100_5.1_Psychological disorders.pdf

Perspectives on Psychological Disorders

Defining Psychological Disorders

• Psychological disorders are characterized by persistently harmful thoughts, feelings, and actions.

• Defining features include being deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional.

• The debate exists on whether psychological disorders should be classified as diseases.

Classifying Psychological Disorders

• The American Psychiatric Association published the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), with the fifth edition released in 2022.

• Current DSM lists approximately 400 disorders, up from 60 in its first edition (1952).

• Notable historical changes: Homosexuality was removed as a disorder in DSM III (1986).

Labeling Psychological Disorders

• The DSM serves as a diagnostic process and details 16 clinical syndromes without delving into causes.

• It helps in standardizing communication among healthcare professionals.

Controversies

• The DSM's categorization methods and the implications of labeling patients raise debates about stigmatization and validity.

• The experiment by David Rosenhan highlights issues in psychiatric labeling and diagnosis.

Major Psychological Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

• Definition: Marked by excessive apprehension and anxiety.

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic, exaggerated worry and tension. Prevalence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (from 1.8% to 17.9%).

  • Symptoms:

    1. Persistent and uncontrollable tension.

    2. Autonomic arousal.

    3. Inability to identify or avoid causes of feelings.

• Social Anxiety Disorder: The most common anxiety disorder.

  • Characterized by intense fear in social situations, leading to avoidance behavior.

• Panic Disorder: Involves sudden surges of intense fear or anxiety. Symptoms include heart palpitations, choking sensations, and feelings of terror. Panic attacks can sometimes be mistaken for heart attacks.

• Phobias: Persistent and irrational fears of specific objects or situations, disrupting normal behavior. Examples include:

  • Hemophobia (blood)

  • Claustrophobia (closed spaces)

  • Acrophobia (heights)

  • Agoraphobia (open spaces)

  • Approximately 25% of surveyed individuals report phobias.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and urges to perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

• Most common obsessions and compulsions noted in children and adolescents:

  • Obsessions include:

    • Concern with dirt, germs, toxins (40%)

    • Fear of something terrible happening (24%)

    • Need for symmetry or exactness (17%)

  • Compulsions include:

    • Excessive hand washing or grooming (85%)

    • Repeating rituals (51%)

    • Checking locks or appliances (46%).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• A mental disorder triggered by exposure to traumatic events (combat, assault, etc.).

  • Symptoms include:

    • At least one re-experiencing symptom (flashbacks, nightmares).

    • Avoidance of reminders.

    • Two arousal/reactivity symptoms (insomnia, angry outbursts).

    • Two cognition/mood symptoms (depression, guilt).

• Prevalence: 3.5% of U.S. adults, higher in trauma-exposed populations.

• Symptoms may develop within three months but can appear years later. Recovery can vary widely.

Dissociative Disorders

• Dissociative Identity Disorder: Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, characterized by two or more distinct identities or personality states.

  • Often a coping mechanism for trauma or stress, usually arising from early childhood abuse or neglect.

• Notable historical case: "The Three Faces of Eve."

Conclusion

• Understanding the classifications, symptoms, and historical context of psychological disorders assists in effective treatment and management.

• The evolution of the DSM and studies surrounding diagnosis continue to shape how psychological disorders are understood and treated.