abnormal psych-ap psych

1. Psychological Disorder
A psychological disorder is a pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that is deviant, distressing, and dysfunctional. It interferes with daily functioning and well-being.

2. DSM-5-TR
The DSM-5-TR is the manual used by psychologists to diagnose mental disorders. It provides standardized criteria and is published by the American Psychiatric Association.

3. World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO is a global health organization that oversees international public health. It publishes the ICD, which classifies diseases and mental disorders worldwide.

4. Definition of Abnormality (AB)
Abnormal behavior is defined using deviance, distress, dysfunction, and sometimes danger. This is known as the “4 Ds” of abnormality.

5. Rosenhan Study
David Rosenhan demonstrated that mentally healthy people could be diagnosed as mentally ill. His study raised concerns about the reliability of psychiatric diagnosis.

6. 3 Characteristics of AB
The three main characteristics are deviance, distress, and dysfunction. Some psychologists also include danger as a fourth factor.

7. Maladaptive Behavior
Maladaptive behavior interferes with a person’s ability to function effectively. It prevents adjustment to everyday demands.

8. Personal Distress
Personal distress refers to emotional suffering such as anxiety or depression. A behavior may be abnormal if it causes significant distress.

9. Atypical Behavior
Atypical behavior is behavior that is statistically rare or socially unusual. However, unusual behavior is not always disordered.

10. Biological Approach
The biological approach explains disorders through genetics, brain structure, and neurotransmitters. It often supports the use of medication.

11. History of Treatment
Early treatments included trephination and asylums. Modern treatment focuses on therapy, medication, and humane care.

12. Dorothea Dix
Dorothea Dix advocated for better conditions for the mentally ill. She helped reform asylums in the 1800s.

13. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT is a treatment that uses controlled electrical currents to induce seizures. It is mainly used for severe depression when other treatments fail.

14. Social/Cultural Approach
This approach explains disorders as influenced by social expectations and cultural norms. What is considered abnormal can vary by culture.

15. Biopsychosocial Model
The biopsychosocial model explains disorders using biological, psychological, and social factors. It is the most widely accepted modern approach.

16. Insanity vs. Responsibility
This debate concerns whether mentally ill individuals should be held legally responsible for crimes. Mental illness does not automatically remove responsibility.

17. Insanity Defense
The insanity defense argues that a defendant could not distinguish right from wrong. It is rarely successful in court.

18. John Hinckley
Hinckley attempted to assassinate President Reagan and was found not guilty by reason of insanity. His case led to stricter insanity laws.

19. Andrea Yates
Andrea Yates killed her children while experiencing severe postpartum psychosis. She was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

20. Kenneth Bianchi
Kenneth Bianchi was a serial killer who pretended to have DID. His case showed how mental illness can be faked in court.

21. Criticism of DSM
The DSM is criticized for overdiagnosis and labeling. Critics argue it can stigmatize individuals.

22. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ASD is a developmental disorder involving social communication difficulties. It also includes restricted or repetitive behaviors.

23. Temple Grandin
Temple Grandin is a scientist with autism who advocated for understanding ASD. She emphasized strengths and different thinking styles.

24. Somatic Symptom Disorder
This disorder involves physical symptoms without a clear medical cause. The symptoms are real and distressing.

25. Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders involve excessive fear or worry. They interfere with daily functioning.

26. Phobias
Phobias are intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations. They often lead to avoidance behavior.

27. Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder involves fear of social situations and judgment. Individuals worry about embarrassment.

28. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the fear of situations where escape may be difficult. This includes crowds or open spaces.

29. OCD
OCD involves obsessions, which are intrusive thoughts, and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors. Compulsions are used to reduce anxiety.

30. PTSD
PTSD develops after trauma and includes flashbacks and avoidance. It also involves heightened arousal.

31. Treatment
Treatment includes psychotherapy, medication, or both. The goal is to reduce symptoms and improve functioning.

32. Resilience
Resilience is the ability to cope with stress and adversity. It helps protect against mental illness.

33. Depression
Depression is marked by persistent sadness and loss of interest. It affects mood, thoughts, and behavior.

34. Learned Helplessness
Learned helplessness occurs when individuals feel powerless. It is strongly linked to depression.

35. Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood shifts are extreme.

36. Dissociative Amnesia
This disorder involves memory loss due to trauma or stress. Personal information is forgotten.

37. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
DID involves two or more distinct identities. It is often linked to severe childhood trauma.

38. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe disorder involving delusions and hallucinations. It affects about 1% of people.

39. Paranoia
Paranoia involves delusions of persecution or conspiracy. It is common in schizophrenia.

40. Catatonic
Catatonic schizophrenia involves extreme motor disturbances. This includes immobility or agitation.

41. Disorganized Thoughts
Disorganized thoughts involve illogical or incoherent thinking. Speech may be fragmented.

42. Hyperphrenic
Hyperphrenic schizophrenia is marked by exaggerated emotions. Behavior is highly disorganized.

43. Onset
Schizophrenia typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. Onset is gradual.

44. Positive Symptoms
Positive symptoms add abnormal behaviors. Examples include hallucinations and delusions.

45. Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms involve the absence of normal behaviors. These include lack of emotion or motivation.

46. Causes (Schizophrenia)
Causes include genetic predisposition and brain abnormalities. Prenatal factors also play a role.

47. Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
ASPD involves disregard for others’ rights. Individuals lack remorse.

48. Sociopath vs. Psychopath
Sociopaths are impulsive and emotional. Psychopaths are calculated and unemotional.

49. Serial Murderers
Serial murderers kill multiple victims over time. There are cooling-off periods between murders.

50. Causes of Serial Murder
Causes include biological factors, trauma, and environment. No single cause explains behavior.

51. Why They Don’t Get Caught
They use planning and manipulation. Victim selection also plays a role.

52. Edmund Kemper
Edmund Kemper was a highly intelligent serial killer. He displayed antisocial traits.

53. Dennis Rader
Dennis Rader, known as BTK, sought control and attention. He taunted police.

54. John Gacy
John Gacy targeted young men. He used trust and authority.

55. Ted Bundy
Ted Bundy used charm to gain victims’ trust. He was highly manipulative.

56. Jeffrey Dahmer
Jeffrey Dahmer suffered from severe psychological disturbances. He experienced extreme social isolation.

57. Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia involves extreme restriction of food intake. There is an intense fear of weight gain.

58. Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia involves binge eating followed by purging. Weight is often normal.

59. Binge Eating Disorder
This disorder involves repeated binge eating. There is no purging behavior.

60. Munchausen by Proxy
A caregiver causes illness in another person. The goal is attention or sympathy.

61. Somatic Dissociative Disorder
Psychological stress causes physical symptoms. There is no medical explanation.

62. Dissociative Identity Disorder
See term #37. This disorder involves multiple identities.

63. Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis focuses on unconscious conflicts. It was developed by Freud.

64. Free Association
Clients say whatever comes to mind. This reveals unconscious thoughts.

65. Humanistic Therapy
Humanistic therapy emphasizes growth and self-acceptance. It focuses on free will.

66. Carl Rogers
Carl Rogers founded client-centered therapy. He emphasized acceptance.

67. Active Listening
Therapists reflect and restate client thoughts. This shows understanding.

68. Client-Centered Therapy
This therapy is non-directive. It focuses on self-growth.

69. Unconditional Positive Regard
Clients are accepted without judgment. This promotes growth.

70. Empathy
Empathy involves understanding another’s feelings. It strengthens the therapeutic relationship.

71. Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy emphasizes present awareness. Clients take responsibility.

72. Group Therapy
Group therapy involves multiple clients. Members support each other.

73. Aversive Conditioning
Unwanted behavior is paired with discomfort. This reduces the behavior.

74. Rational-Emotive Therapy
RET challenges irrational beliefs. Changing thoughts changes emotions.

75. Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy uses conditioning principles. The focus is on observable behavior.

76. Frontal Lobotomy
This was a historical surgical treatment. It damaged the frontal lobes.

77. Psychotherapeutic Drugs
These medications treat mental disorders. Examples include antidepressants and antipsychotics.