Abnormal Psychology
Mood Disorders
By: Kyle
Major Depression: Feeling Sad / Overwhelmed
 Dysthmic Disorder: Sad Mood, loss of interest
 Post-Partum Depression: Major Depression that starts after the birth of a child
 Seasonal Affective Disorder: Depression due to lack of natural / sun light
Bipolar Disorder: Alternating between mood extremes (Depression and Mania)
 Mania: Extremely agitated, usually elated, emotional state
 Bipolar I: Mania and Major Depression
 Bipolar II: Major Depression and Hypomania (less severe)
 Cyclothymic Disorder: Bipolar equivalent to dysthymia (less intense)
Causes of Mood Disorders:
 Genetic Link
 Chemical Imbalances
 Social Cognitive Explanations (self-defeating beliefs, learned helplessness etc.)
Somatoform
By: Nicole Marusich
Somatoform: Psychological Problems in which there are symptoms of a physical disorder
without a physical cause.
Conversion Disorder (Hysteria):
 A loss of sight or hearing, paralysis, insensitivity to pain, or a loss of sensory/motor sense
and there is no physical cause.
 An actual case is very rare but it`s most common in children and young adults.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder:
 An obsession with a “defect” in physical appearance, they will do anything to fix it and to
avoid public places until it is fixed.
 Constant checking behaviors of the defect leads to anxiety.
Hypochondriasis:
 Strong fear of having a physical illness despite doctors reassurances.
 Minor symptoms of a sickness mean a death sentence of a major illness.
Dissociative Disorders
By: Nicole Marusich
Dissociative Disorders: A sudden and unusually temporary disruption in a person`s memory,
consciousness, or identity.
Dissociative Amnesia:
 A sudden loss of memory due to trauma.
 May forget all personal identification information.
Dissociative Fuge:
 Instant loss of identity and the assumption of a new one.
 The new identity may move to a new location, get a new job, start a new family etc…
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID):
 A persons mind is occupied by more than one identity.
 Each identity has its own memories, personality, wishes, and impulses.
 Personalities normally come in sets of threes.
Sources: Class PowerPoint notes, and Psychology Book by David G. Meyers
Schizophrenia
By: Brandon Harshe
Schizophrenia is defined as a brain disorder in which the person with the disease abnormally
experiences and interprets reality. Although schizophrenia does mean “split mind,” it does not
have to do with alternate personalities.
Symptoms:
●
Positive Symptoms (excess abnormal functions)
 Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts or behaviors.
●
Negative Symptoms (absence of normal functions)
 Withdraw, negligence of daily activities, no hygiene, no interest.
●
Drop in school performance, sleeping troubles, difficulty paying attention.
●
Remember “word salads.” People with schizophrenia can have highly
disorganized thoughts and behaviors.
●
Suicidal thoughts are very common.
Causes:
●
No clear cause. Generally attributed to a combination of genetics and
environment, nature and nurture.
●
Signs of different brain structures.
●
Abnormalities with brain chemicals such as neurotransmitters (dopamine and
glutamate).
Types of Schizophrenia:
●
Paranoid
 Delusions and hallucinations. Ability to function may be slightly better
than other types.
●
Catatonic
 Episodes of behavior at “opposite ends of the spectrum.” May be in
coma-like state. Can be unable to speak or even move.
●
Disorganized
 More severe than other types. Unable to do daily and routine functions.
Hard to understand. Disorganized thoughts. “Word salad” speech.
●
Residual
 Patient no longer displays serious symptoms. The problems may still
exist (i.e delusions) but with less severity.
●
Undifferentiated
 Patient displays signs not clear enough for other categories.
Sources and Notes:
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/schizophrenia/DS00196
Psych Central
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/schizophrenia/
Schizophrenia is a topic that includes a lot of interesting points. However, there is a lot of
information that cannot be included in this outline review because the details would either be (a)
of too little importance to need to know, or (b) too much information to include on this review. I
included all of the major symptoms and types of schizophrenia. If you would like more
information to be added to this portion of the abnormal psychology section, you can just email
me and I will add some detail.
Personality Disorder Outline
By: Kassi Beck
A personality disorder is a type of mental illness in which you have trouble perceiving and
relating to situations and to people — including yourself. There are many specific types of
personality disorders.
In general, having a personality disorder means you have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of
thinking and behaving no matter what the situation. This leads to significant problems and
limitations in relationships, social encounters, work and school. .
Symptoms
General symptoms of a personality disorder
Personality disorder symptoms include:

