Chapter 13: Health-Related and Substance-Use Disorders

State the ACE study’s major finding.

The ground-breaking ACE study revealed the high rate of children who have experienced at least one ACE, as well as the direct effect it has on adult health outcomes.

Identify what pediatric health psychologists study.

Today, pediatric health psychologists study how children’s health-related difficulties interact with their psychological well-being and how they and their families adapt in response.

Define dyssomnias.

A category of sleep disorders involving difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep. Such disorders are often characterized by problems with getting enough sleep, not sleeping when one wants to, and not feeling refreshed after sleeping.

List at least two parasomnias.

Nightmares and Sleep Terrors

Identify the two effective psychosocial treatments for many sleep disorders.

Effective psychological treatments for most childhood sleep disorders involve the establishment and regulation of bedtime routines.

Parasomnias

A category of sleep disorders in which behavioral or physiological events intrude on ongoing sleep. Persons suffering from parasomnias often report unusual behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking and nightmares.

nightmares

A form of parasomnia that occurs during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep and is characterized by repeated awakenings with detailed recall of extended and extremely frightening dreams, usually involving threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.

sleep terrors

A form of parasomnia that occurs during deep sleep and is characterized by abrupt awakening, accompanied by autonomic arousal but no recall.

sleepwalking

A form of parasomnia that occurs during deep sleep, in which the individual gets out of bed and walks around but has no recall of such activity upon awakening.

Define enuresis.

Involuntary discharge of urine occurring in persons over 5 years of age or the developmental equivalent.

Define encopresis.

The passage of feces in inappropriate places, such as in clothing, whether involuntary or intentional.

List the underlying main causes of primary enuresis and encopresis.

Primary enuresis has a strong genetic component, whereas encopresis results from children’s efforts to avoid defecation, resulting in chronic constipation.

List the pharmacological and psychological treatments of elimination difficulties.

Combined pharmacological and psychological treatments of elimination difficulties are often very successful.

Describe increased risk for children with chronic illness.

Children with chronic illness are at increased risk for psychosocial difficulties, which generally reflect their attempts to cope with stress.

List at least two common adjustment difficulties as children respond to the stress of having chronic conditions.

Children respond to the stress of chronic conditions in many different ways, and adjustment difficulties are more likely among children with increased disability. Adjustment difficulties may appear in the form of behavioral and emotional distress symptoms, such as low self-esteem, lack of social competence, poor school performance, and, sometimes, psychiatric disorders.

Identify two key components that aid in many children and their families adapting favorably to the challenges associated with chronic illness.

Many children and their families adapt favorably to the challenges associated with chronic illness. Perceived social support and maternal adaptation are key components aiding their adaptation.

Describe at least two psychosocial interventions that assist in children’s adaptation to chronic illness.

Recent shifts to greater family empowerment and parental involvement have resulted in innovative ways to help children cope with the challenges of chronic illness. Psychosocial interventions assist children’s adaptation to chronic illness by enhancing their social problem-solving skills and coping skills, and by reinforcing effective child-rearing methods.

Somatic symptom and related disorders

Disorders involve distressing somatic symptoms and concerns, such as pain and dizziness, that interfere with daily activities and are accompanied by anxiety or worry about the seriousness of the symptoms.

psychological factors affecting other medical conditions

Psychological disorders or conditions that are presumed to cause or exacerbate a physical condition

Morbidity

The various forms of physical and functional consequences and limitations that result from an illness.

insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

A lifelong metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to metabolize carbohydrates because the pancreas releases inadequate amounts of insulin.

Metabolic control

The degree to which an individual’s glucose level is maintained within the normal range (in reference to diabetes mellitus).

Identify the central diagnostic feature of substance-use disorder.

The central diagnostic feature of substance-use disorder is a problematic pattern of substance use leading to significant impairment or distress.

State the percentage of youth who meet criteria for a diagnosis of substance use or substance dependence.

A significant proportion of youths (about 6%) meet criteria for a diagnosis of substance use or substance dependence.

Describe at least one promising treatment for adolescent substance use.

Among the more promising treatments for adolescent substance use are those that involve the larger systems affecting the adolescent’s behavior, such as peers, family, and school climate.

Substance-related and addictive disorders

These disorders encompasses 10 separate classes of drugs, including alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, sedatives, stimulants, tobacco, and other (or unknown) substances.

Substance-use disorders (SUDs)

Disorders that occur during adolescence and include substance dependence and substance abuse that result from the self-administration of any substance that alters mood, perception, or brain functioning.

substance abuse

Disorders that occur during adolescence and include substance dependence and substance abuse that result from the self-administration of any substance that alters mood, perception, or brain functioning

substance dependence

Psychological dependence refers to the subjective feeling of needing the substance to adequately function. Physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to the substance’s constant presence, and tolerance refers to requiring more of the substance to experience an effect once obtained at a lower dose. Physical dependence can lead to symptoms of withdrawal, an adverse physiological symptom that occurs when consumption of an abused substance is ended abruptly and is thus removed from the body.