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EPPP - Abnormal SM
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60
Psychology
Post-Graduate
06/09/2011

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Term
Addiction
Definition
Most experts define addition as involving a combination of tolerance and withdrawal.
Term
Adjustment Disorder
Definition
The Adjustment Disorders are characterized by a maladaptive reaction to one more more identifiable psychosocial stressors.  Ordinarily, Adjustment Disorder is diagnosed only when symptoms demit within six months after termination of the stressor or its consequences, but the diagnosis can also be assigned when symptoms persist longer than six months when the stressor is chronic or has enduring consequences.
Term
ADHD
Definition
ADHD is a Disruptive Behavior Disorder involving persistent, developmentally-inappropriate (1) inattention and/or (2) hyperactivity-impulsivity.  In children, ADHD is 4-9 times more common in boys than gurls.  Treatment usually involves a CNS stimulant, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and a family intervention.
Term
Agoraphobia
Definition
Agoraphobia is an Anxiety Disorder involving anxiety about being in situations or places from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing or in which help might not be available if a panic attack or other symptoms occur.  It can occur with or without panic attacks.  Treatment of choice is in vivo exposure with response prevention (flooding).
Term
Asperger's Disorder
Definition
Asperger's Disorder is a Pervasice Developmental Disorder involving severe impairment in social interactions and a restricted repertoire of behaviors with no substantial delays in cognitive, language, or self-help skills.
Term
Autistic Disorder
Definition
Autistic Disorder is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder characterized by (1) qualitative impairment in social interactions and a restricted repertoire of behaviors with no substantial delays in congitive, language, or self-help skills.
Term
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Definition
Avoidant Personality Disorder is a Personality Disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hyper sensitivity to negative evaluation.
Term
Borderline Personality Disorder
Definition
Borderline personality disorder is a Personality Disorder involving a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, affect, and marked impulsivity.  Dialectical Behavior Disorder (DBT) has been found useful for reducing premature termination from therapy and suicide attempts.
Term
Bulimia Nervosa
Definition
An Eating Disorder involving (1) recurrent episodes of binge eating that are accompanied by a sense of lack of control; (2) inappropraite compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxitive or diuretic use; and (3) self-evaluation that is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.  Treatment usually includes nutritional counseling, CBT, family therapy, and in some cases, antidepressants.
Term
Catecholamine Hypothesis
Definition
According to the catecholamine hypothesis, depression is due to low levels of norepinephrine.
Term
Concordance Rates for Schizophrenia
Definition
Studies have found that the rates for schizophrenia are higher among those with genetic similarity, and, the greater the similarity, the higher the concordance rates: For example, for biological siblings, the rate is 10%, and for identical twins, the rate is 48%.
Term
Conversion Disorder
Definition
Conversion Disorder is a Somatoform Disorder characterized by symptoms that suggest a serious neurological or other medical condition (e.g., paralysis, blindness, or loss of apin sensation), but for which no medical explination can be found.  Traditionally, Conversion Disorder has been traced to two etiological mechanisms: primary gain (keeping an inner conflict out of consciousness) and secondary gain (avoiding an unpleasant activity or gaining support).  Symptoms are not voluntarily produced and are usually alleviated under hypnosis or in an amytal interview.
Term
Cyclothymic Disorder
Definition
A mood disorder characterized by fluctuating hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods of depressive symptoms for at least two years in adults or one year in children or adolescents.
Term
Delirium
Definition
Delirium is a disturbance in consciousness accompanied by either a change in cognition (e.g., loss of memory, disorientation) and/or other perceptual abnormalities.  It can be caused by a general medical condition or substance use.  Symptoms usually develop rapidly and fluctuate over time.  Traetments target underlying cause and reducing agitation and disorientation.
Term
Delusions
Definition
Delusions are false beliefs that are firmly held despite evidence to the contrary and that are not generally accepted by members of an individual's culture/subculture.
Term
Dementia
Definition
Dementia is a distrubance involving some degree of memory impairment and at least one other cognitive impairment (aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, disturbance in executive functioning).  It can be caused by a general medical condition or substance use.  Onset is usually insidius and the course is progressive.
