PSY Ch13 - Psychological Disorders – Defining Mental Illness

Abnormal psychology and psychopathology is the scientific study of mental disorders, including theory, research, diagnosis and treatment

Mental illness: health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these)

Associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities

Approximately 21% of adults experienced mental illness in 2020

Bio-psycho-socio-cultural model of mental illness: a way of understanding disorder that assumes that disorder is caused by biological, psychological, social and cultural factors

See Figure 13.1 for how each of the factors can play a role in a psychological disorder

Psychological disorders is determined not only by whether or not a behavior is unusual, but also if the behavior is maladaptive (and causes distress)

Comorbidity: occurs when people who are diagnosed with one psychological disorder are also simultaneously diagnosed with one or more additional psychological disorders

Diagnostic criteria are used to help practitioners determine if a person’s behavior is to be considered a psychological disorder

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a document that provides a common language and standard criteria for the classification of psychological disorders

DSM first published in 1952 and has been revised 5 times (most recently in 2013)

Each revision of the DSM takes into consideration new knowledge as well as changes in cultural norms about disorder

Has been criticized for the nature of its categorization system and tends to focus on Western illness

With a DSM diagnosis, insurance will more times than not cover the cost of therapy with a DSM diagnosis versus not having a diagnosis and having to pay out of pocket for therapy services

The DSM approach allows for a systematic assessment of the individual including looking at the psychological disorder in question, their medical condition, psychological and cultural factors and individual functions in everyday life