AP Psychology : Defining Abnormalities and Disorders
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology
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Example Questions
Example Question #291 : Psychological Abnormalities
The process that involves distinguishing one illness from another is called ___________________.
etiology
epidemiology
prognosis
diagnosis
diagnosis
Diagnosis involves determining what illness a patient might have, usually accomplished by comparing the patient's reported symptoms with a set of criteria for a particular illness. Prognosis sounds similar but is actually a forecast about the probably course of an illness. Etiology refers to the apparent causation and development of illnesses. Epidemiology is an area of study that involves the incidence, prevalence, and distribution of illnesses.
Example Question #292 : Psychological Abnormalities
Mental illnesses are currently classified into a __________________ diagnostic system, which has created some difficulties for clinicians due to the fact that many symptoms appear on a spectrum of severity.
categorical
subjective
dimensional
epidemiological
categorical
Current classification systems are categorical in nature, meaning that there are distinct categories for each mental illness that does not necessarily overlap with other diagnoses. A dimensional system that takes into account the overlapping nature of mental illness along a spectrum of severity has been proposed, but it has limited utility.
Example Question #293 : Psychological Abnormalities
Stacy is a 15 year old female who reports constant worry. Her fears are greatly impacting her daily functioning, and she cannot get through a task without focusing on many different worries in her life. She reports numerous worries about things such as relationships, school work, money, and her future career. Stacy likely suffers from which condition?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Specific phobia
Schizophrenia
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a disorder marked by excessive worry about multiple domains within one's life. These worries greatly distress an affected individual, and interfere with normal functioning. GAD is also accompanied by several physical symptoms including restlessness, decreased sleep, muscle tension, and weakness.
Example Question #294 : Psychological Abnormalities
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is predominantly characterized by which of the following?
Incessant distrust of other people, especially relatives and others in close contact
Ritualistic behaviors that are meant to avoid dangerous things from happening
None of these
Turbulent relationships, in which the afflicted individual feels extreme love or hate at different times
Periods of general confusion, accompanied by heightened levels of anxiety
Turbulent relationships, in which the afflicted individual feels extreme love or hate at different times
BPD's main symptoms involve turbulent relationships, extreme emotional reactions to everyday situations and self-harm. It is usually comorbid with anxiety and/or depression. Additionally, BPD patients have been reported as very difficult to treat (in comparison to other psychological disorders). This is because the typical subject is resistant to intervention.
Example Question #295 : Psychological Abnormalities
Which of the following have exact known causes:
I. Alzheimer's disease
II. Frontotemporal dementia
III. Dementia with Lewy bodies
None of these
III only
II only
II & III
All of these
None of these
Exact causes have not yet been confirmed, but there are currently many risk factors that have been linked. Alzheimer's, for example, is linked to several genetic polymorphisms. APOE-e4 has the strongest correlation so far, but not everyone with this genetic marker develops the disease. Some scientists believe that we have not yet identified the responsible genes.
Example Question #21 : Defining And Diagnosing Disorders
Which of the following are early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease:
I. Feeling confused about time and location
II. Changes in personality
III. Multiple personalities
IV. Inhibited coordination
V. Increased blood pressure
IV & V
II only
II, III, & IV
I, II, & III
I, II, & IV
I, II, & IV
Early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease include feeling confused about time and location, changes in personality and inhibited coordination. The disease follows a set of stages, but everyone expresses the symptoms differently. Alzheimer's can be easily misdiagnosed in early stages because of such deeply internalized symptoms.
Example Question #31 : Defining And Diagnosing Disorders
What percentage of Alzheimer's cases are considered early-onset?
Estimates vary, but early-onset cases make up somewhere between four to six percent of all cases. In the past, early-onset was considered the same disease as Alzheimer's because of the symptomatic similarities. However, scientists now believe Alzheimer's disease encompasses more than one distinct disease.
Example Question #32 : Defining And Diagnosing Disorders
What age of Alzheimer's diagnosis is considered to be early onset?
None of these
The lines are rather blurry, but cases are considered early onset Alzheimer's when diagnosis occurs in the 40s or 50s. Along with the age of onset, early-onset diagnosis is based on symptomatic criteria. Unfortunately, the only way to determine the exact class of dementia, an autopsy is required to examine brain tissue.
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