Module 10:Psychological Disorders and Health

psychopathology

• branch of psychology that studies disorders and mental illness

  • includes studying symptoms, etiology (causes), and treatments

psychological disorders

conditions characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physiology

DSM-V

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 5th edition, encyclopedia of different mental disorders and their symptoms

important diagnosis feature of DSM-V

functional impairment in multiple domains (school, work, home, and social)

depression

sadness, loss of pleasure, hopelessness, and worthlessness

major depressive disorder

persistent symptoms of depression for a minimum of two weeks

seasonal pattern depression

symptoms that occur due to seasonal changes

persistent depressive disorder

lasts for more than 1-2 years

beck’s negative triad

increased negative thoughts about self, world, and future

hopelessness theory

suggests that hopelessness is a key factor in causing depression

rumination

repeated negative thoughts

bipolar disorder

mood states that switch between mania and depression

high comorbidity rate

often paired with anxiety disorders and substance abuse

anxiety disorder

characterized by usual feelings of fearfulness or terror

General anxiety disorder

excessive and uncontrollable worry, unaware of source

Panic disorder

recurring panic attacks, racing heart and breathlessness

Obsessive compulsive disorder

repetitive obsessive thoughts that provoke anxiety

Somatoform disorders

physical symptoms expressed by individuals with no medical explanation

hypochondriasis

fear of having illness

conversion disorders

neurological symptoms without medical cause

Dissociative disorders

fragmentation of personality and memory systems

dissociative amnesia

unable to recall aspects of personality or memories

dissociative fugue

suddenly cannot recall past or identity, may take on a different identity

Psychotic disorders

breaks from reality

dissociative identity disorder (DID)

multiple distinctly identities, common reports of childhood trauma

depersonalization disorder

detachment from whole self or aspects of self

derealization disorder

detachment from world

PTSD

producing an extreme stress response due to a traumatic event

personality disorders

personality style that differs from markedly from cultural expectations

Cluster A

odd or eccentric

paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal

Cluster B

impulsive, dramatic, and borderline

borderline personality disorder (views world as black and white) and antisocial personality

Cluster C

nervous and fearful

avoidant, dependent, and obsessive compulsive disorder (values extreme tidiness)

Psychotic disorders

breaks from reality

Positive symptoms

Abnormal behaviors that are present but should not be

Negative symptoms

Absence of normal behaviors

supernatural perspective

believe that supernatural forces were behind mental disorders

biological perspective

genetic factors, chemical imbalances, and brain abnormalities are the reason for mental disorder

diathesis- stress model

predisposition is triggered by environment

Stress

process whereby an individual perceives and responds to events that are appraised as overwhelming or threatening to their well-being.

primary/cognitive appraisal

how one judges the significance and threat level of an event

secondary/physiological responses

prepares the body to deal with the stressor

eustress

normal amount of stress that is seen as beneficial

distress

over optimal level of stress

Stimulus-based definitions

These characterize stress as an external demanding or threatening event or situation, such as a heavy workload, divorce, or natural disaster

Response-based definitions

These focus on the physiological and psychological reactions that occur when a person encounters a stressor

Alarm reaction

initial reaction

SNS is activated

Body is prepared for immediate action

Stage of resistance

Body adapts to ongoing stressors

Body remains on high alert

Stage of exhaustion

Stress continues body’s resources are depleted

Chronic stressors

Long-lasting, such as caring for a chronically ill relative, unemployment, or ongoing harassment

Acute stressors

Short-term, intense events like an accident or a sudden argument

Social Readjustment Rating Scale

a tool that assigns life change units (LCUs) to various events, quantifying the amount of adjustment required

Problem-focused Coping

Directly addressing the stressor

Emotion-focused Coping

Managing emotional distress

Social support Coping

emotional and tangible assistance from others

Positive psychology

focuses on understanding and promoting factors that lead to happiness and well-being