Chapter 13 – Psychological Disorders: Defining Mental Illness

Question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts about the definition, assessment, and classification of psychological disorders from Chapter 13.

What does abnormal psychology (psychopathology) study?

The scientific study of mental disorders, including their theory, research, diagnosis, and treatment.

How is mental illness defined?

Health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, or behavior (or a combination), associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities.

Approximately what percentage of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2020?

About 21% of adults.

What is the bio-psycho-socio-cultural model of mental illness?

A framework that explains psychological disorders as the result of interacting biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors.

Besides being unusual, what two additional criteria help determine if a behavior is a psychological disorder?

Whether the behavior is maladaptive and causes distress.

What is comorbidity in the context of psychological disorders?

The simultaneous diagnosis of a person with one psychological disorder and one or more additional disorders.

Why are diagnostic criteria important for practitioners?

They help determine whether a person’s behavior should be classified as a psychological disorder.

What is the DSM and what purpose does it serve?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; it provides a common language and standard criteria for classifying psychological disorders.

When was the DSM first published, and how many times has it been revised?

First published in 1952 and revised five times, most recently in 2013.

Name two common criticisms of the DSM.

Its categorical system and its focus on Western conceptualizations of illness.

How can a DSM diagnosis affect payment for therapy services?

Insurance companies are more likely to cover therapy costs if the client has an official DSM diagnosis.

What four areas does the DSM encourage clinicians to assess systematically?

1) The specific psychological disorder, 2) any relevant medical conditions, 3) psychological and cultural factors, and 4) the individual’s everyday functioning.