Psychology 2 – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Mental Disorder
answer
"Any clinically significant syndrome reflecting a dysfunction in psychological, biological, or developmental processes, usually involving a disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that leads to significant personal distress and/or disability in social, occupational, or other important activities"
question
Significant personal distress
answer
Internal emotions or experiences that are upsetting to the person. These emotions or experiences DO NOT have to be observable by other people.
question
Impairment
answer
The state of being diminished, weakened or damaged, especially mentally or physically.
question
Symptom
answer
any objective or subjective evidence of disease
question
Factors that determine "normalcy"
answer
Culture, Group Tendencies
question
Cultural Relativity
answer
Notion that cultural beliefs/attitudes/norms determine what is normal/abnormal. There is no one, universal definition of abnormality, only culturally-determined definitions.
question
Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
answer
The "universal authority" for psychiatric diagnoses. Lists the diagnostic criteria for all mental disorders
question
Anxiety Disorders
answer
Excessive fear that impairs function
question
3 types of Anxiety Disorders
answer
Phobias, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder
question
Phobia Symptoms
answer
-Fear or anxiety of a specific object or situation lasting at least 6 months; -the object or situation almost always provokes anxiety symptoms; -out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the object or situation -the feared object or situation is actively avoided or endured with intense symptoms to the extent that functioning is impaired.
question
Anxiety Symptoms
answer
Physiological symptoms: --Rapid/irregular heartbeat --Dry mouth Emotional/psychological symptoms: --Sense of worry, concern, or apprehension --Inability to concentrate Behavioral symptoms: --Disorganized speech --Motor incoordination
question
Phobia Categories
answer
Animals Natural environment Blood-injection-injury Situational Other
question
Cause of Phobias
answer
Observational learning (or modeling) Two-factor theory
question
Two-factor Theory
answer
symptoms result from a combination of classical conditioning and operant conditioning
question
Classical Conditioning
answer
learning through pairing a Neutral Stimulus with an Unconditioned Stimulus
question
Operant Conditioning
answer
Learning through consequences
question
Prevalence of Phobias
answer
Up to 15% of the population
question
Treatment of Phobias
answer
Psychotherapy --Cognitive-behavioral therapy alone or in combination with exposure or systematic desensitization Psychopharmacology -Anti-anxiety medications ---Benzodiazepines ---Non-benzodiazepines -Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
question
Anti-anxiety Medications
answer
Benzodiazepines -Mechanism GABA agonists Non-benzodiazepines -Mechanism- unclear
question
Symptoms of GAD
answer
-Excessive worry more days than not for at least six months -difficult for the individual to control -three or more of the following symptoms: restlessness; fatigue; irritability; difficulty concentrating; muscle tension; sleep disturbance -significant distress or impairment -The symptoms of GAD are not situation or object specific.
question
Cause of GAD
answer
Combination of: --biological (genes) --psychological (irrational thinking patterns) --sociocultural (stressful life experiences)
question
Prevalence of GAD
answer
4-7% of population
question
Treatment of GAD
answer
Psychotherapy --Cognitive-behavioral therapy to challenge cognitive distortions and teach coping behaviors Psychopharmacology --Anti-anxiety medications --SSRIs
question
Panic Disorder Symptoms
answer
-Recurrent unexpected panic attacks followed by at least one month of: --Persistent worry about having additional attacks or their consequences (e.g., losing control, having a heart attack, "going crazy") --Significant maladaptive changes in behavior because of the attacks
question
Panic Attack Symptoms
answer
-A period of intense fear in which 4 of the following symptoms rapidly develop: --Rapid Heart Rate --Sweating --Shaking --Shortness of Breath --Chest pain --Nausea --Chills --Feeling Faint/Dizzy --Fear of Death --Fear of Losing Control
question
Cause of Panic Disorder
answer
Triple Vulnerabilities Model 1.Biological predisposition to anxiety (genes) 2.External locus of control 3.Hypersensitivity to signs of physical arousal -Though irrational, catastrophic thinking has also been linked to symptoms of panic disorder
question
Prevalence of Panic Disorder
answer
2-3% of population
question
Treatment of Panic Disorder
answer
Psychotherapy: -Cognitive-behavioral therapy about panic attacks and exposure therapy 1. Identifying irrational thoughts about the likelihood of experiencing additional panic attacks 2. Challenging those irrational thoughts 3. Replacing those irrational thoughts
question
Anxiety Disorders Prevalence between sexes
answer
Diagnosed twice as often in women than men
question
Obsessions
answer
Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and unwanted
question
Compulsions
answer
Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform
question
Symptoms of OCD
answer
Obsessions, compulsions, or both --If obsessions are involved, the person must try to ignore or suppress the obsessions --If compulsions are involved, the thoughts or behaviors must be intended to prevent or reduce anxiety or distress Symptoms must cause: --Significant personal distress --Impairment in functioning
question
Cause of OCD
answer
Largely unknown, theorized to be combo of biological predispositions, cognitive factors, and learning
question
Prevalence of OCD
answer
-1-2% of pop -50% of cases considered "severe"
question
Treatment for OCD
answer
Psychotherapy: -Cognitive behavioral therapy to recognize and challenge intrusive thoughts and exposure with response prevention -ERP Psychopharmacology: -Antidepressants
question
Antidepressants
answer
--First Generation antidepressants ----MAOIs ----Tricyclic Antidepressants --Mechanism: Norepinephrine and Serotonin Agonists -Second Generation antidepressants --Mechanism: Dopamine-Norepinephrine Antagonists -SSRIs -Dual-Action Antidepressants
question
Mood
answer
Sustained emotional state Ranges from: -Severe Mania -Hypomania -Balanced Mood -Mild to Moderate Depression -Severe Depression
question
3 Types of Mood Episodes
answer
1. Depressive Episodes 2. Manic Episodes 3. Hypomanic Episodes
question
Depressive Episodes
answer
Characterized by presence of at least 5 symptoms for at least 2 weeks that cause significant distress or impairment of functioning. Symptoms: -Depressed mood most of the day -Diminished interest/pleasure in activities -Significant weight loss/gain or change in appetite -Insomnia or Hypersomnia -Psychomotor agitation or retardation -Fatigue or loss of energy -Feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt -Diminished concentration, indecisiveness -Recurrent suicidal thoughts or attempt/ plan
question
Manic Episodes
answer
Characterized by: -At least 1 week of abnormally/persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally increased goal-directed activity -At least 3 symptoms that are unusual for person -Impairment in social/occupational functioning -Hospitalization to prevent harm to self/others Symptoms: --Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity -- Decreased need for sleep --More talkative than usual --Flight of ideas or racing thoughts --Distractibility --Increase in goal-directed activity --Excessive involvement in potentially painful activities
question
Hypomanic Episodes
answer
Characterized by: -At least 4 days of abnormally elevated mood and increased activity or energy -At least 3 symptoms that are observable and signal change from usual behavior ---Same symptoms as manic episode but to lesser degree -Symptoms not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning
question
Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder
answer
At least one depressive episode Never had any manic or hypomanic episodes
question
Prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder
answer
7% of population Females are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed than men
question
Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
answer
Psychotherapy -Cognitive-behavioral therapy to address cognitive triad of negative thoughts Psychopharmacology -Antidepressants
question
Symptoms of Bipolar I Disorder
answer
At least one manic episode
question
Prevalence of Bipolar I Disorder
answer
~0.6% of population
question
Symptoms of Bipolar II Disorder
answer
-At least one hypomanic episode AND at least one major depressive episode -NEVER had a manic episode -Symptoms of depression of unpredictability of frequent alternation between depression and hypomania causes clinically significant distress
question
Prevalence of Bipolar II Disorder
answer
~0.8% of population
question
Treatment for Bipolar I and Bipolar II
answer
Psychotherapy -*primarily for support/ to promote medication compliance Psychopharmacology -Mood Stabilizers (i.e. Lithium) --Mechanism: Glutamate stabilizer (keeps glutamate within normal range)
