Mental Health: Characteristics of disorders and symptoms Flashcards
Anxiety disorder
A continuous feeling of fear and anxiety, which may be triggered by something that may seem trivial and or irrational to others.
(Anxiety = anticipation of future threat).
Fearful situations can be experienced on several levels:
-> Emotionally
-> Cognitively
-> physiologically
-> Behaviourally
What are the different levels that can be experienced (for anxiety disorder)?
Fearful situations can be experienced on several levels:
-> Emotionally:
We experience a sense of panic and alarm.
-> Cognitively:
We worry about what will happen and we may expect the worst outcome.
-> Physiologically:
We show several involuntary physical responses such as palpitations and tensed muscles.
-> Behaviourally:
We show a tendency to freeze or run away.
What are the DSM-V classifications for specific phobia?
(Characteristics of an anxiety disorder).
1- Marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable.
2- Exposure to phobic stimulus provokes immediate anxiety response.
3- The person recognises the fear as excessive.
4- The phobic situation is avoided.
5- The fear is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the specific object or situation.
6- The phobia disrupts the person’s normal life.
7- The phobia has lasted for more than 6 months in people under 18 years of age.
Example of an anxiety disorder
Phobia.
Affective disorder
Marked by a disturbance of mood or emotions, which prevents the individual from leading a ‘normal’ life at work, socially or within their family.
The mood change is usually unrelated to depression, but can also lead to episodes of elation and may fluctuate between the two.
Episodes are commonly separated by periods of normality. Symptoms of depression can include poor appetite, low energy, low self-esteem and feeling of hopelessness.
DSM-V Major depressive disorder symptoms.
(Characteristics of an affective disorder).
5 or more of the following symptoms during the same 2 week period:
1- Depressed mood most of the day (e.g., sad, empty, or hopelessness).
2- Markedly diminished interest in most activities.
3- Significant weight loss.
4- Insomnia most nights.
5- Fidgeting or lethargy.
6- Tiredness.
7- Feeling of worthlessness or guilt.
8- Diminished ability to concentrate.
9- Recurrent thoughts of death.
10- These symptoms are not caused by medication, or situational they are enough to hinder the person from important day to day life.
Example of affective disorder
Major depressive disorder - depression
Psychotic disorder
Abnormal condition of the mind.
A mental state often described as involving a “loss of contact with reality”.
May involve delusions and or hallucinations, disorganised speech, distortions in thought, feelings, and behaviour.
DSM-V classification of schizophrenia.
(Characteristics of a psychotic disorder).
2 or more of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a 1 month period:
A) Characteristic symptoms:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganised speech
- Grossly disorganised / catatonic behaviour
- Negative symptoms (e.g., diminished emotional expression).
PLUS
B- Social occupational dysfunction
C- Duration - continuous for 6 months
D - The disturbance is not due to a medical problem / drug abuse.
Example of psychotic disorder
Schizophrenia
What are the strengths of using a list of criteria to diagnose a disorder?
1- Allows for individuals to be diagnosed more easily - observing listed symptoms of their disorder (clear and straightforward).
2- Validates symptoms experiences.
3- Enables individuals to have better access to medication.
4- Practical application.
5- Updated, so up-to-date (constantly evolving) to be able to diagnose / help people better.
6- Standardises symptoms (all psychiatrists use the same list).
What are the weaknesses / limitations of using a list of criteria to diagnose a disorder?
1- Individual differences mean peoplpe might feel excluded.
2- Reductionist (expects individuals to fit into a singular category e.g., anxiety disorder).
3- Uses subjective based criteria, so there is a possibility of missing symptoms.
4- Psychology as a science - not objective.
5- “Stickiness of the diagnostic label” - leads to looking out for certain symptoms, especially if an individual is misdiagnosed (becomes self-fulfilling prophecy).
