Depression occurring at specific times of the year, such as midwinter, is classified as a seasonal pattern, often related to reduced sunlight exposure.

Extended Knowledge:

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A subtype of major depressive disorder linked to seasonal changes, particularly during fall and winter.

Treatment Options

Light therapy, psychotherapy, and medications like SSRIs are commonly used to manage symptoms.

Question 53

Yuri experiences excessive, distressing, and persistent fear or anxiety about heights. Yuri suffers from a(n) ________.

A. Phobia
B. Panic disorder
C. Generalized anxiety disorder
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Answer:

A. Phobia

Brief Explanations:

Yuri’s extreme fear of heights is classified as a specific phobia, which involves intense anxiety triggered by particular situations or objects.

Extended Knowledge:

Specific Phobias

Common types include fear of heights (acrophobia), closed spaces (claustrophobia), and spiders (arachnophobia).

Treatment

Systematic desensitization and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective treatments for phobias.

Question 54

What kind of symptoms involve noticeable decreases and absences in certain behaviors, emotions, or drives?

A. Positive symptoms
B. Negative symptoms
C. Cognitive symptoms
D. Behavioral symptoms

Answer:

B. Negative symptoms

Brief Explanations:

Negative symptoms refer to reductions in normal functions, such as diminished emotional expression, lack of motivation, or reduced speech output, commonly seen in schizophrenia.

Extended Knowledge:

Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Examples include flat affect (lack of emotional expression) and avolition (decreased motivation).

Contrast with Positive Symptoms

Positive symptoms involve the addition of abnormal behaviors, like hallucinations and delusions.

Question 55

Etiology is another word for ________.

A. Causes
B. Symptoms
C. Treatments
D. Diagnoses

Answer:

A. Causes

Brief Explanations:

Etiology refers to the causes or origins of a disease or disorder, helping in understanding the underlying factors for diagnosis and treatment.

Extended Knowledge:

Importance of Etiology

Determining etiology allows healthcare providers to address root causes and improve treatment effectiveness.

Examples in Mental Health

Genetic predispositions, environmental stressors, and trauma are common etiological factors for mental disorders.

Here are the next set of questions formatted accordingly:

Question 56

Cordelia, an active duty marine, served in Afghanistan. While she was on patrol with her friend, an IED went off, killing her friend and injuring her. In the two months since her friend died, Cordelia has been jumpy, irritable, avoids talking about her friend, and once every few days experiences a flashback to the explosion. Cordelia is experiencing a ________ disorder.

A. Generalized anxiety
B. Posttraumatic stress
C. Panic
D. Social anxiety

Answer:

B. Posttraumatic stress

Brief Explanations:

Cordelia exhibits symptoms like flashbacks, irritability, and avoidance, which are hallmark signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Extended Knowledge:

PTSD Overview

Triggered by exposure to traumatic events, PTSD involves re-experiencing symptoms, hyperarousal, and avoidance of trauma-related stimuli.

Common Treatments

Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) are effective therapies.

Question 57

On the advice of her therapist, Thora decides to overcome her fear of heights by exposing herself to heights using a stimulus hierarchy. Which form of therapy is she using?

A. Aversion therapy
B. Systematic desensitization
C. Exposure flooding
D. Cognitive restructuring

Answer:

B. Systematic desensitization

Brief Explanations:

Systematic desensitization gradually exposes individuals to feared stimuli using a hierarchy, paired with relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety.

Extended Knowledge:

How Systematic Desensitization Works

Develop a fear hierarchy.
Practice relaxation techniques.
Gradually expose to feared stimuli, starting with the least anxiety-provoking.

Applications

Commonly used for phobias and anxiety disorders.

Question 58

Renzo's therapist helps him learn to overcome his fear of dogs through several stages of relaxation techniques. What kind of psychotherapeutic orientation does this exemplify?

A. Behavior therapy
B. Psychodynamic therapy
C. Humanistic therapy
D. Biomedical therapy

Answer:

A. Behavior therapy

Brief Explanations:

Behavior therapy uses learning principles, such as relaxation techniques and gradual exposure, to modify maladaptive behaviors, like fear of dogs.

Extended Knowledge:

Techniques in Behavior Therapy

Relaxation Training: Teaches clients to reduce physical tension.
Exposure Therapy: Gradually confronts fears to desensitize.

Common Uses

Effective for treating phobias, anxiety, and PTSD.

Question 59

Electroconvulsive therapy is effective in alleviating symptoms for people with ________.

A. Anxiety disorders
B. Severe depression who have not responded to traditional drug therapy
C. Schizophrenia with positive symptoms
D. Posttraumatic stress disorder

Answer:

B. Severe depression who have not responded to traditional drug therapy

Brief Explanations:

ECT is used as a last resort for severe depression when medication and psychotherapy have failed, showing rapid improvement in symptoms.

Extended Knowledge:

How ECT Works

Involves brief electrical stimulation of the brain under anesthesia.
Often requires multiple sessions for optimal results.

