Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders Flashcards
Psychological disorders
persistently harmful thoughts, feelings, and actions (view by mental health workers)
When behavior is deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional
psychiatrists and psychologists label it as disordered.
When behavior is —, —, and —– psychiatrists and psychologists label it as disordered.
deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional
behavior in one culture may be considered normal, while in others it may lead to arrest.
Deviant
Situational Context
Social situation, behavioral setting, or general circumstances in which behavior takes place
Cultural Relativity
Judgments are made relative to the values of one’s culture
Deviant behavior must accompany
distress
If a behavior is ——- it is clearly
a disorder.
dysfunctional
The American Psychiatric Association rendered a
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to describe psychological disorders.
describes nearly 300 psychological disorders compared to 60 in the 1950s.
The DSM-IV-TR
Insanity
A legal term;
refers to an inability to manage one’s affairs or to be unaware of the consequences of one’s actions
Those judged insane (by a court of law)
are not held legally accountable for their actions
Anxiety
Feelings of apprehension, dread, or
uneasiness
Adjustment Disorders
When ongoing stressors cause emotional disturbance and push people
beyond their ability to effectively cope
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
- Persistent and uncontrollable tenseness and
apprehension. 2. Autonomic arousal. 3. Inability to identify or avoid the cause of
certain feelings.
Panic Disorder
Minutes-long episodes of intense dread which may include feelings of terror, chest pains, choking, shortness of breath or irregular heartbeat.
Top 10 Fears of Men and Women Combined - 2000
- Fear of snakes 2. Fear of being buried alive 3. Fear of heights 4. Fear of being bound or tied up 5. Fear of drowning 6. Fear of public speaking 7. Fear of hell 8. Fear of cancer 9. Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes 10.Fear of fire
Top 5 Fears of Men
- Fear of being buried alive 2. Fear of heights 3. Fear of snakes 4. Fear of drowning 5. Fear of public speaking
Top 5 Fears of Women
- Fear of snakes 2. Fear of being bound or
tied up - Fear of being buried alive 4. Fear of heights 5. Fear of public speaking
What Else Do We Fear
- Giving a speech (36%) more than meeting new people (12%)
- Embarrassing ourselves in a sport (44%) more than asking someone out for a date (35%)
- Being stranded in the ocean (62%) more than being stranded in the desert (24%)
- The IRS (57%) more than God (30%)
What Else Do We Fear (2/2)
• BUT, we equally fear • Rats and dentists (58%) • Elevators and flying (52%) • Public speaking and being alone in the woods
(40%)
Phobia
Marked by a persistent and irrational fear of an object or situation that disrupts behavior
Agoraphobia
Phobia of open places
Acrophobia
Phobia of heights
Claustrophobia
Phobia of closed spaces
Hemophobia
Phobia of blood
Obsession
persistence of unwanted thoughts
Examples of obsessions
– Concerns with dirt, germs, or toxins – Something terrible happening (fire, death or illness) – Symmetry, order or exactness
Compulsions
urges to engage in senseless rituals
Examples of compulsions
– Excessive hand washing, bathing, tooth brushing, or grooming
– Repeating rituals (in/out of a door, up/down from a chair)
– Checking doors, locks, appliances, car brake, homework
% of the population will develop OCD
2-3%
OCD more common among
——
teens and young adults
OCD tends
to run in families
Exposure therapy helps
Patient is exposed to the situation that brings
on the compulsive behavior, but is prevented
from engaging in it.
Antidepressant drugs can help
OCD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
An anxiety disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic event.
Four or more weeks of the following symptoms constitute post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):
- Haunting memories 2. Nightmares 3. Social withdrawal 4. Jumpy anxiety 5. Sleep problems
Antisocial Personality Disorder
A person who lacks a conscience, typically emotionally shallow, impulsive, selfish, and manipulative toward others
• Create a good first impression and are often charming
Antisocial Personality Disorder oftentimes called
psychopaths or sociopaths
Histrionic
Seek a lot of attention and tend to overreact.
Narcissistic
Have an unrealistic sense of self-importance, cannot take criticism, manipulate people, and lack empathy
Borderline
Often emotionally unstable, impulsive, unpredictable, irritable, and anxious
Forms of mood disorders
- Major depressive disorder 2. Bipolar disorder
Major Depressive Disorder
occurs when signs of depression last two weeks or more and are not caused by drugs or medical conditions
Signs of Major Depressive Disorder
- Lethargy and fatigue 2. Feelings of worthlessness 3. Loss of interest in family & friends 4. Loss of interest in activities
Depression: Age of First Onset
- Seldom identified before adolescence
- Diagnoses increase in early adulthood
- Most commonly diagnosed in middle age
- First diagnoses rare among the elderly
Sex Differences in Depression
- Equally common in boys and girls during puberty
* Afterwards, women are twice as likely to experience depression as men
Sex Diffs in Depression: Hormonal Differences
• Women experience more rapid hormonal changes than men do (menstrual cycles, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause)
Sex Diffs in Depression: Coping Style Differences
- Men generally try to distract themselves when they are feeling depressed.
- Women tend to dwell on their feelings more.
Genetic Predisposition to Depression
- Probability of becoming depressed is increased if close biological relatives have/had depression.
- Having adoptive relatives who have/had depression also increases that probability.
- Probability is especially high if biological relatives were diagnosed with depression before age 30.
Bipolar Disorder
When one’s moods alternate between extremes of mania and depression
% of US adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder
about 1%
-typically begins in early 20s
During mania,
person is constantly active and uninhibited
– may be very happy or very irritabl
Depressive Symptoms
Gloomy Withdrawn Inability to make decisions Tired Slowness of thought
Manic Symptoms
Elation Euphoria Desire for action Hyperactive Multiple ideas
Prevalence of Disorders: Sex and Geography
- Women suffer more than men from anxiety and mood disorders.
- Men suffer more than women from substance abuse and antisocial disorders.
- Rural Americans just as likely as urbanites to suffer from disorders
