AP Psychology Unit 5 Notes: Understanding Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorder

A pattern of thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors that is distressing, dysfunctional, and/or dangerous (to oneself or others).

The 4 D’s of psychological disorders

Guidelines for judging disordered behavior: Deviance (atypical for culture/context), Distress (significant suffering), Dysfunction (impairs daily life), and Danger (risk of harm).

DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

A handbook that provides standardized diagnostic criteria for many psychological disorders to help clinicians use consistent labels.

Stigma (in mental health)

Negative attitudes and stereotypes attached to a diagnostic label that can affect how others interpret a person and how the person views themselves.

Biopsychosocial approach

An explanation of behavior/disorders as the interaction of biological (genes/brain/chemicals), psychological (learning/cognition/coping), and social (relationships/culture/stressors) factors.

Diathesis-stress model

A framework stating that disorders can result from an underlying vulnerability (diathesis) combined with environmental triggers (stress); vulnerability increases risk but does not guarantee a disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent, excessive worry across multiple areas of life (not one specific trigger), often with physical symptoms like tension or sleep problems, and causing impairment.

Panic disorder

A disorder involving recurrent panic attacks plus ongoing concern about future attacks and/or behavioral changes (e.g., avoidance) due to fear of having another attack.

Specific phobia

An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance and interferes with functioning.

Negative reinforcement (in anxiety/OCD)

When a behavior increases because it removes an unpleasant state; e.g., avoidance or a ritual reduces anxiety, making avoidance/rituals more likely in the future.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A disorder involving obsessions (intrusive, distressing thoughts/urges) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors/mental acts) performed to reduce distress or prevent a feared event; not done for pleasure.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A trauma- and stressor-related disorder after exposure to trauma, involving intrusion (flashbacks/nightmares), avoidance, negative mood/cognition changes, and hyperarousal (e.g., startle, sleep problems).

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

A disorder involving at least one major depressive episode with symptoms such as depressed mood and/or anhedonia, sleep/appetite changes, fatigue, worthlessness/guilt, concentration problems, and possible suicidal thoughts.

Anhedonia

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyable; a core symptom often seen in major depressive disorder.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

A longer-lasting pattern of depressed mood that is often less intense than MDD day-to-day but can be highly impairing due to its chronic duration.

Manic episode

A distinct period of abnormally elevated or irritable mood and increased energy, often including decreased need for sleep, grandiosity, pressured speech/racing thoughts, and risky or impulsive behavior.

Hypomania

A milder form of mania with similar symptoms but less severe impairment than a full manic episode.

Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II (conceptual distinction)

Bipolar I involves at least one full manic episode (depression may also occur); Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes plus major depressive episodes (no full manic episodes).

Schizophrenia

A severe disorder characterized by psychosis, including disturbances in perception, thought, and behavior; it is not “multiple personalities.”

Psychosis

Loss of contact with reality, often involving hallucinations (perceptions without stimuli) and/or delusions (firm false beliefs).

Positive vs. negative symptoms (schizophrenia)

Positive symptoms are additions (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech/behavior); negative symptoms are reductions in normal functioning (flat affect, avolition, reduced speech, social withdrawal).

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

A dissociative disorder involving two or more distinct identity states along with memory gaps beyond ordinary forgetting; distinct from schizophrenia (identity disruption vs. psychosis).

Personality disorder

An enduring, inflexible pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates from cultural expectations, begins by adolescence/early adulthood, is stable over time, and causes distress or impairment.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder marked by patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning; often involves executive function difficulties (attention, inhibition, planning).

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder involving differences in social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviors or interests; “spectrum” indicates wide variation in strengths and support needs.