PS381 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE ANSWERS
What is the scientific study of psychological disorders called? - ANSWER Abnormal
Psychology
What are the four agreed-upon features of abnormal behavior? - ANSWER Deviance,
Distress, Dysfunction/Maladaptive behavior, Danger (controversial and when present is
often danger to self)
Is there a universal definition of abnormal behavior? - ANSWER No
What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? - ANSWER A mental health condition
triggered by a traumatic event.
What type of event typically triggers PTSD? - ANSWER A traumatic event that is
life-threatening or threatens bodily autonomy.
How long after a traumatic event can PTSD begin? - ANSWER PTSD can begin 30 days
or more after the traumatic event; onset can be delayed for years.
How long can someone experience PTSD? - ANSWER A person can have PTSD for 30-40
years.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) - ANSWER Begins 2 days or more after a traumatic event.
At day 30 if the symptoms remain it is no longer this and is considered to be PTSD.
Simple vs Complex PTSD - ANSWER Simple PTSD - Caused by one traumatic event
Complex PTSD - Caused by several traumatic events
Symptoms of PTSD - ANSWER Hyper alertness, easily startled, sleep disturbance,
guilty, anxiety, despression, difficulty with concentration, feeling detached/unable to
love, and flashbacks (reliving event on loop, typically includes sound).
PTSD prevalence - ANSWER 9.2% of Canadians experience PTSD in their lifetime. Twice
as common in women as men.
PTSD biological factors - ANSWER Increased cortisol and norepinephrine. Damaged
hippocampus (gathering memory), amygdala (flight or fight).
PTSD Other factors - ANSWER History of prior trauma associated with increased risk.
Social and family support reduces risk.
PTSD Generation effect - ANSWER Severe stress can cause epigenetic changes
(changes in how genes are expressed) that are passed along to offspring. Can cause:
,attachment disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse and
addictions, and more.
Mood Disorders - ANSWER Characterized by emotional disturbances of varied kinds.
Spillover to physical, perceptual, social, and thought processes. Not due to substance
use. The prevalence of depression has been increasing for generations.
Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms Functioning: Emotional - ANSWER Depressed
mood
Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms Functioning: Motivational - ANSWER Loss of
desire to do usual activities, lack of drive
Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms Functioning: Behavioural - ANSWER Less active
and productive, may move and speak slowly or seem physically agitated
Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms Functioning: Cognitive - ANSWER negative
self-evaluation, self-blame, pessimism, guilt, indecisiveness, difficulty concentrating,
thoughts of death or suicide.
Major Depressive Disorder Core symptoms (1 or both) - ANSWER 1. Sadness, emptiness
or feeling down. 2. Loss of interest or pleasure.
Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (4+ or more symptoms) - ANSWER
Hoplessness, tiredness and lack of energy, low self-esteem self-criticism or feeling
incapable, trouble concentrating and trouble making decisions, irritability or excessive
anger, fecreaded activity effectiveness and productivity, avoidance of social activities,
feeling of guilt and worries over the past, sleep problems, poor appetite or overeating.
Persistent Depressive Disorder - ANSWER Depressed mood for most of the day,
Depressed for 2 years or more, but they don't have the symptoms of major depression
disorder.
Persistent Depressive Disorder for children - ANSWER In children and adolescents,
mood can be irritable, and duration must be at least 1 year.
Persistent Depressive Disorder Symptoms (two or more of the following) - ANSWER
poor appetite or overating. insomnia or hypersomnia. low energy or fatigue. low
self-esteem. poor concentration or difficulty making decisions. feelings of hoplessness.
Margaret Trudeau - ANSWER Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and during her mania
episode she stayed with the rolling stones for multiple nights and caused a huge
scandal.
Antidepressants and Bipolar disorder - ANSWER medication can trigger hypomania or
,mania in vulnerable people and trigger the development of rapid cycling bipolar
disorder. Must use mood stabilizers with this medication for bipolar disorder.
Bipolar I disorder Criteria - ANSWER Manic episodes of 7 days or longer or shorter
episodes that require hopitalization. Periods of depression lasting 2 weeks or longer.
