Module 13 Flashcards
Psychological disorder
defined differently by different theorists and in different contexts
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
the manual published by the American Psychiatric Association which classifies, describes, and presents diagnostic criteria for psychological disorders.
How does The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) define a psychological disorder
two primary conditions exist in any psychological disorder: Psychological dysfunction: A breakdown in mental functioning cognitive, emotional, or behavioral
b. Impairment in functioning.
Problems experienced in important areas of life as a result of the psychological symptoms. For example, trouble at work, school, or personal relationships, or trouble with the law.
Abnormal psychology
the scientific study of of these states of mind and behavior that deviate.
The Myth of Mental Illness View:
proposed by Thomas Szasz. Mental illness is really a metaphor for problems in living and does not refer to actual illness or disease processes. Emphasized that people should have the right to be given any sort of treatment for their symptoms they deem fit.
Involuntary commitment
Primarily concerned with individuals being committed to psychiatric institutions against their will
Deinstitutionalization:
trend to do everything possible to keep patients out of mental institutions
Medical model
this model of psychological disorders in which the disorders are framed as actual illnesses with specific causes and which necessitate treatment with psychotherapy, medication, or some other process.
Stigma
possible negative social and psychological consequences to a person of merely being labeled with a mental illness diagnosis
The Harmful Dysfunction View
Disorder exists when symptoms cause harm according to subjective social or cultural judgments, and there is objective evidence of dysfunction. Dysfunction is said to exist only when a psychological characteristic or mechanism is not performing the function for which it evoloved through natural selection.
Schizophrenia
group of related psychotic disorders characterized by severely distorted perception and experience of reality, disorganized thought and speech, and inappropriate emotions or emotional responses
Psychotic disorders
disorders characterized by severely impaired ability to grasp reality and respond rationally
Positive symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia which include the addition of something to a person’s behavior which are not expected of a mentally healthy person.
Negative symptoms
Less obvious symptoms which include the absence of characteristics which are expected of a mentally healthy person
Depressive and Bipolar Disorders
Depression, Mania, Major depression, and bipolar disorder
Depression
A mood state characterized by exaggerated and prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, grief, guilt, and low feelings of self-worth
Mania
Characterized by ceaseless energy that may be expressed as exaggerated feelings of elation, unrealistically high self-esteem, and racing thoughts
Major depression
diagnosed when an individual shows signs of depression consistently for at least two weeks
hopelessness theory
revised version of Learned Helplessness) , the cognitive style most likely to lead to depression has three characteristics
1st characteristic of hopelessness theory
Negative events attributed to internal causes and personal failings
2nd characteristic of hopelessness theory
Causes of negative events are thought to be stable and global.
3rd characteristic of hopelessness theory
Severe negative consequences are anticipated to follow from negative events
Anxiety
Anxiety is an unpleasant feeling of tension, physiological arousal (e.g., increased heart rate), and apprehension or worry that greets us when we anticipate some sort of threat
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety, OCD (contamination obsession, doubt obsession and symmetry obsession) specific phobia, panic disorder and panic attack, and PTSD
Specific Phobia
abnormal responses to unrealistic perceptions of danger, irrational, powerful, highly specific, and disruptive. The most common, but frequently the least disabling.
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Panic attacks may be as brief as a minute or as long as an hour or even longer, although the average panic attack reaches a peak at about 10 minutes
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic exposure to death, threats of death, or extreme violence may result in PTSD
A generally chronic anxiety disorder characterized by three basic symptoms
1st symptom of PTSD
Re-experiencing the traumatic event in nightmares, daytime “flashbacks,” or intrusive thoughts
2nd symptom of PTSD
Numbing—feelings of detachment from others, loss of interest in activities, and a restricted range of emotional responses
3rd symptom of PTSD
Symptoms of physiological arousal resulting in sleep problems, bursts of anger, or an exaggerated startle response
Obsessive-Compulsive personality disorder
Preoccupied with order, perfection, and control; lack of flexibility and openness to new experiences
Personality disorders
Personality disorders are pervasive, chronic patterns of dysfunctional thinking and relating to the world which generally begin in adolescence and last throughout a person’s lifespan
Antisocial personality disorder
Violation of the rights of others; lack of empathy; reckless and impulsive; callous; lack of remorse; deceitfulness, often criminal behavior; aggression and violence, substance abuse
Paranoid Personality disorder
Distrust and suspiciousness of others, easily offended, hyper-vigilant (always on the lookout)
Narcissistic personality disorder
Need for admiration, lack of empathy with others beliefs than one is special and the rules of others don’t apply, seemingly high self-esteem that is actually easily crushed
Borderline personality disorder
Rollercoaster emotions and relationships, unstable self-image, lack of control over impulses, fear of abandonment, tendency to self-harm, feelings of emptiness neediness and mistrust
