Psychology · College

Abnormal Psychology

Major categories of psychological disorders, diagnostic criteria concepts, and treatment approaches from a college abnormal psychology course.

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What is the DSM-5 and why is it important in abnormal psychology?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, is the primary reference used to classify and diagnose mental disorders in the United States.
Define Major Depressive Disorder.
A mood disorder characterized by at least two weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure in activities, plus additional symptoms like changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, or suicidal thoughts.
What are the two main poles of Bipolar I Disorder?
Manic episodes (extremely elevated or irritable mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, risky behavior) and depressive episodes.
What distinguishes Bipolar II Disorder from Bipolar I Disorder?
Bipolar II includes hypomanic episodes (less severe than manic episodes) instead of full manic episodes, plus depressive episodes.
Define Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
An anxiety disorder marked by persistent, excessive worry about everyday concerns lasting at least six months, accompanied by physical symptoms like muscle tension and sleep disturbance.
What is Panic Disorder?
An anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks (sudden intense fear or discomfort with physical symptoms) followed by persistent worry about future attacks.
Define specific phobia.
An anxiety disorder involving intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance and causes significant distress.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
An anxiety disorder involving intense fear of social situations where the person might be embarrassed, judged, or scrutinized by others, leading to avoidance of those situations.
Define Agoraphobia.
An anxiety disorder involving intense fear of situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, including crowded places, open spaces, or using public transportation.
What are the main symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Intrusion symptoms (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance of trauma reminders, negative mood and cognition changes, and altered arousal and reactivity.
Define Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
A disorder involving unwanted, intrusive obsessions (thoughts, images, or urges) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety from obsessions).
What is Schizophrenia characterized by?
A psychotic disorder marked by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms like flat affect or avolition lasting at least one month.
Define a delusion.
A fixed, false belief that persists despite contradictory evidence, not explained by cultural or religious norms.
What is a hallucination?
A sensory perception (hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or feeling) that occurs without external sensory input.
Define Brief Psychotic Disorder.
A disorder involving psychotic symptoms lasting between one day and one month, often triggered by a stressor.

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