OpenStax Psychology Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders

Chapter 15: Social Psychology

Psychopathology: Study of disorders, their causes, and treatments.

Psychological Disorders: Disturbances in thoughts/behaviors that are dysfunctional, causing negative effects.

APA Definition includes disturbances outside cultural norms, reflecting biological or psychological dysfunction, and causing significant distress or disability.

Diagnosis: Identification and labeling of symptoms using DSM-5, which outlines diagnostic criteria, prevalence, and comorbidity. The Diathesis-Stress model explains disorder development through vulnerability and stressors.

Anxiety Disorders: Include extreme fear/worry leading to behavior problems. Common disorders are Specific Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), which features uncontrollable worry and specific symptoms (e.g., restlessness).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Characterized by unwanted thoughts (obsessions) leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions), often recognized as irrational by individuals.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms following trauma including intrusive memories and emotional detachment. Risk factors include trauma type and social support.

Mood Disorders: Depression is characterized by intense sadness, with Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder being key types. Risk factors include genetics and neurochemical imbalances.

Personality Disorders: Include Borderline Personality Disorder (instability in relationships and identity), Antisocial Personality Disorder (disregard for others and low empathy), and ADHD (inattention and hyperactivity).

Autism: Defined by deficits in social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Key symptoms involve difficulty in social cues and intense focus on specific interests.