Chapter 12: Psychological Disorders

Question 1

What are the advantages of the DSM-5 classification system?

Answer 1

-provides a common basis for communication
-helps clinicians make predictions
-naming the disorder can provide comfort

Question 2

How is abnormal behavior defined?

Answer 2

Behavior that is:
-deviant (atypical)
-maladaptive (dysfunctional)
-personally distressing (despair)

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of the DSM-5 Classification System?

Answer 3

-stigma (shame, negative reputation)
-treats psychological disorders as essentially medical illnesses
-focuses on weaknesses, ignores strengths
-promotes over-diagnosis
-too subjective, culturally laden

Question 4

What are some things common with the Autism Spectrum Disorder? (ASD)

Answer 4

-Deficits in communication and social interaction
-Restrictive/ Repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities

Question 5

How do you define Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder?

Answer 5

-inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity

Question 6

What are Anxiety-Related Disorders?

Answer 6

uncontrollable fears that are disproportionate and disruptive

-generalized anxiety disorder
-panic disorder
-specific phobia
-social anxiety disorder

Question 7

What are some things common in Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Answer 7

-persistent anxiety for at least 6 months
-inability to specify reasons for the anxiety

Question 8

What’s the etiology (cause for certain diseases) for anxiety?

Answer 8

-biological factors
-genetic predisposition, GABA deficiency, respiration

-psychological and sociocultural factors
-harsh self-standards, critical parents, negative thoughts, trauma

Question 9

What’s the diagnosis and symptoms of Panic Disorder?

Answer 9

-recurrent, sudden onsets of intense terror that often occur without warning

Question 10

What’s the etiology of Panic Disorder?

Answer 10

biological factors:
-genetic predisposition (runs in the family)
-lack of norepinephrine, GABA, serotonin

Psychological factors: conditioning to CO2
Sociocultural factors: gender differences

Question 11

What is a Specific Phobia?

Answer 11

-an irrational, overwhelming, persistent fear of a particular object or situation (ex: spider phobia)

Question 12

What are the diagnosis and symptoms for Social Anxiety Disorder?

Answer 12

-intense fear of being humiliated or embarrassed in social situations

Question 13

What’s the etiology for social anxiety disorder?

Answer 13

Biological factors:
-genetic disposition
-neural circuitry
-serotonin

Psychological factors:
-over-protective/ rejecting parenting
-social experiences

Question 14

What are the diagnosis and symptoms of Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder?

Answer 14

-persistent anxiety- provoking thoughts and/ or urges to perform repetitive, ritualistic behaviors to prevent or produce a situation

Question 15

What is the etiology for Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder?

Answer 15

Biological Factors:
-genetic predisposition
-over-active brain components (frontal cortex, basal ganglia)
-neurotransmitters (low serotonin, dopamine, glutamate)

Psychological factors:
-life stress
-difficulty filtering out negative thoughts

Question 16

What are Subtypes to OCD?

Answer 16

-hoarding disorder
-excoriation (skin picking)
-trichotillomani (hair pulling)
-body dysmorphic disorder

Question 17

What are the diagnosis and symptoms for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Answer 17

Symptoms develop as a result of exposure to a traumatic event, oppressive situation, natural or unnatural disasters

-flashbacks
-avoidance of emotional experiences
-excessive arousal, startle
-difficulties with memory and concentration
-impulsive outbursts

Question 18

What are Dissociative Disorders?

Answer 18

sudden loss of memory or change in identity

Question 19

What is Dissociation and the types of dissociation?

Answer 19

Dissociation is:
-dealing with extreme stress
-problems integrating emotional memories

The types:
-dissociative amnesia
-dissociative identity disorder (DID)

Question 20

What are the diagnosis and symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder? (MDD)

Answer 20

Diagnosis and Symptoms:

-significant depressive episode that lasts for at least two weeks
-daily functioning is impaired

Symptoms may include:
-fatigue, sense of worthlessness, reduced interest
-appetite and sleep disturbance

Question 21

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Answer 21

-Characterized by extreme mood swings that include mania
-Frequency and separation of episodes (usually separated by 6 months to a year)

Question 22

What is the etiology of bipolar disorder?

Answer 22

-strong genetic component
-swings in metabolic activity in cerebral cortex
-levels of neurotransmitters

Question 23

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Answer 23

-relentless pursuit of thinness through starvation
-distorted body image

Question 24

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Answer 24

-consistent binge and purge eating pattern
-preoccupation with food
-fear of becoming overweight

Question 25

What is Binge-Eating Disorder?

Answer 25

-recurrent episodes of excessive/ out-of- control eating

Question 26

What do all eating disorders have in common?

Answer 26

Eating disorders have a strong genetic component and problems with neurotransmitter regulation

Question 27

What is schizophrenia?

Answer 27

Highly disordered thought -split from reality (psychotic) -typically diagnosed in early adulthood -high suicide risk

Question 28

What are the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 28

Positive Symptoms: -hallucinations and delusions -thought disorders -disorders of movement Negative Symptoms: -social withdrawal, behavior deficits -flat affect

Question 29

What are the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 29

-attention difficulties and memory problems -impaired ability to interpret information and make decisions

Question 30

What are the biological factors of schizophrenia?

Answer 30

-genetic predisposition -structural brain abnormalities -regulation of neurotransmitters

Question 31

What are the diagnosis and symptoms of anti-social personality disorder?

Answer 31

-law-breaking, violence, deceit, without regret -impulsive, irritable, reckless, irresponsible\

Question 32

What’s the diagnosis and symptoms for Borderline Personality Disorder?

Answer 32

-instability in interpersonal relationships and self- image -impulsive, insecure, unstable and extreme emotions

Question 33

What is the etiology of BPD?

Answer 33

-genetic -childhood abuse -irrational belief one is powerless, unacceptable, and that others are hostile, hyper vigilance

Question 34

What’s the prevalence of suicide?

Answer 34

-third leading cause of death in early adolescence -for every completed suicide, 25 attempts -biology: genetics, neurotransmitters, physical health

Question 35

What are some sociocultural factors in suicide?

Answer 35

-chronic economic hardship -Native American, esp. females -Guyana, South Korea, Sri Lanka -culture of honor -no religious prohibition -women are more likely to attempt’ men more likely to complete.