Study Guide for Psychological Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, and Therapy

Study Guide - Smart Notes

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Q1. Summarize what individuals in the Middle Ages believed caused a Psychological Disorder. How does this view differ from the Medical Model and the Biopsychosocial Approach?

Background

Topic: Historical and Modern Perspectives on Psychological Disorders

This question tests your understanding of how explanations for psychological disorders have changed over time, from supernatural beliefs to scientific models.

Key Terms:

Middle Ages: Often associated with supernatural or religious explanations for mental illness.
Medical Model: Views psychological disorders as diseases with biological causes.
Biopsychosocial Approach: Considers biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding disorders.

Step-by-Step Guidance

Start by describing the common beliefs about psychological disorders during the Middle Ages, such as supernatural causes or possession.
Explain how the Medical Model shifted the perspective to biological and physiological causes, treating disorders as illnesses.
Discuss the Biopsychosocial Approach, which integrates multiple factors (biological, psychological, and social) in understanding disorders.
Compare and contrast these views, focusing on how each explains the origin and treatment of psychological disorders.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q2. Define the four criteria (the 4 Ds) used to classify a behavior as a Psychological Disorder. Be able to apply these to a given example.

Background

Topic: Classification of Psychological Disorders

This question tests your knowledge of the criteria used to determine whether a behavior qualifies as a psychological disorder.

Key Terms:

The 4 Ds: Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, Danger

Step-by-Step Guidance

Define each of the 4 Ds: Deviance (unusual behavior), Distress (causes suffering), Dysfunction (impairs functioning), Danger (poses risk).
Think of an example behavior and consider how each criterion applies to it.
Explain why meeting one or more of these criteria may indicate a psychological disorder.
Reflect on how these criteria help professionals decide when intervention is needed.

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Q3. What criticisms has the DSM and its use received?

Background

Topic: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

This question asks you to consider the limitations and controversies surrounding the DSM.

Key Terms:

DSM: The manual used for diagnosing psychological disorders.
Criticisms: Overdiagnosis, reliability, validity, cultural bias, medicalization.

Step-by-Step Guidance

List common criticisms, such as the potential for overdiagnosis and labeling.
Discuss concerns about reliability and validity of diagnoses.
Consider issues of cultural bias and the medicalization of normal behaviors.
Reflect on how these criticisms impact the use of the DSM in practice.

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Q4. Describe what individuals experience if diagnosed with Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders, and Trauma & Stressor Related Disorders.

Background

Topic: Symptoms and Experiences of Different Psychological Disorders

This question tests your ability to distinguish between the symptoms and experiences associated with various disorder categories.

Key Terms:

Anxiety Disorders: Excessive fear, worry, physical symptoms.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders: Intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviors.
Trauma & Stressor Related Disorders: Re-experiencing trauma, avoidance, hyperarousal.

Step-by-Step Guidance

Identify the main symptoms for each disorder category.
Describe how these symptoms affect daily life and functioning.
Compare and contrast the experiences across the three categories.
Consider examples to illustrate the differences.

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Q5. Define the differences between Type #1 and Type #2 trauma.

Background

Topic: Types of Trauma

This question tests your understanding of trauma classification and its implications for psychological disorders.

Key Terms:

Type #1 Trauma: Single, acute event.
Type #2 Trauma: Repeated, chronic exposure.

Step-by-Step Guidance

Define Type #1 trauma and provide an example (e.g., car accident).
Define Type #2 trauma and provide an example (e.g., ongoing abuse).
Discuss how the differences affect psychological outcomes.
Reflect on why distinguishing between types is important for treatment.

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Q6. What causes have been attributed to these classifications of disorders?

Background

Topic: Etiology of Psychological Disorders

This question asks you to consider the factors that contribute to the development of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders.

Key Terms:

Biological, psychological, and environmental causes.

Step-by-Step Guidance

List biological factors (e.g., genetics, brain chemistry).
Identify psychological factors (e.g., cognitive patterns, personality).
Discuss environmental factors (e.g., trauma, stress).
Explain how these factors interact to produce symptoms.

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Q7. Summarize Arousal Theory. Why do researchers believe this theory can explain why many with these disorders often have Concurrent Disorders?

Background

Topic: Arousal Theory and Comorbidity

This question tests your understanding of arousal theory and its relevance to concurrent psychological disorders.

Key Terms:

Arousal Theory: Suggests that individuals seek optimal levels of arousal.
Concurrent Disorders: Presence of more than one disorder at the same time.

Step-by-Step Guidance

Define arousal theory and its basic principles.
Explain how arousal levels may contribute to the development of multiple disorders.
Discuss why comorbidity is common in anxiety and mood disorders.
Reflect on research findings supporting this theory.

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Q8. Describe the symptoms associated with Depressive Disorders. What biological and cognitive causes have been attributed to this classification?

