Exam 2 Review Session_11MAR2025

Exam Information

• Exam 2

  • Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025

  • Format: 50 multiple choice questions

  • Time: Entire class time allocated

  • Content: Covers Chapters 9-14

  • Highlighting: Bolded items are definitely on the exam; highlights are general context

Stress

• Definition: Internal biological and psychological response to adjustive demands.

• Nature: A by-product of inadequate coping; individual’s response to high demands or challenging situations.

• Biological Response: Activates the sympathetic nervous system, initiating the Fight or Flight response.

Appraisal

• Post Fight or Flight: Determines threat and initiates calming responses.

• Types of Appraisal:

  • Primary Appraisal: Assessing risk.

  • Secondary Appraisal: Evaluating resources and ability to cope with the stressor.

Coping Strategies

• Problem-Focused Coping:

  • Definition: Task-oriented; directly addresses the stressor.

  • Example: Studying for an exam when stressed about it.

• Emotion-Focused Coping:

  • Definition: Regulating emotional responses; focusing less on the stressor and more on feelings.

  • Example: Breathing exercises to calm down after an argument.

Trauma

• Definition: Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation.

• Consequences: Leads to trauma-related mental health disorders such as PTSD, acute stress disorder, and dissociative identity disorder (DID).

PTSD - DSM Criteria

• Criterion A: Exposure to trauma; can be direct or indirect, single or repeated.

• Criterion B: Intrusive symptoms such as memories, nightmares, flashbacks, and reactions to reminders.

• Criterion C: Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli.

• Criterion D: Negative changes in cognition or mood, and observable changes in arousal and reactivity.

PTSD - Neurobiology

• Brain Functioning:

  • Typical Brain: Amygdala activates fear response; prefrontal cortex regulates it.

  • PTSD Brain: Overreactive amygdala; under-reactive prefrontal cortex leading to heightened fear.

Acute Stress Disorder

• Definition: Response to a traumatic event with symptoms beginning within four weeks lasting less than one month.

• Difference from PTSD: PTSD symptoms persist longer than one month and can start long after the event.

Contributing Factors to Trauma Disorders

• Demographic Risks: Vulnerable populations include low-income individuals, women, and racial/ethnic minorities.

• Influential Factors: Severity and unpredictability of trauma, lack of support, and coping strategies.

Multifinality

• Concept: Identical trauma can lead to different outcomes based on childhood stress levels and coping styles.

Dissociation

• Definition: Disconnection between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity.

• Nature of Dissociation: It's a normal response, problematic only when it interferes with functioning.

Dissociative Amnesia

• Types:

  • Localized Amnesia: Specific time period memory loss (most common).

  • Selective Amnesia: Partial memory loss from a particular timeframe.

  • Generalized Amnesia: Complete memory loss up to a certain date.

  • Continuous Amnesia: Memory loss extending beyond a point in time.

Distinction from Ordinary Forgetting

• Connection to Trauma: Dissociative amnesia relates specifically to traumatic or stressful events.

Depersonalization

• Definition: Feeling detached from self; like observing life from outside.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

• Characterization: Two or more distinct identities that alternate control over behavior.

• Alters: Different personalities with unique traits; varying awareness of each other.

• Origin: Often stems from severe trauma.

DID Theories

• Socio-Cognitive Model: Suggests DID is socially constructed and influenced by therapists and media.

• Integrated Model: Proposes severe trauma leads to cognitive distortions and dissociation.

DID Stereotypes

• Debunked Myths: Rare occurrence, not inherently violent, confused with schizophrenia, and misdiagnosed as easy to identify.

DID Treatment Goals

• Objectives: Integrate personalities into a single identity and recover memories.

Somatic Disorders

• Definition: Involves intense focus on bodily symptoms causing distress or dysfunction.

Voluntary Somatic Disorders

• Types:

  • Malingering: Faking illness for external rewards.

  • Factitious Disorder: Imposed illness (often self or on a child) without the need for gain.

Involuntary Somatic Disorders

• Types:

  • Illness Anxiety Disorder: Excessive worry about having a serious illness (hypochondriac).

  • Conversion Disorder: Symptoms affecting sensory/motor functions without a medical basis.

  • Somatic Symptom Disorder: Distress over significant physical symptoms with minimal biological foundation.

Psychophysiological Disorders

• Characteristics: Real medical conditions worsened by psychological factors. Examples include ulcers and asthma.

• Role of Stress: Immune system and HPA axis influence development.

Substance Use Disorders (SUD)

• Definition: Maladaptive substance use leading to impairment or distress with specific symptom criteria.

SUD Symptoms

• Common Indicators:

  • Increased use, unsuccessful control efforts

  • Time-consuming substance-related activities

  • Role obligation failures, risk-taking, and withdrawal symptoms.

Tolerance & Withdrawal

• Definitions:

  • Tolerance: Need for more substance to achieve effects.

  • Withdrawal: Negative symptoms occurring upon cessation or reduction of use.

Depressants

• Effects: Slow CNS activity, reduce tension, and impair judgment.

• Examples: Alcohol, opioids, anti-anxiety medications.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

• Characteristics: Highly addictive; withdrawal management is crucial.

• Overdose Risks: Increased likelihood following a cessation period.

Opioid Epidemic

• Contributing Factors: Overprescription and heightened access to opioids in the 1990s.

Stimulants

• Effects: Increase CNS activity, heart rate, and alertness.

• Examples: Cocaine and amphetamines.

Social Media Addiction**

• Discussion Points: Triggers dopamine release; potential for compulsive use and withdrawal symptoms.

Body Image

• Definition: Perceptions and feelings about one’s body affecting mental well-being.

• Focus Types:

  • Appearance-Focused: Linked to dissatisfaction and eating disorders.

  • Functionality-Focused: Correlates with higher self-esteem and positive outcomes.

Tripartite Model

• Influences on Body Image: Media, family, and peers.

• Parental Impact: Both explicit and implicit messages about body image can affect children.

Western Body Ideal

• Cultural Constructs: Shifts in societal views on body image and health across history.

• Moral Connections: Thinness associated with virtue; fatness with immorality.

Impacts of Body Image in Our Culture**

• Societal Beliefs: Thinness revered as health and success; fatness seen as negative.

Weight Stigma

• Consequences: Affects healthcare access and quality; BMI used inaccurately.

Indicators of Health Outcomes

• Better Indicators: Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and socio-economic factors are more indicative of health than weight/BMI.

Eating Disorders Overview

• Potential Affected Groups: Everyone can be affected; differing rates among women of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.

• Types of EDs: Anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder—linked to suicidality.

Eating Disorders Breakdown

• Bulimia versus Binge-Eating Disorder: BN involves compensatory behaviors; BED does not.

• AN-BP Characteristics: Focus on restrictions without frequency requirements for diagnosis.

Binge Episode Characteristics**

• Definition: Involves a large amount of food within a short timeframe, often in response to high emotions.

ED Treatment Approaches**

• Interdisciplinary Treatment: Medical, nutritional, and psychotherapy (CBT) are primary components.

Exam Interactive Activity**

• Format: Group trivia; questions on key content.

Sample Questions**

1. True/False: BMI as best predictor? Answer: False.

2. Example of Psychophysiological Disorder? Answer: Ulcers, asthma.

3. Identify Dissociative Amnesia Case: Cecilia versus Meg. Answer: Cecilia.

4. Effects of CNS Increase? Answer: Stimulants.

5. Effective Therapy for EDs? Answer: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Final Thoughts**

• Good Luck! You've got this!