Abnormal Psychology

Dorothea Dix

A 19th-century American advocate for the mentally ill who improved asylum conditions.

William Tuke

An English Quaker who founded the York Retreat in 1796 for humane care of the mentally ill.

Philippe Pinel

A French physician known for advocating humane treatment of mentally ill patients.

Clifford Beers

An American mental health advocate who authored 'A Mind That Found Itself'.

Benjamin Rush

A Founding Father who promoted the medical model of mental illnesses in the U.S.

Malleus Maleficarum

A 15th-century text justifying the persecution of suspected witches.

Pre-Greco-Roman Beliefs

Ancient beliefs attributing mental illness to divine punishment or possession.

Trephination

An ancient surgical practice of drilling a hole in the skull to treat mental illness.

The Four D’s of Abnormality

Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, Danger: criteria for defining abnormal behavior.

Definition of Abnormal Behavior

Behavior that deviates from societal norms and causes distress or dysfunction.

Freud’s Personality Structure

Id seeks gratification; Ego mediates; Superego reflects morality.

Humanistic Psychology

A perspective emphasizing self-actualization and individual experience.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

A natural response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A neutral stimulus that, after association, triggers a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a conditioned stimulus.

Behavioral Therapies and Techniques

Psychological treatments based on learning principles.

Indolamine Neurotransmitter

A class of neurotransmitters derived from tryptophan, like serotonin.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.

Phenotype

Observable traits of an individual.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual.

Cocaine as a Dopamine Agonist

Cocaine increases dopamine activity by inhibiting its reuptake.

Agonist

A substance that increases neurotransmitter activity.

Mesostriatal pathway

A dopamine pathway involved in regulating movement.

Amino Acid Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitter derived from amino acids, like glutamate.

‘S’ in DSM

Refers to a section in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

DSM-III-R

The revised edition of DSM published in 1987.

DSM-III

Published in 1980, marking a significant change in mental disorder classification.

MMPI

A psychological test that assesses personality and psychopathology.

Construct Validity

The extent to which a test measures its intended concept.

Test-Retest Reliability

The consistency of test results over time.

Rorschach inkblot test

A projective test assessing unconscious thoughts through inkblots.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

An intelligence test measuring cognitive abilities.

Neuropsychological Battery Example

Tests like the Halstead-Reitan used to assess brain function.

Standard Deviation of IQ Tests

Typically 15, with most scoring within 15 points of 100.

Minimum Symptoms for Panic Attack

At least 4: heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, etc.

Neurotransmitter Activity in Anxiety

Imbalances in GABA, serotonin, and norepinephrine link to anxiety disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Criteria

Excessive worry for at least 6 months, causing physical symptoms.

Benzodiazepines Target

Primarily target GABA to induce calm effects.

Panic Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

Recurrent panic attacks with concern about future attacks.

Cued Panic Attacks

Triggered by specific situations, distinct from other conditions.

Ataques de Nervios

A cultural syndrome in Latin America with distressing symptoms.

Interoceptive Conditioning

Bodily sensations become conditioned stimuli for panic attacks.

Cingulatomy

A surgical procedure for treatment-resistant OCD.

Compulsion Example

Excessive hand washing to reduce anxiety from obsessive thoughts.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Criteria

Preoccupation with serious illness despite few symptoms.

La Belle Indifference

Lack of concern about severe physical symptoms.

Malingering Definition

Production of false symptoms for external incentives.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another

Falsifying illness in another for attention.

Object Estrangement Experience

Feeling detached from one’s body or surroundings.

Dissociative Fugue

Unexpected travel and inability to recall important information.

Cyclothymia Diagnostic Criteria

Hypomania and mild depression for 2 years without bipolar criteria.

Bipolar I Disorder Features

At least one manic episode and possible depressive episodes.

Hypomania Without Depression

Elevated mood without meeting full manic episode criteria.

