#AP Psychology Study Guide: Mood & Anxiety Disorders

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the AP Psych exam. This guide is designed to be your best friend the night before the test – clear, concise, and super helpful. Let's dive in!

#Mood Disorders

Mood disorders involve significant disruptions in mood, leading to depression, mania, or both. These can stem from chemical imbalances, genetics, environment, or seasonal changes.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Seasonal pattern, often linked to changes in daylight. ☀️
• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Severe, lasting for months or years. Can be triggered by loss or trauma.
• Dysthymic Disorder: Mild, persistent depression lasting at least two years. 🕰️

Image Courtesy of Verywell Mind.

#Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

• Characterized by a depressed mood and loss of interest for a sustained period.
• Often linked to loss (present or past), leading to a detachment from reality.
• Causes feelings of low motivation and difficulty in daily tasks. 🛌
• Individuals may eventually redirect energy into exercise or other coping mechanisms.

#Dysthymic Disorder

• Mild, persistent depression lasting at least two years.
• Symptoms include:
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sleeping problems
  • Low energy and self-esteem
  • Loss of focus
  • Hopelessness

• Characterized by mood swings between depression and mania or hypomania.
• Mania: Hyperactive, euphoric state, with impulsivity and reckless behavior. 🤪
• Individuals experience both depressive and manic episodes.
• Note: Bipolar disorder is treatable.

#Suicide

• Increased risk for individuals with depression or bipolar disorder.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

#Self-Injury

• Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is often a coping mechanism related to past traumas.
• Includes any method of self-harm.

#Etiology of Mood Disorders

#Biological Factors

• Genetic predisposition: Family history increases risk. 🧬
• Smaller left frontal lobe (associated with positive emotions) in depressed brains.
• Neurotransmitter imbalances: Low levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in depressed individuals.

#Social-Cognitive Factors

• Low self-esteem and negative views of life contribute to depression.
• Explanatory Style: How you handle stress impacts vulnerability to depression.
  • Stable: "It's going to last forever."
  • Global: "It's going to affect everything I do."
  • Internal: "It's all my fault."

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is the most accurate description of the difference between obsessions and compulsions? (A) Obsessions are repetitive behaviors; compulsions are repetitive thoughts. (B) Obsessions are repetitive thoughts; compulsions are repetitive behaviors. (C) Obsessions are conscious desires; compulsions are unconscious desires. (D) Obsessions are actions; compulsions are inactions. (E) Obsessions are feelings; compulsions are thoughts.

2. A person who experiences unpredictable panic attacks, along with physical symptoms such as sweating and a racing heart, is most likely suffering from which of the following? (A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (B) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (C) Panic Disorder (D) Social Anxiety Disorder (E) Specific Phobia

Free Response Question

Sarah has been experiencing symptoms of depression for the past six months. She reports feeling hopeless, having low energy, and experiencing changes in her appetite. Additionally, she has been having trouble sleeping and concentrating. Her doctor has diagnosed her with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

(a) Describe two biological factors that may contribute to Sarah's MDD. (b) Explain how a social-cognitive psychologist might explain Sarah's depression, including the concept of explanatory style. (c) Discuss one effective treatment approach for MDD, and how it addresses the symptoms.

Scoring Guidelines

(a) Biological Factors (2 points) * 1 point for each correct biological factor * Example: Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances (low serotonin/norepinephrine), smaller left frontal lobe.

(b) Social-Cognitive Explanation (2 points) * 1 point for explaining that low self-esteem and a negative view of life contribute to depression. * 1 point for explaining explanatory style (how she handles stress) and providing an example of a negative explanatory style (e.g., internal, global, stable).

(c) Treatment Approach (2 points) * 1 point for identifying a valid treatment approach (e.g., medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)). * 1 point for explaining how the treatment addresses symptoms (e.g., medication can help balance neurotransmitters, CBT can help change negative thought patterns).

#Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders include trauma, compulsion, and fear-based anxieties. Some individuals are more prone to anxiety due to heightened threat awareness.

#Panic Disorder

• Mix of physiological and fear-based anxiety, with unpredictable panic attacks.
• Panic Attack: Characterized by physical symptoms like sweating, fast heart rate, and dizziness. 😰
• Fear may stem from the anxiety of having another panic attack.

