment, and Other.

What are the three situational types feared by individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)?

Public speaking/performances, social interactions, and being observed in public.

What is selective mutism?

A type of anxiety comorbid with SAD in children, characterized by the failure to speak at school even though the child is able to speak at home.

What is the primary difference between avoidance conditioning and modelling in the acquisition of phobias?

Avoidance conditioning involves learning fear through direct classical and operant conditioning, while modelling involves learning fears through imitating the reactions of others.

What are the required criteria for a formal DSM-5 diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

The presence of at least five symptoms for at least two weeks, where one must be either depressed mood or loss of interest and pleasure.

What defines Bipolar 1 Disorder in the DSM-5?

The presence of episodes of mania or mixed episodes that include symptoms of both mania and depression.

What symptoms must be present for a formal diagnosis of a manic episode?

Elevated or irritable mood, persistently increased goal-directed activity, and at least $3$ additional symptoms (or $4$ if only irritable), such as racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and decreased need for sleep.

How is Bipolar 2 Disorder distinguished from Bipolar 1?

Bipolar 2 involves episodes of major depression with hypomanic episodes, rather than full-blown manic episodes.

What is the diagnosis criteria for cyclothymic disorder?

A person experiences periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms for at least half the time for at least $2$ years, with normal mood periods lasting no longer than two months.

What is Aaron Beck's cognitive triad in the context of depression?

A negative view of the self ("I am worthless"), the world ("Everything is unfair"), and the future ("Things will never get better").

Define the following cognitive distortions: Overgeneralization and Catastrophizing.

Overgeneralization is applying one negative event to everything; Catastrophizing is expecting the worst possible outcome.

In hopelessness theory, what three attributions increase the risk of depression after a negative event?

Internal ("It's my fault"), Stable ("It will always be this way"), and Global ("It affects every part of my life").

How do Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) function as antidepressants?

They prevent the enzyme monoamine oxidase from deactivating neurotransmitters, thereby increasing levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine in the synapse.

What is Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)?

A catch-all clinical condition used when diagnostic measures do not account for the diversity and variability of a patient's eating disorder symptoms.

How is Bulimia Nervosa (BN) defined in the DSM-5?

Episodes of rapid consumption of large amounts of food (binge eating) followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.

What is the 'thinspiration effect'?

A sense of being encouraged to lose weight by being influenced by depictions of idealized body types in the media.

According to Hilde Bruch, what is the core cause of Anorexia Nervosa?

An attempt by children raised to feel inadequate to gain competence and control, often resulting from a parenting style that imposes wishes without considering the child's needs.

What are the four family characteristics identified in the Family Systems Theory of eating disorders?

Enmeshment, overprotectiveness, rigidity, and lack of conflict resolution.

What is 'overfeeding syndrome' in the treatment of anorexia?

A medical complication where the body reacts negatively to a sudden influx of nutrients, causing electrolyte imbalances that can be dangerous.