Abnormal Psychology Phase 2

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Questions and Answers

What psychological effect may be responsible for the anxiety related to compulsive thoughts in OCD?

Generalized anxiety precursors (correct)

Disruptive emotional regulation

Excessive situational awareness

Obsessive memory recall

Which of the following statements about obsessive thoughts in OCD is accurate?

They typically promote well-being.

They are often focused on feelings of loss and separation. (correct)

They are generally constructive.

They always relate to real-life issues.

What is the typical age of onset for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Onset after age 35 is unusual (correct)

After age 30

Before age 10

Between ages 15 and 25

What is the term for the cognitive distortion where individuals equate thoughts with actions in OCD?

Thought-Action Fusion Signup and view all the answers

In the context of childhood experiences, what can contribute to the fear of one's own thoughts in individuals with OCD?

Negative toilet-training experiences Signup and view all the answers

What behavior is characteristic of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?

Preoccupation with perceived flaws Signup and view all the answers

What psychological response is likely seen in children who fear their id impulses related to OCD?

Defensiveness and repression Signup and view all the answers

What is a common co-occurring condition with obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Anxiety Disorders Signup and view all the answers

What type of compulsive behavior is commonly observed in Trichotillomania?

Compulsive hair pulling Signup and view all the answers

Which type of thought is often misinterpreted by individuals with OCD as being inherently dangerous?

Intrusive or unwanted thoughts Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Fight/Flight System (FSS) in anxiety disorders?

It causes an immediate alarm-and-escape reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological theory suggests that anxiety is a product of learning?

Behaviorism Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor contributes to the development of anxiety sensitivity?

Biological vulnerabilities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the focus of worry in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Worry about multiple upcoming problems. Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a symptom associated with Panic Disorder?

Consistent feeling of unease. Signup and view all the answers

How does avoidance theory relate to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

It suggests worrying leads to increased bodily arousal. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common age of onset for Panic Disorder?

Mean age of 34.7 years Signup and view all the answers

Which is a key characteristic of Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Concern over real or imagined separation Signup and view all the answers

What treatment method is commonly suggested for treating Specific Phobias?

Exposure-based exercises Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Social Anxiety Disorder from Selective Mutism?

Fear of social scrutiny and performance Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is characterized by a lack of speech in social situations expected to require speaking?

Selective Mutism Signup and view all the answers

What disorder may occur as a result of early object loss or separation anxiety?

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What factor is NOT linked to the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Strong support systems Signup and view all the answers

What biological factor is associated with increased anxiety levels?

Low GABA levels Signup and view all the answers

What does Yedasentience refer to in psychological terms?

A subjective feeling of knowing Signup and view all the answers

Which type of obsession is characterized by a preoccupation with symmetry?

Symmetry Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of compulsions in individuals with OCD?

To suppress obsessions and provide relief Signup and view all the answers

At what age does Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) most commonly begin?

12-13 years Signup and view all the answers

Individuals with Somatic Symptom Disorder primarily focus on which aspect?

Distressing or impairing symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes Illness Anxiety Disorder?

Concerns may exist without significant somatic symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What type of amnesia is characterized by an inability to recall specific traumatic events?

Localized Amnesia Signup and view all the answers

In patients with Conversion Disorder, what is often found at follow-up?

An absence of significant findings Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder?

It is characterized by altered perception of self and reality Signup and view all the answers

What does Malingering refer to in the context of medical symptoms?

Deliberately producing false symptoms for external gain Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?

They may have multiple distinct identities Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of psychological factors in affecting other medical conditions?

They can exacerbate the medical condition Signup and view all the answers

What emotional response is often associated with La Belle Indifference in patients?

Indifference to distressing symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a type of dissociative amnesia?

Biogenic Amnesia Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety characterized by negative mood, physical tension, and future apprehension; includes subjective unease and physiological responses like increased heart rate.
Fear is an immediate response to perceived danger, while panic denotes an overwhelming emotional reaction.
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort, with specific classifications: expected (cued) or unexpected (uncued).
Fight/Flight System (FSS) reacts to stress, producing energy surges for escape; activated by serotonin deficiencies.

Psychological Contributions

Freud posited anxiety as a reaction to past dangers and repressed fears.
Behaviorists view anxiety as learned behavior, acquired through conditioning and observation.
Early experiences shape perceptions of control; children learn that not all events are controllable.
Parenting styles influence anxiety development; unmet emotional needs may cause self-critical behaviors.

Stressful life events can unearth biological and psychological vulnerabilities.
Individuals may develop anxiety from irrational beliefs and excessive worrying.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) characterized by persistent worry about various future issues, often coupled with physical symptoms.

Biological Contributions

Genetic predisposition towards anxiety; low levels of GABA and serotonin increase anxiety risk.
Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) impacts the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical (HPA) axis, affecting brain regions associated with anxiety.
Low cardiac vagal tone linked to autonomic inflexibility; heightened activity in the fear circuit.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Symptoms cause consistent worry across multiple life areas; women are diagnosed at a rate twice that of men.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) and Benzodiazepines are common treatments, though some medications risk dependence.
Cognitive distortions and excessive worrying serve as avoidance mechanisms.

Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Mean age of onset for Panic Disorder is 34.7 years; chronic and often comorbid with other disorders.
Agoraphobia results from experiences of unexpected panic attacks, leading to avoidance of certain situations.
Panic symptoms may include heightened norepinephrine activity and are distinct from physiological responses to other medical conditions.

Specific Phobias

Involve irrational fear that severely limits functioning; can arise from personal experiences or observational learning.
Various subtypes include blood-injection-injury phobia, situational phobias, and animal phobias.
Treatment generally emphasizes exposure-based exercises; occurs more frequently in women.

Characterized by fear of scrutiny and panic attacks triggered by social situations; individuals may avoid social engagement.
Selective Mutism appears in children who do not speak in expected social settings; often transcends typical developmental markers.

Reactive Attachment Disorder manifests after severe social neglect, affecting children's social communication.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) requires a trauma history, where supportive social networks reduce the likelihood of developing PTSD.
Acute Stress Disorder occurs following trauma, marked by symptoms within 3 months and may evolve into PTSD if prolonged.

Treatment Considerations

Various therapies include cognitive-behavioral approaches, exposure therapy, and, in some instances, pharmacological treatments.
Psychological debriefing as an intervention post-trauma aims to facilitate emotional processing but may not be universally effective.
Adjustment Disorders require symptoms to arise in response to identifiable stressors and can complicate ordinary grief processes.### Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD often features forbidden thoughts or actions with aggressive, sexual, or religious themes.
Common co-occurrence with tic disorders in patients diagnosed with OCD.
Anxiety linked to compulsive thoughts potentially stems from broader biological and psychological factors.
Uncommon for OCD onset to occur after the age of 35, though it is possible.
Obsessions may not relate to reality and can include irrational or magical thoughts.

Emotional Dynamics

Feelings of loss and separation from loved ones can intersect with symptoms, leading to distress from a deceased person rather than generalized low mood.
Conditions like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Trichotillomania feature compulsive behaviors like hair pulling, without the presence of obsessions.

Theoretical Perspectives

Hypothesis 1 suggests early life experiences shape perceptions, teaching that certain thoughts can be dangerous and may lead to real-world consequences.
Children can develop anxieties regarding their impulses, leading to the use of defense mechanisms to cope.
Negative experiences during toilet training can lead to feelings of shame and rage, influencing compulsive behaviors later.

Cognitive Patterns

Individuals with OCD experience intrusive thoughts more frequently than the general population.
Thought-Action Fusion indicates that individuals equate specific thoughts with corresponding actions, a phenomenon driven by childhood experiences of excessive responsibility and guilt.
Awareness of harmful intentions associated with thoughts can contribute to anxiety and compulsive behaviors.### Yedasentience and OCD
Yedasentience refers to the subjective feeling of knowing or awareness.
Behavioral models focus on operant conditioning, particularly regarding obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts or images perceived as nonsensical by the individual, who attempts to resist them.
Compulsions are actions or thoughts performed to suppress obsessions and provide temporary relief.
Four major types of obsessions include symmetry, where individuals feel a need for balance and order.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Characterized by a preoccupation with imagined defects in appearance despite looking normal.
Known as dysmorphophobia; "imagined ugliness" drives excessive concern.
Mean onset age is between 16-17 years, with the most common onset around 12-13 years.
Chronic condition that may impede daily functioning by the mid-20s and cause significant impairment by the mid-30s.
Co-morbidity with eating disorders is common.

Somatic Symptom Disorders

Somatic Symptom Disorder involves distressing physical symptoms linked to psychological factors, often misinterpreted as serious medical issues.
Illness Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive worry about having a serious illness, with little to no somatic symptoms present.
Somatic symptoms must cause significant distress and lead to dysfunction.
Factors distinguishing somatic symptom disorders include ineffective analgesics and enhanced sensitivity to illness cues.
Psychological treatment options include CBT and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Conversion Disorder

Involves non-epileptic attacks or motor symptoms, often beginning in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Diagnosis typically requires corroborative history and the absence of neurological disease post-evaluation.
May appear alongside recognized neurological conditions and can affect their course.
Treatment often focuses on alleviating psychological stress or trauma.

Dissociative Disorders

Depersonalization involves altered perception where one feels detached from oneself, often described as “watching from a distance.”
Derealization refers to losing the sense of the external world where objects may appear distorted.
Dissociative Amnesia includes generalized (entire history loss) or localized (specific traumatic events) memory deficits.
Dissociative Fugue features sudden travel to a new location with amnesia for personal history, often triggered by trauma.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is marked by the presence of two or more distinct identities, often resulting from severe childhood trauma.
Treatment may involve trauma reprocessing and strengthening identity integration.

Additional Notes

Malingering involves faking symptoms for external rewards; La Belle Indifference may manifest in conversion disorder.
Symptoms of dissociative disorders can also arise from stress, trauma, and response to psychological distress.
Psychological factors can significantly influence medical conditions, emphasizing the connection between mental and physical health.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts from the second phase of Abnormal Psychology, focusing on anxiety, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), somatic symptom, and dissociative disorders. Content is sourced from notable texts and the DSM-V. Test your understanding of the emotional and physical symptoms associated with anxiety disorders.