PSY 150 Chapter 15 Psychological Disorders

3 main areas children with autism experience disturbances in

(a) deficits in social interaction, (b) deficits in communication, and (c) repetitive patterns of behavior or interests

etiology

(i.e., their causes), and treatment

harmful dysfunction

A concept used in one approach to the definition of mental disorder. A condition can be considered a mental disorder if it causes some harm to the person and if the condition results from the inability of some mental mechanism to perform its natural function

Regions of the brain associated with depression

Amygdala-emotional significance of stimuli and experiencing emotions Prefrontal cortex-the regulation and controlling of emotions Hippocampus- Thalamus-

3 clusters of personality disorders

Cluster A Cluster B Cluster C

10 DSM-5 personality disorders

Paranoid Schizoid Schizotypal Antisocial Histrionic Narcissistic Borderline Avoidant Dependent Obsessive-Compulsive

Signs of inattention in ADHD

Some of the signs of inattention include great difficulty with and avoidance of tasks that require sustained attention (such as conversations or reading), failure to follow instructions (often resulting in failure to complete school work and other duties), disorganization (difficulty keeping things in order, poor time management, sloppy and messy work), lack of attention to detail, becoming easily distracted, and forgetfulness

Diathesis-Stress Model

a diagnostic model that proposes that a disorder may develop when an underlying vulnerability is coupled with a precipitating event

diathesis-stress model

a diagnostic model that proposes that a disorder may develop when an underlying vulnerability is coupled with a precipitating event emphasizes that diathesis and stress, are necessary in the development of a disorder

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

a disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, numbness of feeling, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience

attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

a psychological disorder marked by extreme inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity hyperactive children— are fidgety, restless, socially disruptive, and have trouble with impulse control—also display short attention spans, problems with concentration, and distractibility

generalized anxiety disorder

a relatively continuous state of excessive, uncontrollable, and pointless worry and apprehension is more likely to occur in females is highly comorbid with mood disorders and other anxiety disorders

flight of ideas

abruptly switching from one topic to another

Dependent

allows others to take over and run her life; is submissive, clingy, and fears separation; cannot make decisions without advice and reassurance from others; lacks self-confidence; cannot do things on her own; feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone Cluster C

orbitofrontal cortex

an area of the frontal lobe involved in learning and decision-making plays a role in OCD

seasonal pattern

applies to situations in which a person experiences the symptoms of major depressive disorder only during a particular time of year (e.g., fall or winter).

peripartum onset

applies to women who experience major depression during pregnancy or in the four weeks following the birth of their child These women often feel very anxious and may even have panic attacks They may feel guilty, agitated, and be weepy They may not want to hold or care for their newborn

prodromal symptoms

approach involves identifying people who show minor symptoms of psychosis, such as unusual thought content, paranoia, odd communication, delusions, problems at school or work, and a decline in social functioning—which

Depressive disorders

are a group of disorders in which depression is the main feature contains a broad spectrum of symptoms

Bipolar and related disorders

are a group of disorders in which mania is the defining feature

Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders

are a group of overlapping disorders that generally involve intrusive, unpleasant thoughts and repetitive behaviors

Delusions

are beliefs that are contrary to reality and are firmly held even in the face of contradictory evidence

Dissociative disorders

are characterized by an individual becoming split off, or dissociated, from their core sense of self examples: dissociative amnesia, depersonalization/derealization disorder, and dissociative identity disorder

Anxiety disorders

are characterized by excessive and persistent fear and anxiety, and by related disturbances in behavior are more common in women than in men are the most frequently occurring class of mental disorders and are often commorbid with each other and with other mental disorders

Mood disorders

are characterized by severe disturbances in mood and emotions—most often depression, but also mania and elation

Negative symptoms

are those that reflect noticeable decreases and absences in certain behaviors, emotions, or drives A person who exhibits diminished emotional expression shows no emotion in his facial expressions, speech, or movements, even when such expressions are normal or expected

supernatural

attributed to a force beyond scientific understanding

the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

authoritative index of mental and physical diseases, including infectious diseases, and the criteria for their diagnosis; published by the World Health Organization (WHO)

grandiose delusions

beliefs that one holds special power, unique knowledge, or is extremely important

two forms of learning that play a role in OCD

classical conditioning operant conditioning

Antisocial

continuously violates the rights of others; history of antisocial tendencies prior to age 15; often lies, fights, and has problems with the law; impulsive and fails to think ahead; can be deceitful and manipulative in order to gain profit or pleasure; irresponsible and often fails to hold down a job or pay financial debts; lacks feelings for others and remorse over misdeeds Cluster B

