chapter 15 psych notes

psychological disorders

syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbances in an individuals cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction

psychopathology

study of psychological disorders including their symptoms, causes, and treatments

etiology

causes of psychological disorders

atypical

deviating from the norm - could be a part of diagnosing a psychological disorder but does not alone establish one

what is true about cultural norms relating to disorders?

deviating from cultural norms does not automatically signify a disorder and these norms change over time

harmful dysfunction

wakefields definition of a psychological disorder - there must be a dysfunction (when an internal mechanism fails to work correctly) and a harm(negative consequences on ones or others life)

what are the 4 components of the APA definition of a disorder

1. significant disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

2. disturbances reflect some kind of biological, psychological, or developmental dysfunction

3. disturbances lead to significant distress or disability in ones life

4. disturbances don’t reflect culturally approved responses to certain events

diagnosis

appropriately identifying and labelling a set of defined symptoms

DSM( diagnostic and statistical manual of disorders)

describes specific disorders in categories, their symptoms and risk factors - started by WWII army - more used for research on cures

comorbidty

the co occurance of two disorders

critics of the DSM

everything is becoming to medicalized and loose criteria for disorders

ICD(international classification of diseases)

similar to dsm but also monitors general health of populations and international disease prevalence - more used for clinical disgnosis

compassionate view of psychological disorders

psychological disorders represent extremes so just because you relate doesn’t mean you have one and disorders are something people have, not who they are

supernatural perspectives

attributed disorders to a force beyond specific understanding like posession and spirits - still present in some cultures like Nigeria

cognitive perspective

distorted thought patterns lead to disorders

behavioral perspective

disorders relate to biological factors like genetics, chemical imbalances, and brain abnormalities - widely accepted

dualism

the mind and the body are seperate entities

psychodynamic perspective

intrapsychic conflicts in the unconscious lead to disorders

behavioral perspective

environmental reinforcers of atypical behaviors leading to learned disorders

biopsychosocial perspective

views the cause of disorders as a combination of biological and psychosocial factors

diathesis stress model

integrates biological and psychosocial factors to predict the likelihood of a disorder

diathesis is a persons predisposition for a disorder and they are more likely to get it if they have stress which is negative environment interactions

fear

an instantaneous response to an imminent threat

anxiety

apprehension and avoidance to a potential threat, danger, or negative event

how can anxiety be good?

it can motivate us and push us toward good thigns

anxiety disorders

excessive and persistent fear and anxiety and disturbances in behavior

specific phobia

excessive, distressing, and persistent fear about a specific object or situation

agoraphobia

intense fear, anxiety, and avoidance, of situation that could be difficult to get out of if a panic attack occurs

rachmans 3 ways of phobia acquisition

classical conditioning, vicarious learning, and verbal transmission of information

social anxiety disorder

extreme and persistent fear or anxeity and avoidance of social situations in which the person could potentially be evaluated negatively by others

safety behaviors

used when someone with social anxiety cant get out of a situation - mental or behavioral acts that reduce anxiety in social situations by reducing the chance of negative social outcomes like avoiding eye contact or rehearsing sentences

what does social anxiety usually comorbid with

alcohol abuse

behavioral inhibition

consistent tendency to show fear and restraint when facing unfamiliar situations and people - early indicator of social anxiety

panic disorder

reoccuring unexpected panic attacks, consistent for one month and have negative impact on ones life

symptoms of a panick attack

dizziness, nauseau, shortness ofbreath, and chest pain

panick attack

period of extreme fear or discomfort that develops abruptly and reaches peak within 10 minutes

locus coereleus

brains source of norepinephrine - overactivation can cause panic symptoms and this part of the brain is associated with panic disorder

generalized anxiety disorder

relatively continuous state of excessive, uncontrollable, and pointless worrying and apprehension

free floating anxiety

not part of any other disorders, occurs most days for 6 months, and has multiple bad accompying symptoms

obsessive compulsive and related disorders

group of overlapping disorders that generally involve intrusive, unpleasant thoughts and repetitive behavior

examples of obsessive compulsive disorders

OCD, body dysmorphia, and hoarding

OCD

composed of obsessions and or compulsions

obsessions

thoughts, mental images, fears, sensations, and urges that are intrusive

compulsion

need to engage in repetitive behavioral or mental acts

body dysmorphia

when an individual is preoccupied with a perceived flaw in their appearance that is not there or is not noticeable to others