Term
Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type
Definition
Alzheimer's Dementia is a form of Dementia involving a gradual onset of symptoms and a slow, progressive decline in cognitive functioning.  Early symptoms include deficits in recent memory (anterograde amnesia) and a personality change or irritability.  A definitive diagnosis requires a brain biopsy.
Term
Depressive Cognitive Triad (Beck)
Definition
According to Beck, the cognitive profile for depression includes a cognitive triad - i.e., negative believes about oneself, the world (situation), and the future.
Term
Dissociative Amnesia
Definition
A dissociative disorder involving one or more episodes of an inability to recall important personal information that cannot be attributed to ordinary forgetfulness.  The gaps in memory are often realted to a traumatic event.
Term
Dopamine Hypothesis
Definition
The dopamine hypotheses attributes Schizophrenia to elevated levels of dopamine or, alternatively, excessive or orversensitive dopamine receptors.
Term
DSM-IV-TR
Definition
The DMS is a diagnostic system that (1) uses a categorical system involving polythetic criteria sets; (2) is predominantly atheoretical with regard to etiology, and (3) makes use of a multiaxial classification system.
Term
Dysthymic Disorder
Definition
A mood disorder involving a chronically depressed mood that is present most of the time for at least two years in adults or one year in children or adolescents.
Term
Enuresis
Definition
An Elimination Disorder characterized by repeated voiding of urine during the day and night into the bed or clothes that is usually involuntary and is not due to a general medical conditi or substance use.  The primary treatmnt is the bell-and-pad (night alarm).
Term
Expressed Emotion and Scisophrenia
Definition
Research has found that high levels of expressed emotions by family members (open to criticism and hostility toward the patient or, alternatively, overprotective, symbiotic relationships) are associated with a high risk for relapse and rehospitalization for individuals with schizophrenia.
Term
Facticious Disorder
Definition
Characterized bt the presence of physical or psychological symptoms that are intentionally produced or feigned apparently for the puprose of fulfilling an intrapsychic need to adopt the sick role.
Term
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Definition
Involves excessive anxiety and worry about multiple events or activities for at least six months.  The best treatment is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral intervention. 
Term
GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) Scale
Definition
The GAF scale is used to rank the individual's psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a scale fom 0 to 100 (with 100 representing superior functioning) on Axis V.  Two factors are considered when assigning a GAF score - symptom severity and level of functioning.
Term
Huntington's Disease
Definition
An inherited disorder characterized by dementia, chorea (involuntary termors, twiching), and athetosis (slow writhing movements).
Term
Korsakoff Syndrome
Definition
Korsakoff Syndrome (Alcohol-Induced Persisting Amnestic Disorder) is characterized by retrograde and anterograde amnesia, and confabulation (attempts to compensate for memory loss by fabricating memories) and is believed to be due to a thiamine deficiency resulting from chronic alcohol consumption.
Term
Learned Helplessness
Definition
Seligman's learned helplessness model proposes that depression is due to exposure to uncontrollable negative events and internal, stable, and global attributions to those events.  A reformulation of the original theory by Abramson, Metalsky, and Alloy emphasizes the role of hopelessness.
Term
Learning Disordres
Definition
The learning disorders are diagnosed when there is a substantial discrepancy between IQ and Achievement test performance (usually two standard deviations or more) and the discrepancy cannot be fully explained by a sensory deficit.  The most common co-diagnosis is ADHD.
Term
Major Depressive Disorder
Definition
Involves one more more Major Depressive Episodes without a history of manic, hypomanic, or mized eposides.  A major depressive episode requires the presence of a characteristic symptom (e.g., depressed mood and/or loss of interest or enjoyment in customary activities) for at least two weeks.  In adults, the disorder is about twice as common in females as males.  Treatment most commonly involves the use of an antidepressant and/or cognitive therapy or interpersonal therapy.
Term
Male Erectile Disorder
Definition
Male erectile disorder involves an inability to attain or maintain an adequate erection.  Physical factors that have been linked to this disorder include diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, and antipsychotic, antidepressant, and hypertensive drugs.
Term
Marlatt and Gordon (Relapse prevention program)
Definition
Marlatt and Gordon view addiction as an "overlearned habit pattern" and focus on relapse prevention, which involves teaching strategies for dealing with high-risk situations (e.g., environmental cues that elicit strong negative emotions)
Term
Mental Retardation
Definition

