MUIDS Grade 12 Psychology Unit 3 - Psychological Disorders

Abnormal behavior

Nonnormative actions

4 criteria of abnormal behavior

Violation of social norms, maladaptive, personal distress, statistical rarity

(Need more than 1 fulfilled to be indication for mental or psychological disorder)

Violation of social norms

Actions thqt are seen as unacceptable by society

Eg. Public nudity, loudly interrupting others

Maladaptive behaviors

Behaviors which interfere with an individual's ability to function effectively in the world

Eg. Substance abuse, isolation, uncontrolled anger

Personal distress

A behavior which cause unpleasant feelings in the person enacting them or people around them over a long period of time.

Eg. Compulsions such as excessive cleaning, self destructive behavior, and uncontrolled aggression

Statistical rarity

Behaviors which occur infrequently in the population

Eg. hypersensitivity to sensory experiences, uncommon beliefs

Theoretical approaches to explain psychological disorders

Biological approach / medical model, psychological approach, social approach, biopsychosocial approach

biological approach / medical approach

Seeks to explain the causes of a psychological disorder in the same way as physical disorders. Focuses on the brain, genetics, chemical imbalance, and neurotransmitter functioning. Treating using medication electroconvulsive therapy or brain surgery

Psychological approach

Focuses on the emotional and mental state rather than the physical state of a person, with emphasis on childhood experiences, thoughts, emotion, and personality.

Sociocultural approach

Focuses on the social context in which a person lives and their circumstances

The biopsychosocial model

Considers the biological, psychological and sociocultural approaches holistically

Book classifying abnormal behaviors

DSM-5 (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders)

Signs

External symptoms of a mental disorder

Symptoms

Internal signs of a mental disorder

Anxiety disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder

Anxiety disorder criteria

Intense, excessive and persistent stress and fear about everyday decisions (disproportionate and interferes with daily life), apprehension

Motor tension, jumpiness trembling and hyperactivity

5 anxiety disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder

vague feelings of apprehension, nonspecific reasons for anxiety, up to 6 months persistent, chronic worry, powerless feeling, fatigue, sleeping issues, muscle tension

Panic disorder

Sudden attacks of intense fear, recurrent unexpected and nonspecific, extreme shortness of breath, dizziness

Phobic disorder

irrational, overwhelming and persistent fear of a object or event, interfere with daily life

examples of phobias

arachnophobia - spiders

xenophobia - strangers

claustrophobia - enclosed spaces

acrophobia - heights

Algophobia - pain

Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD)

Anxiety provoking thoughts which induce repetitive behaviors (compulsions)

Post-Traumatic stress disorder

Traumatic event causes nightmares, flashbacks and uncontrollable thoughts

Mood disorders

Mental health condition which affects emotional state

2 Depressive disorders

Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder)

Depressive disorder factors

Factors

Biological - Genetic influences (family history), brain chemistry (neurotransmitter imbalances eg. serotonin- reward hormone and norepinepherine- alertness hormone)

Sociocultural - Low socioeconomic status and standard of living leads to hopelessness, women are more likely to be diagnosed (societal expectations, discrimination, responsibilities, gender based violence)

Psychological - Learned helplessness (feeling not in control of life) helpless -> hopeless spiral, pessimistic and self-blaming attitude

Major Depressive Disorder

Involves depressive episodes and characteristics, such as lethargy and hopeless for 2 or more weeks to the point of functional impairment. The 9 diagnostic symptoms are (must have 5+):

• Depressed mood

• Reduced intrest / pleasure in activities

• Significant weight / appetite change

• Insomnia / hypersomnia

• Agitation or lethargy

• Fatigue

• Worthlessness

• Problems with thinking, concentrating, decision making

• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

• No history of mania

Dysthymia

Chronic variation of depression which involves long periods of depression. 2 years or more for adults, and 1 year or more for children / adolecents.

The diagnostic criteria (2 must be present) are:

• Appetite changes

• Insomnia or hypersomnia

• Low energy / fatigue

• Low self esteem

• Dificulty concentrating, making decisions

• Hopelessness

Bipolar Disorder

Extreme mood swings between euphoria during mania and depressive periods. Bipolar disorders are strongly predicted by genetic influence (family history), and equally common in both sexes.

Cyclothymia

Milder version of bipolar disorder with hypomania and mild depression instead. Bipolar disorders are strongly predicted by genetic influence (family history), and equally common in both sexes.