Schizophrenia
A patient reports hearing voices commenting on their behavior, but no one else can hear them. What symptom of psychosis is this most likely?
What are auditory hallucinations
A client constantly seeks reassurance before making even small decisions, struggles to function independently, and feels unable to cope when alone. They quickly attach to others and fear losing support. What personality disorder is most likely?
What is Dependent Personality Disorder
excessive need to be cared for + difficulty making own decisions + fear of separation + submissive/clingy
Core Maladaptive Belief = “I can’t function alone."
This condition involves a sudden onset of confusion and disorientation, often due to withdrawal or exposure to a toxin.
What is Delirium
Delirium is characterized by acute (rapid) changes in attention and awareness, often caused by underlying medical conditions. It differs from disorders like dementia, which develop gradually.
In the legal system, a person can be placed in a hospital against their will if they are considered a danger to themselves
What is involuntary commitment?
What should you absolutely never do when turning in an assignment online? (Hint: This is Dr. Bales biggest pet peeve)
What is not writing in complete sentences?
A person is convinced that a government agency secretly implanted a device in their brain specifically to track, monitor, and control their thoughts and actions against their will. What type of delusion BEST fits?
What is a persecutory or paranoid delusion?
A client believes coworkers are secretly trying to harm them and constantly interprets neutral comments as insults. They refuse to share any personal information because they think it will be used against them. What personality disorder is most likely?
What is Paranoid Personality Disorder
pervasive mistrust + suspicion + misinterpreting benign events as threatening.
An 85-year-old woman with no history of substance use or trauma reports that since the death of her husband, she has developed a persistent fear that someone will break into her home. She now has difficulty sleeping at night due to this concern, and says sometimes she hears someone trying to enter their back gate at night. What is the most likely explanation for her symptoms?
Anxiety→ Janice’s symptoms began after a major life stressor—the death of her husband, which represents a significant loss of emotional security and safety. In older adults, this kind of loss commonly leads to increased worry, fearfulness, and hypervigilance, especially at night.
Even when a defendant was not aware that what she was doing was wrong when she committed her crime, this defense will likely not be used
What is the insanity defense?
What are three ways you can still earn extra credit this semester?
Obtain and learn how to use Naloxone (Narcan), attend one self help meeting, and participate in one hour of mindfulness
A patient shows a flat affect, speaks very little, and gives inconsistent, unrelated responses that don’t match the questions being asked. What type of schizophrenia symptoms are most clearly present?
What are negative symptoms (flat affect and minimal speech)
What are disorganized thoughts and speech (random, incoherent responses)
A client is extremely upset when their therapist reschedules a session. They fear being abandoned, shift from praising to blaming the therapist, and have a history of impulsive self-harm when relationships feel unstable. What personality disorder is most likely?
What is Borderline Personality Disorder
abandonment fear + unstable relationships (idealize → devalue) + emotional instability + impulsivity/self-harm
A 68-year-old man with no prior history of substance use begins drinking heavily following retirement and the loss of several close friends. He is later hospitalized due to complications from mixing alcohol with his prescribed medications. While substance use generally declines after age 65, his case reflects this specific pattern seen in some older adults.
Late-onset Alcoholism → Although substance use overall declines after age 65, a smaller group of older adults—often 3–7%, particularly men—develop alcohol-related disorders later in life. This is typically triggered by stressful life events like retirement, loss, or isolation. Additionally, older adults are at higher risk for misuse of prescription medications and dangerous interactions, which increases the likelihood of complications like overdose.
As a result of systemic injustice toward mentally ill defendants, many individuals who need treatment end up here, turning it into one of the largest providers of mental health services
What is the prison system?
Name one thing your group has learned from each unit covered in this Jeopardy game. You may work as a team to answer, but one person may not answer for multiple units.
*OPEN*
Two siblings immigrate to the U.S. One later develops schizophrenia, while the other does not, despite similar stress exposure. What explanation(s) best account for this higher schizophrenia rate?
What is social stress (acculturation, discrimination, misdiagnosis due to language/culture, limited access to treatment)
ALSO, this is an example of _________. (hint: same exposure, different outcomes)
A client reports being suspicious of their partner and coworkers for several years, believing they are being lied to and taken advantage of. However, they show these beliefs only in romantic relationships and are otherwise socially appropriate and stable. Does this most likely meet the criteria for a personality disorder, and why?
What is NO, because the pattern is not pervasive across situations or relationships (only romantic relationships)
Your next-door neighbor has been increasingly experiencing symptoms of ____________. Initially, he was forgetting small things, like closing the car door or turning off the stove after cooking. Over time, more concerning issues—such as forgetting where he is and even his own name—have begun to appear in his daily life. Where he was once joyful and goofy, he is now cranky and difficult to be around.
Alzheimer’s disease → mild forgetfulness, memory loss and severe mood changes all point to Alzheimer's.
A defendant repeatedly expresses confusion about courtroom roles, cannot describe the charges against her, and is unable to collaborate with her attorney to prepare a defense—leading the judge to delay proceedings until her mental state improves.
What is incompetent to stand trial?
Share with the class one fun fact about everyone in your group
*Open*
A person develops schizophrenia in early adulthood and, over time, loses the ability to maintain steady employment due to disorganized thinking and reduced motivation. Years later, they are found in a lower socioeconomic group than before illness onset. What best explains this? (hint: think of a specific correlation)
What is Schizophrenia? What is Schizophrenia leads to significant impaired daily functioning (especially with work, leading to lower SES; negative correlation)
A client has a long-standing pattern of unstable relationships, impulsivity, and self-harm. A psychiatrist prescribes medication after diagnosis. What is the MOST accurate purpose of the medication in this disorder?
What is treat co-occurring symptoms like depression or anxiety, not the core personality disorder itself
A 79-year-old client is referred for therapy. He has multiple chronic illnesses and takes several medications. During sessions, he struggles to remember details and becomes easily confused. He also has difficulty attending appointments due to limited mobility and trouble using video technology. However, he reports having frequent visits from friends and family and feeling well-supported. What is the most prominent risk and protective factor?
Risk: Loss, Protective: Social support → Loss is the number one risk factor for the elderly, with it existing in different forms like loss of mobility, family/spouse, independence, and functioning. Social support is the number one protective factor not only across all ages but especially in elderly because it provides them with a sense of belonging.
In what three situations can psychologist break confidentiality?
What is danger to self, danger to others, or child abuse
There are seven students enrolled in this class whose names begin with the letter “J.” Please name five.
Who are Jasmine, Jonathan, Jesus, Joanna, John, Jazlynn, Jimena