Abnormal Psychology

48% experienced psychological disorders

80% sought no treatment

Five definitions

1. Deviation from a statistical norm.

2. Deviation from social norms.

3. Maladaptive behavior.

4. Personal distress.

5. Insanity.

Classifying Abnormal Behavior

DSM-IV-TR

17 very detailed categories of specific psychological disorders.

Older method- two categories

NeurosisCharacterized by anxiety, unhappiness and maladaptive behavior.

PsychosisSerious psychological dysfunction characterized by a lack of contact with reality.

Compare and contrast:

Neurosis vs. Psychosis

1. Hospitalization.

2. Contact with reality.

3. Danger to self and others.

4. Treatment

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized AnxietyDisorder characterized by excessive, global and persistent anxiety and tension.Also known as free-floating anxiety.

Panic attacksSudden episodes of acute and overwhelming apprehension and terror.

Phobias Unrealistic fear of almost anything

Examples:Triskaidekaphobia

Agoraphobiafear of panic attack in public

Social phobia

fear of being embarrassed, judged, or criticized by others.

Posttraumatic stress disorder

Chronic and persistent symptoms of anxiety developed in response to extreme psychological orphysical trauma.

Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderFeel compelled to think about things they would rather notthink about or perform acts they do not wish to carry out.

Obsessions- unwelcome thoughts or images

Compulsions- irresistible urges to carry out certain acts or rituals.

Affective Disorders

DepressionTwo ways to define:

1. Abnormal when out of proportion to the event.

2. Symptom checklist.Examples

Bipolar disorder (manic depression)

Alternating euphoria and depression

Norepinephrine

Lithium

Examples of Manic Behavior

Personality Disorders

A whole group of disorders characterized by inflexible and maladaptive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are stable over time.

Paranoid Personality Disorderpervasive distrust and suspiciousness of the motives of others.mostly men

pathological jealousy

Antisocial Personality(sociopath or psychopath)

A pervasive pattern of disregarding and violating the rights of others.

Six characteristics:1. No guilt or remorse.

2. Longstanding patterns or maladaptive behavior.

3. No conscience 4. No feelings for others.

5. Highly manipulative.

6. Mostly men.

Treatment- not good outcomes

Cause- genetic or environmental?

Borderline Personality DisorderMost common of all personality disorders.

10 million people with B.P.D of which 75% are women.

Chronic instability in emotions, self-image and relationships.

Dissociative DisordersDisruption in awareness, memory, or identity.

Dissociative ExperiencePerson’s awareness, memory, or personal identity become divided.

Dissociative Identity DisorderKnown as D I D and confused with schizophrenia

Must have two or more distinct personalities.Range: 2 to 100

10 to 15 most common

Alters take controlAmnesia commonMostly womenControversial disorder

Schizophrenia