Psychology Exam 2

suicide

Intentional-direct-conscious taking of one's own life

what number cause of death is suicide in the US

10th leading cause of death in U.S. (although actual rate 25-30% higher than recorded)

Of people contemplating suicide how many have mental health problem

90%

risk factors of suicide

Previous suicide attempts, substance abuse, hopelessness, shame, recent loss or significant trauma, relational conflict, seeking out access to lethal methods, family turmoil, or loved one death from suicide

common characteristics of suicide

1. Belief that things will never change and that suicide is the only solution.

2. Desire to escape from psychological pain and distressing thoughts and feelings.

3. Triggering events including intense interpersonal conflict and feelings of depression, hopelessness, guilt, anger, or shame.

4. Perceived inability to make progress toward goals or to solve problems; related feelings of failure, worthlessness, and hopelessness.

5. Ambivalence about suicide; there is a strong underlying desire to live.

6. Suicidal intent is communicated directly or indirectly through verbal or behavioral cues.

choice of methods for suicide

firearms, drug overdose, hanging/suffocation

strong correlation between suicide completetion and attempt and...

alcohol

what gender has the higher rate of suicide deaths

male

what gender has the higher rate of suicide attempts

females

what jobs have higher risks for suicide

Physicians (especially psychiatrists), law enforcement personnel, dentists at higher risks, in the military

how does marital status affect suicide risk

Married people lower risk than divorced or widowed people (men more vulnerable when spouse dies)

which countries have lower suicide rates

catholic and muslim countries

what nationality have the highest suicide rate in the US

native americans

what is the most frequent cause of deaths in prisons

suicide

when do suicide rates go down

during times of war and natural disasters, but up during economic stress

how does sexuality connect to suicide

Higher rates among LGBT populations

what percentage of those who committed suicide communicated intent within 3 months of acting on it

>2/3

assessment of suicide

looking at risk and protective factors

what 2nd leading cause of death among people ages 15-24

suicide

2nd leading cause of death among college students

suicide

connection between college students and suicide

50% reported suicidal thoughts; between 8-14% attempted suicide

bullying and suicide

Bully victims 2-9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims

who has the highest suicide rate of any age group

Elderly White males

most common suicide method for >65yo's

firearms

Three-step process for working with a potentially suicidal person

Need to know risk and protective factors for suicide

Determine probability that person will act on suicide wish (high, moderate, low)

Implement appropriate actions

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND MANIA/HYPOMANIA (mood)

depression - sadness emptiness and worthlessness, apathy, hopelessness

mania/hypomania- elevated mood, extreme confidence, grandiosity, irritability, hostility

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND MANIA/HYPOMANIA (cognitive)

depression - pessimism, guilt, difficulty concentrating, negative thinking, suicidal thoughts

mania/hypomania- disorientation, racing thoughts, decreased focus and attention, creativity, and poor judgements

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND MANIA/HYPOMANIA (behavioral)

depression - social withdrawal, crying, low energy, lowered productivity, agitation, poor hygiene

mania/hypomania- overactivity, rapid or incoherent speech, impulsivity, risk-taking behaviors

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND MANIA/HYPOMANIA (physiological)

depression - appetite and weight changes, sleep disturbance, aches and pain, loss of sex drive

mania/hypomania- high levels of arousal, decreased sleep, increased sex drive.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Psychological disorder involving a significant depressive episode and depressed characteristics, such as lethargy and hopelessness, for at least two weeks.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Moderate depression that persists for two years or more

MDD with seasonal pattern (seasonal affective disorder)

Major depression occurring with seasonal pattern of decreased light (fall-winter); at least 2 seasonal episodes for diagnosis

bipolar I

At least 1 manic episode (with/without history of major depression) Manic symptoms present most of day, nearly everyday for at least 1 week

bipolar II

At least 1 major depressive episode & at least 1 hypomanic episode

Cyclothymic disorder

Chronic & fluctuating mood disorder with hypomanic episodes and depressed moods - not meeting full criteria for manic episode nor major depressive episode (Symptoms at least 2 years; never symptom free for more than 2 months)

what are the gender differences in mood disorders

Women are more likely to develop mood disorders than men

unipolar mood disorder (depression)

Intense sadness, feelings of futility and worthlessness, loss of interest in normal activities, social withdrawal, etc.

bipolar mood (mania)

Elevated mood, expansiveness, or irritability - marked impairment in social and/or occupational functioning, potential loss of contact with reality

panic disorder

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks (episodes of intense fear & apprehension; feelings of impending doom

explanation and cause of mood disorder (biological)

Biological: Mood disorders may arise from genetic predispositions, neurotransmitter imbalances (e.g., serotonin, dopamine), and structural or functional brain abnormalities, contributing to emotional dysregulation.

explanation and cause of mood disorder (behavioral)