Image Courtesy of Verywell Mind.

• Anxiety disorder rooted in obsessions and compulsions.
• Obsessions: Repetitive thoughts that cause anxiety. 💭
• Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors that result from obsessions. 👋
• OCD can be time-consuming and disrupt daily life.

Image Courtesy of Verywell Mind.

#Examples of Obsessions and Compulsions

#Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Consistent anxiety about worst-case scenarios regarding ongoing events.
• Exaggerated arousal of the autonomic nervous system.
• Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, depressed mood, and trouble concentrating.
• Physical symptoms like dizziness and sweaty palms typically occur within the first six months.

Image Courtesy of Verywell Mind.

#Phobias

• Disruptive fear of a specific source, leading to avoidant behavior.
• Examples: animals, heights, bugs, storms, enclosed spaces, outdoors.

Image Courtesy of Verywell Mind.

• Social Anxiety Disorder (social phobia): Anxiety caused by social interactions, fear of rejection or judgment.
• Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape might be difficult, often leading to avoidance of public places.

#Etiology of Anxiety Disorders

#Behavioral Perspective

• Unpredictable bad events lead to anxiety.
• Stimulus Generalization: Fear of all similar stimuli after a negative experience (e.g., fear of all bugs after a bee sting). 🐝 ➡️ 🐛
• Reinforcement: Avoidance reinforces phobias, creating a difficult cycle to break. 🏃

#Social-Cognitive Perspective

• Observational learning: Fear can be learned by watching others. 👀

#Cognitive Perspective

• How we perceive stimuli can cause fear.

#Evolutionary & Biological Perspective

• Evolutionary: Fears are often of things that threatened our ancestors.
• Biological: Combination of neuroanatomy, genetics, and biological bases of behavior.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is the most accurate description of the difference between obsessions and compulsions? (A) Obsessions are repetitive behaviors; compulsions are repetitive thoughts. (B) Obsessions are repetitive thoughts; compulsions are repetitive behaviors. (C) Obsessions are conscious desires; compulsions are unconscious desires. (D) Obsessions are actions; compulsions are inactions. (E) Obsessions are feelings; compulsions are thoughts.

2. A person who experiences unpredictable panic attacks, along with physical symptoms such as sweating and a racing heart, is most likely suffering from which of the following? (A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (B) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (C) Panic Disorder (D) Social Anxiety Disorder (E) Specific Phobia

Free Response Question

John has a severe fear of dogs. He avoids going to parks, friends' houses, or any place where he might encounter a dog. He reports that his fear began when he was bitten by a dog as a child. This fear has significantly impacted his daily life.

(a) Explain how a behaviorist would describe the development of John's phobia using the concepts of stimulus generalization and reinforcement. (b) Describe how a social-cognitive psychologist might explain the development of John's phobia. (c) Discuss one effective treatment approach for John's phobia, and how it addresses the symptoms.

Scoring Guidelines

(a) Behavioral Explanation (2 points) * 1 point for explaining stimulus generalization (e.g., fear of one dog generalizes to fear of all dogs). * 1 point for explaining reinforcement (e.g., avoiding dogs reinforces the fear).

(b) Social-Cognitive Explanation (1 point) * 1 point for explaining that John may have learned the fear through observing others' fear of dogs or through media portrayals.

(c) Treatment Approach (2 points) * 1 point for identifying a valid treatment approach (e.g., systematic desensitization, exposure therapy). * 1 point for explaining how the treatment addresses symptoms (e.g., systematic desensitization gradually exposes John to dogs to reduce his fear response).

#Final Exam Focus

• High-Priority Topics: Mood disorders (especially MDD and bipolar), anxiety disorders (OCD, panic disorder, phobias), and their etiologies.
• Common Question Types: MCQs testing definitions and distinctions, FRQs requiring application of concepts and analysis of scenarios.

• Time Management: Quickly scan questions, answer easy ones first, and save complex ones for later.
• Common Pitfalls: Confusing obsessions and compulsions, misidentifying types of phobias, not linking symptoms with specific disorders.
• Strategies for Challenging Questions: Break down complex questions into smaller parts, use process of elimination, and always relate back to core concepts.

You've got this! Stay calm, trust your preparation, and go ace that exam! 🚀