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.
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