Abnormal Psychology

Subdecks (10)

Cards (267)

  • Mood
    More generalized compared to emotions, not tied to a specific incident but a collection of inputs, influenced by environment, physiology, and mental state
  • Moods
    • Tend to be much more long-lasting, going for hours or days, whereas an emotion may only last minutes
    • About something specific, such as a person or situation, but moods are much more diffuse with no identifiable object
    • Not as intense as emotions
  • Emotions
    Chemicals released in response to our interpretation of a specific trigger
  • Feelings
    Something we sense, more "cognitively saturated" as the emotion chemicals are processed in our brains and bodies, fueled by a mix of emotions and last for longer than emotions
  • According to the Semantic Theory of Emotions, emotions are patterns of firing in large groups of neurons that integrate neural representations of situations, cognitive appraisals of those situations, and physiological changes
  • Depression will become one of the three major killers in the world in the 21st century, currently 4-10% of the population is affected by depression, and about 15% of patients suffering from major depression eventually commit suicide
  • Characteristics of depression
    • The patient often seeks medical help for unaccountable physical problems
    • The patient always thinks negatively, believing they are worthless and should not exist
    • The patient feels extremely depressed for over two weeks, and loses interest in things that used to interest them
    • The patient lacks motivation and becomes reluctant to go to work/school or participate in any social activities
    • Medication is an effective way of treating depression, and if the patient also receives psychological counseling, the chance of relapse can be greatly reduced
  • For Depression Screening, there is a mobile application: Psychologist in a Pocket (PiaP)
  • Etiology of mood disorders
    • Genetic contribution (moderate for major depression, high for bipolar disorder)
    • Serotonin and dopamine receptor dysfunction (present in both major depression and bipolar disorder)
    • Cortisol dysregulation (present in both major depression and bipolar disorder)
    • Changes in activation of emotion-relevant regions in the brain (present in both major depression and bipolar disorder)
    • Increased activity of the striatum (not present in major depression, present during mania in bipolar disorder)
    • Changes in cell membranes and receptors (not present in major depression, present in bipolar disorder)
  • Codependency
    An addiction to a person and that person's problem. An addiction to a relationship and the problems the relationship brings. It is a pattern of learned behaviors, learned feelings, and learned beliefs that make life painful. It is a dependency on people and things outside self to the point of self-neglect.
  • Comparison between dysthymic disorder and major depression

    • Condition (less serious vs more serious)
    • Period of attack (unclear vs clear)
    • Form of attack (long-term over two years vs short-term acute)
    • Effect on daily life (light vs serious)
    • Condition of health (falling appetite vs loss of appetite)
    • Working ability (reduced yet still able to work vs unable to work)
    • Suicidal tendency (weak vs strong)
    • Treatment (medication, counselling vs medication, ECT)
    • Hospitalization (not necessary vs yes for patients with strong suicidal tendencies)
    • Outlook (may develop into major depression vs may develop into long-term or periodic depression)
  • Codependency
    An emotional, psychological, and behavioral condition that develops as a result of an individual's prolonged exposure to, and practice of, a set of oppressive rules, rules which prevent the open expression of feelings, as well as the direct discussion of personal and impersonal problems.
  • Other types of depression
    • Post-partum depression (caused by hormonal dysfunction after delivery)
    • Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) (depressive symptoms before menstruation)
    • Old-age depression
    • Depression caused by thyroid gland illness, stroke, iron deficiency anemia, use of certain drugs that treat high blood pressure, immune system malfunction, hormonal dysfunction, abuse of drugs, alcoholism
  • Codependency
    One whose dependency needs were not met during early development stages, who is continually seeking validation of self worth, and who attempts to recreate the parent/child relationships in other significant relationships.
  • Common treatments for depression
    • Medication
    • Psychological counselling (helps patients handle stress and deal with problems in personal development and interpersonal relationships)
    • ECT (mainly for major depression patients who have strong suicidal tendencies or who respond badly to medication)
  • Codependency
    A term used to describe an exaggerated dependent pattern of learned behaviors, beliefs, and feelings that make life painful. It is a dependence on people and things outside the self, along with neglect of the person to the point of having little self-identity.
  • Manic-depressive (bipolar) disorder
    A cyclical mental illness where patients experience alternate cycles of mania and depression, seriously disrupting the lives of both themselves and their families
  • Psychoactive drugs
    Drugs that alter brain functioning by acting upon the central nervous system; they can alter the mood, cognition and perception of the user
  • Codependency
    A specific condition that is characterized by preoccupation and extreme dependence (emotionally, socially, and sometimes physically), on a person or object. Eventually, this dependence on another person becomes a pathological condition that affects the codependent in all other relationships.
  • Characteristics of manic-depressive (bipolar) disorder
    • Mania is a mental illness characterized by uncontrollable, exaggerated emotions
    • During an attack of mania, the patient experiences heightened moods, exaggerated self-confidence, grandiose ideas and delusions and excessive energy and sexual desire, as well as excessive irritability and may engage in spending sprees
    • After an attack of mania, the patient will return to normal for several days or weeks, regretting what they have done and feeling extremely depressed
    • When the two extreme conditions of mania and depression alternate, the condition is called "manic-depressive disorder"
  • Psychoactive drugs
    • Legal
    • Illegal
    • Common
    • Highly specialized
  • Patterns of Codependency
    • Denial
    • Low Self-Esteem
    • Compliance
    • Control
  • Symptoms of manic-depressive disorder
    • Manic period: overly excited, irritable feelings; disconnected, exaggerated, inflated thoughts; talkative, racing speech, lavish spending, impulsive behavior, decreased need for sleep, strong sexual desire, increased appetite but reduced weight
    • Depression period: low spirited, unprovoked crying, feeling helpless, desperate & guilty, slow thinking, downhearted, pessimistic, strong suicidal tendencies, unable to sleep or sleeping too much, decreased sexual drive, loss of appetite or suddenly wanting to eat a lot, feeling tired all the time
  • Depressants (Downers)

