Psychological Disorders and Classification (7A) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deviance. Behaviors that violate social expectations may indicate disorder.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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