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Treating Schizophrenia — Symptoms, Causes, and Evidence-Based Treatments Explained | Chapter 12 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder marked by profound distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior. In Chapter 12 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology , we examine the full spectrum of schizophrenia and related disorders, explore genetic and neurobiological causes, and review both pharmacological and psychosocial treatment strategies. This comprehensive guide will deepen your understanding and aid your exam preparation. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer an audio-visual overview? Subscribe to Last Minute Lecture and watch the full Chapter 12 summary below. Symptoms & Clinical Presentation Positive Symptoms Delusions: Fixed, false beliefs resistant to contradictory evidence (e.g., persecution, Capgras syndrome). Hallucinations: Sensory experiences without external stimuli, most commonly auditory voices. ...

Substance-Related, Addictive, & Impulse-Control Disorders — Causes, Effects, and Treatments Explained | Chapter 10 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Chapter 10 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology examines substance-related and addictive behaviors as well as impulse-control disorders. You’ll learn how various drugs affect the brain and body, what drives compulsive use, and which evidence-based treatments—from medication to behavioral therapies—offer the best outcomes. Use this guide to reinforce your understanding and boost your exam performance. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer an audio-visual overview? Subscribe to Last Minute Lecture and watch the full Chapter 10 summary below. Overview of Substance-Related Disorders Substance-related disorders involve compulsive use of psychoactive substances despite harmful consequences. Key features include tolerance (needing more to achieve the same effect), withdrawal symptoms, and loss of control. Clinicians classify sev...

Sexual Disorders & Gender Dysphoria — Dysfunctions, Paraphilias, and Affirming Treatments Explained | Chapter 9 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Chapter 9 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology explores the complexities of human sexuality—covering sexual dysfunctions, paraphilic disorders, and gender dysphoria—with an emphasis on psychological, biological, and social influences. In this guide, you’ll discover key definitions, underlying causes, and evidence-based treatments to bolster your understanding and exam readiness. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer to learn by listening? Subscribe to Last Minute Lecture and watch the full Chapter 9 summary below. Sexual Dysfunctions Sexual dysfunctions involve disturbances in sexual desire, arousal, or response. Major disorders include: Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder & Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder: Low or absent desire/arousal. Treatment: CBT, sensate focus therapy, and hormone assessment. Er...

Eating & Sleep-Wake Disorders — Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Explained | Chapter 8 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Chapter 8 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology examines eating disorders and sleep-wake disorders, highlighting their psychological, biological, and social roots as well as evidence-based treatments. This guide will clarify key definitions, contributing factors, and therapeutic approaches so you can excel in your studies and clinical understanding. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer to learn by listening? Watch the full Chapter 8 podcast summary below and remember to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-by-chapter study guides. Major Eating Disorders Eating disorders involve severe disturbances in eating behaviors driven by fears around weight and body image. Bulimia Nervosa: Recurrent binge-eating followed by compensatory behaviors (vomiting, excessive exercise, laxatives). Treatment: CBT, SSRIs, and structured meal plans. ...

Psychological Influences on Physical Health — Stress, Immune Function, and Behavioral Medicine Explained | Chapter 7 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Health psychology examines how psychological and social factors influence physical well-being. Chapter 7 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology delves into stress physiology, psychoneuroimmunology, psychosocial contributors to disease, and evidence-based behavioral medicine interventions. This summary will guide your understanding of how stress responses, immune function, and psychosocial treatments shape outcomes in cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, cancer, and more. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer to learn by listening? Watch the full Chapter 7 summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-by-chapter study guides. Stress and Health: From GAS to Self-Efficacy Stress activates the body’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), a three-stage response proposed by Hans Selye: alarm, resistance, and exh...

Understanding & Treating Mood Disorders — Causes, Symptoms, and Evidence-Based Treatments | Chapter 6 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Mood disorders involve profound disturbances in emotional states, from the depths of depression to the highs of mania. In Chapter 6 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology , you’ll learn how unipolar and bipolar disorders are defined, what factors contribute to their development, and which treatments have the strongest evidence for effectiveness. This guide will help you master key concepts and prepare for exams. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer an audio-visual overview? Subscribe to Last Minute Lecture and watch the full Chapter 6 summary below. Defining Mood Disorders Mood disorders are classified as unipolar (depression only) or bipolar (alternating depressive and manic episodes). Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) features at least two weeks of low mood, anhedonia, cognitive impairment, and physical symptoms. Persistent Depressive...

Somatic Symptom & Dissociative Disorders Explained — Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments | Chapter 5 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Chapter 5 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology delves into disorders that blur the line between mind and body—somatic symptom disorders—and those that fracture identity and memory—dissociative disorders. We’ll define each disorder, explore their underlying mechanisms, and review evidence-based treatments to help you master these concepts for exams and clinical practice. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer to learn by listening? Watch the full Chapter 5 podcast summary below—and don’t forget to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter guides. Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders Somatic symptom disorders involve excessive focus on physical symptoms without clear medical cause. Key disorders include: Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD): Persistent distress about physical symptoms. Treatment: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)...

