Psychological Disorders Flashcards

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which classifies disorders and lists criteria for diagnosing them (currently the DSM-5-TR).

That disorders are illnesses with physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated and, in many cases, cured.

Disorders arise from interacting biological (genes, brain chemistry), psychological (stress, thinking patterns) and social-cultural (family, culture) factors.

A predisposition (diathesis) to a disorder, combined with environmental stress, triggers the disorder.

Once healthy people were admitted with a diagnosis, staff interpreted their normal behavior as symptoms, showing how labels can bias perception.

Persistent difficulties with social communication and interaction, together with restricted, repetitive behaviors or interests, appearing in early childhood.

Persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with functioning, beginning in childhood.

The presence of inappropriate behaviors, such as hallucinations, delusions and disorganized speech.

The absence of appropriate behaviors, such as flat affect, social withdrawal and lack of motivation.

That schizophrenia involves overactive dopamine signaling, supported by the fact that drugs blocking dopamine receptors reduce positive symptoms.

At least two weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure, with other symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite or energy and feelings of worthlessness.

A milder but chronic depressed mood that lasts for at least two years in adults.

Bipolar I involves at least one full manic episode. Bipolar II involves major depressive episodes and less severe hypomanic episodes, but no full mania.

Persistent, excessive and hard-to-control worry about many things, with tension and restlessness, lasting at least six months.

Repeated, unexpected panic attacks (minutes of intense fear with symptoms such as a racing heart and shortness of breath) and ongoing worry about having another.

An intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation that leads to avoidance (e.g., fear of heights or spiders).

Unwanted, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions) that are time-consuming or cause significant distress.

Intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance of reminders, negative mood and hypervigilance lasting more than a month after a traumatic event.

A rare and debated disorder in which a person shows two or more distinct, alternating identities.

An inability to recall important personal information, usually about a traumatic or stressful event, beyond ordinary forgetting. It sometimes includes dissociative fugue, unplanned travel with loss of identity.

Restricting food intake to keep a significantly low body weight, with an intense fear of weight gain and a distorted body image.

Repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behavior such as vomiting, laxative use, fasting or excessive exercise.

Cluster A (odd or eccentric, e.g., paranoid), Cluster B (dramatic or erratic, e.g., antisocial, borderline) and Cluster C (anxious or fearful, e.g., avoidant).

A persistent pattern of disregarding and violating others' rights, often with little remorse. It is diagnosed only in adults aged 18 or older.

Instability in relationships, self-image and mood, with marked impulsivity and an intense fear of abandonment.