Week 11 + Chapter 14 Flashcards
(68 cards)
Psychological Disorders
a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or development processes underlying mental functioning.
Biopsychosocial model
A holistic model that explains behavior and health as the result of interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors.
Example:
To understand depression, the biopsychosocial model would consider a person’s genetics (biological), thought patterns (psychological), and relationships or life stress (social).
Evidence-based practice
A clinical approach that integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient’s values and preferences.
Example:
A psychologist chooses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to treat a client’s anxiety because it’s supported by strong research and aligns with the client’s goals.
Comorbidity
two or more disorders in the same individual.
Abnormal behavior
is distressing and harmful to self or others.
Diathesis-stress model
A model that suggests that the experience of stress interacts with an individual’s pre-existing vulnerability to produce a psychological disorder.
Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy
Focus on bringing unconscious struggles into consciousness
(free association, dream analysis)
Insight: Increase patient’s understanding of their own
psychological processes
Person/Client-centered therapy
Encouragement of personal growth through self-understanding (congruence)
Safe and comfortable setting, empathy, reflective listening
Cognitive behavioral therapy
A structured, time-limited psychotherapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Example:
A person with social anxiety might learn to challenge the belief that “everyone is judging me” and gradually practice social situations to reduce fear and avoidance.
Maladaptive thoughts
Negative or distorted patterns of thinking that interfere with a person’s ability to cope with stress or function effectively.
Example:
Thinking “I’m a failure and nothing will ever go right” after one setback is a maladaptive thought that can lead to depression or anxiety.
Psychotropic medication/pharmacotherapy
Drugs that affect mental
processes
Anxiolytics
treatment of anxiety e.g., benzodiazepines, increase GABA activity
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. It reduces neural activity by making neurons less likely to fire.
Anxiety is linked to overactive brain activity, especially in areas like the amygdala (which processes fear).
Antidepressants
E.g., SSRIs; increase serotonin levels
Antipsychotics
Block dopamine, reduce positive symptoms of schizophrenia (e.g., hallucinations, delusions)
Abnormal dopamine activity (especially too much dopamine in certain brain areas) plays a key role in the development of schizophrenia, particularly its positive symptoms.
Neurodevelopmental disorders
A group of conditions that begin in childhood and involve developmental deficits that cause impairments in personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning.
Example:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental disorders. A child with ADHD may have trouble focusing and sitting still in class.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
a disorder characterized by deficits in social relatedness and communication skills that are often accompanied by repetitive ritualistic behaviors.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - Diagnosing
Many researchers believe that a failure to develop a normal theory of mind is responsible for many of the social deficits observed in ASD
Even when language skills are relatively normal, though, individuals with ASD usually experience difficulty maintaining conversations with others because of their social skills deficits.
Individuals with ASD often object strenuously to changes in their environments and show a high level of repetitive, routine behavior.
Children with ASD often show differences from healthy children in their sensitivity to environmental stimuli.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Symptoms
- Inattention
Difficulty sustaining attention
Easily distracted
Forgetful, disorganized
Trouble following through on tasks
- Hyperactivity
Fidgeting, restlessness
Difficulty staying seated
Talking excessively
Always “on the go”
- Impulsivity
Interrupting others
Trouble waiting turn
Making quick decisions without thinking
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Treatments
Behavioral therapy (especially helpful for kids)
Medications (e.g., stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall)
Cognitive and academic support
Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders include
A group of mental disorders characterized by distorted thinking, perceptions, emotions, and behavior, often involving psychosis (loss of contact with reality).
Schizophrenia
a disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized though and speech, disorders of movement, restricted affect, and avolition or asociality.
Schizophrenia symptoms
hallucinations, delusions, disorganized though and speech, disorders of movement, restricted affect, and avolition or asociality.
Schizophrenia treatments
Pharmacological treatments are the most effective
- Neuroleptics revolutionized the treatment of schizophrenia
- Significant side effects; tardive dyskinesia
- Atypical (second generation) antipsychotics, e.g., Clozapine (lower risk of motor impairment, though not without their own side
effects)
- Little to no effect on negative symptoms in the long-term
