PSYCHOPATHOLOGYMental Disorders

What makes something a mental disorder?

May be defined as a mental disorder if the behavior: causes a person to suffer is self-destructive seriously impairs the person’s ability to

interact with others endangers others

Social and cultural deviance does not factor in!

DSM IV

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Handbook to classify mental disorders Specific criteria given

Symptoms Duration Cultural and medical considerations

Five part diagnosis Axis I: Primary clinical problem Axis II: Personality disorders Axis III: General medical conditions Axis IV: Social and environmental stressors Axis V: Global assessment of overall functioning

Concerns about diagnoses

The danger of over-diagnosis “Yes, your son has ADHD”

The power of diagnostic labels “I am schizophrenic. I am weird.”

Confusion of serious mental disorders with normal problems “My boyfriend broke up with me. I feel sad. I

guess I have Major Depressive Disorder.” The illusion of objectivity and universality

“This was made by very smart people. Surely it has to be right!”

Explosion of mental diagnoses

Types of mental disorders

Major Depressive Disorder A mood disorder involving

disturbances in emotion (excessive sadness) behavior (loss of interest in one’s usual activities) cognition (thoughts of hopelessness) body function (fatigue and loss of appetite)

Symptoms Depressed mood Reduced interest in almost all activities Significant weight gain or loss Sleeping too much or too little Fatigue Feelings of worthlessness or guilt Reduced ability to think, concentrate Recurrent thoughts of death DSM IV REQUIRES FIVE OF THESE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS!

Types of mental disorders (cont)

Manic Episode A period of excessive euphoria, motivation, and

racing thoughts Lasts from a few hours to several weeks

Bipolar Disorder A mood disorder in which major depressive and

mania episodes occur. General Anxiety Disorder

Continuous state of anxiety marked by feelings of worry and dread apprehension difficulties in concentration

Types of mental disorders (cont)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder An anxiety disorder in which a person who has

experienced a traumatic or life-threatening event

has symptoms such as psychic numbing, reliving the trauma, increased physiological arousal

Diagnosed only if symptoms persist for six months or longer

May immediately follow event or occur later

Types of mental disorders (cont)

Phobias An exaggerated, unrealistic fear of a specific

situation, activity, or object Agoraphobia

A set of phobias, often set off by a panic attack, involving the basic fear of being away from a safe place or person.

Dependency Emotional and/or physical reliance on a

substance that typical changes mood, emotional state, or condition

Types of mental disorders (cont)

Dissociative Identity Disorder A controversial disorder marked by the appearance

within one person of two or more distinct personalities, each with its own name and traits

Better known as Multiple Personality Disorder Schizophrenia

Can include: Bizarre delusions Hallucinations and heightened sensory awareness Disorganized, incoherent speech Grossly disorganized and inappropriate behavior Impaired cognitive abilities

Types of mental disorders (cont)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder An anxiety disorder in which a person feels

trapped in obsessions

repetitive, persistent thoughts and compulsions

repetitive, ritualized behaviors designed to reduce anxiety

Person understands that the ritual behavior is senseless but guilt mounts if the behavior is not performed.