Me 5.3 Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders Flashcards
psychological disorder
A disturbance in peoples’ thoughts, emotions or behaviours that cause distress or suffering and impairs their daily lives.
dysfunction
any impairment or breakdown in a person’s thinking, emotional regulation, or behaviour that reflects significant dysfunction in psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning
Distress
unpleasant emotional states or experiences, particularly in response to stressful situations or events
medical model
the concept that diseases— in this case, psychological disorders —have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and, in most cases, cured, often through treatment in a hospital.
Level of Dysfunction
Degree to which behavior interferes with daily functioning
Example: Inability to maintain employment due to severe anxiety
Perception of Distress
Individual’s experience of emotional or psychological pain
Example: Feeling persistent sadness or hopelessness
Deviation from Social Norm
Behaviour that deviates significantly from societal expectations
Example: Extreme aggression or withdrawal from social interactions
The diathesis-stress model
the concept that genetic predispositions (diathesis) combine with environmental stressors (stress) to influence psychological disorder.
Example: A person with a genetic predisposition for anxiety developing the disorder after a traumatic event
It emphasises the interaction between genetics and environment
The biological perspective
examines physiological and genetic causes of mental disorders
Example: Neurotransmitter imbalances leading to depression
Biological treatments include medication and other medical interventions
The biopsychosocial model
assumes psychological problems involve a combination
of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors
Example: Depression influenced by genetic predisposition,
negative thinking patterns, and social isolation
The evolutionary perspective
Maladaptive forms of behaviours that enabled human survival.
Example: Fear responses that may be excessive in modern contexts
DSM-5-TR
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision; a widely
used system for classifying psychological disorders.
The sociocultural perspective
Problematic social and cultural contexts.
Example: Cultural stigma around mental illness affecting treatment-seeking behaviour.
The humanistic perspective
Lack of social support and the inability to fulfil one’s potential
Example: Feeling isolated and unfulfilled leading to depression
The cognitive perspective
Maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, or emotions
Example: Negative self-talk leading to anxiety and depression
The behavioural perspective
Focus: Maladaptive learned associations between stimuli and responses
Example: Phobias developed through classical conditioning
The eclectic approach
combines multiple psychological perspectives
Example: Integrating different forms of therapy and/or psychopharmacology
The psychodynamic perspective
Unconscious thoughts and experiences, often from childhood
Example: Repressed memories influencing adult behaviour
International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)
Developed by the World Health Organisation
Positive Consequences of labelling disorders
Access to appropriate treatment and support
Example: Receiving medication and therapy for depression
Negative Consequences of labelling disorders
Potential for stigma and discrimination
Example: Being labeled and treated differently by others