Suicide

defined by the CDC as "death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with any intent to die as the result of the behavior"

neurodevelopmental disorders

developmental problems in personal, social, academic, and intellectual functioning

two key processes which are crucial in the development and maintenance of PTSD

disturbances in memory for the event, and negative appraisals of the trauma and its aftermath

neurotransmitters involved in ADHD

dopamine and norepinephrine the frontal lobes

Role of dopamine in schizophrenia

drugs that increase dopamine levels can produce schizophrenia-like symptoms medications that block dopamine activity reduce the symptoms

Histrionic

excessively overdramatic, emotional, and theatrical; feels uncomfortable when not the center of others' attention; behavior is often inappropriately seductive or provocative; speech is highly emotional but often vague and diffuse; emotions are shallow and often shift rapidly; may alienate friends with demands for constant attention Cluster B

personality disorders

exhibit a personality style that differs markedly from the expectations of their culture, is pervasive and inflexible, begins in adolescence or early adulthood, and causes distress or impairment

Schizotypal

exhibits eccentricities in thought, perception, emotion, speech, and behavior; shows suspiciousness or paranoia; has unusual perceptual experiences; speech is often idiosyncratic; displays inappropriate emotions; lacks friends or confidants; not due to schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, or to autism spectrum disorder Cluster A

persistent depressive disorder

experience depressed moods most of the day nearly every day for at least two years, as well as at least two of the other symptoms of major depressive disorder

panic disorder

experience recurrent (more than one) and unexpected panic attacks, along with at least one month of persistent concern about additional panic attacks, worry over the consequences of the attacks, or self-defeating changes in behavior related to the attacks

Factors which increase the likelihood of developing PTSD

female gender, low socioeconomic status low intelligence personal history of mental disorders history of childhood adversity (abuse or other trauma during childhood) family history of mental disorders Personality characteristics such as neuroticism and somatization (the tendency to experience physical symptoms when one encounters stress)

Asperger's disorder

generally recognized as a less severe form of autistic disorder; individuals diagnosed with Asperger's disorder were described as having average or high intelligence and a strong vocabulary, but exhibiting impairments in social interaction and social communication, such as talking only about their special interests

Factors that indicate if prodromal individuals will develop a psychotic disorder

genetic risk (a family history of psychosis), recent deterioration in functioning, high levels of unusual thought content, high levels of suspicion or paranoia, poor social functioning, and a history of substance abuse

main symptoms of schizophrenia

hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, disorganized or abnormal motor behavior, and negative symptoms

Paranoid

harbors a pervasive and unjustifiable suspiciousness and mistrust of others; reluctant to confide in or become close to others; reads hidden demeaning or threatening meaning into benign remarks or events; takes offense easily and bears grudges; not due to schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders cluster A

Core personality traits that characterize borderline personality disorder

impulsivity and emotional instability

Cluster B ( Personality disorder)

include antisocial personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder

Cluster C

include avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (which is not the same thing as obsessive-compulsive disorder) People with these disorders often appear to be nervous and fearful

major depressive disorder

includes "depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day" (feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or appearing tearful to others), and loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities people may be overwhelmingly sad most of each day, people with depression will no longer show interest or enjoyment in activities that previously were gratifying, such as hobbies, sports, sex, social events, time spent with family, and so on.

