MCAT Psychological Social Foundations Flashcards: 7a Psychological Disorders Classification

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on 7a Psychological Disorders Classification, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for MCAT Psychological Social Foundations.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What does comorbidity mean in psychopathology?

Answer: Co-occurrence of two or more disorders in the same individual. Multiple diagnoses often occur together, complicating treatment.

Flashcard 2: What is the distinction between reliability and validity in psychiatric diagnosis?

Answer: Reliability = consistency; validity = accuracy of what is measured. Reliable tests give same results; valid tests measure intended construct.

Flashcard 3: What is the core feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

Answer: Excessive, difficult-to-control worry across domains. Persistent anxiety not limited to specific triggers.

Flashcard 4: What is the key symptom pattern that defines a panic attack?

Answer: Sudden surge of intense fear with physical symptoms. Peak anxiety with racing heart, sweating, and fear of dying.

Flashcard 5: What distinguishes a specific phobia from generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer: Specific phobia is fear tied to a particular object or situation. GAD involves general worry; phobias target specific triggers.

Flashcard 6: What is the defining feature of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Answer: Obsessions and/or compulsions that are time-consuming or impairing. Intrusive thoughts drive repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety.

Flashcard 7: What is the defining feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Answer: Trauma exposure with intrusive symptoms and avoidance. Re-experiencing trauma through flashbacks and nightmares.

Flashcard 8: What is the key difference between major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder?

Answer: MDD is episodic; persistent depressive disorder is chronic low mood. MDD has distinct episodes; PDD is continuous for 2+ years.

Flashcard 9: What symptom pattern distinguishes bipolar I disorder from major depressive disorder?

Answer: At least one manic episode occurs in bipolar I disorder. Mania involves elevated mood, decreased sleep, and impulsivity.

Flashcard 10: Which diagnosis is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought?

Answer: Schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Positive symptoms include breaks from reality and thought disorders.

Flashcard 11: What is the key difference between delusions and hallucinations?

Answer: Delusions are false beliefs; hallucinations are false perceptions. Beliefs versus sensory experiences without external stimuli.

Flashcard 12: What is the primary purpose of the DSM in clinical psychology?

Answer: Standardized classification and diagnostic criteria for mental disorders. Provides consistent criteria for diagnosing mental health conditions.

Flashcard 13: What is the key difference between the DSM and the ICD for mental disorder classification?

Answer: DSM is APA-focused; ICD is WHO global medical classification. DSM is US psychiatric manual; ICD covers all medical conditions worldwide.

Flashcard 14: What does the biopsychosocial model propose about the causes of mental disorders?

Answer: Disorders arise from interacting biological, psychological, and social factors. Integrates multiple contributing factors rather than single causes.

Flashcard 15: What is the diathesis-stress model of psychopathology?

Answer: A predisposition plus environmental stress triggers a disorder. Vulnerability combines with stressors to produce symptoms.

Flashcard 16: What is the definition of a psychological disorder used in MCAT-level descriptions?

Answer: A dysfunctional pattern causing distress and/or impairment. Must interfere with normal functioning and cause suffering.

Flashcard 17: Which concept describes deviation from cultural norms as a criterion for disorder?

Answer: Deviance. Behaviors that violate social expectations may indicate disorder.

Flashcard 18: What is the defining feature of delusions in psychotic disorders?

Answer: Fixed false beliefs despite contrary evidence. Resistant to logic or contradictory information.

Flashcard 19: Identify the key diagnostic feature that distinguishes PTSD from acute stress disorder.

Answer: Duration: PTSD $> 1$ month; acute stress disorder $3$ days to $1$ month. Same symptoms, different time frames post-trauma.

Flashcard 20: What is the defining feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

Answer: Excessive, hard-to-control worry most days for $\geq 6$ months. Chronic worry that interferes with daily functioning.

Flashcard 21: What is the defining feature of bipolar I disorder?

Answer: At least one manic episode (depression may or may not occur). Mania is required; depressive episodes are optional.

Flashcard 22: What is the defining feature of major depressive disorder (MDD)?

Answer: At least $2$ weeks of depressed mood or anhedonia with impairment. Must include functional impairment, not just sadness.

Flashcard 23: What is the diagnostic distinction between schizophrenia and brief psychotic disorder?

Answer: Duration: brief psychotic disorder $\geq 1$ day and $< 1$ month. Shortest psychotic disorder duration requirement.

Flashcard 24: What is the key diagnostic distinction between schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder?

Answer: Duration: schizophrenia $\geq 6$ months; schizophreniform $1$ to $6$ months. Time criterion differentiates these similar disorders.

Flashcard 25: Which option best describes positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer: Added abnormal experiences (e.g., delusions, hallucinations). Excess symptoms beyond normal experience.

Flashcard 26: Which option best describes negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer: Decreased or absent normal behaviors (e.g., flat affect, avolition). Loss of normal function, not addition of abnormal ones.

Flashcard 27: What is the definition of comorbidity in psychopathology?

Answer: Co-occurrence of two or more disorders in the same individual. Common in psychiatry; impacts treatment planning.

Flashcard 28: What is the biopsychosocial model of psychological disorders?

Answer: Mental disorders arise from biological, psychological, and social factors. Integrates multiple causal factors rather than single cause.

Flashcard 29: What does validity mean in the context of psychiatric diagnosis?

Answer: Diagnostic category accurately represents a real clinical condition. Ensures diagnosis measures what it claims to measure.

Flashcard 30: What does reliability mean in the context of psychiatric diagnosis?

Answer: Consistency of diagnosis across clinicians or over time. Measures whether different clinicians reach same diagnosis.