Frequent mood swings

Stormy relationships

Social isolation

Angry outbursts

Suspicion and mistrust of others

Difficulty making friends

A need for instant gratification

Poor impulse control

Alcohol or substance abuse
Specific types of personality disorders
The specific types of personality disorders are grouped into three clusters based on similar
characteristics and symptoms. Many people with one diagnosed personality disorder also have
signs and symptoms of at least one additional personality disorder.
Cluster A personality disorders
These are personality disorders characterized by odd, eccentric thinking or behavior and include:
Paranoid personality disorder

Distrust and suspicion of others

Believing that others are trying to harm you

Emotional detachment

Hostility
Schizoid personality disorder

Lack of interest in social relationships

Limited range of emotional expression

Inability to pick up normal social cues

Appearing dull or indifferent to others
Schizotypal personality disorder

Peculiar dress, thinking, beliefs or behavior

Perceptual alterations, such as those affecting touch

Discomfort in close relationships

Flat emotions or inappropriate emotional responses

Indifference to others

"Magical thinking" — believing you can influence people and events with your thoughts

Believing that messages are hidden for you in public speeches or displays
Cluster B personality disorders
These are personality disorders characterized by dramatic, overly emotional thinking or behavior
and include:
Antisocial (formerly called sociopathic) personality disorder

Disregard for others

Persistent lying or stealing

Recurring difficulties with the law

Repeatedly violating the rights of others

Aggressive, often violent behavior

Disregard for the safety of self or others
Borderline personality disorder

Impulsive and risky behavior

Volatile relationships

Unstable mood

Suicidal behavior

Fear of being alone
Histrionic personality disorder

Constantly seeking attention

Excessively emotional

Extreme sensitivity to others' approval

Unstable mood

Excessive concern with physical appearance
Narcissistic personality disorder
Believing that you're better than others

Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness

Exaggerating your achievements or talents

Expecting constant praise and admiration

Failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings
Cluster C personality disorders
These are personality disorders characterized by anxious, fearful thinking or behavior and
include:
Avoidant personality disorder

Hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection

Feeling inadequate

Social isolation

Extreme shyness in social situations

Timidity
Dependent personality disorder

Excessive dependence on others

Submissiveness toward others

A desire to be taken care of

Tolerance of poor or abusive treatment

Urgent need to start a new relationship when one has ended
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Preoccupation with orderliness and rules

Extreme perfectionism

Desire to be in control of situations

Inability to discard broken or worthless objects

Inflexibility
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder isn't the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder, a
type of anxiety disorders
Sources: Notes in Class All hand outs (pink, purple) and my Abnormal Psychology Report
(Mayo.clinic.)
Anxiety Disorder
(Resa B.)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
-chronic, unfocused anxiety
-must last 6 months or more to be diagnosed
-causes lack of concentration and stress related illnesses
Panic Disorder (without Agoraphobia)
-short attacks of intense anxiety/ panic
~difficulty breathing
~nausea and sometimes dizziness
-cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common treatment
Panic Disorder (with Agoraphobia)
-Same as above, except person also suffers from severe fear of having another attack,
especially in a public place
-even more potentially debilitating than panic disorder
-person may avoid leaving the house or going into social situations
Agoraphobia (without Panic Disorder)
-acute fear of social situations and/or wide open spaces
-more common in women
-onset in early adulthood (usually)
-cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common treatment
Phobias (specific)
-largest category of anxiety disorders
-comes from a Greek word meaning “morbid fear”
-can be almost anything, dog, snake, peanut butter sticking to the roof of ones mouth, etc.
-sufferers will try to avoid the object of their aversion
-graduated exposure therapy is often used as treatment
Phobias (social)
-fears about social situations
-will cause a person to avoid other people, parties, etc.
-might be triggered by specific social situations or just be a generalized fear of social
situations
-cognitive behavioral therapy is a common treatment
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
-characterized by uncontrollable compulsions that are unwanted and potentially harmful
-often related to necessary rituals or “superstitions”
-very debilitating
-cognitive behavioral therapy is a common treatment (is anyone noticing a trend here?)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
-caused by a traumatic incident such as war, rape, abuse, etc.
-symptoms include: anger, avoidance, depression, mood swings, and flashbacks
-cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy, and occasionally anti-depressants are
common treatments
Acute Stress Disorder
-similar to PTSD except symptoms come on very quickly (within one month)
-often includes dissociation from the traumatic event (repression as Freud would say)
-caused by a sever trauma
-same treatments as PTSD
Anxiety Disorder NOS
-a disorder with symptoms categorized as anxiety based: irritability, sleep disturbances,
depression, nausea, exhaustion, “jitteriness,” etc. caused by extreme trauma or stressors
that does not match the description of the other anxiety disorders.