100_5.2_Psychological disorders.pdf

Major Types of Psychological Disorders

1. Mood Disorders

2. Schizophrenia

3. Personality Disorders

Mood Disorders

• Definition: Psychological disorders characterized by emotional extremes.

• Examples:

  • Major Depressive Disorder

  • Mania

  • Bipolar Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder

• Characteristics:

  • Symptoms persist for two or more weeks without drugs or medical conditions.

  • Symptoms include:

    • Dysphoric Mood: Sadness, hopelessness, loss of pleasure in activities.

    • Appetite Changes: Significant weight loss or gain.

    • Sleep Issues: Insomnia or hypersomnia.

    • Motor Activity: Slowed down or agitated.

    • Feelings of Guilt: Worthlessness or self-reproach.

    • Concentration Difficulties: Forgetfulness and inability to think clearly.

    • Suicidal Thoughts: Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide attempts.

Prevalence of Depression

• Statistics:

  • 5.8% of men and 9.5% of women report depression globally (WHO, 2002).

  • Depression rates tripled during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mania

• Characteristics:

  • Extreme elation, euphoria, grandiose thoughts.

  • Often associated with Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia.

Bipolar Disorder

• Definition: Alternating episodes of depression and mania (formerly known as manic depression).

• Symptoms:

  • Manic Symptoms:

    • Hyperactivity

    • Desire for action

    • Euphoria and elation

  • Depressive Symptoms:

    • Slowness of thought

    • Fatigue

    • Decision-making difficulties

    • Withdrawn demeanor

Genetic Influences on Mood Disorders

• Mood disorders tend to run in families.

• Depression rates: 50% in identical twins vs. 20% in fraternal twins.

Schizophrenia

• Definition: Severe disorder characterized by disorganized thinking and disturbed perceptions.

• Symptoms:

  • Positive Symptoms:

    • Hallucinations (sights, sounds, smells, etc.)

    • Disorganized thinking and speech

  • Negative Symptoms:

    • Flat affect: Lack of emotional expression

    • Catatonia: State of unresponsiveness.

Prevalence of Schizophrenia

• Statistics:

  • Affects nearly 1 in 100 people globally (over 24 million).

  • Strikes young adults, affecting men slightly more severely than women.

Causes of Schizophrenia

• Brain Functioning:

  • Abnormal dopamine levels contribute to symptoms.

  • Genetic, environmental, and biological factors are implicated.

Personality Disorders

• Definition: Chronic patterns of thinking, behavior, and emotion that impair personal relationships.

• Clusters:

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

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

  • Cluster C: Anxious or fearful (e.g., Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-compulsive).

Specific Personality Disorders

1. Borderline Personality Disorder:

   • Instability in self-image, relationships, behavior, emotional regulation.

   • Risk of self-harm and suicide.

2. Antisocial Personality Disorder:

   • Disregard for the rights of others, manipulative behavior, lack of empathy.

3. Narcissistic Personality Disorder:

   • Grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy.