Psychology chapter 15 Psychological Disorders
How does the APA define psychological disorders? How does this definition relate to the harmful dysfunction model of psychological disorders? (548-550)
According to the APA, a psychological disorder is a condition that is said to consist of the following: • There are significant disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, The disturbances reflect some kind of biological, psychological, or developmental dysfunction, The disturbances lead to significant distress or disability in one's life, and The disturbances do not reflect expected or culturally approved responses to certain events.
What are some examples of common anxiety disorders? What are some factors that may contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder? (556-562)
Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive and persistent fear and anxiety, and by related disturbances in behavior. Some common anxiety disorders include: specific phobia (heights and flying), acquisition of phobias through learning, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Some factors that may contribute to the development of anxiety include: painful childhood experiences, LIFE EVENTS (PARENTS GETTING DIVORCED) and GENETICS.
What are the key characteristics of a personality disorder? What are the characteristics of borderline personality disorder? (584-587)
Generally, individuals with these disorders exhibit enduring personality styles that are extremely troubling and often create problems for them and those with whom they come into contact. Their maladaptive personality styles frequently bring them into conflict with others, disrupt their ability to develop and maintain social relationships, and prevent them from accomplishing realistic life goals. borderline personality disorder has a completely different meaning. People with borderline personality disorder cannot tolerate the thought of being alone and will make frantic efforts (including making suicidal gestures and engaging in self-mutilation) to avoid abandonment or separation (whether real or imagined).
What is the biological perspective of psychological disorders? What evidence is there that supports a genetic component to schizophrenia? (555)
The biological perspective views psychological disorders as linked to biological phenomena, such as genetic factors, chemical imbalances, and brain abnormalities; it has gained considerable attention and acceptance in recent decades. In Figure 15.8 it shows us a person's risk of developing schizophrenia increases if a relative has schizophrenia. The closer the genetic relationship, the higher the risk.
What are some possible reasons for the increase in prevalence rates for ADHD? (594)
1. ADHD may be over-diagnosed by doctors who are too quick to medicate children as a behavior treatment. 2. There is greater awareness of ADHD now than in the past. 3. The use of computers, video games, iPhones, and other electronic devices has become pervasive among children in the early 21st century, and these devices could potentially shorten children's attentions spans. 4. ADHD diagnostic criteria have changed over time.
What is etiology, and how does it relate to the study of psychological disorders? (546)
Etiology is the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition. Although consensus can be difficult, it is extremely important for mental health professionals to agree on what kinds of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are truly abnormal in the sense that they genuinely indicate the presence of psychopathology. Certain patterns of behavior and inner experience can easily be labeled as abnormal and clearly signify some kind of psychological disturbance. Etiology relates to psychological disorders because Etiology is the cause or causes of the psychological disorder.
What is the relationship between psychological disorders and suicide? What are some risk factors for suicide? (576-578)
For some people with mood disorders, the extreme emotional pain they experience becomes unendurable. Overwhelmed by hopelessness, devastated by incapacitating feelings of worthlessness, and burdened with the inability to adequately cope with such feelings, they may consider suicide to be a reasonable way out. Not only must the person be biologically or psychologically vulnerable, but he must also have the means to perform the suicidal act, and he must lack the necessary protective factors (e.g., social support from friends and family, religion, coping skills, and problem-solving skills) that provide comfort and enable one to cope during times of crisis or great psychological pain.
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? What are some factors that may contribute to the development of OCD? (562-565)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experience thoughts and urges that are intrusive and unwanted (obsessions) and/or the need to engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). Some factors that my contribute to OCD include: Family history; having parents or other family members with the disorder can increase your risk of developing OCD. Stressful lifevents, and other mental health disorders.
What are the prevalence rates for PTSD in the United States? What are some risk factors for PTSD? (566-567)
Roughly 7% of adults in the United States, including 9.7% of women and 3.6% of men, experience PTSD in their lifetime with higher rates among people exposed to mass trauma and people whose jobs involve duty-related trauma exposure (e.g., police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel). Several factors strongly predict the development of PTSD: trauma experience, greater trauma severity, lack of immediate social support, and more subsequent life stress. Traumatic events that involve harm by others (e.g., combat, rape, and sexual molestation) carry greater risk than do other traumas (e.g., natural disasters).
Why is schizophrenia considered a psychotic disorder? Do schizophrenics demonstrate a split personality? (578-579)
Schizophrenia is considered a psychotic disorder, or one in which the person's thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors are impaired to the point where she is not able to function normally in life. In informal terms, one who suffers from a psychotic disorder (that is, has a psychosis) is disconnected from the world in which most of us live. Schizophrenics do not demonstrate a split personality.
What are the central features of cognitive theories of depression? (575-576)
The cognitive triad are three forms of negative (i.e. helpless and critical) thinking that are typical of individuals with depression: namely negative thoughts about the self, the world and the future. These thoughts tended to be automatic in depressed people as they occurred spontaneously. DEPRESSION IS RELATED TO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
What is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders? What is it used for? (550)
The most recent edition, published in 2013, is the DSM-5 . The DSM-5 includes many categories of disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and dissociative disorders). Each disorder is described in detail, including an overview of the disorder (diagnostic features), specific symptoms required for diagnosis (diagnostic criteria), prevalence information (what percent of the population is thought to be afflicted with the disorder), and risk factors associated with the disorder. AID AND DIAGNOSTIC PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
According to Figure 15.4, what are some common psychological disorders in the United States? How do men and women compare in prevalence rates? (551)
The top three shown in figure 15.4 are Major depressive disorder. When comparing this between men and women, women tend to have a higher rate. Second is alcohol abuse. When comparing this between men and women, men tend to have a higher rate. Lastly, is specific phobia. Females tend to have a higher rate in this category. In all of these different areas besides two,women tend to have the higher rate then men.
What are some key characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? What are some possible causes? What is the relationship between ASD and childhood vaccinations? (592-596)
Children with Autism spectrum disorder show signs of significant disturbances in three main areas: (a) deficits in social interaction, (b) deficits in communication, and (c) repetitive patterns of behavior or interests. These disturbances appear early in life and cause serious impairments in functioning. Some possible causes include: Genetics, gene mutations, A number of environmental factors are also thought to be associated with increased risk for autism spectrum disorder, at least in part, because they contribute to new mutations. These factors include exposure to pollutants, such as plant emissions and mercury, urban versus rural residence, and vitamin D deficiency. There is no relationship between ASD and childhood vaccinations.
What is comorbidity? Give an example. (551)
Comorbidity the co-occurrence of two disorders. For example, the DSM-5 mentions that 41% of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder also meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (Figure 15.5). Drug use is highly comorbid with other mental illnesses; 6 out of 10 people who have a substance use disorder also suffer from another form of mental illness
How does bipolar disorder differ from major depressive disorder? (569-572)
Depressive disorders are a group of disorders in which depression is the main feature (feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or appearing tearful to others), and loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities. A person with bipolar disorder often experiences mood states that vacillate between depression and mania; that is, the person's mood is said to alternate from one emotional extreme to the other (in contrast to unipolar, which indicates a persistently sad mood).