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  • Definition of Psychological Disorders:

    • A syndrome with significant disturbances in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior.
    • Examples: Dysfunctional thoughts or rituals, as seen in Mark's cleaning obsession, which interferes with daily life.
    • Accompanying distress is often present.

  • Historical Perspectives:

    • Past views: Strange behaviors linked to supernatural forces (e.g., evil spirits or demonic possession).
    • Brutal treatments, including caging, mutilation, and isolated confinement were once common.
    • Activists like Philippe Pinel advocated for humane treatment to improve mental health care, promoting moral treatment and conditions conducive to recovery.

  • Medical Model (1800s):

    • Discovery of syphilis’ effect on mental health sparked the search for physical causes of disorders.
    • This led to the establishment of asylums and the medical model, wherein mental disorders were viewed as diseases with physical roots.
    • The model emphasizes diagnosis based on symptoms and treatment often requiring hospitalization.

  • Epigenetics:

    • Studies environmental factors affecting gene expression, akin to a "light switch" that can turn effects on and off without altering the DNA structure.

  • DSM-5:

    • The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition) is a standard classification system for psychological disorders.

  • Prevalence of Psychological Disorders:

    • ADHD: 4.1%
    • Depression/Bipolar: 9.3%
    • Specific Phobias: 8.7%
    • Social Anxiety Disorder: 6.8%
    • PTSD: 3.5%
    • Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 3.1%
    • Schizophrenia: 1.1%
    • OCD: 1%

  • Risk Factors:

    • Academic failure, birth complications, caregiving for chronic illnesses, child abuse, chronic pain, family conflict, socioeconomic status, and more.

  • Protective Factors:

    • Regular exercise, community resources, effective parenting, feeling of mastery, social support, resilience, and problem-solving skills.