question
Causes of Mood Disorders
answer
Biological (important in all types) -Genetics -Neurotransmitters: --> Depressive: not enough serotonin & norepinephrine --> Hypomanic/Manic: too much serotonin & norepinephrine Psychosocial (Depressive Only) -Diathesis Stress model -Cognitive Triad
question
Diathesis Stress Model
answer
Genetic Predisposition and Trauma contribute to vulnerability and likelihood for mental disorders --Lots of stressful life exp.= higher likelihood --Few stressful life experiences= lower likelihood
question
Cognitive Triad
answer
Beck hypothesized that depressive symptoms are caused by how people think about: 1. Themselves (focus on personal defects) 2. Their situations (focus on helplessness) 3. The future (focus on unchanging conditions)
question
Eating Disorder characterizations
answer
-Issues with eating/ eating-related behaviors... -Leading to alterations in consumption/absorption of food... -That significantly impairs health or functioning
question
Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms
answer
-Persistent caloric restriction ---has to result in "significantly low weight" that's at least 15% below avg. for their age/sex/height, BMI below 17.5 -Intense fear of gaining weight/becoming fat ---fears not relieved by weight loss -Disturbance in self-perceived weight or shape
question
Prevalence of Anorexia Nervosa
answer
-0.4% of U.S. population is diagnosed -Highest rates among adolescents -90-95% of cases are female
question
Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa
answer
-Hospitalization -Psychotherapy ---Cognitive-behavioral therapy to question cultural beauty standards and to develop more accurate self-perceptions
question
Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
answer
-Self-eval particularly based on weight/shape -Recurrent episodes of binge eating ---at least once a week for 3 months -Behaviors intended to prevent weight gain ---at least once a week for 3 months ---Purging behaviors: vomiting, laxatives, enemas ---Fasting, excessive exercise -Behaviors done in private, accompanying shame
question
Prevalence of Bulimia Nervosa
answer
1-1.5% of U.S. population is diagnosed -highest rates among adolescents -90-95% of cases are female
question
Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa
answer
Psychotherapy --Cognitive-behavioral therapy Psychopharmacology --Antidepressants (primarily to treat co-occuring depression)
question
Causes of Eating Disorders
answer
Biological -Lower levels of serotonin Sociocultural -Hypercritical family -Modeling -Cultural norms Psychological -Negative self-beliefs -Perfectionism
question
Personality Disorders
answer
Enduring patterns of inner experience/behavior that affect at least 2 of a person's: --Thoughts --Emotions --Interpersonal functioning --Impulse control In general, these patterns are: --inflexible, long-standing, lead to significant distress or impairment in functioning
question
Cluster A Personality Disorders
answer
Odd or Eccentric Behavior Paranoid Personality Disorder
question
Symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder
answer
-General distrust/suspiciousness of others -Begins by early adulthood, present in a variety of contexts -4 or more symptoms: --Suspecting others are exploiting/deceiving --Preoccupied with unsubstantiated doubts about loyalty --Hesitant to confide in others --Reading hidden demeaning meanings into benign remarks --Persistently bearing a grudge --Perceiving attacks on character --Recurrent suspicions regarding spouse's fidelity
question
Prevalence of Paranoid Personality Disorder
answer
~2% of U.S. population
question
Cluster B Personality Disorders
answer
Dramatic, Emotional or Erratic Behavior Borderline Personality Disorder
question
Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
answer
-Pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, impulsivity -Begins by early adulthood, presents in a variety of contexts -5 or more symptoms: --Frantic efforts to avoid abandonment --Unstable and intense interpersonal relationships marked by alternating between idealization and devaluation --Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging --Recurrent suicidal thoughts or behaviors --Emotional instability due to mood reactivity --Chronic feelings of emptiness --Inappropriate anger
question
Prevalence of Borderline Personality Disorder
answer
~2-3% of U.S. population
question
Cluster C Personality Disorders
answer
Anxious or Fearful Behavior Dependent Personality Disorder
question
Symptoms of Dependent Personality Disorder
answer
