Disorders

5. Specific Disorders and Their Symptoms

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

    • Symptoms: Automatic arousal (e.g., fidgety), persistent and unfocused anxiety, muscular tension, apprehension.

    • Theoretical Interpretation: Psychoanalytical (id, consciousness), biological (fight or flight response).

  • Phobic Disorder:

    • Symptoms: Unreasonable fear of specific objects or situations. Common phobias include snakes, heights, and flying.

    • Theoretical Interpretations: Learning (conditioned fear), biological (genetically predisposed).

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

    • Symptoms: Repetitive obsessions (recurring thoughts) and compulsions (rigid behaviors).

    • Theoretical Interpretations: Freud (forbidden impulses), learning (conditioned to compulsion), biological (arousal in frontal lobe).

  • Dissociative Disorders:

    • Dissociative Amnesia: Psychologically caused forgetfulness due to stress.

    • Dissociative Identity Disorder: Two or more distinct personalities. Evidence includes differences in MRI, heart rate, handwriting.

  • Major Depressive Disorder:

    • Characteristics: Intense sadness, loss of pleasure, lethargy, feelings of worthlessness, changes in eating and sleeping patterns.

    • Duration: At least 2 weeks for diagnosis, may last several months.

    • Explanations: Psychoanalytical (loss and anger), biological/biochemical (genetics, low norepinephrine and serotonin), social-cognitive (learned helplessness, negative thinking).

  • Bipolar Disorder:

    • Mood Symptoms: Cycle from depression to mania.

    • Mania: Euphoric mood, grandiose cognitions, flight of ideas, poor judgment.

    • Physical Symptoms: Hyperactivity, decreased need for sleep, high energy, talkativeness.

    • Explanations: Biological/biochemical (genetics, norepinephrine levels).

  • Schizophrenia:

    • Symptoms: Disorganized thinking, delusions, hallucinations, inappropriate emotions, catatonia, paranoia.

    • Types: Process/chronic, reactive/acute.

    • Biological Factors: High dopamine levels, low frontal lobe activity, enlarged fluid-filled areas.

    • Genetic Factors: Higher risk if a close relative has it.

    • Treatment: Dopamine blockers, antipsychotic medications.

    • Examples: "Word salads," covering mirrors.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

    • Symptoms: Nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance following a traumatic event.

  1. Scenario: Sarah has been feeling persistently anxious for several months. She often finds herself fidgeting and unable to concentrate at work, and she experiences muscular tension. What disorder might Sarah be exhibiting?

    • Answer: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

  2. Scenario: James has a crippling fear of flying, which prevents him from traveling for work. Despite knowing that flying is statistically safe, he cannot overcome his anxiety. What disorder does James likely have?

    • Answer: Phobic Disorder

  3. Scenario: Emily frequently has intrusive thoughts about harming herself or others and feels compelled to wash her hands repeatedly, even when they are not dirty. What disorder could these symptoms indicate?

    • Answer: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  4. Scenario: Alex suddenly cannot remember significant portions of his life after experiencing a traumatic event and feels detached from reality. What disorder might Alex be facing?

    • Answer: Dissociative Amnesia

  5. Scenario: Maya experiences intense mood swings where she feels incredibly elated and full of energy one moment, and then she crashes into deep sadness the next. What disorder might Maya be struggling with?

    • Answer: Bipolar Disorder

  6. Scenario: John has been diagnosed with symptoms such as hallucinations and disorganized thinking. Though he seemed to function normally as a child, these symptoms emerged in his late teens. What disorder is John likely coping with?

    • Answer: Schizophrenia

  7. Scenario: After serving in a combat zone, Mark often relives traumatic events through flashbacks and is easily startled by loud noises. What disorder might Mark be experiencing?

    • Answer: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)