PSY 324 Exam 3 Study Guide: Key Disorders and Treatments

Obsessions

Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress (e.g., fear of contamination, harm to self or others).

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the distress caused by obsessions (e.g., washing hands, checking locks).

Trichotillomania

Hair-pulling Disorder.

Hoarding Disorder

A disorder characterized by persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

A mental disorder characterized by an obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance.

Criterion A trauma

The event must involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.

Anorexia Nervosa

Restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, leading to significantly low body weight.

Binge Eating Disorder

Recurrent episodes of binge eating without compensatory behaviors.

EDNOS

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified: For cases that don't meet full criteria for other eating disorders.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Excessive focus on physical symptoms causing significant distress or impairment.

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness.

Factitious Disorder

Deliberately falsifying or inducing physical or psychological symptoms in oneself (imposed on self) or others (imposed on others).

Conversion Disorder

Neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis, blindness) that cannot be explained by medical conditions.

Tolerance

Need for increased amounts of a substance to achieve desired effect.

Withdrawal

Symptoms that occur when substance use is reduced or discontinued.

Binge Drinking

Consuming excessive alcohol in a short period, typically 5 or more drinks in 2 hours.

Relapse

Return to substance use after a period of abstinence.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

A memory disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, often related to chronic alcohol use.

Delirium Tremens

Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

A specific type of cognitive-behavioral therapy used to treat OCD.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help patients process and cope with trauma.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

A therapy that helps patients confront their fears and memories related to trauma.

Behavioral therapies

Therapies that focus on changing behaviors through various techniques, including CBT.

Psychodynamic Explanation of Eating Disorders

Focuses on unconscious conflicts, such as a desire for control, perfectionism, and family dynamic.

Obsessions in OCD

Contamination, harm, order/symmetry, and intrusive sexual/aggressive thoughts.

Compulsions in OCD

Washing/cleaning, checking, counting, repeating actions, and mental rituals (e.g., silently counting).

OCD vs. Anxiety Disorders

OCD is characterized by obsessions and compulsions, whereas anxiety disorders primarily involve generalized worry or panic.

Brain Circuitry in OCD

The brain circuitry involved in OCD is more related to the orbitofrontal cortex, caudate nucleus, and thalamus.

Brain Circuitry in Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are more associated with the amygdala.

Reward Wanting

Associated with dopamine function and refers to the craving or desire for a substance.

Reward Liking

Refers to the pleasure or satisfaction derived from the substance.

Early Stage Drug Use

In the early stages, drug use is motivated by the desire for reward (pleasure).

Late Stage Drug Use

In the later stages, it may be more about avoiding withdrawal (negative reinforcement).

Anorexia

Severe restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight.

Bulimia

Binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors.

Binge Eating Disorder

Recurrent binge eating without compensatory behaviors.

EDNOS

Eating disorders that don't meet the full criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.

Obsessions/Compulsions in Non-Clinical Populations

People without OCD may have mild, transient obsessions or compulsions, but these don't cause the distress or impairment seen in OCD.

Female Body Image

Females tend to focus on weight and body shape (thinness).

Male Body Image

Males may focus more on muscle mass and strength.

Binge Drinking in Males

Males typically engage in binge drinking at higher rates.

Binge Drinking in Females

Females are more likely to experience negative health consequences from drinking.

Risk Factors for Eating Disorders

Includes genetic factors, family dynamics, societal pressures, and individual psychological factors like perfectionism, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Negative Reinforcement in OCD

Negative reinforcement explains how compulsions are reinforced: performing a compulsion reduces the distress caused by obsessions, reinforcing the behavior.

Depressants

Alcohol, benzodiazepines.

Stimulants

Cocaine, methamphetamine.

Hallucinogens

LSD, psilocybin.

SUD Risk Factors

Risk factors for SUDs include genetics, environment, peer influence, and mental health issues.

Cultural Roles in Substance Use

Culture can play a significant role in shaping substance use behaviors, including social norms and stigma.