Download MENTAL HEALTH

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
DIAGNOSING DISORDERS
WHEN IS IT A DISORDER?
World Health Organization (WHO) reports (2008)
that some 450 million people suffer from mental
or behavioral disorders.
 Psychological disorders are patterns of thoughts,
feelings or behaviors that are deviant, distressful,
and dysfunctional. (Standards for “deviant”
will vary by culture and time; for example, in the
case of homosexuality.)
 To classify disorders, we use the DSM-V
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Illness

ANXIETY DISORDERS
ANXIETY DISORDERS

DISORDERS THAT SHARE FEATURES OF
EXCESSIVE and PERSISTENT FEAR AND
ANXIETY
FEAR: response to real or perceived eminent threat
 ANXIETY: anticipation of future threat


SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:


WORRY, TREMBLING, MUSCLE TENSION,
DIARRHEA, DIZZINESS, FAINTNESS, HEART
PALPATATIONS, DIFFICULTY BREATHING, CHEST
PAIN, FEAR WITH NO KNOW CAUSE OR WITH A
KNOWN CAUSE (PHOBIAS)
COMORBIDITY: simultaneous presence of 2 or
more psych. disorders
ANXIETY DISORDERS




INCLUDE: GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER,
SPECIFIC PHOBIC DISORDERS, SOCIAL
ANXIETY DISORDER, AGORAPHOBIA, PANIC
DISORDER; in children: SEPARATION ANXIETY
DISORDER & SELECTIVE MUTISM
SUBSTANCE INDUCED ANXIETY DISORDERS OR
DUE TO ANOTHER MEDICAL CONDITION
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER has been
reassigned to it’s own catgeory
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER(PTSD) has
been reassigned to a category known as TRAUMAAND STRESSOR- RELATED DISORDERS
ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders may arise due to biological
reasons such as varying levels of
neurotransmitters possibly influence by
hormonal changes.
 They can also be sustained from conditioning
(learning) and compulsive behaviors (which
reduce the uncomfortable feelings of the anxiety)
reinforce themselves.

ANXIETY DISORDERS

Treatments options
Anti-depressants or sometimes anti-anxiety meds
such as prozac, zoloft, xanax, valium, etc.
 Biofeedback…learn your body’s signs; EEG and
brain stimulation can be utilized, too.
 Counterconditioning: pair stimulus with NEW
response
 Exposure therapy: expose them to what they fear
Systematic desensitization (Wolpe) is gradual;
flooding is dramatic
 Virtual reality exposure therapy (PTSD)

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE &
RELATED DISORDERS

TERMS TO KNOW:
OBSESSIONS ARE REACURRING THOUGHTS
 COMPULSIONS ARE BEHAVIORS

INCLUDES
 OCD
 BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
 HOARDING DISORDER
 HAIR-PULLING (TRICHOTILLOMANIA)
 SKIN-PICKING (EXCORIATION)
 SUBSTANCE INDUCED…

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE &
RELATED DISORDERS




TREATMENTS
Anti-depressants or sometimes anti-anxiety meds such
as prozac, zoloft, xanax, valium, etc.
Counterconditioning OR re-conditioning: pair stimulus
with NEW response
Cognitive-behavioral therapy: address the thoughts
(obsessions) as well as the behaviors (compulsions)
FEEDING & EATING DISORDERS
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
 BULIMIA NERVOSA
 PICA- eating nonnutritive, nonfood substances
 AVOIDANT/RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE
DISORDER
 BINGE-EATING DISORDER- recurrent episodes
of binge eating.

EATING DISORDERS
EATING DISORDERS
EATING DISORDERS

TREATMENTS
Depending on the severity of the disorder,
hospitalization or a residential treatment facility (6
weeks or longer) may be necessary
 If it is stemming from anxiety and/or OCD
medications may prove helpful, especially antidepressants
 Cognitive-behavioral therapy will address both
thoughts and behaviors so it is the most effective

MOOD DISORDERS
DISORDERS MARKED BY EMOTIONAL
DISTRUBANCES OF VARIED KINDS THAT
MAY SPILL OVER TO DISRUPT PHYSICAL,
PERCEPTUAL, SOCIAL, AND THOUGHT
PROCESSES
 ARE OFTEN EPISODIC
 2 TYPES: UNIPOLAR (Depressive) AND
BIPOLAR
 OFTEN DIAGNOSED IN TERMS OF
FREQUENCY OF EPISODE AND DEGREE

MOOD DISORDERS

DEPRESSIVE

BIPOLAR
MOOD DISORDERS
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (severe
depressive mood for over 2 weeks, maybe paired
with suicidal thoughts/actions), DYSTHYMIC
DISORDER (chronic depression for over 2 years),
 BIPOLAR DISORDER (FORMERLY KNOWN AS
MANIC-DEPRESSIVE) (alternating low depressed
mood and elevated, manic mood)
 Symptoms of depression and vary in extremes as
can symptoms of mania…often mania appears to be
a positive reprieve from the depression but it may
lead a person to behave extremely and dangerously

MOOD DISORDERS
Because mood disorders involve extreme
emotions and our emotions are influenced by our
thoughts, cognitive therapies are often helpful.
 Cognitive-behavioral therapy attempts to alter
the way people think and the way they behave.
It attempts to replace irrational thoughts with
more adaptive thoughts and to develop a more
positive approach to everyday settings.