hoarding disorder

when someone cannot part with personal possessions, regardless of how valuable or invaluable they are

orbitofrontal conrtex

area of frontal lobe dealing with decision making - becomes hyperactive during certain events which triggers OCD

mood disorders

severe disturbances in mood and emotions

what are the two types of mood disorders

depressive and mania and elation

depressive disorders

group of disorders in which depression is the main factor

bipolar and related disorders

group of disorders in which mania is the main factor

mania

state of extreme elation and or agitation

major depressive disorder

depressed mood most of the day and nearly every day - episodic

seasonal depression

person experiences symptoms of depressive disorder only during particular part of the year

peripartim onset/postpartum depression

major depression during pregnancy or in the 4 weeks following birth

dysthemia / persistent depressive disorder

depressed most days for 2 + years- longer lasting but less intense than major depressive disorder

symptoms of mania

euphoric mood, very talkative, need for little sleep, crazy symptoms - must be one or more weeks

bipolar disorder

mood varies between depression and mania

manic episode

distinct period of abnormally elevated or irritable mood and increased energy for one or more weeks

flight of ideas

abruptly switching from one topic to another

grandiosity

unjustified inflation of self esteem and confidence

bipolar type II

milder manic symptoms and shorter duration

amygdala role in mood disorders

assesses emotional significance of stimuli and emotions - mood disordered people are more likely to react emotionally

prefrontal cortex’s role in mood disorders

regulations and controls emotions

suicide

death caused by self directed injuries with intent to die

what are the 3 cognitive views on depression

1. aaron beck - people have predisposition schemas to think negatively

2. hopelessness theory - negative thinking can lead to a sense of hopelessness which leads to depression

3. rumination - repetitive and passive focus on the fact one is depressed rather than distracting yourself from symptoms or trying to get rid of the cause

schizophrenia

major disturbances in thought, emotion, perception, and behavior

symptoms of schizophrenia

hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, abnormal motor behavior, and negative symptoms

hallucinations

perceptual experiences that occur in absence of external stimulation - auditory more common than visual

delusions

beliefs contrary from reality and are hard to break - paranoid, grandiose, somatic, and though withdrawal or insertion

paranoid delusions

belief that other people or agencies are plotting to harm you

grandiose delusions

belief that one holds special power, unique knowledge, or is really important

somatic delusions

belief that something highly abnormal is happening in ones body

thought withdrawal or insertion delusions

belief that thoughts have been taken out of your mind or put in by someone else

disorganized thinking

disjointed and incoherent thought processes

examples of abnormal motor behavior

childlike tendencies like giggling all the time, repeated unecessary movements, etc.

catatonic behavior

shows decreased reactivity to environment - like remaining completely rigid

negative symptoms

reflect noticeable decreases in certain behaviors, emotions, or drives

dopamine hypothesis

an overabundance of dopamine can trigger schizophrenia

prodromal symptoms

minor symptoms of psychosis and decline in social functioning - early predictor before onset of schizophrenia

dissociative amnesia

inability to recall personal information usually after a traumatic event

dissociative fugue

when people suddenly wander from their home, forget their personal identity, and sometimes adopt a new identity

depersonalization/derealization disorder

characterized by recurring episodes of depersonalization, derealization, or both

depersonalization

feelings of unreality or detachment from ones whole self or internal feelings and thoughts

derealization

a sense of detachment from the world individuals, inanimate objects, or all surroundings

dissociative identity disorder

individual exhibits two or more seperate personalities or identities

personality disorders

exhibit personality style that differs a lot from cultural expectations, begins in adolescence or early adulthood, and causes significant distress or impairment

what are the 3 categories of personality disorders

A - odd or eccentric - schizotypical, paranoid, etc.

B - impulsive, overly emotional, and erratic - antisocial, histrionic, narcissitci, borderline, etc.

C - nervous and fearfull - avoidant, dependent, obsessive compulsive

ADHD

constant pattern of inattention and or hyperactive and impulsive behavior that interferes with normal functioning

autism spectrum disorder

when someone has deficits in social interaction and communication and shows repetitive patterns of behavior or interests

boderline personality disorder

instability in interpersonal relationships, self image, and mood, as well as marked impulsivity - severaly avoid being alone

antisocial personality disorder

shows no remorse for others right or feelings