Psychological Disorders

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to psychological disorders, their diagnosis, prevalence, theoretical models, and specific disorders.

Psychological Disorders

Mental health conditions characterized by alterations in mood, thinking, and behavior.

Diagnosis

The process of identifying a psychological disorder based on observed behaviors and symptoms.

Abnormality

Behaviors or mental states that deviate significantly from the norm, typically assessed by deviance, dysfunction, and personal distress.

Dimensional Model

A perspective that views psychological disorders as extreme variations of normal behavior rather than discrete diseases.

DSM-5

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition; a widely used system for diagnosing mental disorders.

Prevalence Rates

Statistics that indicate how common a particular psychological disorder is within a specific population over a designated time period.

Diathesis-Stress Model

vulnerability + stress = higher chance of a disorder, but one alone usually isn’t enough.

Cognitive Theory of Depression

A model proposed by Aaron Beck suggesting that depression is influenced by distorted thinking patterns and cognitive errors.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

A range of developmental disorders characterized by difficulties with social interactions and repetitive behaviors.

Theory-of-Mind Hypothesis

The idea that children with ASDs struggle to understand others' mental states, which impairs social interaction.

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

An intervention method for children with ASDs that focuses on improving social and communicative skills through operant conditioning.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder marked by extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression).

Anxiety Disorders

A group of disorders characterized by intense and excessive fear or anxiety that is difficult to control.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A chronic condition characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A disorder characterized by unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.

Negative Affectivity

A personality trait characterized by the predisposition to experience negative emotions, such as distress and anxiety.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought, perception, emotional regulation, and social functioning.

Personality Disorders

Enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviate significantly from cultural expectations and cause distress.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

A personality disorder characterized by instability in moods, self-image, and relationships, often linked to impulsive behavior.