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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)