Developmental Disorder involving

 

(1) significantly subaverage intellectual functioning (IQ = 70 or below)

(2) impairments in adaptive functioning, AND

(3) onset prior to age 18

 

There are 4 subtypes: Mild, moderate, severe, and profound.

 

Down syndroms is the caues of 10 to 30% of all cases of moderate to severe retardation and is associated with physical abnormalities including slanted, almond-shaped eyes, heart lesions, cataracts, and respiratory defects. 

 

PKU is due to a recessive gene and, without treatment, can cause mental retardation

 

Mental retardation and other smypoms can be prevented by adiet low in phenylaline.

Term
Narcolepsy
Definition
A sleep disorder that invovles irresistible attacks of restorative sleep accompanied by either cataplexy or an intrusion of REM sleep during the transition between sleep and wakefulness.  REM sleep is manifested by sleep paralysis and/or by hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations, which are, respectively vivid dreams during the transition from walking to sleep or from sleep to wakefulness
Term
Nicotine Dependence
Definition
Research on this has shown that attemps to quit smoking are made difficult by the fact that most smokers are addicted to nicotine, which means that they continue to smoke not only to attain its reinforcing effects but also to avoid withdrawal symptoms.  Interventios for Nicotine Dependence are most effective when they include a combination of (1) nicotine replacement therapyl (2) multicomponent behavior therapy; and (3) support and assistance from a clinician
Term
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Definition
An anxiety disorder involving recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions  About equally common in makes and females.  OCD is commonly treated with in vivo exposure and the tricyclic clomipramine or an SSRI
Term
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Definition
Involves a persistent preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, which have the effect of severely limiting flexibility, openness, and efficiency.
Term
Panic Disorder
Definition
An Anxiety Disorder involving two or more unexpected panic attacks (discrete periods of intense apprehension, fear, or terror that develop abruptly and usually peak within 10 minutes).  Symptoms may mimic a heart attack or hyperthyroidism.  Treatment usually includes in vivo exposure and, in some cases, a TCA or SSRI.
Term
Parkinson's Disease
Definition
A movement disorder involving bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, and resting termor.  About 20-60% of patients eventually develop dementia.
Term
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Definition
An Anxiety Disorder that involves the development of charateristic symptoms after exposure to a traumatic event that entails actual or threatened death or serious injury to self or others.  The immediate reaction to the event is characterized by intense vear, helplessness or horror; followed by persistent reexperiencing of the trauma; persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and persistent symptoms of increased arousal.
Term
Premature Ejaculation
Definition
Prepature Ejaculation is diagnosed when orgasm and ejaculation occur with minimal sexual stimulation, before, on, or shortly after penetration and before the person desires it.  This disorder has been linked to low serotonin levels and may be effectively treated with an SSRI.
Term
Reactive Attachment Disordre
Definition
An early childgood disorder involving developmentally inappropriate social relatedness caused by pathogenic care.
Term
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Definition
Involves a pervasice pattern of indifference to interpersonal relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression in social settings.
Term
Schizophrenia
Definition

Invoves a disturbance of six months or more that includes at least one month or more of active phase symptoms: 1. delusions, 2. hallucinations, 3. disorganized speach, 4. grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and 5. negative symptoms.

 

Five subtypes identified: Paranoid, Disorganized, Catatonic, Undifferentiated, and Residual.