Background

Topic: Depressive Disorders

This question tests your knowledge of symptoms and causes of depressive disorders.

Key Terms:

Symptoms: Sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, changes in appetite.
Biological causes: Genetics, neurotransmitter imbalances.
Cognitive causes: Negative thinking patterns, learned helplessness.

Step-by-Step Guidance

List common symptoms of depressive disorders.
Describe biological factors that contribute to depression.
Explain cognitive theories related to depression.
Discuss how these causes interact to produce symptoms.

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Q9. What are some reasons researchers believe the rate of Depressive Disorders is increasing among those 12-25 years of age today? What issues do researchers run into when trying to determine the cause of this trend?

Background

Topic: Trends in Depressive Disorders

This question asks you to consider possible explanations for rising rates of depression in young people and the challenges in studying this trend.

Key Terms:

Social media, academic pressure, economic stress.
Research issues: Measurement, reporting bias, confounding variables.

Step-by-Step Guidance

List possible factors contributing to increased rates (e.g., technology, stress).
Discuss challenges researchers face in identifying causes (e.g., changing diagnostic criteria).
Consider the impact of reporting and measurement issues.
Reflect on why it is difficult to draw firm conclusions.

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Q10. What have researchers found when studying suicide in terms of who is more likely to commit this act, who is more likely to die from it, and when it is more likely to occur (think age & time of year)? What are some warning signs of suicide?

Background

Topic: Suicide Research and Warning Signs

This question tests your knowledge of suicide risk factors and warning signs.

Key Terms:

Risk factors: Age, gender, time of year.
Warning signs: Talking about death, withdrawal, mood changes.

Step-by-Step Guidance

Identify demographic groups at higher risk for suicide.
Discuss patterns in suicide rates by age and season.
List common warning signs to watch for.
Reflect on the importance of early intervention.

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Q11. Define what typically occurs if an individual is diagnosed with a Schizophrenia & Other Psychotic Disorder. What causes have been attributed to this classification?

Background

Topic: Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders

This question tests your understanding of symptoms and causes of psychotic disorders.

Key Terms:

Symptoms: Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking.
Causes: Genetics, neurotransmitter imbalances, environmental stressors.

Step-by-Step Guidance

List typical symptoms of schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.
Describe biological and environmental causes.
Discuss how these factors interact to produce symptoms.
Reflect on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

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Q12. Summarize the common symptoms associated with Dissociative Disorders.

Background

Topic: Dissociative Disorders

This question tests your knowledge of symptoms and experiences related to dissociative disorders.

Key Terms:

Symptoms: Memory loss, identity confusion, depersonalization.

Step-by-Step Guidance

List common symptoms of dissociative disorders.
Describe how these symptoms affect daily life.
Consider examples to illustrate the symptoms.
Reflect on the challenges in diagnosing these disorders.

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Q13. Identify the three clusters of Personality Disorders, summarizing the symptoms associated with each.

Background

Topic: Personality Disorders

This question tests your knowledge of the classification and symptoms of personality disorders.

Key Terms:

Cluster A: Odd/eccentric
Cluster B: Dramatic/emotional
Cluster C: Anxious/fearful

Step-by-Step Guidance

List the three clusters and their main characteristics.
Summarize symptoms associated with each cluster.
Provide examples of disorders in each cluster.
Reflect on how these clusters help in diagnosis and treatment.

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Q14. Outline the differences in treatment individuals receive with Biomedical Therapy and Psychotherapy. Which does research find is typically most effective? Explain.

Background

Topic: Treatment Approaches for Psychological Disorders

This question tests your understanding of different treatment modalities and their effectiveness.

Key Terms:

Biomedical Therapy: Medications, ECT, brain stimulation.
Psychotherapy: Talk therapy, CBT, psychodynamic therapy.

Step-by-Step Guidance

Define biomedical therapy and list common treatments.
Define psychotherapy and list common approaches.
Discuss research findings on effectiveness.
Explain why combining therapies may be beneficial.

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Q15. Define problem-focused and emotion-focused coping. What are examples of when an individual might use these coping techniques?

Background

Topic: Coping Strategies

This question tests your understanding of coping mechanisms and their application.

Key Terms:

Problem-focused coping: Addressing the source of stress.
Emotion-focused coping: Managing emotional response to stress.

Step-by-Step Guidance

Define each coping strategy.
Provide examples of situations where each would be used.
Discuss the effectiveness of each strategy.
Reflect on how individuals choose coping strategies.

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Q16. What are three basic benefits that all Psychotherapies provide?

Background

Topic: Benefits of Psychotherapy

This question tests your understanding of the universal benefits of psychotherapy, regardless of approach.

Key Terms:

Support, hope, new perspectives.

Step-by-Step Guidance

List three basic benefits common to all psychotherapies.
Explain how each benefit helps individuals improve mental health.
Provide examples of how these benefits manifest in therapy.
Reflect on the importance of these benefits for treatment outcomes.