Bipolar I Disorder Psychotic Symptoms - ANSWER These symptoms may occur during
depressive or manic states. Manic episodes often result in hopitalization
Bipolar I Disorder Mixed Episodes - ANSWER Where symptoms of mania and depression
co-occur on the same day
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Emotional - ANSWER Powerful highs
and lows
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Motivational - ANSWER Seek
excitement and companionship
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Behavioural - ANSWER May move and
speak quickly
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Cognitive - ANSWER Poor judgement
and planning, optimism, gradiosity
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Physical - ANSWER Energetic, require
little sleep (will feel elevated and great on only 2 hours), may involve psychosis
Hypomania - ANSWER Similar to mania but less extreme. May go from one thing to
another and not finish anything. Can cause havoc in personal and work life
Bipolar II Disorder - ANSWER Periods of hypomania and depression. Don't have
, psychosis, but they might have it when depressed. Tend to have more episodes of
depression than bipolar I. Can change to Bipolar I if they experience manic episode.
Cyclothymic Disorder - ANSWER Mild symptoms of depression, don't meet the criteria of
mdd and they have symptoms of hypomania last 2 or more years
Anxiety Disorder - ANSWER Disabling levels of fear or anxiety that are frequent, severe,
persistent, or easily triggered. Most people with one anxiety disorder experience
another as well.
Brain Imaging studies on anxiety - ANSWER The limbic system in people with anxiety
disorders is overly responsive to stimulation or new information for the brain stem.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - ANSWER Anxiety under most life circumstances;
diffuse worry. Restlessness, edginess, easily tired. Difficulty concentrating.
Explanations for Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Intolerance of Uncertainty - ANSWER
Unwilling to accept negative events
Explanations for Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Biological Theories - ANSWER
Malfunctioning GABA feedback system. Malfunctioning emotional brain circuit
Social Anxiety Disorder - ANSWER Severe, persistent fear of embarrassment in social
situations. Often begins in late childhood or adolescence
Social Anxiety Disorder Prevalence - ANSWER More women than men, more poor
people than wealthier people. 7.1% of population develop this at some time in their life.
Phobias - ANSWER Persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation.
Phobias Prevalence - ANSWER 7.7% of people in Canada suffer from at least one
ACCURATE ANSWERS
What is the scientific study of psychological disorders called? - ANSWER Abnormal
Psychology
What are the four agreed-upon features of abnormal behavior? - ANSWER Deviance,
Distress, Dysfunction/Maladaptive behavior, Danger (controversial and when present is
often danger to self)
Is there a universal definition of abnormal behavior? - ANSWER No
What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? - ANSWER A mental health condition
triggered by a traumatic event.
What type of event typically triggers PTSD? - ANSWER A traumatic event that is
life-threatening or threatens bodily autonomy.
How long after a traumatic event can PTSD begin? - ANSWER PTSD can begin 30 days
or more after the traumatic event; onset can be delayed for years.
How long can someone experience PTSD? - ANSWER A person can have PTSD for 30-40
years.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) - ANSWER Begins 2 days or more after a traumatic event.
At day 30 if the symptoms remain it is no longer this and is considered to be PTSD.
Simple vs Complex PTSD - ANSWER Simple PTSD - Caused by one traumatic event
Complex PTSD - Caused by several traumatic events
Symptoms of PTSD - ANSWER Hyper alertness, easily startled, sleep disturbance,
guilty, anxiety, despression, difficulty with concentration, feeling detached/unable to
love, and flashbacks (reliving event on loop, typically includes sound).
PTSD prevalence - ANSWER 9.2% of Canadians experience PTSD in their lifetime. Twice
as common in women as men.
PTSD biological factors - ANSWER Increased cortisol and norepinephrine. Damaged
hippocampus (gathering memory), amygdala (flight or fight).
PTSD Other factors - ANSWER History of prior trauma associated with increased risk.
Social and family support reduces risk.
PTSD Generation effect - ANSWER Severe stress can cause epigenetic changes
(changes in how genes are expressed) that are passed along to offspring. Can cause:
,attachment disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse and
addictions, and more.
Mood Disorders - ANSWER Characterized by emotional disturbances of varied kinds.
Spillover to physical, perceptual, social, and thought processes. Not due to substance
use. The prevalence of depression has been increasing for generations.
Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms Functioning: Emotional - ANSWER Depressed
mood
Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms Functioning: Motivational - ANSWER Loss of
desire to do usual activities, lack of drive
Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms Functioning: Behavioural - ANSWER Less active
and productive, may move and speak slowly or seem physically agitated
Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms Functioning: Cognitive - ANSWER negative
self-evaluation, self-blame, pessimism, guilt, indecisiveness, difficulty concentrating,
thoughts of death or suicide.
Major Depressive Disorder Core symptoms (1 or both) - ANSWER 1. Sadness, emptiness
or feeling down. 2. Loss of interest or pleasure.
Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (4+ or more symptoms) - ANSWER
Hoplessness, tiredness and lack of energy, low self-esteem self-criticism or feeling
incapable, trouble concentrating and trouble making decisions, irritability or excessive
anger, fecreaded activity effectiveness and productivity, avoidance of social activities,
feeling of guilt and worries over the past, sleep problems, poor appetite or overeating.
Persistent Depressive Disorder - ANSWER Depressed mood for most of the day,
Depressed for 2 years or more, but they don't have the symptoms of major depression
disorder.
Persistent Depressive Disorder for children - ANSWER In children and adolescents,
mood can be irritable, and duration must be at least 1 year.
Persistent Depressive Disorder Symptoms (two or more of the following) - ANSWER
poor appetite or overating. insomnia or hypersomnia. low energy or fatigue. low
self-esteem. poor concentration or difficulty making decisions. feelings of hoplessness.
Margaret Trudeau - ANSWER Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and during her mania
episode she stayed with the rolling stones for multiple nights and caused a huge
scandal.
Antidepressants and Bipolar disorder - ANSWER medication can trigger hypomania or
,mania in vulnerable people and trigger the development of rapid cycling bipolar
disorder. Must use mood stabilizers with this medication for bipolar disorder.
Bipolar I disorder Criteria - ANSWER Manic episodes of 7 days or longer or shorter
episodes that require hopitalization. Periods of depression lasting 2 weeks or longer.
Bipolar I Disorder Psychotic Symptoms - ANSWER These symptoms may occur during
depressive or manic states. Manic episodes often result in hopitalization
Bipolar I Disorder Mixed Episodes - ANSWER Where symptoms of mania and depression
co-occur on the same day
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Emotional - ANSWER Powerful highs
and lows
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Motivational - ANSWER Seek
excitement and companionship
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Behavioural - ANSWER May move and
speak quickly
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Cognitive - ANSWER Poor judgement
and planning, optimism, gradiosity
Symptoms of mania in five areas of functioning - Physical - ANSWER Energetic, require
little sleep (will feel elevated and great on only 2 hours), may involve psychosis
Hypomania - ANSWER Similar to mania but less extreme. May go from one thing to
another and not finish anything. Can cause havoc in personal and work life
Bipolar II Disorder - ANSWER Periods of hypomania and depression. Don't have
, psychosis, but they might have it when depressed. Tend to have more episodes of
depression than bipolar I. Can change to Bipolar I if they experience manic episode.
Cyclothymic Disorder - ANSWER Mild symptoms of depression, don't meet the criteria of
mdd and they have symptoms of hypomania last 2 or more years
Anxiety Disorder - ANSWER Disabling levels of fear or anxiety that are frequent, severe,
persistent, or easily triggered. Most people with one anxiety disorder experience
another as well.
Brain Imaging studies on anxiety - ANSWER The limbic system in people with anxiety
disorders is overly responsive to stimulation or new information for the brain stem.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - ANSWER Anxiety under most life circumstances;
diffuse worry. Restlessness, edginess, easily tired. Difficulty concentrating.
Explanations for Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Intolerance of Uncertainty - ANSWER
Unwilling to accept negative events
Explanations for Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Biological Theories - ANSWER
Malfunctioning GABA feedback system. Malfunctioning emotional brain circuit
Social Anxiety Disorder - ANSWER Severe, persistent fear of embarrassment in social
situations. Often begins in late childhood or adolescence
Social Anxiety Disorder Prevalence - ANSWER More women than men, more poor
people than wealthier people. 7.1% of population develop this at some time in their life.
Phobias - ANSWER Persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation.
Phobias Prevalence - ANSWER 7.7% of people in Canada suffer from at least one
