Disorders Chapter
Psychological Disorders Study Notes
Page 1: Introduction
Myers’ Psychology for APDavid G. MyersNote: AP is a trademark owned by the College Board, not involved in the product's production.
Page 2: Overview of Abnormal Psychology
Focus on understanding abnormal psychology and psychological disorders.
Page 3: Essential Questions
Key questions to consider:
How do we define psychological disorders?
How should we classify psychological disorders?
What distinguishes abnormal thoughts/behaviors from psychological disorders?
Page 4: Definition of Psychological Disorders
Disorder: a state of ill mental/behavioral health.
Patterns of Symptoms: Collection of symptoms that tend to occur together; not merely isolated symptoms.
Characteristics of Disorders:
Deviance: Different from societal norms.
Distress: Causes personal distress.
Dysfunction/Maladaptive: Interferes with daily functioning (e.g., social and occupational).
Example of change in diagnosis: Homosexuality removed as a disorder by APA in 1973.
Page 5: Continuum of Normality and Abnormality
Visual representation of abnormal behavior as a continuum from normal to abnormal through:
Deviance
Personal distress
Maladaptive behavior.
Page 6: Contextual Definitions of Psychological Disorders
Definitions vary across cultures and contexts; **Key Definitions: **
Psychological disorders have significant disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Cultural examples:
USA: ADHD, Bulimia.
Taijin Kyofusho (Japan): Fear of offending others regarding personal bodily functions and appearance.
Page 7: Culture-Bound Syndromes
Windigo Psychosis: Among Algonquin Indians in North America; involves delusions of being possessed by a flesh-eating monster.
Koro: Acute anxiety disorder in males primarily in China where they fear their penis is disappearing.
Page 8: Is ADHD a Disorder?
Considerations for Diagnosis:
Is it deviant?
Is it distressful?
Does it cause dysfunction?
Page 9: Historical Understanding of Disorders (Medical Model)
Historical treatments: trephination, exorcisms, blood transfusions.
Philippe Pinel: Reformer who viewed mental illness as sickness and emphasized humane treatments.
Page 10: The Medical Model
Medical Model: Mental illness is diagnosed via symptoms and treated through therapy and treatment methods including psychiatric hospitals.
Page 11: Epigenetics and the Biopsychosocial Model
Epigenetics: Study of how environmental factors influence gene expression affecting psychiatric disorders like depression and schizophrenia.
Biopsychosocial Approach: Interactions of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Page 12: Components of the Biopsychosocial Approach
Biological Influences: Genetics, brain structure.
Psychological Influences: Stress, trauma, mood-related perceptions.
Social-Cultural Influences: Cultural definitions and societal expectations of normality.
Page 13: History of DSM
1840 Census: Recorded instances of "idiocy/insanity."
Categories by 1880: Various forms of mental illness recognized.
DSM-I: First edition published in 1952 with 60 disorders.
Page 14: Importance of Classifying Disorders
Value of Diagnosis:
Creates shorthand for symptoms.
Facilitates statistical studies.
Guides treatment options.
DSM-V: Latest version, aids in defining conditions like autism.
Page 15: Characteristics of DSM
DSM Description: Symptoms, not treatments.
ICD-10: International classification aligning with WHO standards.
Global Statistics: 450 million affected worldwide.
Page 16: Critiques of DSM
Concerns:
Over-diagnosing.
Arbitrary distinctions between normality and disorder.
Value judgments in defining disorders.
Page 17: DSM Diagnosis Process (Axes Ignored)
Description of five axes for assessing psychological disorders (not utilized in DSM-V).
Page 18: General Information on Disorders
Proliferation from 60 to 400+ disorders based on diagnosis.
Stigma: Negative perception associated with mental health diagnoses.
Prevalence Rates:
26% of adults in a given year.
50% lifetime prevalence in Americans.
Increasing diagnoses in children.
Page 19: Dangers of Labeling
David Rosenhan's Study (1973): Examined challenges in shedding "mentally ill" labels. Subjects feigned symptoms, but staff misdiagnosed.
Page 20: Labeling Criticism
Power of Labels: Can stigmatize and predict behaviors based on perceptions.
Page 21: Type 1 and 2 Errors
Error Types: Difficulty in distinguishing sanity; higher tendency to mislabel healthy as sick (Type 2 error).
Page 22: Harmful Dysfunction Model
Criteria for Psychological Disorder: Deviant, distressful, dysfunctional.
Page 23: College Board AP Psychology Standards
Includes various categories such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, personality disorders, etc.
Page 24: Classification of Disorders
Categories identified for AP psychology include:
Eating Disorders
ADHD
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia
Page 25: Overview of Anxiety Disorders
Defined as distressing persistent anxiety or nervousness that leads to maladaptive behavior.
Page 26: Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, Phobias, etc.
Page 27: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Persistent, chronic, excessive worry about multiple life aspects for 6 months or more.
Page 28: GAD Characteristics
Freud's Free Floating Anxiety: Generalized anxiety that lacks specific cause.