Duration for Manic Episode

At least 1 week or requires hospitalization.

Anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder

Loss of pleasure in enjoyable activities.

Persistent Depressive Disorder Alternate Name

Dysthymia, a chronic depression lasting at least 2 years.

Symptom Count for Persistent Depressive Disorder

At least 2 symptoms including low mood and energy.

Single Manic Episode Diagnosis

Bipolar I Disorder can be diagnosed with one manic episode.

REM Sleep and Depression

Depressed individuals have disrupted REM sleep patterns.

Imipramine Drug Class

Tricyclic antidepressant used to increase neurotransmitters in depression.

Wellbutrin

An NDRI for depression with unique side effects.

ECT and Severe Depression

Effective treatment for severe depression with psychotic features.

Operant Conditioning and Purging Behavior

Purging behaviors in eating disorders can be reinforced by relief.

Control Patterns in Anorexia vs. Bulimia

Anorexia shows extreme control, while bulimia shows loss of control.

Chemical Imbalances in Bulimia

Serotonin and dopamine imbalances are linked to bulimia nervosa.

Bingeing and Fasting Without Purging

Seen in binge-eating disorder without purging behaviors.

Weight Loss Requirement in Anorexia Diagnosis

Significant weight loss, typically 15% below expected body weight.

Effectiveness of Medication in Anorexia

Limited effectiveness; SSRIs help manage comorbid conditions.

Dyssomnia Definition

Sleep disorders affecting sleep quantity or quality.

Parasomnia Definition

Abnormal behaviors or experiences during sleep.

Biological Factor Linked to Insomnia

Dysregulation in melatonin or circadian rhythm disturbances.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive: airway blockage; Central: brain fails to signal breathing.

Sexual Masochism Disorder Criteria

Derives pleasure from being hurt or humiliated, causing distress.

Frotteuristic Disorder Behavior

Rubbing against non-consenting persons in public.

Orgasmic Reconditioning Treatment

Behavioral therapy associating arousal with non-deviant stimuli.

Exhibitionism vs. Non-Paraphilic Behavior

Exhibitionism involves exposing genitals for gratification.

Cyproterone Acetate Use

Medication to reduce sexual drive in paraphilic disorders.

Pedophilic Disorder Age Requirements

Individual must be at least 16 and attraction must be to children 5 years younger.

Medical Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Conditions like diabetes and heart disease contribute to dysfunction.

Squeeze Technique for Premature Ejaculation

Technique applying pressure to prevent early ejaculation.

Use of Dilators for Vaginismus

Technique to reduce fear of vaginal penetration.

Consensual Atypical Behavior vs. Diagnosable Disorder

Atypical behavior can be consensual; disorders involve distress.

Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase Function

Enzyme that converts acetaldehyde to acetate.

Analgesics Definition

Drugs that relieve pain, like opioids and NSAIDs.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Include anxiety, sweating, nausea, muscle pain, and cravings.

Synthetic Hallucinogen Example

LSD alters perceptions leading to hallucinations.

Psilocybin Function in Mushrooms

Active compound producing hallucinogenic effects.

DXM in Cough Medications

Cough suppressant that can cause dissociative effects when abused.

Cocaine Definition

A stimulant increasing dopamine in the brain.

Alcohol as a GABA Agonist

Enhances GABA action leading to calming effects.

Thiamine Deficiency in Alcohol Use

Can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Benzodiazepines Definition

Enhance GABA activity to reduce anxiety.

Histrionic Personality Disorder Definition

Characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Traits

Include grandiosity, lack of empathy, and need for admiration.

Schizoid Personality Disorder Description

Emotionally distant individuals who prefer solitude.

Schizoid vs. Schizotypal

Schizotypal involves odd beliefs and anxiety.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder vs. OCD

OCPD is about control and order, while OCD involves compulsive behaviors.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Individuals fear rejection, avoiding social situations.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Individuals overly rely on others for decisions.