Question 1

Symptoms that may be misperceived as a heart attack are most characteristic of

Accepted Answer

Symptoms that may be misperceived as a heart attack are a common feature of panic disorder. Panic attacks can cause physical symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations, which may mimic those of a heart attack. People with panic disorder often worry about having a heart attack and may seek medical attention for their symptoms.

Question 2

Malik was severely depressed for two weeks,but then became very agitated,going on wild spending sprees and driving recklessly around town.He was arrested for running into a bar with no clothes while laughing and yelling very loudly.Malik's behavior illustrates

Accepted Answer

Malik's behavior shows manic episodes like reckless driving, wild spending sprees, and engaging in impulsive behaviors. This indicates bipolar disorder, in which an individual experiences both depressive episodes and manic episodes.

Question 3

Which type of schizophrenia develops slowly and is less responsive to treatment?

Accepted Answer

Chronic schizophrenia is a type of schizophrenia that develops slowly and is less responsive to treatment compared to acute schizophrenia. Reactive schizophrenia refers to a sudden onset of symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor, while paranoia is a specific subtype of schizophrenia characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur.

Question 4

Kyle has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.He hears voices and believes the government is plotting to steal his internal organs and sell them to foreign governments.Kyle is demonstrating the ________ symptoms of schizophrenia.

Accepted Answer

Kyle is experiencing positive symptoms of schizophrenia, which are characterized by the presence of unusual thoughts or perceptions that are not present in most individuals, such as hearing voices or having delusions. Negative symptoms, on the other hand, involve a lack of typical behaviors or emotions, such as decreased motivation or flat affect. Acute and reactive symptoms are not terms commonly used in describing schizophrenia symptoms.

Question 5

Jason has been in and out of prison for various crimes in which he scammed people out of their money.He feels no guilt or remorse for his behavior;in fact,he blames his victims for being "suckers." Jason illustrates

Accepted Answer

Jason's lack of guilt or remorse, along with his blaming of his victims, are common symptoms of antisocial personality disorder.

Question 6

The suggestion that dissociative identity disorder symptoms are created as defenses against the anxiety caused by one's own unacceptable impulses best illustrates the

Accepted Answer

The suggestion that dissociative identity disorder symptoms are created as defenses against the anxiety caused by one's own unacceptable impulses is a key concept in the psychodynamic perspective, which explores how unconscious conflicts and impulses can lead to psychological symptoms.

Question 7

John has been having difficulties getting out of bed,is not interested in going out with friends or even answering the phone.He has let a number of bills go unpaid,he is sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day,and he cannot concentrate at work.He has called in sick to work at least once each week.John is most likely suffering from

Accepted Answer

John is exhibiting symptoms of major depressive disorder, including low mood, lack of interest in activities, difficulty functioning, trouble concentrating, and absenteeism from work. This is different from persistent depressive disorder, which has milder symptoms but lasts for a longer period of time, and bipolar disorder, which includes episodes of both depression and mania. Learned helplessness may be a contributing factor to depression, but it is not a disorder on its own.

Question 8

Without success,Maxine spends hours each day trying to suppress intrusive thoughts that she might have forgotten to lock her house when she left for work.Her experience is most symptomatic of

Accepted Answer

Maxine's experience of spending hours trying to suppress intrusive thoughts is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts or obsessions and repetitive behaviors or compulsions to alleviate anxiety caused by these thoughts. Panic disorder is characterized by sudden and unexpected panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about a variety of topics, and agoraphobia is a fear of being in public or open spaces. While Maxine's experience may cause her anxiety, the specific symptoms she is exhibiting align more closely with OCD.

Question 9

Many researchers believe that several of the symptoms of schizophrenia result from an overabundance of receptors for the neurotransmitter

Accepted Answer

Many studies have shown that excess dopamine activity in the brain is linked to the symptoms of schizophrenia. Medications that block dopamine receptors in the brain are effective at reducing symptoms of schizophrenia.

Question 10

Although Mark realizes that his behavior is unreasonable,he is so alarmed by high bridges or expressway overpasses that he avoids them by taking an unnecessarily lengthy route to and from work each day.Mark appears to suffer from

Accepted Answer

Mark's behavior of avoiding high bridges or expressway overpasses because of fear indicates that he has a specific phobia, which is an excessive and irrational fear of a specific object or situation. Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves repeated distressing thoughts or fears (obsessions) followed by repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions), but Mark's behavior does not involve any compulsions. Social anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear of social situations, but Mark's fear is specific to bridges and overpasses. Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive worry across a range of situations, but Mark's fear is limited to a specific situation.

