AP Psychology Unit 12: Nuerocognitive/developmental & Depressive Disorders

neurocognitive disorders

acquired disorders marked by cognitive deficits

neurocognitive disorders symptoms

- executive functioning organization

- cognitive focus & attention

- language & social communication

- memory processing

- learning & problem solving

- perceptual-motor skills (jumping, tying shoes)

Delirium

- severe disruptions of consciousness

- disorganized thinking, inattentiveness, confusion

(ACUTE)

Dementia

- progressive intellectual decline with impaired memory & cognitive focus

- erratic mood swings, changes personality

(CHRONIC)

Alzheimer's disease

- irreversible brain disease caused by an abnormal buildup of proteins (lewy bodies) causing progressive damage to nueron cells

alzheimer's disease symptoms

memory loss, loss of recognition, mood swings, and trouble problem solving simple equations

Neurodevelopmental disorders

psychological disorders that most commonly develop in childhood

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

- persistent lack of focus & concentration that is inconsistent with the child's appropriate development age level

ADHD symptoms

- easily distracted (external & internal thoughts)

- cycles of hyperactivity & impulsivity

- poor organization, emotional regulation

- incompleted tasks/schoolwork

Persistent Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder

chronic display of one or more motor tic OR vocal tic

tic

compulsive, repetitive, vocalizations or body movements

motor tic

a tic involving physical behaviors such as eye blinking, facial grimacing, or head jerking

vocal tic

an audible tic, such as coughing, grunting, throat clearing, sniffling, or making sudden, vocal outbursts

Tourette's Disorder

chronic display of both motor & vocal tics for at least a year (affects 1% of the U.S. population)

autistic spectrum disorder

any of several disorders characterized by inadequate social skills, impaired communication, and unusual play

depressive disorders

a group of mood disorders characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.

depressive disorder primary biochemicals

serotonin, nonepinephrine

depressive disorder secondary biochemical

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

- childhood disorder with severe mood disorders & behavioral outburst

Major Depressive Disorder

- formerly known as Clinical Depression

emotional: sadness, *despair, anxiety, irritability

physical: headaches, muscle aches, G.I. tract discomfort

cognitive: intrusive thoughts, delusions, hallucinations

Major Depressive Disorder with Perinatal Onset

- formerly known as postpartum depression

- depression & anxiety experienced during pregnancy & after birth

- affects 8-10% of all mothers within the 1st year after giving birth

Acute psychosis with perinatal onset

- formerly known as postpartum psychosis

- extreme perceptual disruptions of reality following childbirth

- fear (obsessions) of self injury or injuring the baby

- delusions/hallucinations often induced by preexisting comorbidities

Major depressive disorder with Seasonal patterns

- formerly known as Seasonal Affective Disorder

- depressive cycles that correspond with the seasonal pattern (decreased availability of light)

persistent depressive disorder

- formerly known as Manic Depression

- **chronic, but low-level depression, lasting for at least 2 days

- symptoms & milder than MDD but are longer lasting