In-Depth Notes on Psychological Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Definition of Psychological Disorders

• Psychological Disorder: A psychological dysfunction associated with distress or impairment in functioning, and a response that is not culturally expected.

Key Factors in Defining Psychological Disorders

• Statistical Rarity:

  • Behaviors that are extremely uncommon in a population may indicate a psychological disorder.

  • Example: Only 1% of the population engaging in a behavior implies rarity.

  • Limitations: Not all rare behaviors indicate a disorder (e.g., juggling 10 bowling pins is rare but not pathological).

• Subjective Distress:

  • Many psychological disorders cause physical or emotional pain/distress.

  • Conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression often lead to significant subjective distress.

  • Limitations: Subjective distress alone isn’t sufficient for diagnosis (e.g., fasting can cause distress but is not a disorder).

• Impairment:

  • Psychological disorders often impair daily functioning (work, relationships).

  • Example: Major Depressive Disorder can severely inhibit motivation to work.

  • Limitations: Impairment must extend beyond subjective distress (e.g., a specific phobia may cause distress but also disrupt daily life).

• Societal Disapproval (Deviance):

  • Involves behaviors viewed negatively by society and often violates cultural norms.

  • The definition of disorders can change as cultural perceptions shift.

Brain Dysfunction

• Psychological disorders often involve dysfunctions in brain systems.

• Neurotransmitters: Medications target neurotransmitter systems (e.g., serotonin in depression).

Working Definition of Psychological Disorders

• Involves dysfunction, distress, impairment, and culturally unexpected responses.

Cultural Bound Disorders

• Some disorders are specific to certain cultures (e.g.,
  Coro in men from South/East Asia, characterized by the belief that genitals are disappearing).

• Eating disorders (e.g., Anorexia) are more prevalent in Western cultures due to societal pressures.

Historical Views on Mental Illness

• Demonic Model: Early beliefs posited that mental illnesses were caused by demons.

  • Treatments included exorcisms.

• Medical Model: Transitioned to viewing mental illnesses as medical diseases in the 18th century.

  • Rise of asylums, often leading to inhumane treatment and ineffective approaches.

• Modern era sees established psychiatric hospitals and humane treatments alongside medications.

Biopsychosocial Model

• A multidisciplinary approach that incorporates:

  • Biological factors (genetics, brain function).

  • Psychological factors (thoughts, emotions, personality).

  • Sociocultural factors (culture, social interaction, family relationships).

Diathesis-Stress Model

• Proposes that psychological disorders arise from the interaction of genetic predispositions (diathesis) and environmental stressors.

• Analogy: A glass of water; higher levels of water indicate greater predisposition, stressors can fill the glass, leading to a 'spill' which equates to a disorder.

Common Misconceptions About Mental Disorders

• Diagnoses Are Unreliable: They are statistically reliable, with high correlation among clinicians.

• Diagnoses Are Just Labels: They can predict behaviors and correlate with laboratory test results.

• Individuals with Disorders Are Violent: Media misrepresentation; only a small percentage exhibit violent behaviors.

Diagnosing Psychological Disorders

• Clinicians conduct clinical interviews to gather information about the individual.

• Other methods may include neurological tests, brain imaging, and questionnaires.

• The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is the standardized manual for diagnosing psychological disorders.

Prevalence of Disorders in the Population

• Lifetime Prevalence Rates: For example, major depressive disorder is about 17%; PTSD and phobias have variable rates based on gender and ethnicity.

• Age Effects: Higher prevalence among younger individuals (18–25 years) compared to older age groups.

Treatment Approaches

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Most common treatment focusing on altering negative thought patterns and behaviors.

  • Typically lasts about 14-16 weeks.

  • Often combined with medication for more effective treatment.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Include disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

• Key Features of ASD:

  • Deficits in social communication and interaction.

  • Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.

  • The disorder occurs on a spectrum, with variability in severity and characteristics.

Risk Factors for ASD

• Associated with older parental age, maternal diabetes, prenatal infections, and strong genetic components.

• Increased awareness and diagnostic capabilities contribute to rising identification rates of ASD.

Conclusion

• Early intervention is important for outcomes in ASD, with behavioral signs detectable at an early age.

• Importance of distinguishing between cultural influences, individual variability, and stereotypical misconceptions.

Include disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Key Features of ASD:

• Deficits in social communication and interaction.

• Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.
  The disorder occurs on a spectrum, with variability in severity and characteristics.

Risk Factors for ASD

• Associated with older parental age, maternal diabetes, prenatal infections, and strong genetic components.

• Increased awareness and diagnostic capabilities contribute to rising identification rates of ASD.

Conclusion
Early intervention is important for outcomes in ASD, with behavioral signs detectable at an early age.
Importance of distinguishing between cultural influences, individual variability, and stereotypical misconceptions.