Psychological Disorders Overview

Objectives

• Normality vs. Disorder: Discuss how to distinguish between normal and abnormal psychological states.
• Medical Model: Explain the medical model of psychological disorders.
• Classification: Describe how and why clinicians classify psychological disorders.
• Criticism of Labels: Understand why some psychologists criticize the use of diagnostic labels.

Reflection on Illness

• Quick Write: Reflect on personal experiences with illness, including:
  • Symptoms experienced.
  • Duration of sickness.
  • Steps taken towards recovery.

Mental vs. Physical Illness

• Public Perception: The stigma surrounding mental illness compared to physical illness is evident in societal responses.
• Statements of Illness: People articulate illness differently:
  • Physical Illness: Often met with sympathy and urgency (e.g., "We need to get you to the hospital, ASAP.").
  • Mental Illness: Often dismissed or misunderstood (e.g., "It’s okay, but you’re such a flake sometimes!").

Psychology Student Syndrome

• Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis: Psychology students may self-diagnose or misdiagnose others based on classroom theory without proper knowledge or certification.

Abnormal Psychology

• Definition: The scientific study of abnormal behavior aimed at describing, predicting, explaining, and changing abnormal functioning patterns.
• Normal vs. Abnormal: Definitions can vary significantly across cultures and contexts (e.g., Wodaabe tribe's behavior may be considered abnormal in Western contexts).
• Normality as a Subjective Perception: It’s crucial to establish guidelines for identifying those in distress despite the subjective nature of ‘normal.’

Clinical Psychology

• Roles:
  • Psychologist: Can’t prescribe medication; focuses on psychotherapy.
  • Psychiatrist: Can prescribe medication; typically works in medical settings, assessing and treating psychological conditions.

DSM-5 Definitions of Abnormal Behavior

• Deviance: Behavior that differs significantly from societal norms (e.g., being labeled as abnormal due to unusual thoughts or emotions).
• Distress: Subjective discomfort reported by individuals due to their emotional or behavioral state.
• Dysfunction: Impairment in daily functioning; includes inability to perform self-care and participate in social interactions.
• Danger: Risk of harm to oneself or others; although this is not the majority of cases, certain behaviors can indicate danger.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

• Overview: A comprehensive classification system with 541 diagnoses, evolving since its first edition in 1952.
• Historical Context: Homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder until 1973; advocacy and lack of data played roles in changing perceptions.
• Production: DSM-5 involved extensive labor and funding, emphasizing its importance in clinical practice.

Models of Understanding Abnormal Behavior

• Medical/Biological Models: Understand abnormal behavior as a disorder driven by biological factors such as genetics and neurochemical imbalances.

Diagnostic Labels

• Benefits:
  • Aid in communication among healthcare professionals.
  • Facilitate more structured therapy and understanding of disorders.
• Critiques:
  • Potential stigma associated with labels (e.g., self-fulfilling prophecy).
  • Influence of labels on perceptions and behaviors of both professionals and patients.

Insanity in Legal Contexts

• Definition: Legal consideration regarding a defendant's capability to differentiate right from wrong during a crime.
• M'Naghten Rule: Focuses on the defendant's understanding of their actions at the time of the crime; very rarely invoked (only in about 1% of cases).