Treating Anxiety & Related Disorders: Anxiety, Trauma, and OCD Treatments Explained | Chapter 4 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Chapter 4 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology examines anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. You will learn the difference between anxiety and fear, the triple vulnerability model, the defining features of major disorders, and the most effective treatment approaches. Use this guide to reinforce your exam preparation and deepen your clinical understanding. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer to learn by listening? Watch the full chapter summary below and remember to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for step-by-step textbook guides. Anxiety, Fear, and Panic Defined Anxiety is a future-oriented state characterized by tension and physiological arousal. Fear is an immediate response to present danger. Panic attacks are sudden surges of intense fear that may be expected (triggered by a situation) or u...

Breaking Down Anxiety Disorders — Chapter 9 Summary from Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists Anxiety is one of the most common and varied categories of mental health conditions. In Chapter 9 of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists , we examine the diverse presentations of anxiety, their neurobiological underpinnings, and the tools available to clinicians for diagnosis and treatment. From generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) to panic disorder and phobias, this chapter explores how the brain processes fear—and how professionals can intervene with evidence-based care. Watch the full podcast-style summary above to learn how anxiety affects the brain and body, and how different treatment approaches can offer relief. Be sure to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more clinical breakdowns of key textbook chapters. The Spectrum of Anxiety Disorders Chapter 9 introduces ten major anxiety syndromes, including: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, excessive...

Why Therapists Must Understand Medication — Chapter 1 Summary of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists Chapter 1 of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists introduces the foundational importance of understanding psychiatric medication in modern mental health care. Whether therapists prescribe medication or not, a working knowledge of psychopharmacology enhances treatment outcomes, improves collaboration with medical professionals, and ensures ethical, informed care. Why Psychopharmacology Matters for Therapists Therapists frequently work with clients who take medication for conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Even non-prescribing clinicians must be able to: Understand how psychotropic drugs affect the brain Collaborate with psychiatrists and physicians Educate clients about medication side effects and expectations Integrate medication knowledge into treatment planning Historical Foundations: Biological Psychiatry The chapter tra...

Feeding and Eating Disorders in Youth — Chapter 14 Summary from Mash & Wolfe In Chapter 14 of Child Psychopathology , Eric J. Mash, David A. Wolfe, and Katherine Nguyen Williams examine the spectrum of feeding and eating disorders in children and adolescents. These disorders range from early-life nutritional issues to complex adolescent conditions like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. At their core, these disorders reflect struggles with self-image, control, emotional regulation, and environmental pressures—not just with food. Early Childhood Feeding Disorders Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Involves extreme food selectivity and avoidance that leads to nutritional deficiencies and significant weight loss. Pica: Characterized by the persistent ingestion of non-food items like dirt, paper, or hair. Often associated with intellectual disability or mineral deficiencies. Failure to Thrive (FTT): Severe undernourishment and developmental delay...

Child Health, Wellness, and Substance Use — Chapter 13 Summary from Mash & Wolfe Chapter 13 of Child Psychopathology by Eric J. Mash and David A. Wolfe explores the complex relationship between children's physical health and psychological well-being. From sleep disturbances and chronic illnesses to elimination disorders and adolescent substance use, this chapter highlights the interconnected nature of biopsychosocial development—and the importance of early, integrated intervention. Sleep-Wake Disorders in Childhood Sleep problems such as insomnia , sleep terrors , narcolepsy , and sleepwalking can significantly disrupt brain development, mood stability, and behavioral regulation. Sleep deprivation impairs the prefrontal cortex , which governs attention, impulse control, and emotional balance. Treatment includes: Behavioral therapy and consistent bedtime routines Environmental modifications to reduce stimulation Medical interventions for more severe cases ...

Childhood Depression and Bipolar Disorder — Chapter 10 Summary from Mash & Wolfe What do mood disorders look like in children and teens? Chapter 10 of Child Psychopathology by Eric J. Mash, David A. Wolfe, and Katherine Nguyen Williams examines depressive and bipolar disorders in youth, including their symptoms, causes, and treatment strategies. These disorders significantly impact emotional development, daily functioning, and long-term well-being. Understanding Depressive Disorders in Youth Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in children often presents differently than in adults. While persistent sadness is a hallmark, irritability frequently replaces sadness in youth. Other symptoms include anhedonia (loss of interest), fatigue, cognitive impairments, and social withdrawal. Risk factors range from genetic vulnerability and neurochemical imbalances to family conflict and early trauma. Persistent Depressive Disorder (P-DD) , also known as dysthymia, features chronic l...