 

Treatment ordinarily includes a neuroleptic (antipsychotic) drug, family therapy, and social-skills training. 

 

Possible causes include structural brain abnormalities (e.g., enlarged ventricles) and abnormalities in neurotransmitters (elevated dopamine, norepinephrine, and/or serotonin).

Term
Schizophreniform Disorder
Definition
A Psychotic Disorder involving active-phase psychotic symptoms and a duration of at least one month but less tahn 6 months.
Term
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Definition
Diagnosed in the presence of pervasive deficits in interpersonal relationships; acute discomfort with, and restricted capacity for, close relationships; and eccentricites in cognition, perception, and behavior.
Term
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Definition
In the Northern Hemisphere, Major Depressive Disorder is linked to the winter months for some patients.  This contition is referred to as SAD.  Its symptoms typically include hypersomnia, increased appetite and weight gain, and a craving for carbs.
Term
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Definition
An anxiety disorder of childhood that involves developmentally inappropriate, excessive anxiety reltaed to separation from home or attachment figures.  It is often manifested as school refusal.
Term
Somatization Disorder
Definition
Somatization Disorder involves recurrent multiple somatic complaints that begin prior to age 30 and persist for several years and for which medical attention has been sought but no phyisical explanation has been found.  Complaints must include at least four pain symptoms, two gastrointestical symptoms, one sexual symptom, and one pseudoneurological symptom (e.g., paralysis, double vision or blindness, seizures).
Term
Stuttering
Definition
Characterized by a disturbance in normla fluency and time patterning of speech that is inappropriate for the individual's age.  A promising intervention for older children with Stuttering is regulated breathing, which involves reassuring the individual that he/she can speak without stuttering and incorporates breathing and vocalization expercises and graded speech assignments.  Regulated breathing is often combined with awareness training and social support and, in this format, is referred to as "habit reversal".
Term
Substance Dependence
Definition
Involves the continued use of a substanec despite significant substance-related problems as evidenced by the presence of at least three characteristic sympoms during a 12-month period.  It may or many not involve tolerance and withdrawal (physiological dependence).
Term
Suicide (Risk Factors)
Definition
High risk for suicide is associated with a warning, pervious attempts, a plan (especially one involving a lethal weapon), make gender, older age, and feelings of hopelessness.  While highest rates of completed suicides are among individuals aged 55-64, highest rates of attempts are among people aged 24 to 44.  Of the mental disorders, the highest risk is associated with Major Depression.
Term
Tourette's Disorder
Definition
A tic disorder characterized by at least one vocal tic and multiple motor tics.  It has been linked to abnormal levels of dopamine.
Term
Tranvestic Fetishism vs Transsexualism
Definition
Tranvestism is a Paraphilia that involves cross-dressing for the purpose of sexual arousal.  Transsexualism is a Gender Identity Disorder that may involve cross-dressing and sexual reassignment surgery.
Term
Type I and type II Schizophrenia
Definition
As defined by Crow (1985), Type 1 is characterized by positive symptoms and is associated with relatively good premorbid functioning and a favorable response to traditional antipsychotic drugs.  It is believed to be due to neurotransmitter abnormalities.  Type II involves negative symptoms, is associated with relatively poor premorbid adjustment and a poor response to traditional antipsychotics, and is more likely the result of structural brain abnormalities.
Term
Types of Conduct Disorder (Moffitt).
Definition
Moffitt (1993) distinguishes between two types of conduct disorder.  the "life-course-persistent" type begins early and involves a pattern of increasingly serious trangressions that continues into adulthood.  It is due to a combination of neurological impairments, a difficult temperament, and adverse environmental circumstances.  The "adolescence-limited" type is a temporary form of antisocial behavior that reflects a "maturity gap" between the adolescent's biological maturation and lack of opportunities for adult priviledges and rewards.
Term
Vascular Demensia
Definition
A form of dementia caused by arteriosclerosis and othe rcerebrovascular disease.  The course is stepwise and fluctuating; and the pattern of sympoms is "patchy".
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