-Continual, excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive/clinging behaviors, fears of separations -Begins by early adulthood, presents in a variety of contexts Symptoms: --Difficulty making everyday decisions without reassurance --Needing others to assume responsibility for major areas of life --Difficulty expressing disagreement because of fear of loss of approval --Difficulty initiating projects because of lack of self-confidence --Going to excessive lengths to obtain support from others --Feeling uncomfortable or helpless when alone --Urgently seeking another relationship when a relationship ends --Being preoccupied with fears of having to take care of self
question
Prevalence of Dependent Personality Disorder
answer
~0.5% of U.S. population
question
Causes of Personality Disorders
answer
Combination of: -Biological Factors --Genetics -Sociocultural Factors --Cultural background --Chaotic Home Environment --Abuse
question
Treatment of Personality Disorders
answer
-Quite difficult to treat because of pervasiveness of symptoms and variability in presentations -Treatment typically guided by symptoms of client -Dialectical Behavior Therapy
question
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
answer
Specific type of cognitive-behavioral therapy developed in late 1980s by Marsha Linehan --4 types of treatment: individual therapy, group therapy, phone coaching, therapist consultation --4 goals of treatment: -Mindfulness -Distress Tolerance -Interpersonal Effectiveness -Emotion regulation
question
Psychosis
answer
"loss of contact with reality" meaning that people have issues perceiving whether or not things are real
question
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
answer
-Continuous signs of disturbance for at least 6 months, during which time there is at least 1 month where 2 or more symptoms are present. At least one of these must be (1), (2) or (3): 1. Delusions 2. Hallucinations 3. Disorganized Speech 4. Grossly Disorganized or Catatonic Behavior 5. Negative symptoms
question
Delusions
answer
"Fixed beliefs that are not amendable to change in light of conflicting evidence" -Persecutory Delusions -Erotomanic Delusions -Grandiose Delusions -Somatic Delusions
question
Persecutory Delusions
answer
False belief that you are going to be harmed
question
Erotomanic Delusions
answer
False belief that another person is in love with you
question
Grandiose Delusions
answer
False belief that you have exceptional wealth, fame, abilities, etc.
question
Somatic Delusions
answer
False belief that there is something wrong with your health
question
Hallucinations
answer
"An experience involving the apparent perception of something not present" -Auditory (most common) -Visual -Olfactory -Somatic -Tactile
question
Disorganized Speech
answer
-"Word Salad" -Clanging -Neologisms
question
"Word Salad"
answer
Mixing seemingly random words and phrases into confused or unintelligible mixture
question
Clanging
answer
Mode of speech characterized by association of words based upon sound rather than concepts
question
Neologisms
answer
Speaking in made up words
question
Grossly Disorganized or Catatonic Behavior
answer
-Maintaining a rigid or bizarre posture -Lack of verbal responses -Lack of motor responses -Purposeless and excessive motor activity -Stereotyped movements
question
Negative Symptoms
answer
-Reductions in typical behaviors -Diminished emotional expressions ---Reduced facial expressions and gestures ---Reduced eye contact ---Monotonous voice -Avolition ---Alogia ---Anhedonia ---Asociality
question
Avolition
answer
Decreased motivation to initiate and perform purposeful activities -Alogia- diminished speech output -Anhedonia- decreased pleasure in activities -Asociality- Lack of interest in social interactions
question
Cause of Schizophrenia
answer
No Clear cause, best guess combo of: Biological Factors -Genetics --> supported through twin studies, 50% chance in identical twins vs. 14% in fraternal twins -Brain Structure --> enlarged ventricles consistently found in brain imaging scans -Neurochemistry --> higher levels of dopamine Sociocultural factors -Growing up in severely dysfunctional family environment -Chronic or prolonged poverty -Traumatic experiences -Diathesis Stress model
question
Prevalence of Schizophrenia
answer
Diagnosed in ~1% of U.S. population Comparable rates in men/women (though men are diagnosed slightly more often)
question
Course of Schizophrenia
answer
"Late onset" mental disorder -For men, symptoms begin in late teens/early 20s -For women, symptoms begin in mid 20s/early 30s
question
Treatment of Schizophrenia
answer
