#AP Psychology (2025) - The Night Before Cram Session 🚀

Hey! Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don't worry, you've got this! Let's quickly review the key concepts for the AP Psych exam. This guide is designed to be your best friend tonight, focusing on high-yield info and making sure everything clicks. Let's dive in!

#Unit 7: Psychological Disorders - Overview

This unit is a BIG deal, so let's nail it! We'll cover the major categories of disorders, their symptoms, and what causes them. Think of it as your roadmap to understanding the complexities of the human mind. Let's get started!

#Neurodevelopmental Disorders

These disorders start early in life and impact how people behave, think, and interact socially. Think of them as differences in how the brain develops. 🧠

#Characteristics

• Appear during the developmental period.
• Affect behavior, cognition, or social skills.
• Key examples: ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Symptoms are evaluated against age-appropriate behaviors.

#Causes

• Environmental:
  • Prenatal exposure to toxins, alcohol, or drugs.
  • Malnutrition during critical periods.
  • Traumatic brain injuries or infections.
• Physiological:
  • Brain abnormalities or hormonal imbalances.
  • Neurotransmitter imbalances (dopamine, serotonin).
• Genetic:
  • Inherited traits or mutations.
  • Interactions between genes and environment.

#Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

These disorders involve significant disturbances in how people perceive reality, think, and behave. It's like their internal world is out of sync. 🤯

#Features

• Disturbances in: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking/speech, disorganized behavior, and negative symptoms.
• Delusions: False beliefs (e.g., persecutory, grandiose).
• Hallucinations: False perceptions (e.g., hearing voices).
• Disorganized thinking/speech: "Word salad," nonsensical phrases.
• Disorganized behavior: Catatonic excitement or stupor.
• Negative symptoms: Absence of typical behaviors (e.g., flat affect, avolition).
• Can be acute or chronic.

#Causes

• Genetic:
  • Family history increases risk.
  • Specific gene variations.
  • Interaction with environmental triggers.
• Biological:
  • Prenatal virus exposure (e.g., influenza).
  • Complications during pregnancy/childbirth.
  • Neurotransmitter imbalances (dopamine hypothesis).
• Environmental:
  • Stressful life events or trauma.
  • Substance abuse (especially cannabis).
  • Social isolation.

#Depressive Disorders

These disorders involve persistent sadness and changes that affect daily life. It's more than just feeling down; it's a deep, ongoing struggle. 😔

#Characteristics

• Persistent sad, empty, or irritable moods.
• Changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and self-esteem.
• Interferes with work, study, and relationships.
• Key examples: Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder.

#Causes

• Biological:
  • Neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine).
  • Brain structure/function abnormalities.
  • Hormonal changes.
• Genetic:
  • Family history increases risk.
  • Specific gene variations.
  • Interaction with environmental triggers.
• Social & Cultural:
  • Stressful life events or trauma.
  • Lack of social support or isolation.
  • Cultural pressures.
• Behavioral:
  • Learned helplessness.
  • Lack of positive reinforcement.
  • Maladaptive coping (substance abuse).
• Cognitive:
  • Negative thinking patterns.
  • Pessimistic interpretations.