psychological disorders feb 25

Deviance (Statistical rarity)

within the culture

Not always true- ie/ 16% of North Americas will experience major depression over their lifetime; different cultures have different behavioural norms

Personal Distress

emotional pain is experienced

Not always true-ie- individuals with psychopathic personality disorder unlikely to experience emotional pain

Maladaptive (dysfunction)

unable to manage daily tasks (ie/ go to school, work)

Where is the line? Ie- procrastination can lead to the ability to function effectively

Biological Approach: Medical Model

Disorders with biological origins

Psychological approach

Experiences, thoughts, emotions, personality

Sociocultural approach

Social context – emphasizes the context & culture in which people grow up

Cultural variation- what is “normal” is dependent on the culture

Ie/ poverty, marginalized group etc

Biopsychosocial Model

Interaction of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

an anxiety disorder marked by persistent anxiety for at least six months, and in which the individual is unable to specify the reasons for the anxiety

Biological

maybe an oversensitive amygdala

Psychological

experienced trauma- learned to be anxious

Sociological

experience discrimination

Advantages DSM-V Classification System

Provides a common basis for communication

Helps clinicians make predictions

Naming the disorder can provide comfort

Disadvantages DSM-V Classification System

Stigma (shame, negative reputation)

Medical terminology implies internal cause and neglects environment

Focus on weaknesses, ignores strengths

A diagnosis is needed to get supports- can be challenging

stigma

refers to negative attitudes and negative behaviour toward people with substance use and mental health problems

fixed ideas/judegments, fearing and avoiding

stigma can lead to

believing what other people and the media say about them (self-stigma) →

have lower self-esteem because they feel guilt and shame→

keeping their problem a secret/avoid getting help