Intro to Abnormal Psychology Cheat Sheet

This cheat sheet summarizes key concepts in abnormal psychology, covering definitions of abnormal behavior, theoretical approaches, diagnostic tools, various disorder categories, and therapeutic interventions, emphasizing the importance of cultural context and the therapeutic alliance.

Core Principles

• Abnormal behavior is defined by deviance from social norms, maladaptiveness, and personal distress.
• Theoretical approaches include biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives, often integrated in the biopsychosocial model.
• The DSM is a classification system for disorders, but it faces criticisms regarding bias, labeling, and cultural limitations.
• Disorders are categorized into neurodevelopmental, anxiety, trauma-related, mood, schizophrenia spectrum, and personality disorders.
• Therapies range from psychotherapy (psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral, cognitive) to biological interventions (medication, brain stimulation).
• The therapeutic alliance, characterized by trust and collaboration, is the most crucial factor for treatment effectiveness.

Action Steps

• Identify the three criteria for abnormal behavior: deviance, maladaptiveness, and personal distress.
• Recognize the core features of disorders like ASD (social deficits, repetitive behaviors) and ADHD (inattention, impulsivity).
• Distinguish between anxiety disorders (GAD, Panic Disorder, OCD) and trauma-related disorders (PTSD).
• Differentiate mood disorders: MDD (persistent low mood) vs. Bipolar Disorder (mania and depression).
• Understand positive (hallucinations, delusions) and negative (flat affect, social withdrawal) symptoms of schizophrenia.
• Apply knowledge of personality disorders (ASPD, BPD, HPD, NPD) by focusing on relationship patterns and emotional regulation.
• When assessing suicide risk, ask direct questions and ensure the individual receives professional support.
• Choose therapies based on evidence-based practice, considering research, clinical expertise, and client preferences.
• Prioritize building a strong therapeutic alliance with clients for optimal treatment outcomes.

Key Terms

• Deviance: Behavior that violates accepted social norms.
• Maladaptive: Behavior that interferes with daily functioning or well-being.
• Personal Distress: Subjective suffering experienced by an individual.
• Biopsychosocial Model: An integrated approach considering biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
• DSM: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; a classification system for psychological disorders.
• Theory of Mind: The ability to understand others' mental states, beliefs, and perspectives.
• Obsessions: Intrusive, unwanted thoughts or urges.
• Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety.
• Negative Reinforcement: The removal of an unpleasant stimulus following a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior.
• Flashbacks: Sudden, vivid re-experiencing of a past traumatic event.
• Mania: A state of abnormally elevated energy, mood, and activity.
• Hallucinations: Sensory experiences that occur without an external stimulus.
• Delusions: Fixed, false beliefs that are resistant to reason or contradictory evidence.
• Flat Affect: Reduced emotional expressiveness.
• Transference: Client projecting feelings about important figures onto the therapist.
• Countertransference: Therapist projecting feelings onto the client.
• Unconditional Positive Regard: Acceptance and support of a person regardless of what the person says or does.
• Cognitive Distortions: Irrational or exaggerated thought patterns.
• Therapeutic Alliance: The collaborative relationship between client and therapist.
• Evidence-based Practice: Treatment decisions based on research, clinical expertise, and client preferences.
• Cultural Competence: Ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures.
• Cultural Humility: A commitment to self-reflection and addressing power imbalances in cultural interactions.

Pro Tips

• When presented with a scenario, pinpoint which of the three criteria (deviance, maladaptiveness, distress) is most prominent.
• For neurodevelopmental disorders, remember ASD is about social/repetitive issues, while ADHD is about attention/impulse control.
• In anxiety disorders, note that GAD is persistent worry, Panic Disorder involves sudden intense fear, and OCD links obsessions with compulsions.
• PTSD symptoms often involve trauma followed by reliving and avoidance.
• The key difference between MDD and Bipolar Disorder lies in the presence of manic episodes.
• Hallucinations are positive symptoms of schizophrenia; lack of emotion is a negative symptom.
• Personality disorders are best understood by examining long-term patterns in relationships and emotional regulation.
• Directly asking about suicidal ideation is recommended and does not increase risk.
• Recognize that the therapeutic alliance is often more critical than the specific therapy technique used.

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Over-reliance on the DSM without considering cultural context or individual strengths.
• Confusing symptoms of different disorder categories (e.g., anxiety vs. mood disorders).
• Underestimating the impact of cultural factors on symptom presentation and treatment.
• Neglecting the importance of the therapeutic alliance in favor of specific techniques.
• Assuming that asking about suicide increases risk.

Myth vs Reality

• Asking someone if they are suicidal will put the idea in their head.: Directly asking about suicide is recommended and can be a crucial first step in getting someone help.
• Mental health disorders are solely due to weak character or poor upbringing.: Disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
• Therapy is just talking; specific techniques don't matter much.: While the therapeutic alliance is key, specific evidence-based techniques are crucial for effective treatment.

Real World Examples

• Someone constantly worries about finances, health, and relationships, experiencing fatigue and muscle tension.: This exemplifies Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
• A person experiences sudden, intense episodes of fear with physical symptoms like heart palpitations and shortness of breath.: This is characteristic of Panic Disorder.
• An individual performs elaborate hand-washing rituals multiple times a day to alleviate intrusive thoughts about contamination.: This illustrates Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), where compulsions reduce anxiety from obsessions.
• A veteran experiences recurring nightmares and intrusive memories of combat, avoiding situations that remind them of the trauma.: These are key symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• A person exhibits a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, and changes in sleep and appetite for over two weeks.: This describes Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
• An individual experiences alternating periods of extreme high energy, impulsivity, and euphoria, followed by deep depression.: This pattern indicates Bipolar Disorder.
• A person reports hearing voices that are not there and believing they are being persecuted.: These are examples of positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions) in Schizophrenia.
• Someone consistently disregards the rights of others, showing a lack of empathy and engaging in manipulative behavior.: This pattern is indicative of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
• A client consistently projects feelings of anger towards their father onto their therapist.: This is an example of transference in psychodynamic therapy.
• A therapist consistently validates a client's feelings while also encouraging behavioral change.: This reflects principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), balancing change and validation.

Timeline

• Ongoing: Development and refinement of the DSM classification system.
• Mid-20th Century: Rise of Humanistic and Behavioral therapies as alternatives to psychodynamic approaches.
• Late 20th Century: Emergence of Cognitive Therapy and the Cognitive Revolution.
• Late 20th/Early 21st Century: Development of Integrative therapies like DBT, combining multiple approaches.
• Present: Emphasis on Evidence-Based Practice and the Therapeutic Alliance in treatment.

People

• Aaron Beck: Pioneer of Cognitive Therapy.
• Albert Ellis: Developed Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), a form of cognitive therapy.
• Marsha M. Linehan: Developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Sigmund Freud: Founder of psychoanalysis, emphasizing unconscious processes.
• Carl Rogers: Founder of client-centered (humanistic) therapy.

Quiz

• Which criterion for abnormal behavior involves violating social norms?: Deviance
• Low serotonin levels are most associated with which theoretical approach to disorders?: Biological
• Which disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions)?: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Hallucinations and delusions are considered what type of symptoms in schizophrenia?: Positive Symptoms
• Which therapy focuses on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences?: Psychodynamic Therapy
• What is considered the most important factor for therapy effectiveness?: Therapeutic Alliance