PSY2214 Abnormal Psychology Q & A w/ Rationales 2024

• John, a 25-year-old man, has been experiencing episodes

of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in his usual activities for the past two months. He also has trouble sleeping, eating, and concentrating. He sometimes thinks about ending his life. John most likely meets the criteria

for:

• dysthymia
• bipolar disorder
• major depressive disorder
• adjustment disorder

Answer: c) major depressive disorder. John's symptoms

match the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, which is characterized by a persistent depressed mood and/or anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure) for at least two weeks, along with other signs of impaired functioning.Dysthymia is a milder but more chronic form of depression, bipolar disorder involves episodes of both depression and mania, and adjustment disorder is a short- term reaction to a stressful life event.

• Lisa, a 19-year-old college student, has been feeling very

anxious and fearful ever since she witnessed a car accident three weeks ago. She has recurrent nightmares and flashbacks of the event, and she avoids anything that reminds her of it. She also feels detached from others and has difficulty expressing her emotions. Lisa most likely

meets the criteria for:

• generalized anxiety disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder

• acute stress disorder
• panic disorder

Answer: b) post-traumatic stress disorder. Lisa's symptoms

match the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder, which is characterized by persistent re- experiencing of a traumatic event, avoidance of trauma- related stimuli, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and increased arousal and reactivity. Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, acute stress disorder is similar to PTSD but lasts for less than a month, and panic disorder involves recurrent and unexpected panic attacks.

• Sam, a 32-year-old man, has been hearing voices that tell

him to harm himself and others. He also believes that he is being followed by aliens who want to abduct him. He has poor hygiene, social isolation, and impaired occupational

functioning. Sam most likely meets the criteria for:

• schizophrenia
• schizoaffective disorder
• delusional disorder
• brief psychotic disorder

Answer: a) schizophrenia. Sam's symptoms match the

diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, which is characterized by positive symptoms (such as hallucinations and delusions), negative symptoms (such as flat affect and social withdrawal), and disorganized symptoms (such as disorganized speech and behavior). Schizoaffective disorder involves both psychotic and mood symptoms, delusional disorder involves only non-bizarre delusions

without other psychotic symptoms, and brief psychotic disorder is a short-term episode of psychosis that lasts less than a month.

B:

• A client has been experiencing persistent and irrational

fear of open spaces. This individual avoids leaving their home due to this fear. Which disorder best aligns with these symptoms?

a) Generalized Anxiety Disorder

b) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

c) Social Anxiety Disorder

d) Agoraphobia

Answer: d) Agoraphobia

Rationale: Agoraphobia involves excessive fear of open

spaces or situations where escape may be difficult. This fear often leads to avoidance behavior, such as refusing to leave one's home.

• A person consistently exhibits extreme mood swings,

alternating between periods of depression and mania.Which disorder is most likely present?

a) Major Depressive Disorder

b) Bipolar Disorder

c) Schizophrenia