Risks and Benefits

While effective for treatment-resistant depression, ECT may cause temporary memory loss or confusion. Here are the next set of questions formatted accordingly:

Question 60

Which of the following is a benefit of group therapy?

A. In every case, it is more effective than individual therapy.
B. It can decrease a client's shame and isolation about a problem.
C. There is less transference during group therapy.
D. Clients in group therapy don't need additional biomedical therapy.

Answer:

B. It can decrease a client's shame and isolation about a problem.

Brief Explanations:

Group therapy helps clients realize they are not alone in their struggles, reducing feelings of isolation and stigma while fostering support among participants.

Extended Knowledge:

Additional Benefits of Group Therapy

Encourages diverse perspectives and coping strategies.
Builds interpersonal skills and mutual understanding.

Common Applications

Useful for addiction recovery, grief support, and social anxiety disorders.

Question 61

Dr. Banner wants his clients to learn to articulate thoughts that keep them from achieving their goals. Therefore, Dr. Banner increases their self-awareness by focusing on their conscious thoughts. What kind of psychotherapeutic orientation is he using?

A. Humanistic therapy
B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C. Psychodynamic therapy
D. Biomedical therapy

Answer:

A. Humanistic therapy

Brief Explanations:

Humanistic therapy focuses on self-awareness and conscious thoughts, helping clients articulate goals and develop a more authentic sense of self.

Extended Knowledge:

Humanistic Therapy Techniques

Client-Centered Approach: Fosters personal growth through nonjudgmental support.
Self-Actualization: Encourages clients to achieve their fullest potential.

Applications

Effective for individuals dealing with self-esteem issues, relationship problems, and personal growth challenges.

Question 62

ECT stands for ________.

A. Electroconvulsive therapy
B. Electromagnetic transference
C. Electrocommunication therapy
D. Electrocognitive treatment

Answer:

A. Electroconvulsive therapy

Brief Explanations:

ECT stands for electroconvulsive therapy, a medical procedure that uses electrical stimulation to treat severe mental health conditions like treatment-resistant depression.

Extended Knowledge:

Uses of ECT

Primarily for severe depression, catatonia, or bipolar disorder when other treatments fail.

Safety and Procedure

Performed under anesthesia; modern techniques minimize side effects like memory loss and discomfort.

Question 63

Harlow is eight years old. She sees Dr. Gardener every Friday at 11:00 a.m. Their sessions involve Dr. Gardener watching Harlow interact with stuffed animals and other toys. What kind of psychotherapeutic orientation does this exemplify?

A. Play therapy
B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C. Psychodynamic therapy
D. Humanistic therapy

Answer:

A. Play therapy

Brief Explanations:

Play therapy allows children to express emotions and process experiences through play, a developmentally appropriate way to address psychological issues.

Extended Knowledge:

Common Play Therapy Techniques

Symbolic Play: Using toys to act out emotions or experiences.
Storytelling: Encourages children to narrate their feelings indirectly.

Applications

Effective for trauma, anxiety, ADHD, and social skills development in children.

Question 64

Which of the following is NOT a barrier to mental health treatment?

A. Transportation
B. Language
C. Fears about treatment
D. Being a member of a racial or ethnic majority

Answer:

D. Being a member of a racial or ethnic majority

Brief Explanations:

Barriers like transportation, language, and fears about treatment often prevent individuals from accessing mental health care, whereas being part of the racial or ethnic majority typically does not.

Extended Knowledge:

Common Barriers to Mental Health Access

Stigma: Fear of judgment from others.
Logistical Issues: Lack of transportation or financial resources.

Addressing Barriers

Expanding access to telehealth services, providing community-based support, and improving cultural competence in care.

Question 65

In order to overcome an eating disorder, Sevilla's therapist works to change her cognitive distortions and self-defeating behaviors by helping her learn to identify such behaviors. Which kind of psychotherapeutic orientation does this exemplify?

A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
B. Psychodynamic therapy
C. Humanistic therapy
D. Biomedical therapy

Answer:

A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Brief Explanations:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve mental health outcomes, such as managing eating disorders.

Extended Knowledge:

CBT Techniques for Eating Disorders

Cognitive Restructuring: Challenges irrational beliefs about body image and food.
Behavioral Interventions: Develop healthier eating patterns and coping strategies.

Effectiveness

CBT is one of the most effective treatments for eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Question 66

When an individual has two or more diagnoses, the disorders are ________.

A. Concurrent
B. Comorbid
C. Overlapping
D. Integrated

Answer:

B. Comorbid

Brief Explanations:

Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more disorders in the same individual, such as depression and anxiety occurring together.

Extended Knowledge:

Examples of Comorbidity

Mental Health Disorders: Anxiety and depression.
Physical and Mental Disorders: Diabetes and depression.

Challenges of Comorbidity

Requires integrated treatment approaches to address multiple disorders effectively.