Video Lessons: Mental Disorders

Somatogenic Hypothesis

The theory that mental disorders have physiological causes.

Psychogenic Hypothesis

The theory that symptoms of mental disorders are caused by psychological processes.

Biopsychosocial Model

A holistic perspective that considers psychological (stress, trauma, and memories), biological (genetics and brain chemistry), and sociocultural factors (poor living conditions, problematic interpersonal relationships, gender, religious, or sexual orientation, race, and culture) in mental disorders.

Diathesis-Stress Model

The theory that both a predisposition toward a disorder (diathesis) and a triggering stressor are necessary for the development of a mental disorder.

Mental Disorder

Dysfunctional patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that interfere with daily life.

DSM-5

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, which provides definitions and specific symptoms necessary for diagnosing mental disorders.

Panic Disorder

A type of anxiety disorder characterized by having unexpected panic attacks.

Agoraphobia

The fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.

Social Anxiety Disorder

An intense fear of being judged or watched in social situations.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Characterized by continuous and pervasive feelings of anxiety.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A condition characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and actions (compulsions).

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a trauma-related disorder with extreme anxiety following a traumatic event.

Symptoms of PTSD

Reliving the event, avoidance, excessive arousal, and negative emotional changes.

Depression

A mood disorder that is the leading cause of disability and lost work days. The number one cause of disability and lost work days. 22% in the world

A diagnosis is given when an individual experiences the five signs of depression for two or more weeks.

1. Depressed mood

2. Significant appetite loss or gain

3. Too much or too little sleep

4. Decreased interest in activities

5. Feeling worthless, fatigued or lethargic

6. Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression). A manic episode is a period of intense, restless, but often optimistic hyperactivity in which one’s estimation of oneself, one’s abilities, and one’s ideas can often get skewed.During depressive episodes, individuals may experience symptoms similar to major depressive disorder, leading to significant impairment in daily functioning.

Schizophrenia

A mental disorder characterized by disorganized thinking, disturbed perceptions, and loss of contact with reality.

Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.

Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Blunted affect, reduced speech, social withdrawal, and inability to focus.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

A condition where a person exhibits two or more distinct identities.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging to prevent weight gain.

Binge Eating Disorder

An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food.

Core symptoms of depression

Depressed mood, appetite changes, sleep disturbances, loss of interest, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulty concentrating.

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders

Affects 15-20% of the population.

PTSD in Adults

6% of adults in the U.S. experience PTSD.

Risk Factors for PTSD

Higher rates are found in individuals exposed to mass trauma or duty-related trauma.

Manic Episode

A period of intense hyperactivity and elevated mood in bipolar disorder.

Suicide and Depression

Depression is a leading cause of suicide, claiming over one million lives annually.

Disorganized Thinking

A symptom of schizophrenia where thoughts are fragmented and incoherent.

Hallucinations

False sensory experiences that occur without external stimuli, often seen in schizophrenia.

Delusions

Strongly held false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary, common in psychotic disorders.

Cultural Influences on Mental Health

Factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status that affect the experience of mental disorders.

Childhood Adversity

Experiences during childhood that significantly increase the risk of developing PTSD.

Long-term Effects of PTSD

Can include chronic anxiety, depression, and maladaptive coping strategies.

Short Versions of Serotonin Gene

Genetic variants that may increase the risk of PTSD following trauma.

Interpersonal Relationships

Sociocultural factors that can influence mental health outcomes.

Psychological Processes

Factors such as stress, trauma, and memories that affect mental health.

Genetic Influences

Biological factors, including genetics, that may predispose individuals to mental disorders.

Neurotransmitter Serotonin

A brain chemical involved in regulating mood and anxiety, influencing conditions like PTSD.

Impact of Stress on Mental Health

Stress can act as a catalyst for the expression of predisposed mental health disorders.

Holistic Treatment Approaches

Treatments that consider psychological, biological, and sociocultural factors for mental disorders.

Functional Impairment

The degree to which mental disorders interfere with daily life and responsibilities.

Diagnostic Criteria for Depression

Experiencing five signs of depression for at least two weeks leads to a diagnosis.

Social Withdrawal

A negative symptom of schizophrenia often characterized by reduced interaction with others.

Excessive Physiological Arousal

Symptoms in PTSD that include heart pounding and muscle tension.

Impact of Trauma on Mental Health

Traumatic experiences can have lasting effects on mental health and can trigger disorders.

Psychological Impact of Adversity

The mental strain resulting from difficult or traumatic life experiences.

Male vs. Female Prevalence in Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can manifest differently across genders due to sociocultural pressures.

Coping Mechanisms in OCD

Compulsive behaviors are often used to alleviate the anxiety associated with obsessions.

Psychotic Symptoms

The resulting behaviors and mental states associate with breaks from reality