    • Reduce behavioral output and activity in the central nervous system
  • Substance-related & addictive disorders
    Disorders involving the use of substances like drugs and alcohol, as well as addictive behaviors like gambling
  • Denial pattern
    I have difficulty identifying what I am feeling. I minimize, alter or deny how I truly feel. I perceive myself as completely unselfish and dedicated to the well-being of others.
  • Bipolar disorder types
    • Bipolar I (at least one lifetime manic episode, may have been preceded by and may be followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes)
    • Bipolar II (at least one major depressive episode with at least one episode of hypomania, no manic episode)
    • Cyclothymic disorder (milder, chronic form of bipolar disorder with numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms)
  • Depressants
    • Alcohol
    • Barbiturates
    • Tranquilizers
    • Sedatives
    • Meprobamate
  • Reasons people begin taking drugs
    • To feel good - feeling of pleasure, "high" or "intoxication"
    • To feel better - relieve stress, forget problems, or feel numb
    • To do better - improve performance or thinking
    • Curiosity and peer pressure or experimenting
  • Low Self-Esteem pattern
    I have difficulty making decisions. I judge everything I think, say and do harshly as never good enough. I'm embarrassed to receive recognition, praise and gifts. I value other's approval of my thinking feeling and behaviors over my own.
  • Treatment for manic-depressive (bipolar) disorder
    • Medication (mainly mood stabilizers, to bring emotions to a balanced state)
    • Counseling (focus on helping the patient be aware of pseudo-excitement and squandering behaviour during the manic period, and helping to correct the patient's self-blaming thoughts during the depressive cycle and prevent suicide)
  • Alcohol
    Deadens pain; reduces coordination; interferes with normal functioning of senses and reduces social inhibitions
  • In addition to substances, people can also develop addiction to behaviors, such as gambling (gambling disorder)
  • Compliance pattern
    I compromise my own values and integrity to avoid rejection of other's anger. I am very sensitive to how others are feeling and feel the same. I put aside my own interest and hobbies in order to do what others want. I am extremely loyal, remaining in humble situations too long.
  • People with major mental illnesses, those who have made previous suicide attempts, and those whose family member(s) or relative(s) has (have) ever committed suicide have a higher frequency of developing suicidal thoughts
  • Barbiturates
    Produce a wide spectrum of effects from mild sedation to anaesthesia; also used as anticonvulsants
  • Tolerance
    When persons no longer respond to a drug in the way they did at first, so it takes a higher dose to achieve the same effect
  • Suicide is in fact a plea for help, which cannot be overlooked. Data show that among suicide victims, 80% had disclosed their attempts to others either directly or indirectly before taking action. The more detailed the plan, the higher the chance they will take action.
  • Control pattern
    I believe most other people as incapable of taking care of themselves. I become resentful when others will not let me help them. I freely offer others' advice and direction without being asked. I lavish gifts and favors on those I care about.
  • Tranquilizers
    Prepare people for surgery to induce sleep