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Psychology in Action (9e)
Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders
Studying Psychological Disorders
Abnormal Behavior: patterns of emotion, thought, & action considered pathological for one or more of four reasons:
• statistical infrequency • disability or dysfunction • personal distress • violation of norms
Studying Psychological Disorders: Four Criteria for Abnormal Behavior
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Culture-General Symptoms: shared symptoms across cultures
Culture-Bound Symptoms: unique symptoms that differ across cultures
Studying Psychological Disorders (Continued)
Historical perspectives: In ancient times, people believed
demons were the cause of abnormal behavior, & boring holes in the skull (trephining) allowed evil spirits to escape.
In the 1790s, Pinel & others emphasized disease & physical illness, which led to the medical model & later to modern psychiatry.
Studying Psychological Disorders (Continued)
Modern psychology includes seven major perspectives on abnormal behavior.
Studying Psychological Disorders: Classifying Abnormal Behavior
Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR):
• provides detailed symptom descriptions
• contains over 200 diagnostic categories grouped into 17 major categories & five dimensions (or axes)
Five Axes of DSM-V-TR (guidelines for making decisions about symptoms; attempts to address the ‘whole person’ )
• Axis I (principal disorder needing immediate attention)
• Axis II (personality disorders contributing to the above disorder)
• Axis III (general medical information relevant to above disorder)
• Axis IV (psychosocial & environmental problems contributing to disorder)
• Axis V (global assessment of level of functioning – how are they coping?)
Studying Psychological Disorders: Classifying Abnormal Behavior (Cont.)
Labelling with the DSM While the DSM is the accepted manual for
diagnosing mental disorders, there are many who argue its limitations
Biggest argument – definitions are too vague For example: Manic depressive or bipolar
Mood Disorders are characterized by dramatic "mood swings" or episodes of Mania or Major Depression.
Is there still an advantage to using the guide?
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorder: overwhelming apprehension & fear accompanied by autonomic nervous system (ANS) arousal
Five Major Types:1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder2. Panic Disorder3. Phobias4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)5. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
(Discussed in Chapter 3)
Five Types of Anxiety Disorders
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: persistent, uncontrollable, & free-floating anxiety
2. Panic Disorder: sudden & inexplicable panic attacks
Anxiety Disorders (Continued)
3. Phobia: intense, irrational fear & avoidance of a specific object or situation
4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): intrusive, repetitive, fearful thoughts (obsessions), with urges to perform repetitive, ritualistic, behaviors (compulsions), or both
5. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): anxiety disorder following extraordinary stress (discussed in Chapter 3)
Anxiety Disorders (Continued)
Explanations of Anxiety DisordersPsychological--faulty cognitions, maladaptive learning
Biological--evolution, genetics, brain functioning, biochemistry
Sociocultural—environmental stressors, cultural socialization
Anxiety Disorders (Continued)
Mood Disorders
Mood Disorders: characterized by extreme disturbances in emotional states
Two Main Types of Mood Disorders:• Major Depressive Disorder: long-lasting
depressed mood that interferes with the ability to function, feel pleasure, or maintain interest in life
• Bipolar Disorder: repeated episodes of mania & depression
Mood Disorders (Continued)
Note how major depressive disorders differ from bipolar disorders on this hypothetical graph.
Explanations of Mood Disorders
Biological--brain functioning, neurotransmitter imbalances, genetics, evolution
Psychosocial--environmental stressors, disturbed interpersonal relationships, faulty thinking, poor self-concept, learned helplessness, faulty attributions
Mood Disorders (Continued) Gender & Cultural
Diversity: Culture-general
symptoms for depression (e.g., sad affect, lack of energy)
Women more often depressed. Why? Combination of biological, psychological, & social forces (biopsychosocial model)
Social Psychological
Biological
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia: group of psychotic disorders, characterized by a general loss of contact with reality
Five areas of major disturbance:1. Perception (hallucinations) 2. Language (word salad, neologisms) 3. Thoughts (psychosis, delusions) 4. Emotion (exaggerated or flat affect)5. Behavior [unusual actions (e.g., catalepsy,
waxy flexibility)]
Subtypes of Schizophrenia
Explanations of Schizophrenia:
Biological: genetic predisposition, disruptions in neurotransmitters, brain abnormalities
Psychosocial: diathesis-stress model, disturbed family communication
Schizophrenia (Continued)
Genetics & Schizophrenia
Note the differing amounts of brain activity in the normal, schizophrenia, and depressed brains. (Warmer colors = more activity)
Disturbed Brain Activity in Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia (Continued)
Gender & Cultural Diversity: Numerous culturally general symptoms, but significant differences exist in:
• prevalence • form • onset • prognosis
Other DisordersSubstance-related disorder (abuse of,
or dependence on, a mood- or behavior-altering drug)
Two general groups: Substance abuse (interferes with social
or occupational functioning) Substance dependence (causes physical
reactions, such as tolerance & withdrawal)
Other Disorders: Substance-Related Disorder
Other Disorders (Continued) People with substance-related disorders also commonly suffer other psychological disorders, a condition known as comorbidity.
Other Disorders (Continued)
Dissociative Disorders: splitting apart (dis-association) of experience from memory or consciousness
Types of Dissociative Disorders: Dissociative Amnesia Dissociative Fugue Depersonalization Disorder Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Other Disorders (Continued)
Best known dissociative disorder: Dissociative Identity
Disorder (DID): presence of two or more distinct personality systems in the same person at different times (previously known as multiple personality disorder)
Personality Disorder: inflexible, maladaptive personality traits causing significant impairment of social & occupational functioning
Two types of personality disorders: Antisocial Personality Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder
(BPD)
Other Disorders (Continued)
Antisocial Personality Disorder: profound disregard for, & violation of, the rights of others
Key Traits: egocentrism, lack of conscience, impulsive behavior, & superficial charm
Other Disorders (Continued)
Explanations of Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Biological: genetic predisposition, abnormal brain functioning
• Psychological: abusive parenting, inappropriate modeling
Other Disorders (Continued)
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD):
impulsivity & instability in mood, relationships, & self-image
Explanations of BPD:• Psychological--childhood history of
neglect, emotional deprivation, abuse • Biological--genetic inheritance,
impaired brain functioning
Other Disorders (Continued)
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