Lecture Notes on Psychological Disorders

Flashcards about Anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and Mood Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to alleviate distress.

Obsessions in OCD

Persistent, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges, such as fears of contamination or harming others.

Compulsions in OCD

Repetitive behaviors or rituals performed to reduce anxiety from obsessions, such as excessive cleaning or checking.

Impact of OCD on Daily Life

Significant interference with daily life, relationships, or responsibilities due to time spent on compulsions or anxiety from obsessions.

Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders

Symptoms such as hypervigilance, flashbacks, emotional detachment, hostility, and insomnia.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, characterized by intense, persistent distress and intrusive memories.

Intrusion Symptoms of PTSD

Recurrent, involuntary memories, nightmares, or flashbacks of the traumatic event.

Avoidance Symptoms of PTSD

Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or situations that remind the person of the trauma.

Negative Changes in Mood and Cognition Associated with PTSD

Difficulty recalling aspects of the event, feelings of guilt or shame, persistent negative beliefs, or detachment from others.

Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms of PTSD

Hypervigilance, irritability, difficulty sleeping, exaggerated startle response, or self-destructive behavior.

Specific Phobia

An intense, irrational fear of specific objects, activities, or situations.

Signs and Symptoms of Specific Phobia

Avoidance of the phobic stimulus, sweating, trembling, and panic attacks.

Agoraphobia

Anxiety about being in situations where escape is difficult or help may not be available during a panic attack.

Signs and Symptoms of Agoraphobia

Avoidance of crowded spaces, public transportation, or being alone outside the home.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with intense fear and physical symptoms such as chest pain or dizziness.

Signs and Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Sudden onset of intense fear, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and feelings of impending doom.

Social Anxiety Disorder

A persistent fear of social situations where the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others.

Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

Fear of embarrassment, avoiding social interactions, and physical symptoms like blushing or sweating.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday life situations for at least six months.

Signs and Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.

Potential Causes of Anxiety Disorders

Learned associations, maladaptive thinking, emotional responses, and biological/genetic factors.

Potential Causes of OCD

Learned associations, maladaptive thinking, emotional responses, and biological/genetic factors.

How Conditioning, Cognition, and Biology Contribute to Anxiety Disorders

Conditioning involves learned responses to fear, cognition includes maladaptive thought patterns, and biology refers to genetic predispositions and brain chemistry.

Key Features of Specific Phobia

An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation, with physical symptoms like dizziness and a racing heart when thinking about or encountering the fear stimulus.

Key Features of Agoraphobia

Fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, such as crowded or open spaces, leading to avoidance behavior.

Key Features of Panic Disorder

Recurrent panic attacks characterized by sudden episodes of intense fear with physical symptoms like a racing heart and trouble breathing, leading to avoidance of triggering situations.

What Characterizes Social Anxiety Disorder

Persistent fear of social situations due to fear of embarrassment or negative judgment, often resulting in avoidance behaviors such as not participating in class.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life for at least six months, including symptoms like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness.

What Defines Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Involves obsessions (fear of 'something bad' happening) and compulsions (repeated checking and organizing) aimed at reducing anxiety.

Key Features of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Intrusive memories or nightmares related to a traumatic event, avoidance of triggers, and hypervigilance.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by prolonged periods of sadness or loss of interest, with symptoms including depressed mood, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and recurrent thoughts of death.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

A chronic form of depression lasting for two years or more, with less severe but more consistent symptoms such as low energy, low self-esteem, and feelings of hopelessness.

What Distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder

Characterized by at least one manic episode, with or without depressive episodes, where manic episodes last at least one week and include symptoms like decreased need for sleep and grandiosity.

What Defines Bipolar II Disorder

Involves at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, without full-blown mania, with hypomania lasting at least four days.

Mania in the Context of Mood Disorders

A state of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least one week, often accompanied by heightened energy and activity levels.

Difference Between Depressive Disorders and Bipolar Disorders

Depressive disorders are characterized by persistent low mood without manic episodes, while bipolar disorders involve mood swings between depressive and manic/hypomanic episodes.

Common Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

Depressed mood, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, changes in appetite or sleep, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death.

Symptoms of Bipolar I Disorder

Manic episodes lasting at least one week with elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, risky behaviors, and may include depressive episodes.

Symptoms of Bipolar II Disorder

Hypomania lasting at least four days with elevated mood and energy, alongside major depressive episodes similar to Major Depressive Disorder.

