AP Psychology : Defining Abnormalities and Disorders
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology
All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Bipolar Disorder
How many manic or depressive episodes do those with rapid cycling bipolar disorder experience in one year?
At least 10
At least 4
At least 2
At least 20
At least 50
At least 4
Those with rapid cycling bipolar disorder are classified as such when they have at least four manic or depressive episodes in one year.
Example Question #31 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
Which of the following best describes the symptoms of Bipolar II Disorder?
Six or more episodes of mania within two years
Four or more episodes of depression, mania, or hypomania within one year
At least seven episodes of major depression, mania, hypomania, or mixed states, all within a year.
A pattern of depressive episodes with some hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic episodes
Manic episodes that last at least a week, usually alternating with depressive episodes of 2 weeks or more
A pattern of depressive episodes with some hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic episodes
Bipolar disorder has several sub-types. Bipolar I is defined by manic episodes that last at least a week, typically alternating with episodes lasting at least 2 weeks. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by a pattern of depressive episodes with some hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic episodes. Four or more episodes of depression, mania, or hypomania, all within one year, is called rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Alternating episodes of depression and hypomania that last at least 2 years (but do not meet criteria for Bipolar I) is known as cyclothymic disorder.
Example Question #32 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
Which of the following options is NOT true about bipolar disorder?
A bipolar person's depressed episodes may be very similar to the experiences of a person suffering from unipolar depression.
People with bipolar disorder experience both depressed and manic episodes.
While some people with bipolar disorder will feel invincible during a manic episode, others may feel anxious.
None of these
None of these
People with bipolar disorder experience both depressed and manic episodes, which can be variable in severity and managed in many ways. Bipolar I is characterized by extreme episodes of both mania and depression. Bipolar II is characterized by episodes of hypomania and severe depression.
Example Question #32 : Types Of Disorders
A patient diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder without any comorbid diagnoses is most likely to be prescribed __________.
A tranquilizer
A mood stabilizer
A hallucinogen
An opiate
An antipsychotic
A mood stabilizer
Mood stabilizers are effective in stabilizing patients experiencing a manic period, and in maintaining symptom remission when the manic period has ended. While antipsychotic medication can also be prescribed to quell psychotic symptoms (e.g. hallucinations) that may occur in manic periods it is not the most common course of treatment.
Example Question #2 : Bipolar Disorder
Jenna's parents have noticed that she has frequent mood swings. At one moment, she will be energetic and cheerful, but then later for no apparent reason she will be gloomy and depressed. She will often alternate between episodes of each throughout the week. Her parents are concerned that she may likely have which psychological disorder?
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
Disassociative Identity Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Disassociative Fugue
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is the disorder in which someone alternates between episodes of mania and depression. Schizophrenia refers to a category of disorders involving delusional thoughts, paranoia, distorted thinking, hallucinations, and more. Generalized Anxiety Disorder refers to a condition in which the person suffers from constant, low-level anxiety. Disassociative Identity Disorder is a rare disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct, alternating personas. Disassociative Fugue is a condition in which one finds themselves in what they perceive to be an unfamiliar environment when in reality it is not.
Example Question #34 : Types Of Disorders
Which of the following is most likely to happen during a manic episode?
Increased risk taking
Lowered self esteem
Decreased speed of speech
Increased need for sleep
Lack of sexual drive
Increased risk taking
A manic episode is one of the two elements of bipolar disorder (the other being depression) and it is characterized by heightened arousal and goal-oriented actions, including increased risk taking. Other symptoms of a manic episode include inflated self esteem, increased sex drive, increased speed of speech, and decreased need for sleep.
Example Question #35 : Types Of Disorders
Bipolar disorder entails both mania and depression, rotating in cycles. There are different types of cycling-- what is "cyclothymia"?
Rapid cycling back and forth
The cycle between dysthmia (mild depression) and hypomania
Dysthmia lasting for years at a time before mania
Depression and mania experienced at the same time
The cycle between dysthmia (mild depression) and hypomania
Dysthemia (mild-grade depression) and hypomania (which is not as drastic as some other frank mania experiences) can cycle back and forth in "cyclothymia."
Example Question #33 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
Which of the following is a treatment for bipolar disorder?
MAO inhibitors
Benzodiazepines
Lithium
NMDA antagonists
Lithium
Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. The primary function of Litium in the treatment of bipolar disorder is to help control the frequency and severity of manic episodes.
MAO inhibitors are used to treat depression, benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, and NMDA antagonists are used as anesthetics.
Example Question #34 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
At dinner, Jerry was overly enthusiastic about his plan to use all of his savings to purchase a new car. He kept talking about how he was the smartest guy in his class and that he would easily be able to make the money back at any job. Which of the following best describes Jerry’s behavior?
Hypomanic episode
Hallucination
Grandiose delusion
Disordered thought
Depressive episode
Hypomanic episode
In individuals with bipolar disorder, hypomanic episodes cause symptoms such as excessive elation, impulsiveness, and inflated self-esteem. Jerry’s dinnertime behavior exhibits all of these symptoms.
Example Question #35 : Defining Abnormalities And Disorders
What is the difference between Bipolar I disorder and Bipolar II disorder?
None of the other answers is accurate.
Bipolar I disorder means at least one manic episode, while Bipolar II disorder means at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but no full-blown manic episodes.
Bipolar I disorder means at least one major depressive episode and at least one manic episode, while Bipolar II disorder means at least one hypomanic episode.
Bipolar I disorder means at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but no full-blown manic episodes, while Bipolar II disorder means at least one manic episode.
Bipolar I disorder and Bipolar II disorder are only different in that in Bipolar II disorder, hypomanic episodes occur more often.
Bipolar I disorder means at least one manic episode, while Bipolar II disorder means at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but no full-blown manic episodes.
The correct answer provides the definition of the two differing Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorders.
All AP Psychology Resources
