Identifying Psychological Disorders

• 4 Ds:

  • Distress: Emotional pain or suffering.

  • Dysfunction: Impairment in daily life or role performance.

  • Danger: Risk of harm to oneself or others.

  • Deviance: Behavior or thoughts that deviate significantly from cultural norms.

Theoretical Perspectives

1. Biological:

   • Cause: Genetics, brain chemistry, hormonal imbalances.

   • Treatment: Psychotropic medication, brain stimulation, ECT.

2. Psychodynamic:

   • Cause: Unconscious conflicts from childhood.

   • Treatment: Psychoanalysis, free association, dream analysis.

3. Behavioral:

   • Cause: Learned maladaptive behaviors via conditioning.

   • Treatment: Exposure therapy, systematic desensitization, token economies.

4. Cognitive:

   • Cause: Faulty thought patterns or irrational beliefs.

   • Treatment: Cognitive therapy, cognitive restructuring.

5. Humanistic:

   • Cause: Lack of self-actualization or authentic self-expression.

   • Treatment: Client-centered therapy, active listening, unconditional positive regard.

6. Sociocultural:

   • Cause: Cultural, societal, or environmental influences.

   • Treatment: Group therapy, community outreach.

Integration Models:

• Diathesis-Stress Model: Genetic predisposition + environmental stressors.

• ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences): Childhood trauma as a precursor.

• Biopsychosocial Model: Interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Diagnosing Mental Illness

• DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; organizes disorders by categories and provides diagnostic criteria.

Disorders Overview

Anxiety Disorders

1. Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape is difficult.

2. Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks, fear of future attacks.

3. Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of social situations, judgment.

4. Specific Phobia: Intense fear of a specific object/situation.

5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Excessive worry, physical tension.

Mood Disorders

1. Major Depressive Disorder: Persistent sadness, loss of interest.

2. Bipolar Disorder: Alternation between depression and mania.

3. Mania: Euphoria, hyperactivity, impulsive behavior.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

1. ADHD: Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity.

2. Autism: Deficits in communication, repetitive behaviors.

Stress & Trauma Disorders

1. PTSD: Flashbacks, avoidance, hypervigilance post-trauma.

2. Dissociative Identity Disorder: Multiple distinct identities.

3. Dissociative Amnesia: Memory loss unrelated to physical injury.

Eating Disorders

1. Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme calorie restriction, distorted body image.

2. Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating followed by purging.

Schizophrenia

• Symptoms: Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking.

• Types: Positive (added behaviors), Negative (lost functions).

OCD

• Obsessions: Intrusive thoughts.

• Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety.

Personality Disorders (Clusters)

• Cluster A: Odd/eccentric (e.g., Paranoid, Schizoid).

• Cluster B: Dramatic/emotional (e.g., Antisocial, Borderline).

• Cluster C: Anxious/fearful (e.g., Avoidant, Dependent).

Therapies & Treatments

• Cognitive Therapy: Restructures faulty thinking patterns.

• Cognitive Triad: Negative views of self, world, future.

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Combines cognitive and behavioral strategies.

• Behavioral Therapy: Focuses on changing behaviors.

  • Exposure Therapy: Gradual exposure to fears (e.g., flooding, systematic desensitization).

  • Token Economy: Rewards for desired behaviors.

• Humanistic Therapy: Focus on self-growth, empathy.

  • Person-Centered Therapy: Client-led, with active listening.

• Psychotropic Medications:

  • Antidepressants: Treat depression (SSRIs).

  • Anxiolytics: Treat anxiety (Benzodiazepines).

  • Antipsychotics: Treat schizophrenia (Typical/Atypical).

  • Mood Stabilizers: Treat bipolar disorder (Lithium).

• Brain Stimulation:

  • ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy): For severe depression.

  • rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): Depression.