How Genetic Factors Influence Depressive and Bipolar Disorders

Genetic predisposition plays a significant role, with family and twin studies showing higher concordance rates in identical twins and specific genes associated with vulnerability.

Signs of Persistent Depressive Disorder

Depressed mood for most of the day, low energy, low self-esteem, poor appetite or overeating, and feelings of hopelessness.

Role of Avoidance Behaviors in Social Anxiety Disorder

Avoidance behaviors, such as not participating in social situations, are common due to the persistent fear of embarrassment or negative judgment.

Common Symptom of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Excessive and uncontrollable worry about various life aspects, often accompanied by fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

Significance of Intrusive Memories in PTSD

Intrusive memories or nightmares related to a traumatic event are key features of PTSD, leading to avoidance of triggers.

Impact of Biological Factors on Mood Disorders

Biological factors, including genetic predisposition and specific genes regulating serotonin or dopamine, significantly influence the development of depressive and bipolar disorders.

Signs of a Manic Episode

Signs include an elevated or irritable mood lasting at least one week, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, and risky behaviors.

How Duration of Symptoms Differ Between Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder involves episodes lasting at least two weeks, while Persistent Depressive Disorder lasts for two years or more.

Relationship Between Depressive Episodes and Bipolar Disorders

Bipolar Disorders include both depressive episodes and manic/hypomanic episodes, differentiating them from unipolar depressive disorders.

Specific Genes Associated with Vulnerability to Mood Disorders

Genes regulating serotonin and dopamine.

Structural Brain Differences Observed in Individuals with Depression

Reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus; increased activity in the amygdala.

How Bipolar Disorder Affects Brain Structure During Episodes

Alterations in the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and reward systems during manic and depressive episodes.

Neurotransmitters Linked to Mood Regulation

Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

How Diet Influences Mood Disorders

Deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and iron are linked to higher rates of depression; poor dietary patterns can worsen symptoms.

Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Depression is more common in women due to societal expectations, hormonal differences, and greater rumination; bipolar disorder occurs equally in men and women.

Cycle of Depression and its Cognitive Patterns

Negative thoughts lead to reduced motivation and social withdrawal, reinforcing feelings of sadness; learned helplessness contributes to persistent symptoms.

How Behavioral Factors Influence Mood Disorders

Lack of positive reinforcement contributes to feelings of worthlessness; maladaptive behaviors decrease opportunities for positive reinforcement.

Key Features of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Prolonged sadness or loss of interest, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of hopelessness; symptoms persist for at least two weeks.

Scenario Illustrating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Jenna has stopped participating in activities, feels fatigued and unmotivated, struggles to get out of bed, and feels hopeless for the past two months.

What Characterizes a Manic Episode in Bipolar I Disorder

Elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, impulsivity, and grandiosity lasting at least one week.

Key Features of Bipolar I Disorder

At least one manic episode, depressive episodes may or may not occur, and episodes can cause significant impairment or hospitalization.

Scenario Illustrating Bipolar I Disorder

Sam felt invincible for a week, had high energy and impulsive spending, followed by deep depression and social withdrawal.

What Defines Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Chronic low mood lasting at least two years, less severe than MDD but more persistent, with low energy and self-esteem.

Scenario Illustrating Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Alex feels 'down' almost every day for three years, can still function but experiences low energy and self-esteem.

What Characterizes Bipolar II Disorder

Alternates between hypomanic episodes (less severe than mania) and depressive episodes; hypomanic episodes last at least four days.

Scenario Illustrating Bipolar II Disorder

Taylor has periods of productivity and energy followed by longer depressive episodes, struggling to complete daily tasks.

Role of Social and Cognitive Factors in Mood Disorders

They explain differences in prevalence between genders, particularly in depression.

How Impulsive Behaviors Manifest in Bipolar Disorders

Impulsive behaviors during manic episodes are often reinforced by short-term rewards.

Learned Helplessness in the Context of Depression

It is a belief that one cannot control their circumstances, contributing to persistent depressive symptoms.

Impact of a Lack of Positive Reinforcement on Mood Disorders

It contributes to feelings of worthlessness and isolation.

How Maladaptive Behaviors Worsen Mood Disorder Symptoms

Withdrawing from friends decreases opportunities for positive reinforcement, worsening symptoms.

Significance of Cognitive Patterns in the Cycle of Depression

They create a feedback loop that perpetuates feelings of sadness.

Importance of Understanding Brain Activity in Mood Disorders

It helps identify structural and functional differences that contribute to conditions like depression and bipolar disorder.