Psychotherapy -Individual Therapy -Group Therapy -Family Therapy Psychopharmacology -Typical antipsychotics -Atypical Antipsychotics
question
Typical Antipsychotics
answer
-Mechanism: Dopamine antagonist -Helpful in treating positive symptoms, lots of negative side effects including potentially tardive dyskinesia
question
Tardive Dyskinesia
answer
A difficult to treat, incurable disorder resulting in involuntary, repetitive body movements
question
Atypical Antipsychotics
answer
-Mechanism: function by blocking a broader range of neurotransmitter receptors -Comparatively helpful in treating positive symptoms, much lower chance of causing tardive dyskinesia
question
Psychotherapy
answer
-Treatment of mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or mental health provider -Purpose is to help clients learn about their moods, thoughts, and behaviors so they can respond in more empowered/effective manner
question
Types of Psychotherapy
answer
Individual Psychotherapy --one-on-one therapy Group Psychotherapy --One or two therapists and many clients Family Psychotherapy --subtype of group therapy; one or two therapists and several family members as clients
question
Types of Theoretical Approaches
answer
Psychodynamic Approach Humanistic Approach Behavioral Approach Cognitive Approach
question
Psychodynamic Approach
answer
-Symptoms are caused by material trapped in unconscious -Treatment aims to bring unconscious material into consciousness without arousing defense mechanisms ---Free Association ---Dream Interpretation ---Transference -Therapists are curious, interpretive, inquisitive
question
Humanistic Approach
answer
-Symptoms are caused by incongruence -Treatment aims to create an environment where unconditional positive regard can be experienced ---Genuineness ---Unconditional Positive Regard ---Empathic Understanding -Therapists are non-judgemental, empathetic, genuine
question
Behavioral Approach
answer
-Symptoms are learned -Treatment aims to help people unlearn maladaptive behaviors and replace them with adaptive behaviors ---Applied Behavioral Analysis ---Exposure Therapy ---Systematic Desensitization -Therapists are directive, prescriptive, supportive
question
Exposure Therapy
answer
-Literally "exposing" someone to a stimulus -Theory being that by exposing someone to the anxiety-producing stimulus, they will learn that the stimulus is not the cause of the feelings -Two-factor theory
question
Systematic Desensitization
answer
-Identification of an anxiety inducing stimulus hierarchy -Learning relaxation or coping techniques -Exposure to anxiety-inducing stimulus hierarchy
question
Cognitive Approach
answer
-Symptoms are caused by distorted thoughts -Treatment aims to help people identify, challenge, and replace distorted thoughts -Therapists are directive, instructive, supportive
question
Distorted or Irrational Thoughts
answer
-Thoughts that are not based on evidence -Mental Filler--> focusing on negative aspects of a situation and ignoring the positives -Jumping to Conclusions--> Presuming we know reason why something occurred w/o evidence -Overgeneralization--> drawing a general conclusion based on a single incident -Catastrophizing--> Expecting the worst possible outcome -Personalization--> Relating external events to yourself -Dichotomous Thinking--> Thinking that does not allow for middle ground
question
Common Factors Perspective
answer
-It is not the "specific ingredients" that make psychotherapy effective but rather "common factors" that cut across all types of treatment -Therapeutic Relationship --Most important predictor of outcomes -Therapist Characteristics --More effective if therapists are: warm, sensitive, responsive, competent, culturally aware -Client Characteristics --More likely to be effective if clients are: motivated to change, committed to and actively involved in treatment, hopeful that psychotherapy can alleviate their symptoms
question
Psychopharmacology
answer
-Use of medications in treating mental disorders -Based on premise that mental disorders are (at least partially) caused by neurochemistry -Treatment involves the prescription of psychotropic medication in order to affect neurotransmitters in the brain
question
Agonists
answer
-Stimulate or activate neurotransmitter release -Increase the amount of neurotransmitter in the synapse
question
Antagonists
answer
-Prevent or reduce neurotransmitter release -Decrease the amount of neurotransmitter in the synapse
question
Problems with Medication Compliance
answer
-Sometimes people can't access medication (due to cost, etc.) -Sometimes the symptoms of the disorder are desirable -Sometimes the side effects of medication are undesirable
