Psychology Unit 8: Psychological Disorders Study Guide

Psychological Disorders

  • Definition: Symptoms disrupting cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior in day-to-day life.

Key Concepts

  • Abnormality: Deviance from cultural norms; varies between cultures.
  • Dysfunctionality: Difficulty in daily functioning.
  • Maladaptive/Distressing: Causes distress to the individual and others.

Models of Understanding Disorders

  • Medical Model: Proposed by Philippe Pinel; emphasizes diagnosing and treating mental illness based on symptoms.
  • Biopsychosocial Model: Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding disorders; involves conflict between nature vs. nurture influences.

Diagnostic Manual

  • DSM-5TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders): Comprehensive classification of mental disorders; subject to criticism for being broad.

Stigmatization

  • Disorders carry social stigma; for instance, individuals may exhibit symptoms of depression while appearing normal.

Rosenhans’s Study (1973)

  • Highlighted the impact of labels; participants feigned symptoms to study psychiatric diagnoses and were often misdiagnosed.

Prevalence of Disorders

  • Statistics: Over 26% of adults have a diagnosis, with most disorders emerging by age 24.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Characterized by extreme inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity; largely genetic factors involved.

Anxiety Disorders

  1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
    • Chronic anxiety about everyday tasks; symptoms include restlessness, sleep disturbances.
  2. Panic Disorder
    • Characterized by unexpected panic attacks; symptoms involve heart rate increase, breathlessness.
  3. Phobias
    • Excessive fear of specific stimuli; Exposure Therapy is an effective treatment.
  4. Agoraphobia
    • Fear of being trapped in a situation, leading to avoidance of public spaces.
  5. Social Anxiety Disorder
    • Excessive fear of social interactions; exposure therapy can assist in overcoming fears.
  6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Involves obsessions (unwanted thoughts) leading to compulsions (repetitive behaviors).

Trauma Disorders

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Following traumatic events, individuals may relive experiences, resulting in stress and avoidance behaviors.
  • Posttraumatic Growth: Positive psychological growth following trauma.

Learning Principles and Fear

  • Classical Conditioning: Behavioral responses formed through pairing stimuli.
  • Observational Learning: Fear can be contagious through observation.

Mood Disorders

  • Major Depressive Disorder: Persistent low mood and lack of interest in activities; requires at least 5 symptoms over two weeks for diagnosis.
  • Bipolar Disorder: Alternation between manic episodes and depressive episodes.
  • Female susceptibility to depression is double that of males.
  • Social-Cognitive Perspective: Negative thought patterns influence emotions and behaviors.

Schizophrenia

  • Characterized by delusions/hallucinations and disorganized thinking; low prevalence (1-2%).
  • Symptoms: Negative (lack of normal function) and positive (addition of thoughts/behaviors).
  • Influenced by genetics and dopamine dysregulation.

Somatic Disorders

  • Somatic Symptom Disorder: Physical symptoms without medical cause; psychological distress evident.
  • Conversion Disorder: Neurological symptoms linked to psychological stress.

Dissociative Disorders

  • Dissociative Identity Disorder: Fragmentation of identity resulting from trauma.

Personality Disorders

  • Clusters:
    • A: Odd behaviors (e.g. Schizotypal Personality Disorder).
    • B: Dramatic behaviors (e.g. Borderline Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder).
    • C: Anxious behaviors (e.g. Avoidant Personality Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder).

Eating Disorders

  • Types:
    • Anorexia Nervosa: Restrictive eating leading to low body weight.
    • Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating followed by purging.
    • Binge-Eating Disorder: Episodes of excessive eating without purging.

Treatment History and Methods

  • Psychotherapy: Includes various methods like psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapies.
  • Medication: Commonly used; includes antipsychotics, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications.

New Treatments and Techniques

  • Brain Stimulation Therapies: ECT for severe depression; rTMS for stimulating brain regions.

Effective Therapies and Techniques

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Focuses on changing thought patterns to alter behavior and emotions.
  • Group Therapy: Involves collective treatment to foster support and understanding.
  • Self-Help Groups: Facilitated by individuals with shared experiences, providing peer support.

Therapies to Avoid

  • Therapies that pose physical or psychological risks, such as conversion therapy.

Clinical Decision Making**

  • Collaborative relationship between therapist and client is crucial for effective therapy.

Preventing Psychological Disorders

  • Promote resilience and improve access to mental health resources through community efforts and education.