Unit 9 - Abnormal Psychology

Clinical Psychology

The branch of psychology focused on assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental disorders.

Psychological Disorder

A syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation or behavior.

Medical Model

The concept that psychological disorders have physical causes that can be diagnosed and treated.

Biopsychosocial Model

Assumes biological, psychological and sociocultural factors combine to interact causing psychological disorders.

Epigenetics

The study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Genetic vulnerability combined with environmental stress leading to a disorder.

DSM-5-TR

A classification system that lists disorders and symptoms but does not explain causes or cures.

ICD-11

A global system maintained by the WHO for classifying diseases and health conditions.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

CNS abnormalities beginning in childhood that alter thinking and behavior.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Characterized by impaired communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Marked by extreme inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Anxiety Disorders

A group of conditions involving persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Continuous tension and apprehension for 6+ months.

Panic Disorder

Minutes-long episodes of intense terror with physical symptoms.

Phobias

Irrational fears causing avoidance.

Agoraphobia

Fear and avoidance of situations where escape feels difficult.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of social situations leading to avoidance.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Persistent unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors.

Hoarding Disorder

Difficulty discarding possessions due to perceived need to save them.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety following trauma.

Somatoform Disorders

Psychological problems expressed as physical symptoms.

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Formerly hypochondriasis; misinterpreting minor symptoms as serious illness.

Conversion Disorder

Neurological-like symptoms without a medical cause.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Presence of two or more distinct identities controlling behavior.

Dissociative Amnesia/Fugue

Memory loss that can't be explained by a medical condition, often with travel and new identity.

Depressive Disorders

Enduring sad, empty, or irritable mood impairing functioning.

Major Depressive Disorder

Two weeks of symptoms including lethargy, worthlessness, and loss of interest.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation; low levels linked to depression.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Mild depression lasting at least two years.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Depression during winter due to reduced sunlight.

Bipolar Disorders

Alternating periods of depression and mania.

Bipolar I

Includes full manic episodes.

Mania

Abnormally upbeat mood, increased activity, decreased need for sleep.

Bipolar II

Hypomania combined with severe depression.

Hypomania

A milder form of mania.

Personality Disorders

Enduring patterns of behavior that deviate markedly from cultural expectations.

Cluster A

Personality disorders characterized as odd or eccentric.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Suspiciousness and distrust of others.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Social detachment and limited emotional expression.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Intense social discomfort and distorted cognitions.

Cluster B

Personality disorders characterized as dramatic or emotional.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Lack of empathy and disregard for others' rights.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Need to be the center of attention, often dramatic.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Grandiosity and need for admiration.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Emotional instability and impulsivity.

Cluster C

Personality disorders characterized as anxious or fearful.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Social inhibition and feelings of inadequacy.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Excessive need to be taken care of.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Fixation on order and control.

Psychotic Disorders

Loss of contact with reality; distorted perceptions.

Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorder

Includes schizophrenia with symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.

Delusions

False beliefs, such as persecution or grandeur.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences without sensory input.

Catatonia

Motor disturbances including immobility or excessive movement.

Disorganized Thinking

Fragmented and bizarre thoughts.

Positive Symptoms

Symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.

Negative Symptoms

Symptoms like flat affect and lack of speech.

Dopamine Hypothesis

Schizophrenia involves too much dopamine activity.

Prenatal Viruses

Viral infections during pregnancy that increase schizophrenia risk.

Anorexia Nervosa

Starvation despite being underweight and distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors.

Psychotherapy

Talk-based treatment for mental health issues.

Biomedical Therapy

Treatment involving medication or medical procedures.

Eclectic Approach

Using multiple therapeutic techniques according to client needs.

Psychoanalysis

A therapy based on uncovering unconscious conflicts through techniques like free association and dream interpretation.

Free Association

A technique where the patient says whatever comes to mind to reveal unconscious material.

Dream Analysis

Interpreting dreams to uncover unconscious desires or conflicts.

Resistance

When a patient blocks anxiety-laden thoughts from consciousness.

Transference

Redirecting feelings from earlier relationships onto the therapist.

Psychodynamic Therapy

A modern form of psychoanalysis focusing on unconscious forces and childhood experiences.

Humanistic Perspective

Focuses on growth, self-actualization, and personal potential.

Client-Centered Therapy

Carl Rogers’ nondirective therapy emphasizing acceptance and empathy.

Active Listening

Echoing, restating, and clarifying what the client says.

Unconditional Positive Regard

A caring, nonjudgmental attitude that fosters self-acceptance.

Behavioral Perspective

Views maladaptive behaviors as the problem and focuses on changing them.

Counterconditioning

Using classical conditioning to create new responses to unwanted stimuli.

Exposure Therapies

Exposing people to feared stimuli to reduce anxiety.

Systematic Desensitization

Gradually pairing relaxation with increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli.

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Using electronic simulations to expose clients to fears.

Flooding

Immediate, intense exposure to the feared stimulus.

Aversive Conditioning

Pairing an unpleasant state with an unwanted behavior.

Operant Conditioning

Learning through rewards and punishments.

Token Economy

Rewarding desired behaviors with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges.

Maladaptive Thoughts

Faulty or irrational thinking patterns that lead to emotional distress.

Negative Cognitive Triad

Three negative beliefs about oneself, the world, and the future.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Combines cognitive restructuring with behavior change.

Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

A confrontational therapy challenging irrational beliefs.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Therapy for intense emotions combining acceptance and change.

Sociocultural Perspective

Explains behavior through social, cultural, and environmental influences.

Biological Perspective

Explains disorders through brain structure, neurotransmitters, and genetics.

Evolutionary Perspective

Explains behavior through adaptation and survival mechanisms.

Family Therapy

Treats the family as a system; problems are viewed as relational.

Group Therapy

Therapy conducted with groups to save time and provide social support.

Psychoactive Medications

Medications that alter psychological functioning.

Antipsychotic Drugs

Reduce symptoms of psychosis by blocking dopamine.

Tardive Dyskinesia

Involuntary facial movements caused by long-term antipsychotic use.

Antianxiety Drugs

Depress CNS activity to reduce anxiety.

Antidepressants

Increase serotonin or norepinephrine to elevate mood.

Mood Stabilizers / Lithium

Reduces severity of mania and helps prevent bipolar depression.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electric stimulation used for severe depression unresponsive to drugs.