Chp 14: Psychological Disorders

Deviance, Maladaptive behavior (dysfunction), distress

Criteria of Abnormal Behavior

generalized anxiety disorder

chronic, high level anxiety that is not tied to any specific threat

specific phobia

persistent and irrational fear of an object or situation that presents no realistic danger

panic disorder

recurrent attacks of overwhelming anxiety that usually occur suddenly and unexpectedly, caused by abonormalities in serotonin

agoraphobia

fear of going out in public places, tends to coexist with other disorders especially panic disorder

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

persistent, uncontrollable intrusions of unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and urges to engage in senseless rituals (compulsions), associated with abnormalities in serotonin

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

psychological disturbances attributed to experiencing a major traumatic event

Martin Seligman (positive psychology)

people are biologically prepared to acquire some fears easier than others

dissociative amnesia

sudden loss of memory for important personal information that is too extensive to be normal forgetting

dissociative identity disorder (DID)

the experience of two or more complete and different personalities, personalities unaware of each other

major depressive disorder

persistent feeings of sadness, despair, and a loss of interest in previous sources of pleasure

anhedonia

diminished ability to experience pleasure

bipolar disorder

at least one manic episode, down mood not required for diagnosis but usually accompanied by depressed period

learned helplessness

passive giving up behavior produced by exposure to unavoidable aversive events, studied by Martin Seligman

schizophrenia

delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech, deteroriation of adaptive behavior, associated with excess dopamine activity

positive symptoms

behavioral excesses: hallucinations, delusions

negative symptoms

behavioral deficits: social withdrawl, apathy, poor grooming

autism

deficits in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repitive interests/activities

echolalia

repition of others’ words

antisocial personality disorder

impulsive, callous, manipulative behavior, reject widely accepted social norms

borderline personality disorder

instability in social relationships, self-image, and emotional functioning

narcissistic personality disorder

grandiose self-importance, entitlement, excessive need for attention and admiration

anorexia nervosa

fear of gaining weight, disturbed body image, dangerous measures to lose weight, restricting type and binge-eating/purging type

bulimia nervosa

binge-eating then unhealthy compensatory efforts (vomiting, laxatives, exercise), usually mantains normal weight

binge-eating disorder

binges not accompanied by purging