Psychology: Psychological Disorders

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psychological disorder

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abnormalities of the mind

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medical model

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the conceptualization of psychological abnormalities as diseases that have symptoms, causes, and possible cures
diagnosis, symptoms, syndrome

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DSM-IV-TR (3 elements to qualify as a disorder)

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describes the features used to diagnose each recognized mental disorder
indicates how disorder can be distinguished from others despite similarities
1. disturbances in behavior, thoughts or emotions
2. significant distress
3. internal dysfunction

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diagnosis difficulties

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not every abnormality is caused by disorder; usually more than one disorder is present; usually rely on self reports; depends on clinician

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comorbidity

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the co-occurance of two or more disorders in an individual

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diathesis-stress model

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an individual may be predisposed for a medical disorder that remains unexpressed until triggered by negative experiences
diathesis is internal
stress is external

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intervention-causation fallacy

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assuming that if a treatment is effective, it must address the cause of the problem

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anxiety disorder

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symptoms: chronic excessive worry, restlessness, fatigue, lack concentration, muscle tension, sleep disturbances
cause: unknown, possibly from stressful situations, major life changes
treatment: GABA transmitters

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phobic disorder (specific and social)

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persistent excessive fear and avoidance of specific objects, activities, or situations
specific phobia: irrational fear of a particular objects or situations that interferes with an individual's ability to function
social phobia: irrational fear of being publicly humiliated

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panic disorder

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symptoms: characterized by the sudden occurrence of multiple psychological and physiological symptoms that contribute to a feeling of stark terror

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agoraphobia

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fear of being in public places, having a panic attack in public places

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obsessive compulsive disorder

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symptoms: repetitive intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) that are performed to fend off thoughts
treatment: serotonin drugs, psychotherapy

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dissociative identity disorder (DID)

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the presence within an individual of two or more distinct identities that take control of individual's behavior
cause: negative childhood

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dissociative fugue

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the sudden loss of memory for one's personal history, accompanied by an abrupt departure from home and the assumption of a new identity
cause: unknown
treatment: ends abruptly as it started

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dissociative amnesia

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sudden loss of memory for one's personal information
cause: unknown
treatment: ends abruptly as it started

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major depression

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symptoms: depressed mood, feeling worthless, lack of pleasure, sleep and appetite disturbances
cause: lower SES, hormones, genetics, lack of neurotransmitters, brain abnormalities

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bipolar disorder

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unstable emotional condition characterized by cycles of abnormal, persistent high mood (mania) and low mood (depression)
cause: biochemical imbalances

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schizophrenia

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profound disruption of basic psychological processes, distorted perception of reality, altered emotions, disturbances in thought, motivation, and behavior, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, emotional and/or social withdrawal
cause: excess dopamine, brain tissue loss, negative environment

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schizoid personality

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socially awkward, detached from normal social relationships, little pleasure from life, doesn't want or need closeness, does not take action during negative events

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schizotypal personality

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unusual beliefs, disorganized thoughts, anxious in social situations, suspicious of others, thinks others are looking at them

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paranoid personality

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extremely distrustful of others, interprets non-threatening situations as threatening, holds grudges for small offenses, jealous, argumentative

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antisocial personality

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disregard for others, doesn't care about feelings or rights, little respect for laws, cold hearted, lying, easily irritated, reckless, lack of remorse

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borderline personality

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intense behavior, relationships, emotions and maybe violent, shifting view of self, shifting view of relationships
cause: usually parents not available

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histrionic personality

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excessive attention seeking, sexually provocative, suggestive, overly dramatic, shallow opinions, need for attention

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narcissistic personality

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strong need to be admired, sense of self importance, feels superior, no insight to other's feelings, high self esteem easily damaged, envious of others

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avoidant personality

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sensitive to criticism, low self esteem, not good enough, doesn't engage in activities for fear of being embarrassed

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dependent personality

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needs to be taken care of constantly, acts submissive, cannot work alone, struggles to make decisions, avoids arguments, may stay in abusive relationship to maintain support from someone

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obsessive compulsive personality

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need to maintain order, works instead of relaxing, strives for perfection, inflexible

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preparedness theory

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the idea that people are predisposed towards certain fears
ex. spider, cockroaches

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helplessness theory

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no control for the events in our lives, attribute to thoughts and feelings of helplessness

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dysthymia

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the same cognitive and bodily problems as in depression, but they are less severe and last longer- at least 2 years

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double depression

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someone with dysthymia experiences an episode of major depression

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seasonal affective disorder

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recurrent depressive episodes in a seasonal pattern

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postpartum depression

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some women experience after giving birth