Study Notes on Psychological Disorders and Anxiety Disorders

A psychological disorder can be characterized as:
- A dysfunctional pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.
- It significantly interferes with normal day-to-day living.
- Often distressful for the individual.
- Typically violates established "Social Norms".

The Medical Model posits that:
- Psychological disorders are biologically based illnesses.
- It views these disorders as diseases that can be diagnosed and treated.

Specific Phobia:
- Defined by an irrational fear response to a specific object or situation.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):
- Characterized by:
  - Constantly feeling tense and fearful.
  - Worrying that is not limited to specific events or activities.
Panic Disorder:
- Involves:
  - A persistent and irrational fear of experiencing panic attacks.
  - Symptoms may include:
  - Heart racing
  - Dizziness
  - Feeling of separation from oneself
  - Chest pain
  - Diagnosis often includes experiencing one or more months of intense anxiety regarding potential future panic attacks.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
- Characterized by:
  - Unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions).
  - Compulsive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing the anxiety related to those thoughts.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
- Defined by:
  - Haunting memories of a traumatic event.
  - Nightmares related to the traumatic experience.
  - Social withdrawal and increased anxiety (jumpy feelings).
  - A numbness of feelings and/or insomnia that lingers for at least four weeks after the traumatic experience.
Illness Anxiety Disorder:
- Individuals misinterpret normal physical sensations as signs of a serious disease or illness.