Page 29: Panic Disorders
Panic Attacks: Sudden intense fear that may occur unexpectedly; symptoms include racing heart, dizziness, terror, etc.
Cultural variation: Ataque de Nervios, associated with nervous tension.
Page 30: Agoraphobia and Phobias
Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape may be difficult; often linked to panic attacks.
Phobias: Irrational fear linked to avoidance behavior.
Page 31: Examples of Phobias
Common phobias include:
Acrophobia (heights)
Arachnophobia (spiders)
Page 32-33: Survey Data of Phobias
Data presentation on various phobia prevalence.
Page 34: Social Anxiety Disorder
Characterized by excessive fear of social situations and embarrassment.
Page 35: Separation Anxiety Disorder
Excessive fear of separation from home or caregiver; may exhibit physical symptoms like headaches.
Page 36: OCD Overview
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Characterized by obsessions (repetitive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive actions).
Page 37: Common Symptoms of OCD in Youth
Obsessions regarding dirt/germs, compulsions like excessive handwashing.
Page 38: OCD Examples
Scenarios illustrating obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to anxiety reduction.
Page 39: Prevalence and Pathophysiology of OCD
Affects approximately 1 in 50 adults; linked to serotonin dysfunction.
Page 40: OCD-Related Disorders
New disorders like Hoarding, Excoriation, and Trichotillomania added to OCD spectrum.
Page 41: Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
Disorders manifest after trauma; includes Reactive Attachment Disorder and PTSD.
Page 42: PTSD Symptoms
Symptoms like hypervigilance, flashbacks, emotional detachment emerge from traumatic stressors.
Page 43: Learning Perspective on Anxiety Disorders
Theories on how anxiety develops through classical conditioning and reinforcement.
Page 44: Biological Perspective on Anxiety Disorders
Genetic links to anxiety disorders; neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA involved.
Page 45: Brain Imaging and OCD
PET scans show high activity in areas related to attention during OCD.
Page 46: FRQ on Phobia Perspectives
Discuss phobias through various psychological lenses (behavioral, psychoanalytic, biological, cognitive).
Page 47: Somatic Symptom Disorders
Definition: Disorders causing physical symptoms without an identifiable physical cause.
Page 48: Types of Somatic Disorders
Causes psychological issues to manifest physically; includes Illness Anxiety Disorder and Factitious Disorder.
Page 49: Conversion Disorder
Physical symptoms without physiological reasons; example includes paralysis.
Page 50: Introduction to Dissociative Disorders
Rare disorders marked by a change in consciousness and a disconnect from memories.
Page 51: Dissociative Amnesia
Memory loss concerning stressful events, going beyond typical forgetfulness.
Page 52: Dissociative Fugue
Inability to recall oneself, potentially beginning a new life away from former identity.
Page 53: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Presence of two or more distinct personalities; often related to severe childhood trauma.
Page 54: DID Characteristics
Increased prevalence in North America; linked to severe abuse in childhood.
Page 55: Critique of DID
Increased diagnoses raise questions on authenticity and therapist influence.
Page 56: Derealization/Depersonalization Disorder
Persistent feelings of detachment or unreality; symptoms can be disturbing.
Page 57: Overview of Mood Disorders
Classification of depressive and manic disorders.
Page 58: Depressive Disorders
Types include Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Page 59: Major Depressive Disorder
Symptoms include prolonged unhappiness and loss of interest with possible suicidal ideation.
Page 60: Persistent Depressive Disorder
Chronic depression lasting over two years; characterized by a consistently low mood.
Page 61: Genetic Influences on Depression
Familial links; risks increase with early onset depression in parents.
Page 62: Biochemical Influences in Depression
Low levels of norepinephrine and serotonin contribute to mood disorders.
Page 63: Social-Cognitive Perspective on Depression
Negative thought patterns and learned helplessness correlated with mental states.
Page 64: Explanatory Style Examples and Depression
Different cognitive interpretations of personal events affect mental health.
Page 65: Cycle of Depression
Stressors can lead to a cycle of depressed mood and cognitive distortions.
Page 66: Aaron Beck's Contributions
Father of cognitive therapy; emphasized irrational negative thinking in depression.
Page 67: Cognitive Errors in Depression
Common fallacies include overgeneralizing, selective abstraction, and dichotomous thinking.
Page 68: Biopsychosocial Model of Mood Disorders
Integrative approach including biological, psychological, and social influences.
Page 69: Bipolar and Related Disorders
Bipolar disorder characterized by mood swings; contains manic episodes interspersed with depressive states.
Page 70: Mania Features
Symptoms include euphoric mood, impulsive behavior, and inflated sense of self.
Page 71: Hypomania
Less extreme form of mania; affects decision-making and behavior.
Page 72: Bipolar Types
Distinction between Bipolar I (severe mania) and Bipolar II (hypomanic episodes).
Page 73: Diagnosis of Bipolar II
Recognize the subtle signs of hypomania alongside recurrent depression.
