Ch. 13 Psychological Disorders

1. Perspectives on Psychological Disorders

Societal Does the behavior conform to existing social norms?

Individual Personal sense of well-being Happy, satisfied, peaceful

Mental-health professional Personality Personal discomfort Life functioning

Click here to view the Perspectives on Psychological Disorders table

A. Historical Views of Psychological Disorders Supernatural view dominated early societies Mental hospitals used to be like prisons

B. Theories of the Nature, Causes, and Treatment of Psychological Disorders The Biological Model

Physiological or biochemical basis

The Psychoanalytic Model Result of unconscious conflicts

The Cognitive-Behavioral Model Result of learning maladaptive behaviors and belief

The Diathesis-Stress Model & Systems Theory Diathesis-Stress - predisposition to disorder which is

triggered by stress Systems Theory - Biopsychosocial Model

risk factors combine to produce disorder

C. Classifying Psychological Disorders Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-

IV) Used for insurance purposes Focuses on significant behavioral patterns Lists symptoms Criticism

Disorders classified as diseases Many of the symptoms have nothing to do with

mental illness Click here to view the Diagnostic Categories of DSM-IV table

D. The Prevalence of Psychological Disorders

2. Mood DisordersA. Depression - sadness, worthlessness

Biological factors Psychological factors

Arbitrary inferenceSelective abstractionOvergeneralizationMagnification and minimization

Major Depressive Disorder Video

Social factorsSocial factorsTroubled-close relationshipsDepressed people evoke anxiety and

hostility in othersVicious cycle

B. Mania Euphoria and extreme activity Bipolar disorder - alternating depression and

mania

C. Causes of Mood Disorders Biological factors

Twin studies Genetic and neurotransmitter problems

Psychological factors Cognitive distortions Negative self-image Feelings of unworthiness

3. Anxiety DisordersA. Specific phobias - intense fear of specific

situations or objects Social phobias - excessive fear of social situations Agoraphobic - intense fear of crowds and public

places

B. Panic disorder Intense terror without cause

C. Other Anxiety Disorders Generalized anxiety disorder - unfocused fears Obsessive-compulsive disorder - disturbing thoughts-

rituals D. Causes of Anxiety Disorders

Conditioning (e.g. dog bite) Not in control (e.g. high crime areas) Autonomic response influenced by genetics Displacement (e.g. fear of spouse)

4. Psychosomatic and Somatoform Disorders

A. Psychosomatic Disorder Real illness with psychological causes such as stress

or anxiety B. Somatoform Disorders

Physical symptoms without physical cause C. Causes of Somatoform Disorders

Freud- Traumatic experience in past Cognitive behavioral - Examine ways the behavior is

being rewarded May be real physical illnesses that are misdiagnosed

5. Dissociative Disorders A. Dissociative Amnesia

Flight and assumption of new identity B. Dissociative Identity Disorder

Multiple Personality Disorder C. Depersonalization Disorder

Person suddenly feels strangely changed or different D. Causes of Dissociative Disorders

Unconscious processes May also include biological factors

6. Sexual DisordersA. Sexual Dysfunction

Erectile disorder - inability to achieve or maintain an erection

B. Paraphilias Fetishism Pedophilia

C. Gender-Identity Disorders Involve desire to become a member of the other

sex.

7. Personality DisordersA. Schizoid - inability to form social relationships

B. Paranoid - very suspicious of others

C. Dependent - inability to make decisions or act independently

D. Avoidant - social anxiety leading to isolation

E. Narcissistic - grandiose sense of self-importance

F. Borderline - instability in self-image, mood, relationships

G. Antisocial - showing no sense of remorse

H. Causes of Personality Disorders

8. Schizophrenic Disorders A. Hallucinations

Sensory experiences without stimulation B. Delusions

False beliefs

C. Types of Schizophrenic Disorders Disorganized schizophrenia

Bizarre behavior Incoherent

Catatonic schizophrenia Paranoid schizophrenia Schizophrenia Video

D. Causes of Schizophrenia Biological predisposition may be inherited May be excessive dopamine May involve family relationships and social class

9. Childhood DisordersA. Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Psychostimulants Increases focus

B. Autistic Disorder Fail to form attachments Raymond in Rain Man

10. Gender and Cultural Differences in Psychological Disorders

A. Gender Differences More women are in treatment Men express more aggression Women more fearful, hopeless

This is probably both biological and sociological B. Cultural Differences

Many disorders occur only in particular cultural groups

Prevalence of some disorders among males/females/children differs markedly by culture

End of Chapter