Behavioral: Learned behaviors, such as withdrawing from pleasurable activities or reinforcing negative habits, can perpetuate mood disorders like depression through maladaptive coping mechanisms.

explanation and cause of mood disorder (cognitive)

Cognitive: Dysfunctional thought patterns, such as pessimism, catastrophizing, and negative self-evaluations, contribute to mood disorders by fostering feelings of hopelessness and low self-worth.

explanation and cause of mood disorder (Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic)

Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic: Unresolved unconscious conflicts, repressed emotions, and early childhood experiences, particularly in attachment and loss, can manifest as mood disorders in adulthood.

explanation and cause of mood disorder (social)

Social: Stressful life events, poor interpersonal relationships, and lack of social support can trigger or exacerbate mood disorders by increasing feelings of isolation and stress.

explanation and cause of mood disorder (sociocultural)

Sociocultural: Cultural norms, economic stressors, discrimination, and societal expectations around emotional expression influence how mood disorders develop and are experienced across different groups.

What is anxiety?

Feelings of uneasiness or apprehension - anticipatory emotion

anxiety disorders

Unfounded fear or extreme/unrealistic/debilitating anxiety - significant distress and interferes with daily functioning

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)

Persistent high levels of anxiety; excessive worry over major/minor life circumstances (more persistent, but sx's less intense than Panic Disorder)

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

Intense fear of being scrutinized or doing something embarrassing in front of others

Agoraphobia

Intense fear of being in public places (at least 2 different situations) where escape/help might not be available (in extreme cases, fear of leaving home)

Specific phobia

Extreme fear of specific object or situation - produces intense anxiety or panic attack Types: Living creatures, environmental conditions, blood/injections or injury, situational factors

3 types of panic attacks

-situationally bound

-situationally predisposed

-unexpected or uncued

biological model of anxiety disorder

- over active fear circuitry

- abnormalities in neurotransmitters

- reduced serotonin

psychological model of anxiety disorder

- negative cognitive appraisal

- anxiety sensitivity

- conditioning experiences

- limited sense of control

social model of anxiety disorder

- daily environmental stress

- lack of social support

- stressful relationships

- severe childhood maltreatment

sociocultural model of anxiety disorder

- gender differences

- cultural factors

- acculturation conflicts

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions)

adjustment disorder

Difficulty coping with or adjusting to specific life stressor

acute stress disorder

An anxiety disorder in which fear and related symptoms are experienced soon after a traumatic event and last less than a month

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

an anxiety disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience

Mood disorder treatment

typically involves a combination of medications (such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers), psychotherapy (like cognitive-behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy), and lifestyle modifications, with some cases also benefiting from social support or addressing underlying sociocultural factors.

Anxiety disorder treatment

commonly treated through a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals challenge and change anxious thought patterns, and medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), along with stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness and relaxation exercises.

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anorexia nervosa

an eating disorder in which an irrational fear of weight gain leads people to starve themselves, binge and purge or restrict

bulimia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by episodes of overeating, usually of high-calorie foods, followed by vomiting, laxative use, fasting, or excessive exercise

binge eating disorder

significant binge-eating episodes, followed by distress, disgust, or guilt, but without the compensatory purging, fasting, or excessive exercise

social causes of eating disorders

- parental attitudes and behaviors

- parental comments regarding appearance

- weight concerned mothers

- history of being teased about size or weight

- peer pressure regarding weight/ eating

sociocultural causes of eating disorders

- social comparison

- media presenting distorted images

- cultural definitions of beauty

- objectification

what group are eating disorders more common amoung

women and girls

what culture is least likely to develop and eating disorder

african american women/girls

body image issues among men

Body dissatisfaction is increasing problem for boys/men - ↑ use of steroids

treatment for anorexia

back to safe weight, rehab, identify root and treat it

treatment for bulimia

identify conditions and attempt to reduce or eliminate episodes

treatment of eating disorders

identify underlying factors and treat them

causes of obesity

genetics and environment

Depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Stimulants

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

dissociative anesthetics

Class of drugs that reduce sensitivity to pain and produce feelings of detachment and dissociation; includes the club drugs phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine.

substance use disorder

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

DSM-5 substance use disorder

Differentiates disorders according to specific substances

Disorders involve maladaptive pattern of recurrent use, extending over period of at least 12 months

Significant impairment/distress

Continuous use despite social, occupational, psychological, and/or physical problems

Severity: Mild (2-3 symptoms), moderate (4-5 symptoms), severe (6 or more symptoms)

Prescription medications

Used to treat anxiety, insomnia, or pain (e.g., valium, oxycodone)

Legal substances

Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco/nicotine, marijuana*, household chemicals, etc.

Illegal substances

Methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, etc.

treatment of substance use disorder

detox and preventing relapse