PSYC 100 Chapter 15 Psychological Disorders

What is a psychological disorder?

Difficult to define; complex, diverse, and varies by culture and time.

What is the family-resemblance view?

Members of a category share some but not all features.

Criteria for identifying psychological disorders?

Statistical rarity, subjective distress, impairment, societal disapproval, biological dysfunction.

What is the DSM-5?

Manual outlining a standard system for diagnosing mental disorders.

What is the biopsychosocial approach?

Recognizes biological, psychological, and social contributions to disorders.

Why avoid labeling individuals by diagnosis?

Can be harmful; say 'individual with schizophrenia' instead of 'schizophrenic'.

What is comorbidity?

When two or more disorders occur together, like panic disorder and agoraphobia.

How does culture affect mental disorders?

Definitions, symptoms, and prevalence vary across cultures.

Examples of culture-specific disorders?

Anorexia, Koro, Taijin kyofusho.

What are anxiety disorders?

Disorders where fear or anxiety is the main symptom; affects 29% of people.

Panic Disorder - Characteristics

Episodes of intense fear, helplessness, racing heart, dizziness.

Panic Disorder - Diagnosis

At least 2 panic attacks followed by 1+ month of anxiety over future attacks.

GAD - Characteristics

Constant worry about many things, muscle tension, trouble sleeping.

GAD - Diagnosis

Worry lasting ≥6 months, independent of other disorders.

Phobias - Characteristics

Specific irrational fears (e.g., spiders, heights, crowds).

Phobias - Diagnosis

Fear must be long-standing and disrupt daily functioning.

Social Anxiety Disorder - Characteristics

Excessive fear of being judged in social situations.

Social Anxiety Disorder - Diagnosis

Persistent fear that impairs daily life.

Agoraphobia - Characteristics

Fear of open/public places or situations where escape is hard.

OCD - Characteristics

Obsessions (unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors).

OCD - Diagnosis

Consumes ≥1 hour/day and interferes with daily functioning.

PTSD - Characteristics

Disturbance after trauma: nightmares, flashbacks, hyperarousal.

PTSD - Diagnosis

Symptoms follow life-threatening event; up to 7% of U.S. affected.

Mood Disorders - Overview

Disturbances in mood; affects ~20% of people.

Major Depressive Disorder - Characteristics

Sadness, worthlessness, suicidal thoughts, loss of interest.

Major Depressive Disorder - Diagnosis

Symptoms last ≥2 weeks; ~16% of U.S. affected.

Persistent Depressive Disorder - Characteristics

Chronic, low-level depression lasting years.

Persistent Depressive Disorder - Diagnosis

Symptoms persist for at least 2 years.

Bipolar Disorder - Characteristics

Mood swings from depression to mania.

Manic Episode - Characteristics

Elevated mood, hyperactivity, risky behavior, no need for sleep.

Bipolar Disorder - Diagnosis

Includes at least 1 manic episode (Bipolar I), or hypomania (Bipolar II).

Cyclothymia - Characteristics

Mild, chronic bipolar symptoms with mild mania and depression.

DID - Characteristics

2+ distinct identities that control behavior, different traits.

DID - Explanations

Posttraumatic model (trauma coping), Sociocognitive model (therapy/media influence).

Schizophrenia - Characteristics

Severe disruptions in thought, perception, and behavior.

Schizophrenia - Diagnosis

Must impair daily functioning with 2+ of: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, behavior, or negative symptoms.

Types of delusions in schizophrenia?

Delusions of persecution, control, grandeur.

What are hallucinations?

Sensory experiences without external stimuli, e.g., hearing voices.

What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Reduction in normal emotions, speech, motivation, behavior.