Abnormal Psychology Module 1

Abnormal Psychology - Module 1

• Abnormal psychology studies the nature, causes, and treatment of mental disorders.
• Abnormality is not defined by a single behavior but rather by several indicators.
• Suffering: Psychological pain indicative of a disorder, but not a definitive indicator.
• Maladaptiveness: Behaviors that interfere with well-being and relationships.
• Statistical Deviancy: Rare behaviors are not automatically abnormal. Behaviors considered undesirable are more likely to be abnormal.
• Violation of Social Standards: Not adhering to the social and moral rules of a culture, which can represent deviations of normal behavior within that society. Behaviors considered undesirable are more likely to be abnormal.
• Social Discomfort: Behaviors that create discomfort in others.
• Irrationality/Unpredictability: Unpredictable behavior lacking logical reasoning.
• Dangerousness: Behaviors that pose a threat to self or others.

Abnormal Psychology - Module 2

• Anxiety disorders share a core of clinically significant fear or anxiety as their principal manifestation.
• Anxiety creates enormous personal, economic, and health-care problems.
• Common anxiety disorders:
  • Specific phobia
  • Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
  • Panic disorder
  • Agoraphobia
  • Generalized anxiety disorder

Abnormal Psychology - Module 3

• Personality disorders result from inflexible and distorted patterns of perceiving, relating, and thinking.
• Chronic interpersonal difficulties and problems with identity are common.
• DSM-5 clusters:
  • Cluster A (odd or eccentric): Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal personality disorders
  • Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic): Histrionic, Narcissistic, Antisocial, Borderline personality disorders
  • Cluster C (anxious or fearful): Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-compulsive personality disorders

Abnormal Psychology - Module 4

• Mood disorders involve intense and persistent mood disturbances (mania and depression).
• Unipolar depressive disorders: Characterized by only depressive episodes.
• Bipolar and related disorders: Characterized by both manic and depressive episodes.
• Manic episodes: Markedly elevated, expansive, or irritable mood accompanied by specific symptoms (e.g., inflated self-esteem, decreased sleep).
  • Hypomanic Episodes: Milder form of mania, with less severe impairment.
  • Types of mood disorders: Major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar I disorder (BP I), bipolar II disorder (BP II), cyclothymic disorder.

Other Disorders (across modules)

• OCD: Intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions)
• Schizophrenia: Significant loss of contact with reality accompanied by psychotic symptoms ranging from hallucinations and delusions to disorganized speech and inappropriate behavior.
• Schizophreniform disorder: Short-term schizophrenia-like symptoms lasting 1-6 months .
• Delusional Disorder: Persistent delusions but otherwise normal behavior.
• Schizoaffective disorder: Symptoms of schizophrenia and a mood disorder.
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Response to a traumatic event characterized by re-experiencing, avoidance, and negative emotional/arousal symptoms.

Specific Disorder Clusters

• Anxiety Specific phobia, Social anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalized anxiety disorder
• Mood Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Bipolar I, Bipolar II, cyclothymia
• Personality paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Antisocial, Borderline, Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-compulsive
• Psychotic Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional disorder