Abnormal psychology Study Guide

📖 Core Concepts Abnormal psychology – study of atypical patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought that may constitute mental disorders. Adaptive vs. maladaptive behavior – adaptive = fits environment & daily functioning; maladaptive = impairs coping, causes distress or dysfunction. Psychopathology – emphasizes an underlying disease process; often used interchangeably with abnormal psychology. Diathesis‑Stress Model – disorder = vulnerability (diathesis: genetics, temperament) + triggering stressors. Combined criteria for abnormality – presence of distress, dysfunction, distorted cognition, inappropriate affect/behavior, risk of harm. 📌 Must Remember Statistical abnormality ≠ mental illness (rare but not necessarily pathological). Psychometric abnormality: e.g., IQ < 70‑75 may signal an intellectual disability. DSM‑5 is the U.S. diagnostic standard; aligns with ICD‑10 (WHO). Heritability estimate: many disorders show 50 % concordance in monozygotic twins. Key neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA. Major disorders – hallmark symptoms Schizophrenia – delusions, hallucinations, loss of reality. ADHD – inattention + hyperactivity‑impulsivity. Social Anxiety – intense fear of negative evaluation. GAD – chronic excessive worry + physical tension. Specific Phobia – disproportionate fear of a particular object/situation. PTSD – intrusive memories, avoidance, hypervigilance after trauma. 🔄 Key Processes Diathesis‑Stress Evaluation Identify predisposing factors (genes, early temperament). Identify precipitating stressors (life events, trauma). Assess interaction → risk of disorder onset. CBT Treatment Cycle Assessment → identify negative schemas & distorted thoughts. Cognitive restructuring → challenge & replace with realistic thoughts. Behavioral experiments → test new thoughts via adaptive actions. Homework → practice skills between sessions; repeat cycle. Behavioral Therapy (Classical & Operant Conditioning) Extinction: cease reinforcement of maladaptive response. Positive reinforcement: reward desired behavior to increase frequency. 🔍 Key Comparisons Biological vs. Psychological explanations Biological: genetics, neurochemistry, brain structure → treat with medication/biological interventions. Psychological: unconscious conflict, irrational beliefs, sociocultural stress → treat with talk‑therapy, CBT, family work. Somatogenic vs. Psychogenic approaches Somatogenic: disorder originates in the brain → radical biological treatments (e.g., lobotomy). Psychogenic: disorder originates in mind/relationships → psychoanalytic, humanistic, CBT methods. DSM‑5 vs. ICD‑10 DSM‑5: U.S.‑focused, detailed criteria, includes cultural formulation. ICD‑10: Global WHO system, broader chapter categories (F00‑F99). ⚠️ Common Misunderstandings “Statistical rarity = mental illness” – rarity alone does not imply pathology; functional impairment is required. “Abnormal = deviant behavior” – deviance can be socially defined and not necessarily indicative of a disorder. “All anxiety = disorder” – normal anxiety is adaptive; disorder involves excessive, persistent worry that impairs life. “CBT only works for depression” – CBT is effective for anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and many other conditions. 🧠 Mental Models / Intuition Vulnerability‑Trigger Model – think of a wet floor sign (vulnerability) and a spilling drink (trigger); both needed for a slip (disorder). Filtering Lens – negative schemas act like tinted glasses that distort perception; CBT cleans the lens. Behavioral Reinforcement Loop – maladaptive behavior persists when it is unintentionally rewarded (e.g., avoidance reduces anxiety, so avoidance is reinforced). 🚩 Exceptions & Edge Cases Deinstitutionalization – reduced hospital beds ≈ increased community homelessness for some patients, but also spurred community‑based services for many. Play therapy age limit – highly effective < 10 y/o; limited benefit for older children. Genetic heritability – 50 % concordance in MZ twins is high but not deterministic; environment can prevent expression. 📍 When to Use Which Biological vs. Psychotherapy – use medication/biological interventions when clear neurochemical/structural pathology (e.g., schizophrenia, severe bipolar). CBT – first‑line for depression, GAD, social anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and mild‑moderate ADHD symptoms. Behavioral Therapy – ideal for specific phobias (systematic desensitization) and habit disorders. Family Systems Therapy – when child symptoms are tied to dysfunctional family dynamics. Play Therapy – children < 10 y/o presenting with disruptive behavior or trauma‑related play themes. 👀 Patterns to Recognize Cluster of symptoms + functional impairment → consider DSM‑5 diagnosis. Stressful life event + sudden onset of anxiety/flashbacks → think PTSD. Inattention + impulsivity across settings → ADHD. Persistent, irrational fear limited to one object → specific phobia. Combination of delusions + hallucinations > 6 months → schizophrenia. 🗂️ Exam Traps “Statistical rarity = disorder” – distractor that ignores distress/dysfunction criteria. Choosing DSM‑5 over ICD‑10 for a non‑U.S. question – many exams ask for ICD‑10 codes; watch the wording. Attributing all mental illness to genetics – ignores diathesis‑stress interaction and sociocultural factors. Labeling any anxiety as “social anxiety disorder” – must meet criteria of excessive fear of negative evaluation and avoidance; ordinary shyness is not enough. Assuming lobotomy is still used – outdated; the somatogenic approach now relies on medication, not radical surgery. --- Use this guide to quickly recall definitions, models, key symptoms, and treatment decision rules before the exam.