Psychological Disorders Overview

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.

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

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!").

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

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.’

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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).