Question 11

The brains of people who suffer from depression tend to have low levels of

Accepted Answer

Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression, while glutamate and GABA play a role in anxiety and other mood disorders. There is no evidence to suggest that depression is related to low levels of electrical activity in the brain.

Question 12

Michael complains that threatening voices are constantly telling him that he is so evil he should drown himself.Michael is experiencing

Accepted Answer

Michael is experiencing auditory hallucinations, which are false perceptions of sound, in this case hearing threatening voices that are not actually present.

Question 13

Mr.Santo has not left his home for 10 years for fear of having a panic attack.When he does think of leaving his home,he begins to hyperventilate,shake,and experience chest pains.Mr.Santo has the symptoms of

Accepted Answer

Mr.Santo's fear of leaving his house and the physical symptoms he experiences when he thinks about leaving suggest that he has developed agoraphobia, which is often associated with panic disorder. Agoraphobia is a fear of situations or places where escape may be difficult or embarrassing, or where help may not be readily available in the event of a panic attack. This fear can lead to avoidance of situations, such as leaving the house, that may trigger a panic attack.

Question 14

Mr.Hoffman has always been cautious with his money,but over the past two weeks he has developed grandiose plans to bet his entire life savings on a single horse race.With unrestrained exuberance he has also been giving everybody he sees unsolicited advice on how to make millions in the stock market.Mr.Hoffman's behavior is most indicative of

Accepted Answer

The behavior described in the passage is most indicative of mania, which is characterized by reckless behavior, inflated self-esteem, and grandiosity. Betrayed by the reckless behavior mentioned in the question, Mr. Hoffman is displaying signs of mania.

Question 15

Brian often interrupts his teacher while she is speaking and frequently forgets to complete his homework assignments.He also has difficulty taking turns in playground games with classmates.Brian most clearly exhibits symptoms of

Accepted Answer

Brian's symptoms of interrupting, forgetfulness, and difficulty taking turns in social situations are all typical symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) involves the presence of two or more distinct identities within an individual, and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) involves the presence of persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, compulsive behaviors. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) involves symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors following a traumatic event. None of these disorders are indicated by Brian's symptoms as described.

Question 16

Low levels of anxiety are most characteristic of

Accepted Answer

Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture, a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules, and low levels of anxiety. Individuals with this disorder often do not experience anxiety in the same way others do, which can contribute to their antisocial behaviors.

Question 17

Oxygen deprivation at the time of birth is a known risk factor for

Accepted Answer

Oxygen deprivation at the time of birth has been identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia. Studies have found that individuals who experienced oxygen deprivation at birth are more likely to develop schizophrenia later in life. Panic disorder, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder have not been consistently linked to oxygen deprivation at birth.

Question 18

Taryn,who was sexually assaulted in a parking lot,experiences frequent nightmares and has withdrawn from her family and friends.Since the attack,she has difficulty sleeping and can no longer hold down a job.Taryn's symptoms indicate that she has;

Accepted Answer

Taryn's symptoms match those of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms include nightmares, avoidance of people or places associated with the trauma, difficulty sleeping, and impaired functioning in daily life. OCD, GAD, and social anxiety disorder may have some overlapping symptoms but do not fully match Taryn's presentation.

Question 19

Amanda's therapist suggests that her depression results from mistakenly blaming herself rather than a slumping economy for her recent job loss.Her therapist's suggestion best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The therapist is using the social-cognitive perspective to suggest that Amanda's negative thought patterns and self-blame are contributing to her depression. Learned helplessness (A) refers to a sense of powerlessness after facing repeated negative situations, while linkage analysis (B) is a genetic technique used to map the location of genes. The learning perspective (C) focuses on how behavior is acquired and modified through experience.

Question 20

Mrs.Higgins believes that aliens from another planet have removed her stomach and are watching her to see how long it takes her to grow another one.Mrs.Higgins is most likely suffering from

Accepted Answer

Mrs. Higgins is likely experiencing paranoid delusions, which are a symptom of schizophrenia.

Quiz 16: Psychological Disorders