MOOD DISORDERS
Anti-depressant medications are also helpful.
SSRI’s such as Prozac are some of the most
widely prescribed medications to help treat
psychological symptoms.
 For BIPOLAR DISORDER lithium is a key drug
to help stabilize moods.

SOMATOFORM DISORDERS
SOMATOFORM DISORDERS


PHYSICAL AILMENTS THAT CANNOT BE
FULLY EXPLAINED BY ORGANIC
CONDITIONS AND ARE LARGELY DUE TO
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
Do not assume that they are faking their
illnesses, though! malingering is a term for
disorders that are faked and fit into a different
category.
SOMATOFORM DISORDERS

INCLUDE:
SOMATIZATION DISORDER: history of multiple
physical symptoms but are not due to a physical
disorder or injury; ex: stress induced illness
 CONVERSION DISORDER: one or more symptoms
or deficits affecting voluntary movement and sensory
functioning, neurological in nature
 HYPOCHONDRIASIS: preoccupation with the fear
or belief that one has a serious physical disease based
on incorrect/exaggerated interpretation of symptoms
 BODY DISMORPHIC DISORDER: excessive
preoccupation with an imagined defect in physical
appearance (shares features with OCD)

SOMATOFORM DISORDERS
In some cultures it is more acceptable to seek
treatment for physical ailments than
psychological ones.
 To treat somatoform disorders, Freud utilized
free association in hopes the underlying problem
would be revealed. (hysteria was a name used for
what is now known as conversion disorder)
 Cognitive behavioral therapy is common to help
people manage their out of control thoughts,
especially in the case of hypochondria.
 Counterconditioning is helpful if being sick has
been routinely reinforced. Start reinforcing being
healthy.

DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
CLASS OF DISORDERS IN WHICH PEOPLE
LOSE CONTACT WITH PORTIONS OF THEIR
CONSCIOUSNESS OR MEMORY, RESULTING
IN DISRUPTIONS IN THEIR SENSE OF
IDENTITY.
 SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:

NEGATIVE: “LOSING TIME,” MEMORY
DEFICITS,
 POSITIVE: DEVELOPMENT OF DIFFERENT
PERSONALITIES, UNEXPLAINED TRAVEL

DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
INCLUDE: AMNESIA,
DEPERSONALIZATION/DEREALIZATION
DISORDER, AND DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY
DISORDER (DID).
 D.I.D. IS OFTEN CONFUSED WITH
SCHIZOPHRENIA BUT THEY ARE CLINICALLY
NOT ALIKE AT ALL.
 Often dissociative disorders occur in conjunction
with anxiety, personality, and mood disorders.
 FUGUE (unexplained travel) may accompany
 D.I.D. is often linked to severe childhood trauma, it
is theorized that the development of alternate
identities is a defense mechanism for coping with
trauma.

DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
Often associated with trauma, and trauma
disorders sometimes illustrate dissociation.
Similar treatments may be effective
 Stress enhances symptoms, therefore, stress
management techniques are critical
 In dealing with dissociative disorders traditional
talk therapy is used as well as family therapy.
 Hypnosis has been utilized, but this therapy is as
controversial as the diagnosis.
 Medications are typically not effective.

SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM &
OTHER PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM &
OTHER PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

Define by abnormalities in one of the following:







Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized thinking (speech)
Abnormal motor behavior (catatonia)
Negative symptoms (loss or lack of adaptive behaviors)
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:
HEARING OF VOICES, EMOTIONALLY
VOLATILE, IRRATIONAL THOUGHTS,
DISREGARD FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE,
DELUSIONAL THOUGHTS
DELUSIONS are false beliefs that are maintained
even though they clearly are out of touch with reality.
SCHIZOPHRENIC DISORDERS
May illustrate as: PARANOID, CATATONIC,
DISORGANIZED, AND UNDIFFERENTIATED
 Paranoid type is dominated by delusions of
persecution and grandeur
 Catatonic is marked by striking motor
disturbances
 Disorganized type is evident by severe
deterioration of adaptive behavior
 POSITIVE SYMPTOMS ARE THE PRESENCE
OF SYMPTOMS & NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS
ARE THE ABSENCE OF NORMAL
BEHAVIORS.