Schizophrenia

is a devastating psychological disorder that is characterized by major disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior

hallucination

is a perceptual experience that occurs in the absence of external stimulation

Mania

is a state of extreme elation and agitation symptoms: people may be extremely talkative, reckless behavior, they may attempt to take on many tasks most recognized disorder is bipolar disorder

manic episode

is characterized as a "distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy lasting at least one week,"

Avolition

is characterized by a lack of motivation to engage in self-initiated and meaningful activity, including the most basic of tasks, such as bathing and grooming

hyperactivity in ADHD

is characterized by excessive movement, and includes fidgeting or squirming, leaving one's seat in situations when remaining seated is expected, having trouble sitting still (e.g., in a restaurant), running about and climbing on things, blurting out responses before another person's question or statement has been completed, difficulty waiting one's turn for something, and interrupting and intruding on others

Social anxiety disorder

is characterized by extreme and persistent fear or anxiety and avoidance of social situations in which the person could potentially be evaluated negatively by others the fear is that the person's concern that he may act in a humiliating or embarrassing way, such as appearing foolish, showing symptoms of anxiety (blushing), or doing or saying something that might lead to rejection (such as offending others) problems: include public speaking, having a conversation, meeting strangers, eating in restaurants, and, in some cases, using public restrooms

Depersonalization/derealization disorder

is characterized by recurring episodes of depersonalization, derealization, or both

autism spectrum disorder

is characterized mainly by an inability to form close emotional ties with others, speech and language abnormalities, repetitive behaviors, and an intolerance of minor changes in the environment and in normal routines

panic attack

is defined as a period of extreme fear or discomfort that develops abruptly and reaches a peak within 10 minutes

body dysmorphic disorder

is preoccupied with a perceived flaw in physical appearance that is either nonexistent or barely noticeable to other people

the locus coeruleus

is the brain's major source of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that triggers the body's fight-or-flight response

Rumination

is the repetitive and passive focus on the fact that one is depressed and dwelling on depressed symptoms, rather that distracting one's self from the symptoms or attempting to address them in an active, problem-solving manner

Psychopathology

is the study of psychological disorders, including their symptoms can also refer to the manifestation of a psychological disorder

simplest approach to conceptualizing psychological disorders

is to label behaviors, thoughts, and inner experiences that are atypical, distressful, dysfunctional, and sometimes even dangerous, as signs of a disorder

dissociative amnesia

is unable to recall important personal information, usually following an extremely stressful or traumatic experience such as combat, natural disasters, or being the victim of violence

Schizoid

lacks interest and desire to form relationships with others; aloof and shows emotional coldness and detachment; indifferent to approval or criticism of others; lacks close friends or confidants; not due to schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, not an autism spectrum disorder Cluster A

schizophrenia and brain anatomy

larger than normal ventricle size indicates that various brain regions are reduced in size thus implying a loss of brain tissue a reduction of gray matter less frontal lobe activity when performing cognitive tasks

locus coeruleus

may play a role in this disorder

safety behaviors

mental or behavioral acts that reduce anxiety in social situations by reducing the chance of negative social outcomes include avoiding eye contact, rehearsing sentences before speaking, talking only briefly, and not talking about oneself assuming roles in social situations that minimize interaction with others (e.g., taking pictures, setting up equipment, or helping prepare food) asking people many questions to keep the focus off of oneself selecting a position to avoid scrutiny or contact with others (sitting in the back of the room) wearing bland, neutral clothes to avoid drawing attention to oneself avoiding substances or activities that might cause anxiety symptoms (such as caffeine, warm clothing, and physical exercise)

atypical

not typical, a deviation from the norm

bipolar disorder

often experience mood states that vacillate between depression and mania

psychological disorder

or mental disorder, is "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 developmental processes underlying mental functioning.

asociality

or social withdrawal and lack of interest in engaging in social interactions with others

Narcissistic

overinflated and unjustified sense of self-importance and preoccupied with fantasies of success; believes he is entitled to special treatment from others; shows arrogant attitudes and behaviors; takes advantage of others; lacks empathy Cluster B

Cluster A ( Personality disorders)

paranoid personality disorder

dissociative identity disorder

people with this disorder experience exhibit two or more separate personalities or identities, each well-defined and distinct from one another They also experience memory gaps for the time during which another identity is in charge some may also hear voices

