Introduction to Clinical Psychology: Diagnosis and Anxiety Disorders

These flashcards cover the key concepts and definitions related to clinical psychology, diagnosis procedures, and anxiety disorders as discussed in the lecture.

What is clinical significance in the context of clinical psychology?

Clinical significance refers to the severity of symptoms and whether they disrupt a person's daily functioning to the extent that professional intervention is warranted.

What is the distinction between clinical significance and the need for treatment?

Not all clients who seek therapy have a diagnosable mental illness, while some may have a diagnosis but don't exhibit an urgent need for treatment due to strong coping mechanisms or support systems.

What is a provisional diagnosis?

A provisional diagnosis is used when a client shows symptoms consistent with a diagnosis but does not yet meet the full criteria due to insufficient symptom duration.

What is DSM?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a standardized classification of mental disorders, providing structure, diagnostic criteria, and guidance for identification.

What is the difference between DSM-IV and DSM-5?

DSM-IV used a five axes approach to organize diagnostic information; DSM-5 consolidates this into a more streamlined format.

What are the five axes in the DSM-IV?

1. Axis I: Clinical Syndromes, 2. Axis II: Personality Disorders and Intellectual Disability, 3. Axis III: General Medical Conditions, 4. Axis IV: Psychosocial and Environmental Problems, 5. Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning.

How does comorbidity relate to anxiety disorders?

Comorbidity refers to the occurrence of anxiety and depression together, which is common in clients diagnosed with either disorder.

List the four components of anxiety.

1. Physiological: Sympathetic arousal, 2. Emotional: Sense of fear, 3. Cognitive: Preoccupation with threats, 4. Behavioral: Change in behavior to reduce risk or avoid discomfort.

What defines a panic attack?

A panic attack is a discrete episode of intense fear that escalates quickly within minutes and is followed by resolution.

What are expected and unexpected panic attacks?

Expected panic attacks are triggered by identifiable situations, while unexpected panic attacks occur without a clear trigger.

What is agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia involves intense anxiety about being in places where escape may be difficult, leading to avoidance and potentially being housebound.

What characterizes panic disorder?

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and ongoing concern about having additional attacks or changes in behavior to avoid them.

What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

GAD is a condition marked by persistent and excessive worry about various events or activities that the person finds difficult to control.

What are the key diagnostic criteria for GAD?

Symptoms need to persist for at least six months, and adults generally require at least three out of six specific symptoms.

What does the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale indicate?

The GAF scale summarizes a person's overall psychological functioning on a scale from 0 to 100, where lower scores suggest greater impairment.

What is meant by 'presenting problem' in clinical psychology?

The presenting problem is the primary symptom or issue that prompts the client to seek help.

What are severity specifiers used for in diagnosis?

Severity specifiers indicate the level of impact on daily functioning and can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.