Question 1

Anxiety disorders involve fears that are

Accepted Answer

Anxiety disorders involve fears that are uncontrollable, disproportionate to the actual danger, and disruptive to ordinary life.

Question 2

A deficiency in which neurotransmitter is linked to generalized anxiety disorder?

Accepted Answer

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps to regulate anxiety. A deficiency in GABA levels has been linked to anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder.

Question 3

Maria is a social worker in an urban community mental health center. She has just seen a crisis client who expressed suicidal ideation. After doing a thorough assessment to determine that he needed inpatient care, she sent him to the hospital. Her client's depression would be coded as

Accepted Answer

Suicidal ideation is a symptom of a mental disorder, specifically a mood disorder such as depression. Therefore, it would be coded on Axis I, which is reserved for clinical disorders. Axes II and III are reserved for personality disorders and medical conditions, respectively. Axis IV is used to identify psychosocial stressors that may contribute to the onset of symptoms.

Question 4

Which neurotransmitters may play a role in panic disorders?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that both GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter) and norepinephrine (a stress hormone and neurotransmitter) may be involved in panic disorders. Low levels of GABA have been associated with increased anxiety and panic while high levels of norepinephrine have been linked to the physical symptoms of panic attacks. Therefore, the best choice is A as it reflects both neurotransmitters that are implicated in panic disorders.

Question 5

Rosita was just diagnosed with schizophrenia. This diagnosis came from which Axis of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders?

Accepted Answer

Axis I of the DSM is used for clinical disorders, including schizophrenia.

Question 6

Critics of the medical model of abnormal behavior argue that ADHD reflects

Accepted Answer

Critics argue that ADHD is not a true psychological disorder but rather a social construct that is shaped by cultural and social factors. They argue that the symptoms of ADHD are not inherently abnormal or pathological, but rather reflect differences in behavior that are more acceptable in some settings than in others. Thus, they argue that the medical model of abnormal behavior is not appropriate for understanding or treating ADHD.

Question 7

According to the DSM-IV, which of the following is an Axis II disorder?

Accepted Answer

Intellectual disability is listed as an Axis II disorder in the DSM-IV, which is concerned with personality disorders and intellectual disabilities. Dissociative disorder (A), sexual dysfunction (B), and gender identity disorder (C) are listed on different Axes in the DSM-IV.

Question 8

Mental retardation falls into what axis of disorders on the DSM-IV?

Accepted Answer

Mental retardation is classified under Axis II of the DSM-IV as a diagnostic category for personality disorders and mental retardation.

Question 9

Carla is afraid to use any toilet other than the one in her home. She will go to any length to avoid using a public restroom or the washrooms at her friends' houses. Carla is most likely suffering from

Accepted Answer

Carla's fear of using any toilet other than her own is a specific and intense fear or phobia, which is a common symptom of phobic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by sudden and unexpected panic attacks, which is not evident in Carla's case. Dysthymic disorder is a less severe form of depression, which does not align with Carla's symptoms. Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves repetitive behaviors or thoughts that are uncontrollable, and Carla's symptoms do not indicate such characteristics.

Question 10

Brad seems to be in a continuous state of anxiety though he is unable to identify the source of his feelings. The most likely diagnosis for Brad is ________ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Brad's continuous state of anxiety without identifying a specific trigger fits the criteria for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. Phobic disorder involves a specific fear and panic disorder involves sudden and intense panic attacks. Dysthymic disorder is a mood disorder characterized by a low-level, chronic feeling of sadness.

Question 11

The main controversy surrounding the DSM-IV-TR is that it

Accepted Answer

The main controversy surrounding the DSM-IV-TR is that it reflects the medical model, which some view as narrow and limiting in its approach to understanding and treating mental health issues. Specifically, critics argue that the DSM-IV-TR places too much emphasis on diagnosis and classification of disorders, while neglecting important psychosocial factors that may be contributing to an individual's symptoms. Additionally, there is concern that the DSM-IV-TR may be over-reliant on medication and other medical interventions, at the expense of other forms of treatment and support for individuals with mental health challenges.

Question 12

The etiology of social phobias includes a neural circuit that runs through all of the following except the

Accepted Answer

The cerebellum is not typically considered part of the neural circuit involved in social phobias. The thalamus, amygdala, and cerebral cortex are all known to play a role in the perception and processing of social cues and emotional reactions in social situations.

Question 13

A fear becomes a phobia when a(n)

Accepted Answer

A fear becomes a phobia when an individual exhibits extreme and persistent fear, anxiety, and avoidance behavior toward the object, situation or activity that triggers the fear, to the extent that it interferes with their daily functioning, relationships or quality of life. This is often characterized by an intense desire or need to avoid the feared object or situation regardless of whether the fear is rational or not. Simply identifying the fear, diagnosis by a doctor or realizing it is irrational is not enough to classify it as a phobia.

Question 14

Who wrote the book The Myth of Mental Illness?

Accepted Answer

The Myth of Mental Illness was written by Thomas Szasz, a Hungarian-American psychiatrist and academic who was critical of the concept of mental illness and the medicalization of human behavior.

Question 15

Evan decided to take an F in English class rather than have to get up in front of the class to make an oral presentation. Evan probably suffers from

Accepted Answer

Evan's fear of having to make an oral presentation in front of the class suggests a specific fear of social situations, which is a characteristic of social phobia. This disorder results in intense anxiety in social situations that can interfere with a person's daily routine and activities, such as avoiding school and declining grades.

Question 16

Who is most likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Accepted Answer

Non-Latino white males are most likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Studies have shown that ADHD is more common in males than females and that non-Latino white children are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than other racial/ethnic groups.

Question 17

John has sudden attacks of intense fear in which his heart races, he feels faint, and he has trouble catching his breath. During these attacks, he worries that he is going to die. From this description, it sounds like John has

Accepted Answer

John's symptoms are characteristic of panic disorder, which is characterized by sudden and unexpected panic attacks. People with panic disorder often worry that they are dying or are losing control during these attacks. A specific phobia involves excessive and unreasonable fear of a specific object or situation, while obsessive-compulsive disorder involves recurrent and distressing obsessions and compulsions. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and persistent worry and anxiety about a variety of everyday things.

Question 18

Lola began having brief episodes of overwhelming anxiety about a year ago. She does not know what causes them, but she has had them in the grocery store, at busy restaurants, and once while driving. Her heart pounds, she has difficulty breathing, and sometimes she feels like her body no longer belongs to her. She is afraid she will go crazy or have a heart attack. Based on this information, Lola may have

Accepted Answer

Lola's symptoms suggest she may have panic disorder, which is characterized by sudden and intense panic attacks that can occur in a variety of situations. The symptoms she describes - racing heart, difficulty breathing, feelings of disconnection from her body, and fears of losing control - are typical of a panic attack. Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves persistent and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions), while somatoform disorders involve physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition. Dissociative disorders involve disruptions in consciousness or memory.

Question 19

Alex is almost always anxious at school, at home, and even when he is with his friends. Alex is most likely suffering from

Accepted Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive worry or anxiety about a variety of everyday problems or activities, such as school, home, or social situations. The worry is typically persistent and difficult to control, and may interfere significantly with daily functioning. Symptoms of GAD include restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. Panic disorder and social phobia refer to specific types of anxiety disorders that may involve different symptoms and triggers. Routine anxiety is a non-clinical term and does not describe a specific disorder.

Question 20

Robert's teacher has sent several notes home to his family during the past school year. Robert is inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive. Robert will most likely be diagnosed with

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) are characteristic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Quiz 15: Psychological Disorders