Obsessive-Compulsive

pervasive need for perfectionism that interferes with the ability to complete tasks; preoccupied with details, rules, order, and schedules; excessively devoted to work at the expense of leisure and friendships; rigid, inflexible, and stubborn; insists things be done his way; miserly with money Cluster C

hopelessness theory

postulates that a particular style of negative thinking leads to a sense of hopelessness, which then leads to depression

dopamine hypothesis

proposed that an overabundance of dopamine or too many dopamine receptors are responsible for the onset and maintenance of schizophrenia

anhedonia

refers to an inability to experience pleasure

Disorganized thinking

refers to disjointed and incoherent thought processes—usually detected by what a person says a person might ramble, exhibit loose associations (jump from topic to topic), or talk in a way that is so disorganized and incomprehensible that it seems as though the person is randomly combining words

Alogia

refers to reduced speech output; in simple terms, patients do not say much

Disorganized or abnormal motor behavior

refers to unusual behaviors and movements: becoming unusually active, exhibiting silly child-like behaviors (giggling and self-absorbed smiling), engaging in repeated and purposeless movements, or displaying odd facial expressions and gestures

subtypes of depression

seasonal pattern, peripartum onset, persistent depressive disorder

catatonic behaviors

show decreased reactivity to the environment, such as posturing, in which the person maintains a rigid and bizarre posture for long periods of time, or catatonic stupor, a complete lack of movement and verbal behavior

What are mental disorders are usually associated with?

significant distress in social, occupational, or other important activities"

What does a psychological disorder consist of?

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 The disturbances do not reflect expected or culturally approved responses to certain events

5 symptoms used to diagnose major depressive disorder

significant weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain and/or significant decrease or increase in appetite; difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too much; psychomotor agitation (the person is noticeably fidgety and jittery, demonstrated by behaviors like the inability to sit, pacing, hand-wringing, pulling or rubbing of the skin, clothing, or other objects) or psychomotor retardation (the person talks and moves slowly, for example, talking softly, very little, or in a monotone); fatigue or loss of energy; feelings of worthlessness or guilt; difficulty concentrating and indecisiveness; and suicidal ideation: thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), thinking about or planning suicide, or making an actual suicide attempt.

Avoidant

socially inhibited and oversensitive to negative evaluation; avoids occupations that involve interpersonal contact because of fears of criticism or rejection; avoids relationships with others unless guaranteed to be accepted unconditionally; feels inadequate and views self as socially inept and unappealing; unwilling to take risks or engage in new activities if they may prove embarrassing Cluster C

flashbacks

states that can last from a few seconds to several days, during which the individual relives the event and behaves as if the event were occurring at that moment

predominant traits of antagonism ( antisocial personality disorder)

such as disregard for others' needs, manipulative or deceitful behavior) and disinhibition, characterized by impulsivity, irresponsibility, and risk-taking

diagnosis

that is, appropriately identifying and labeling a set of defined symptoms—is absolutely crucial

DSM-5

the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition; a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders

ventricles

the cavities within the brain that contain cerebral spinal fluid

comorbidity

the co-occurrence of two or more disorders in a single individual

(the 5-HTTLPR gene)

the specific gene that regulates serotonin people who carry 2 short versions of this gene are more likely to experience major depressive disorder

7 factors which predict if PTSD will develop

trauma experience, greater trauma severity lack of immediate social support, 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)

risk factors associated with major depressive disorder

unemployment (including homemakers); earning less than $20,000 per year; living in urban areas; or being separated, divorced, or widowed Comorbid disorders include anxiety disorders and substance abuse disorders

Borderline

unstable in self-image, mood, and behavior; cannot tolerate being alone and experiences chronic feelings of emptiness; unstable and intense relationships with others; behavior is impulsive, unpredictable, and sometimes self-damaging; shows inappropriate and intense anger; makes suicidal gestures Cluster B

specific phobia

when a person experiences excessive, distressing, and persistent fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation (such as animals, enclosed spaces, elevators, or flying)

hoarding disorder

when people cannot bear to part with personal possessions, regardless of how valueless or useless these possessions are

dissociative fugue

whereby they suddenly wander away from their home, experience confusion about their identity, and sometimes even adopt a new identity

paranoid delusions

which involve the (false) belief that other people or agencies are plotting to harm the person

somatic delusion

which is the belief that something highly abnormal is happening to one's body (e.g., that one's kidneys are being eaten by cockroaches)