Disorder Basics
In order to be diagnosed with a psychological disorder, one's symptoms must cause a "significant disturbance." What does that mean?
interferes with normal day-to-day functioning
bulimia nervosa
Name two specific ways that psychotherapy can help patients.
giving hope for recovery; gaining new perspectives on problems; providing a caring, trusting relationship; learning the skills to adapt to life
What is the most controversial and least used biomedical therapy discussed in this unit?
lobotomy
Which mental health professional would you need to see in order to get a prescription for antidepressants?
a psychiatrist
What category of disorders is the most common in the US?
anxiety disorders
A patient experiences drastic mood swings, from mania to depression, each episode lasting 1-2 months.
bipolar disorder
psychoanalysis
How do antidepressants work?
increase the amount of specific neurotransmitters (serotonin or norepinephrine) in the brain
Estimates suggest that about 1 in ______ adults in the United States have experienced some type of psychological disorder.
1 in 4
Give an example of behavior that would be considered "maladaptive."
anything that causes distress/misery or is harmful to one's self or others
A patient's mother has reported witnessing major shifts in their personality throughout the course of a given week, and they have been experiencing ongoing gaps in memory about everyday events.
Name and exposure therapy, and give a specific example of what it might be used to treat.
flooding, systematic desensitization, or VR exposure therapy; phobias, PTSD, social anxiety disorder...
Which specific drug would be most likely prescribed for bipolar disorder?
Why might a patient in behavior therapy prefer systematic desensitization over flooding?
systematic desensitization is a more gradual exposure therapy, rather than being confronted by their trigger fully from the beginning of therapy
What is the DSM-5, and why is it important?
the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition -- helps keep track of how many people have a given disorder and helps people be correctly diagnosed and treated
A patient has extreme stress over the possibility that they have a life-threatening illness, but no symptoms are present. However, they don't seek medical treatment out of fear of receiving a diagnosis.
Explain how rational-emotive behavior therapy is different from Aaron Beck's cognitive therapy.
REBT is a more confrontational therapy that encourages people to challenge illogical, self-defeating thoughts and attitudes; Aaron Beck's approach gently guides clients in developing more logical ways of thinking
Explain how ECT works, and name one disorder it might be used to treat.
triggers seizures by sending electric currents through the brain, which are believed to promote changes in brain cell communication; depression
Give an example of a token economy that might be used for a patient with major depressive disorder.
since they may struggle with basic hygiene, they receive a "token" every time they brush their teeth or brush their hair
How can culture-bound syndromes interfere with diagnosing a psychological disorder?
because some clusters of symptoms are considered recognizable disorders only within specific cultures, people may be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all
A patient has low self-esteem, high sensitivity to rejection and criticism, and avoids social interaction. They also experience anhedonia, a lack of enjoyment in or energy for life’s experiences.
Why is nondirective therapy and active listening an important part of the humanistic approach to therapy?
clients are encouraged to take the lead; therapists repeat, rephrase, and ask for clarification of the client’s statements rather than giving their own input in order to encourage the patient to unlock their inner potential
NONE -- there is current no drug approved specifically for any personality disorder
_____________ have a weak conscience, so even some guilt or remorse won’t stop their behavior.
_____________ don’t have a conscience, but often act as if they do.
sociopaths; psychopaths