SCHIZOPHRENIC DISORDERS
Schizophrenia has been linked to excessive
amounts of dopamine receptors, and it is
assumed that it is the high levels of dopamine
contribute to positive symptoms such as
hallucinations. Dopamine blocking medications
prove to be helpful with these symptoms.
 Abnormal brain activity a various places may
also be a factor in schizophrenia. Sometimes
electro-convulsive shock therapy has been
attempted to help treat.
 There are strong hereditary links to
schizophrenia

PERSONALITY DISORDERS
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
EXTREME, INFLEXIBLE PERSONALITY
TRAITS THAT CAUSE SUBJECTIVE
DISTRESS OR IMPAIRED SOCIAL AND
OCCUPATIONAL FUNCTIONING
 Can be a contributing factor to the development
of other disorders. COMORBIDITY
 Some overlap of symptoms, so may be difficult to
distinguish from similar disorders.
 DSM-V recognizes 10 different personality
disorders.

PERSONALITY DISORDERS
ANXIOUS/FEARFUL CLUSTER INCLUDES:
AVOIDANT, DEPENDENT, & OBSESSIVECOMPULSIVE
 ODD/ECCENTRIC CLUSTER INCLUDE:
SCHIZOID, SCHIZOTYPAL, PARANOID
 DRAMATIC/IMPULSIVE CLUSTER
INCLUDES: HISTRIONIC (extremely dramatic,
needs to be center of attention), NARCISSISTIC
(extremely self absorbed with a sense of
superiority), BORDERLINE (extreme emotions,
fear of abandonment, difficulty relationships),
AND ANTISOCIAL (disregard for the value of
others, deceitful, maybe violent or criminal)

PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Often people with personality disorders don’t
recognize that there is a problem until it involves
others. Treatment is difficult.
 Group or family therapy: This approach is
helpful in drawing attention to behaviors by one
that are causing distress in others.
 Genetics has shown to be linked in people with
personality disorders (most studied is antisocial).
 Drug and alcohol abuse is often an issue, so
treatments for this behavior could be helpful as
well.

NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
NEURODEVELOPMENTAL
DISORDERS
There are a wide range of disorders and
symptoms illustrated in this category. What ties
them all together is that symptoms are seen
early on and therefore diagnosis will occur in
childhood.
 Examples include: Autism spectrum disorder,
Tourette’s syndrome (under “Motor disorders”),
ADD/ADHD, specific learning disorder,
communication disorders, intellectual disabilities

NEURODEVELOPMENTAL
DISORDERS

Autism: a disorder that appears in childhood and
is marked by deficient communication, social
interaction, and understanding of others’ states
of mind.

Asperger’s: is a disorder that falls on the “autism
spectrum.” It is considered a “high functioning” form
of autism, marked by normal intelligence but deficits
in social interactions and communication are
apparent.
Genetic and prenatal factors seem to contribute
to the development of autism.
 Treatment options range based on the severity of
the disorder.

NEURODEVELOPMENTAL
DISORDERS
Tourette’s syndrome has also been consider a
part of the autism spectrum, but I don’t believe
all experts agree on this.
 Symptoms include repetitive behaviors, AKA
“tics” that can take the form of verbal words or
physical actions (hand flapping, head, shoulder,
or facial twitching)
 Biofeedback…knowing one’s triggers is effective
treatment

NEURODEVELOPMENTAL
DISORDERS
Attention deficit disorder (with or w/o
hyperactivity) is diagnosed when a range of
symptoms are illustrated which can include
impulsivity, hyperactivity, and extreme
inattention.
 Health care professionals have been guilty of over
diagnosing this disorder, so improvements have
been made in helping them make more proper
diagnosis.
 Common treatment includes the use of
stimulants such as Ritalin. Behavioral therapy
including impulse control is important, too.

DISRUPTIVE, IMPULSE-CONTROL,
CONDUCT DISORDERS
Oppositional defiant disorder is marked by
outward behaviors of anger, aggression, and
hostility and typically directed at authority
figures. These children have extreme difficulty
complying with rules and often challenge adults.
 Treatments typically include family therapy to
teach children and parents how to work with one
another. Also, behavioral modification and
rewarding the child when they are compliant can
be effective.

DISRUPTIVE, IMPULSE-CONTROL,
CONDUCT DISORDERS

OTHERS INCLUDE:
Conduct disorder (childhood vs. adolescent onset)
 Antisocial personality disorder
 Pyromania
 Kleptomania

NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS
DEMENTIA
Is a symptom, not a disorder in itself.
 Dementia is the erosion of mental function and
can be a result of stroke, tumors, Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s disease, and drug/alcohol
abuse.
