Psychological Disorders

Sign-In What words are used to describe Psychological Disorders?

Therapy for a Caveman

Psychological Disorders

In order to understand psychology disorders, we must go back to the definition of psychology itself:

Psychology – The scientific study of behavior and cognitive processes

Psychological Disorders

Behaviors and cognitive processes that cause serious personal suffering or interfere with the ability to cope with daily life

Fairly common 1/3 of people have some form of a

psychological disorder 23% of substance abusers experience

psychological disorders

Thought Question

How do we know what is normal?

In common usage, deviation from the majority is seen as abnormal

In Psych. – Abnormal is the exaggeration of normal behavior/cognitive processes

Typicality

Degree to which it is average or typical

Problem in defining normality

What about geniuses/cultural differences?

Maladaptivity

Impaired functioning in everyday life

Causes misery and distress

Harmful to self or others Criminal behavior – may

or may not be disordered

Emotional Discomfort Suffering Feelings of

hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt

Lose interest in enjoyable things

Feel that life is no longer worthwhile

Socially Unacceptable

Violates society’s accepted norms Culture-bound syndromes – what is

normal in one culture is considered abhorrent in others

Classification

DSM IV (1994) – Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Earlier versions – classifications based on presumed causes Psychoanalytic Theories Neuroses/Psychoses

DSM III (1980) – began classifications based on observable signs/behaviors

The DSM is always being revised

6 Categories of Disorders

Anxiety Dissociative Somatoform Personality Mood Schizophrenia