Page 74: Etiology of Bipolar Disorder
Involvement of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
Page 75: PET Scan of Mood States
Demonstrated brain energy fluctuations between depressed and manic states.
Page 76: Vulnerability to Mood Disorders
Increased vulnerability in women; early onset linked to exacerbated conditions.
Page 77: Genetic Basis of Bipolar Disorder
Heritability and increased risk factors linked to family history.
Page 78: Brain Activity in Mood Disorders
Differential activity patterns during depressive versus manic episodes.
Page 79: Overview of Schizophrenia Spectrum
Characterization of disorders causing disorganized thoughts and perceptions.
Page 80: Schizophrenia Symptoms
Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and inappropriate emotional responses.
Page 81: Understanding Schizophrenia
Classification of symptoms into positive, negative, and cognitive categories.
Page 82: Subtypes of Schizophrenia
Historically characterized by various types (e.g., paranoid, disorganized) – not recognized in DSM-5.
Page 83: Disorganized Thinking Symptoms
Manifestations include delusions of reference, persecution, and incoherent speech (word salad).
Page 84: Disturbed Perceptions Symptoms
Common types of hallucinations: visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory.
Page 85: Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Negative Symptoms
Emotional blunting and inappropriate behavior like flat affect or catatonic states.
Page 86: Associated Behaviors in Schizophrenia
Erratic social behaviors stemming from delusions, misunderstandings, and threats.
Page 87: Schizoaffective and Delusional Disorders
Classification involving moods and delusions, some of which are possible and bizarre.
Page 88: Dopamine Hypothesis
Excessive dopamine levels correlate with positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Page 89: Brain Pathology in Schizophrenia
Brain regions implicated include the limbic system and frontal lobes, affecting emotional regulation.
Page 90: Schizophrenia Onset Statistics
Rates and onset of schizophrenia; patterns observed in genetic studies.
Page 91: Brain Abnormalities in Schizophrenia
Imaging shows reduced volume and activity in key brain regions.
Page 92: Role of Maternal Factors
Research on the connection between maternal health during pregnancy and child mental health outcomes.
Page 93: Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
Support for genetic predisposition and the stress-vulnerability hypothesis.
Page 94: Medication Side Effects
Discussion on tardive dyskinesia associated with long-term antipsychotic use.
Page 95: Introduction to Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Defined by atypical brain development or damage; includes Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD.
Page 96: Key Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD characteristics.
Page 97: Specific Learning and Conceptual Disorders
Defined categories for learning disorders affecting education; Genetic influences noted.
Page 98: Intellectual Disability
Previously known as mental retardation; characterized by limitations in cognitive function.
Page 99: Communication Disorders
Explains various communication challenges, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.
Page 100: Neurocognitive Disorders
Conditions affecting cognition due to medical issues rather than psychiatric diagnoses.
Page 101: Alzheimer's Disease
Symptomatic summary of Alzheimer's as a type of dementia affecting memory.
Page 102: Dementia vs. Alzheimer's
Comparison of symptoms and causative factors differentiating dementia and specific diseases like Alzheimer's.
Page 103: Eating Disorders
Categories including Pica, Rumination, Anorexia, Bulimia, and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
Page 104: Personality Disorders Overview
Defined as disorders characterized by enduring, maladaptive behavior patterns.
Page 105: Personality Disorder Clusters
Cluster A: Odd/eccentric behaviors.
Cluster B: Dramatic/emotional/erratic behaviors.
Cluster C: Anxious/fearful behaviors.
Page 106: Paranoid Personality Disorder
Characterized by distrust and suspicion of others, interpreting innocuous remarks as threats.
Page 107: Schizoid Personality Disorder
Lacks interest in social relationships and often emotionally detached.
Page 108: Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Displays eccentric thoughts/behaviors; possible magical thinking and odd social perceptions.
Page 109: Antisocial Personality Disorder
Lack of conscience and regard for the law; manipulative behavior; prevalent among males.
Page 110: Characteristics of Antisocial Personality
Includes lack of remorse, impulsive behavior patterns, and social irresponsibility.
Page 111: Borderline Personality Disorder
Instability in mood and relationships; fear of abandonment and impulsive behaviors.
Page 112: Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Characterized by grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy; often leads to abusive behaviors.
Page 113: Histrionic Personality Disorder
Seeking attention through dramatic behavior; shallow emotional experiences; vulnerable to external influence.
Page 114: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Perfectionism and a preoccupation with order; behaviors interfere with functioning.
Page 115: Dependent Personality Disorder
Excessive emotional reliance on others; fear of abandonment; difficulty making independent decisions.
Page 116: Avoidant Personality Disorder (AVPD)
Characterized by fear of rejection and extreme social anxiety; broader avoidance than social anxiety disorder.
Page 117: Distinction between AVPD and Social Phobia
Highlight differences in avoidance behavior and social functioning impairment.
Page 118: Perspectives on Disorders
Overview of various psychological perspectives on disorders, including behavioral, cognitive, biological, and psychoanalytic.