Question 1

Complicated grief differs from normal grief by the presence of&#10;A) Emotions of anger and regret&#10;B) Persistent longing and yearning for the deceased&#10;C) Physical symptoms of headaches and indigestion&#10;D) Problems with concentration and planning

Accepted Answer

Complicated grief is characterized by persistent longing and yearning for the deceased. While emotions of anger and regret, physical symptoms, and problems with concentration and planning can all be present in grief, they are not unique to complicated grief and can also be part of normal grief.

Question 2

Patients who use direct methods of coping strategies when confronted with a stressful event would likely engage in&#10;A) Seeking to understand the value to be extracted from negative experiences&#10;B) Following the steps of problem-solving&#10;C) Increasing their sense of control over the situation&#10;D) Asking other people to manage the situation

Accepted Answer

Direct methods of coping involve actively addressing the problem, such as following the steps of problem-solving to manage the stressful event.

Question 3

Adjustment disorder is often associated with&#10;A) Symptoms of dissociation&#10;B) Time lost from work&#10;C) Flashbacks and nightmares&#10;D) Delusions of persecution

Accepted Answer

Adjustment disorder is a type of mental illness that results from an individual's difficulty in coping with a particular stressor or multiple stressors. These stressors, which can be physical or emotional, can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as sadness, worry, difficulty sleeping, and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed. However, adjustment disorder is not typically associated with symptoms like dissociation, flashbacks, or delusions of persecution. While adjustment disorder may cause people to miss work or experience difficulties in their relationships, it does not necessarily involve trauma-related symptoms like those seen in PTSD.

Question 4

It can be said of exposure to traumatic events that&#10;A) The majority of people develop some form of psychopathology.&#10;B) The development of adjustment disorder is likely to follow exposure to life-threatening traumatic events.&#10;C) The normal reaction includes grief, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.&#10;D) Cognitive appraisal and style of coping have greater influence on outcome than the physical aspects of the traumatic event.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the cognitive appraisal of the traumatic event and the individual's coping style have greater influence on outcome than the actual physical aspects of the event. While some individuals may develop psychopathology, the majority do not, and the normal reaction after exposure to a traumatic event may include a range of emotions such as grief, anxiety, and stress, but not necessarily thoughts of suicide. Adjustment disorder may occur in some cases, but it is not a given. Therefore, option D is the best answer.

Question 5

In general, the treatment of choice for adjustment disorder is&#10;A) Pharmacotherapy&#10;B) Light therapy&#10;C) Psychotherapy&#10;D) Electroconvulsive therapy

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy, is the best choice for treating adjustment disorder. It helps individuals develop coping skills and manage their stressors, allowing for a more adaptive response to the stressors in their environment. Pharmacotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy are not typically recommended for adjustment disorder. Light therapy may be helpful for seasonal affective disorder, but not adjustment disorder.

Question 6

The response of exposure to stressors&#10;A) Is the same response in all humans&#10;B) Is the same for males and females&#10;C) Is followed by homeostasis&#10;D) Is buffered by the presence of three or more social contacts

Accepted Answer

The answer of The response of exposure to stressors&#10;A) Is...

Question 7

An important evidence-based finding about adjustment disorder among adolescents and young adults is that&#10;A) Pharmacotherapy is the frontline for treatment.&#10;B) The course of adjustment disorder is brief, with good outcomes.&#10;C) There is a short time between thoughts of suicide and carrying out suicide.&#10;D) Academic functioning is well preserved.

Accepted Answer

Adjustment disorder in adolescents and young adults is associated with a short time between suicidal thoughts and actions, highlighting the need for prompt intervention.

Question 8

The fear/anxiety circuit of the brain includes which of the following brain structures?&#10;A) Reticular activating system&#10;B) Amygdala and hippocampus&#10;C) Parietal lobe and cerebellum&#10;D) Corpus callosum

Accepted Answer

The fear/anxiety circuit of the brain includes the amygdala and hippocampus, both of which play a key role in processing and responding to fear and anxiety. The reticular activating system is involved in arousal and attention, but not specifically fear and anxiety. The parietal lobe and cerebellum are involved in motor coordination and sensory processing, respectively, but not specifically fear and anxiety. The corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres of the brain and is not directly involved in the fear/anxiety circuit.

Question 9

The key feature of adjustment disorder is&#10;A) An anxiety response to a social event such as speaking in public&#10;B) The response to a known stressor that occurs within 3 months of the stressor&#10;C) A response to an event that is catastrophic, such as witnessing a murder&#10;D) Pervasive anxiety related to a fear of being trapped in an enclosed place

Accepted Answer

The key feature of adjustment disorder is a response to a known stressor that occurs within three months of the stressor. This response can include various emotional and behavioral symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and difficulty functioning. Choice A is incorrect because it describes social anxiety disorder, not adjustment disorder. Choice C is incorrect because witnessing a murder would likely be classified as a traumatic event rather than an adjustment disorder. Choice D is incorrect because it describes a specific phobia.

Question 10

The process of allostasis includes&#10;A) Mobilization of energy, activation of cognition, and behavioral changes&#10;B) Reduction of production of cortisol&#10;C) Decreased levels of norepinephrine&#10;D) Development of a state of exhaustion

Accepted Answer

Allostasis is a process in which the body maintains stability through physiological or behavioral changes in response to stress. This involves the mobilization of energy, activation of cognition, and behavioral changes in order to adapt to stressors. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Reduced levels of cortisol and norepinephrine are associated with the "state of exhaustion" stage of stress, which is the opposite of allostasis.

Deck 9: Response to Stressors: Bridging Normal Responses and Psychiatric Disorders