What is the definition of a psychological disorder?
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| 1 | What is the definition of a psychological disorder? |
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Master essential terminology and diagnostic labels to confidently identify and differentiate mental health conditions.
A psychological disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in psychological, biological, or developmental processes, and is usually associated with distress or impairment. |
| Think of 'disorder' as a disturbance causing dysfunction. |
| 2 | What distinguishes a symptom from a diagnosis? | A symptom is a subjective or objective indicator of a psychological condition, whereas a diagnosis is a formal classification based on specific criteria (e.g., DSM-5) that identifies a particular disorder. | Symptoms are clues; diagnosis is the label. |
| 3 | Define 'comorbidity' in mental health. | Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more mental health disorders occurring simultaneously in an individual. | Think of 'co-' as 'together' and 'morbid' as 'diseased'—multiple disorders together. |
| 4 | What is the DSM-5? | The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is a classification system published by the American Psychiatric Association that provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental health disorders. | Remember: DSM = Diagnostic Standard Manual. |
| 5 | Name three core features of Major Depressive Disorder. | Persistent depressed mood, anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure), and significant changes in appetite or sleep patterns. | Think of the three 'P's': mood, pleasure, and physical changes. |
| 6 | What is an example of a psychotic disorder? | Schizophrenia is a primary example, characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired functioning. | Remember: 'psychotic' relates to breaking from reality. |
| 7 | Define 'anxiety disorder'. | A group of disorders characterized by excessive fear, anxiety, and related behavioral disturbances that impair daily functioning. | Anxiety = excessive worry or fear. |
| 8 | What distinguishes Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) from specific phobias? | GAD involves excessive, pervasive worry about multiple aspects of life over at least six months, whereas specific phobias involve intense fear of specific objects or situations. | GAD is broad worry; phobias are specific fears. |
| 9 | What is the core feature of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? | The presence of obsessions (intrusive, unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety). | OCD = Obsessions + compulsions. |
| 10 | Define 'post-traumatic stress disorder' (PTSD). | A disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event, characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal lasting more than one month. | PTSD often follows trauma—think 'post-trauma stress.' |
| 11 | What is the main difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorder? | Bipolar I involves at least one manic episode; Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes and major depressive episodes without full manic episodes. | I = full mania; II = hypomania. |
| 12 | Describe the key features of a personality disorder. | Enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior that deviate markedly from cultural expectations, are inflexible, and lead to distress or impairment. | Personality disorders are long-standing patterns. |
| 13 | What is the defining characteristic of Borderline Personality Disorder? | A pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, along with marked impulsivity. | Borderline = unstable boundaries in emotions and relationships. |
| 14 | Define 'psychopathology'. | The study of mental disorders and abnormal behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. | Pathology = study of disease; psych- relates to mind. |
| 15 | What are 'positive symptoms' in schizophrenia? | Additions to normal functioning, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. | Positive = something extra. |
| 16 | What are 'negative symptoms' in schizophrenia? | Diminishments or absences of normal behaviors, such as flat affect, alogia (poverty of speech), and avolition (lack of motivation). | Negative = missing parts. |
| 17 | Define 'dissociative disorder'. | A disorder characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment, often as a response to trauma. | Dissociate = separate or disconnect. |
| 18 | What is dissociative identity disorder (DID)? | A disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states that recurrently take control of an individual. | Formerly called multiple personality disorder. |
| 19 | What is the primary feature of Anorexia Nervosa? | An intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image leading to restricted food intake and significantly low body weight. | Anorexia = absence of appetite (though not true hunger loss). |
| 20 | Define 'bulimia nervosa'. | A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. | Bulimia = binge + purge. |
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