Categories of Mental Disorder

Question 1

Diagnosis of a Mental Disorder

Answer 1

Mental health professionals refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) when diagnosing mental disorders.

Question 2

Labelling

Answer 2

Describes the process of classifying and naming a mental disorder following a diagnosis.

Question 3

Stigma

Answer 3

A sign of social unacceptability or undesirability.

Question 4

Social Stigma

Answer 4

Refers to the negative attitudes and beliefs held in the wider community that lead people to fear, reject, avoid and discriminate against people with a mental disorder.

Question 5

Self Stigma

Answer 5

Occurs when an individual accepts the negative views of others and applies them to themselves.

Question 6

Categories of Mental Disorder

Answer 6

Addiction disorders
- gambling disorder
Anxiety disorders
Mood disorders
Personality disorders
Psychotic disorders
- schizophrenia

Question 7

Addiction

Answer 7

Refers to a condition in which someone feels a recurring urge to use a substance or engage in an activity despite potentially harmful consequences.

Question 8

Characteristics of Addiction

Answer 8

• Activation of the brains reward system
• Reduced self control
• Tolerance involving decreased sensitivity to the substance or activity over time
• Persistent and repeated thoughts, feelings and behaviour associated with the addictive substance or activity
• Withdrawal - unpleasant physical or psychological reactions when use of the substance or activity is reduced or discontinued

Question 9

Types of Addiction Disorder

Answer 9

Substance related:

• Alcohol-related disorders
• Caffeine-related disorders
• Cannabis-related disorders
• Hallucinogen-related disorders
• Inhalant-related disorders
• Opiod-related disorders
• Sedative-related disorders
• Stimulant-related disorders
• Tobacco-related disorders

Non-substance related:
- Gambling disorder

Question 10

Gambling

Answer 10

Any activity in which something of value is put at risk in the hope of obtaining something of higher value.

Question 11

Problem Gambling

Answer 11

Characterised by difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to negative consequences for the gambler, for others or for the community.

Question 12

Gambling Disorder

Answer 12

Defined by the DSM-5 as persistent and recurring maladaptive gambling behaviour that disrupts everyday personal, family and/or vocational activities.

Question 13

Factors Contributing to Gambling Disorder

Answer 13

Biological
- Dopamine reward system
Psychological
- Cognitive distortions
Social
- Social acceptability of gambling

Question 14

Dopamine Reward Systems

Answer 14

A group of neural pathways that, when stimulated, results in pleasurable effects. These positive feelings reinforce behaviours. The mesolimbic system is in the midbrain and has connections that extend to the cerebral cortex. Neurons in this system release dopamine.

Question 15

Cognitive Distortions

Answer 15

Inaccurate thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that can lead to poor decision making.

Question 16

Illusion of Control

Answer 16

The mistaken belief that they can influence random, unpredictable events with their own thoughts and actions.

Question 17

Gamblers Fallacy

Answer 17

The mistaken belief that in a series of independent chance events, future events can be predicted from past events.