Psych Unit 5

explaining and classifying psychological disorders

100

Give me the eight perspective 

Eclectic, Behavioral,

Humanistic, Psychodynamic 

Cognitive, Evolutionary 

Sociocultural, Biological 

200

What are some positive effects of diagnosis 

 

• Helps individuals understand their condition and seek appropriate treatment
• Provides a framework for mental health professionals to develop treatment plans
• Allows for access to support groups, therapy, and medical care
• Reduces self-blame by identifying a condition as a medical or psychological issue rather than a personal failure

300

What are some negative effects of diagnosis 

• Can lead to stigma, making individuals feel labeled or judged by society
• May reinforce discrimination based on factors like race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status
• Some cultures may not recognize certain disorders or may view mental health struggles differently, affecting treatment acceptance
• A diagnosis can sometimes limit opportunities in areas like employment, education, or social relationships if others react negatively

400

What are the two major classification systems used for diagnosis and how do they differ.

The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual):

• Developed by the American Psychiatric Association
• Primary diagnostic tool in the United States
• Updated periodically to reflect current research

The ICD (International Classification of Diseases):

• Created by the World Health Organization
• Used internationally
• Provides standardized diagnostic criteria

 

500

Give me the three main ways psychologists are able to determine whether a person has psychological disorder. And briefly explain them.

• Dysfunction – When thoughts, emotions, or behaviors interfere with daily life, such as difficulty maintaining relationships, working, or taking care of oneself.
• Distress – Feeling extreme sadness, anxiety, or emotional pain that affects well-being. However, some disorders may not cause distress to the person but may impact others.
• Deviation from Social Norms – Behaviors that are very different from what is considered normal in a culture, such as unpredictable emotional reactions or difficulty understanding social expectations                                      You don't have to say everything on just say the main thing. This is for review.

Perspectives in psychological disorders

100

A psychologist is examining a patient and he sees that they have some imbalances in their serotonin, Norepinephrine, and dopamine levels. What perspective is this.

Biological 

200

 Name the perspective 

Alice is constantly comparing herself to people on the internet and her family because all her family members all look like models. Thats the norm so she starts starving herself to be like them and soon develops an eating disorder.

Sociocultural 

300

Name the perspective 

Simon suffers from depression because after constantly failing his exams he starts thinking he has no purpose in life and he feels unfulfilled.

Humanistic 

400

Name the perspective 

Sarah has really bad anxiety whenever she goes out and is constantly looking for danger.  Her therapist thinks its a survival mechanism.

Evolutionary 

500

 Name the perspective 

Jennifer goes to therapy due to her severe depression. Her therapist looks at her hormone levels, helps her foster self -esteem and personal growth, and gets her to talk about her childhood experiences

Eclectic 

Psychological disorders

100

What are some characteristics of neurodevelopment disorders? Give me two examples of neurodevelopment disorders.

• Delays in reaching developmental milestones
• Difficulties with social interaction and communication
• Problems with attention, memory, or learning
• Challenges with motor skills or coordination

The most common disorders include:

• ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
  • Difficulty maintaining attention
  • Hyperactive behavior
  • Impulsive actions
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Social communication challenges
  • Restricted interests
  • Repetitive behaviors

200

Delusions (false beliefs)

Hallucinations 

Disorganized thinking or speech

Disorganized motor behavior

Negative symptoms (lack of typical behaviors)

Schizophrenia 

300

What are some symptoms of OCD 

Give me at least 3

Maladaptive thinking patterns

• Cognitive distortions like overestimating the likelihood or severity of negative outcomes (thought-action fusion)
• Inflated sense of responsibility for preventing harm or making mistakes
• Difficulty tolerating uncertainty or ambiguity, leading to excessive checking or reassurance-seeking

Emotional dysregulation

• Inability to effectively manage or cope with intrusive thoughts or urges
• Heightened sensitivity to feelings of disgust or contamination
• Avoidance behaviors that prevent learning to tolerate or overcome obsessions

Biological and genetic factors

• Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine
• Abnormalities in brain structure or function, particularly in regions involved in habit formation (basal ganglia) and emotional regulation (prefrontal cortex)
• Family history of OCD or related disorders, suggesting a genetic component
• Interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental triggers (stressful life events, trauma)

400

Causes

• Traumatic experiences, chronic stress, and a history of childhood abuse or neglect are the primary causes of dissociative disorders, and genetic factors 

Dissociative disorder 

500

• intrusive memories 
• avoidance behaviors 
• negative changes in mood and thinking 
• hyperarousal

PTSD

Treatments of Psychological Disorders

100

Why is cultural humility important?

• Recognizing and respecting a client’s cultural background, values, and experiences.
•  Modifying treatment methods to align with a client’s personal and cultural identity.
•  Encouraging open discussions about mental health in diverse communities.

200

What is the role of therapeutic alliance 

 

• Trust and collaboration between therapist and client improve therapy outcomes.
• Clients are more likely to stay engaged in treatment when they feel understood and supported.
• Empathy, active listening, and a nonjudgmental approach enhance the effectiveness of therapy.

300

What are the ethical principles in treatment?

Nonmaleficence (must avoid causing harm to their clients)

Fidelity and Integrity (focus on trust and honesty in therapy.)

Respect for People’s Rights (recognizing patient rights to privacy, autonomy, and dignity)

400

Give me three techniques used by a behavioral therapist 

• Exposure Therapies – Help individuals confront fears gradually in a controlled environment.
• Systematic Desensitization – A step-by-step method where a person is gradually exposed to their fear while practicing relaxation techniques.
• Aversion Therapy – Pairs unwanted behaviors with unpleasant stimuli to discourage those behaviors, such as using a bitter substance to stop nail-biting.
• Token Economies – Uses a reward system where individuals earn tokens for desired behaviors, which can later be exchanged for privileges or rewards

500

Give me three types of medications used by psychiatrists 

• Antidepressants – Increase neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
• Antianxiety Drugs – Enhance GABA activity, which helps reduce excessive nervous system activity and promotes relaxation.
• Mood Stabilizers (such as Lithium) – Regulate glutamate and serotonin levels to manage mood swings, particularly in bipolar disorder.