Download Psychological Disorders

PSYCHOLOGICAL
DISORDERS
Chapter 13
Learning Objectives
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1. Introduction: Understanding Psychological Disorders
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2. Misconceptions about Psychological Disorders
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3. DSM V
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A.
B.
C.
D.
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4. Discuss Psychological Disorders in 4 Common Categories
Anxiety
Mood Disorders
Eating Disorders
Sleep Disorders
5. Suicide: Consequence of Psychological Problems
1. Introduction: Understanding Psychological Disorders
What is a Psychological Disorder?
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About 290 Specific Psychological Disorders
Psychological Disorder or Mental Disorder = A pattern of
behavioral or psychological symptoms that causes significant
personal distress, impairs the ability to function in one or more
important areas of life, or both.
The area of psychology and medicine helps us gain a more in-depth
understanding of psychological disorders through…
Psychopathology = the scientific study of the origins, symptoms and
development of psychological disorders.
2. Misconceptions about Psychological Disorders
1st - What is the dividing line between “normal” & “crazy”
behavior?
A. The difference between normal and abnormal behavior may be a
matter of degree a behavior happens.
 Normal = one may check 1 or 2 times to make sure the stove is off
 Abnormal = go back and check the stove 50 times
B. It is important to consider ones social and cultural norms when
determining between “normal” & “crazy” behavior.
 Normal = some cultures hear voices or talk to spirits
 Abnormal = most people in the U.S. would find this behavior
abnormal
2. Misconceptions about Psychological Disorders
2nd - When we see someone's behavior as weird or
out-of-the-ordinary we sometimes easily label them
as nuts, crazy, insane.
Maybe the labeled individual is only being creative or
expressing new ideas.
Example:
Inventions: “shark-suit” (easier to label crazy then to
test it)
 It is convenient to label
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2. Misconceptions about Psychological Disorders
3rd – Negative stereotypes are given to those with mental issues.
Example: Media & T.V.
 70% of characters labeled mentally ill are violent. A psychopathic murder who helps
catch another psychopathic killer… “The Silence of the Lambs” movie.
Study
Are people with a mental disorder more violent then other people?
Monitored Group #1 (Experimental Group)
 1,000 mental patients 1 year after they were discharged from psychiatric facilities
Monitored Group #2 (Control Group)
 Non-mental patients living in same neighborhood as the 1000 former mental patients
Findings
 Former mental patients did not have a high rate of violence then the comparison group
 Stronger predictors of violence are…
1. Living in impoverished neighborhoods
2. Drug and alcohol abuse
2. Misconceptions about Psychological Disorders
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Can you see how social stigmas associated with
psychological disorders and labels could effect
others? People may not want to seek help.
When determining if ones behavior is “normal” or
“abnormal” practice thinking of things that should
be considered before labeling a disorder.
3. DSM V
DSM V = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition
 Mental health professionals may refer to the DSM V. The DSM V is a book that
describes the specific symptoms and diagnostic guidelines for different
psychological disorders.
1. The first edition of DSM was published in 1952. The DSM V is the 2013 update to
the American Psychiatric Association's classification and diagnostic tool.
2. Describes approximately 290 specific psychological disorders
3. Includes:
A. Symptoms
B. Specific criteria must be met in order for a person to be diagnosed with that
disorder
C. Typical course for each mental disorder
The DSM V is broken down into “diagnostic categories”
Example: Eating Disorders
Each category has specific disorders related to that category
Example: Anorexia, Bulimia = 2 specific disorders under the category eating disorders
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Facts of Interest
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Studies show gender differences between certain
mental disorders.
Women suffer more from:
 Major
Depression
 Anxiety Disorders
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Men suffer more from:
 Substance
abuse (Dependence Disorders)
 Antisocial Personality Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders = Disruptive feelings of fear, apprehension, or anxiety, or distortions in
behavior that are anxiety related.
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You have anxiety attacks and feel like your are going to die; or you are afraid to do
things that most people can do; or you spend unusual amounts of time doing things like
washing your hands or counting your heartbeats.
Generalize Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A chronic state of tension and worry about work, relationships, ability, or impending
disaster.
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GAD most often strikes people in childhood and adolescence but can begin in
adulthood, too.
Phobias
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Is a fear that persists even when no realistic danger exists.
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Typically begins in childhood or early adolescence; rarely develops after age 25.
Anxiety Disorders
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Panic Disorder (With Agoraphobia)
 A chronic state of anxiety and brief moments of sudden panic. The person fears that these
panic attacks will occur in public places or unfamiliar situations.
 Panic disorder typically strikes in young adulthood.
Panic Disorder (Without Agoraphobia)
 A chronic state of anxiety and also brief moments of sudden, intense, unexpected panic.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
 An extreme preoccupation with certain thoughts and compulsive performance of certain
behaviors.
 OCD typically begins during adolescence or early childhood.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
 A psychological disturbance lasting more than 1 month following stresses that would produce
anxiety in anyone who experienced them.
 About 30% of the men and women who have spent time in war zones experience PTSD.
 Others who suffer from PTSD include; rescue workers, survivors of earthquakes, floods,
hurricanes and survivors of rape and physical or sexual abuse.
Mood Disorders
Mood Disorders = A major disturbance in mood or emotion, such as
depression or mania.
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Depression
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You feel sad and hopeless; or you talk too loud and too fast and have a
rush of ideas and feelings that others think are unreasonable.
Emotional disorder primarily involving sadness, hopelessness, and
depression.
Major depression often begins between ages 15 and 30.
Bipolar Disorder
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Emotional disorders involving both depression and mania or hypomania.
Without effective treatment, bipolar disorder leads to suicide in nearly 20%
of the cases.
1 in a 100
highly genetic
Eating Disorders

Obesity
 Double
the individual's normal body weight.
 Slow suicide (crush heart)
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Pica
 Consumes
uneatable substances. For example, dirt, clay,
led, grass, paint, body stuff, money…
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Anorexia
 Self
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Starvation
Bulimia
 Binge
and Purge (In & Out)
Sleep Disorders
Sleep disturbances: Things that go wrong in the night.
 Hypersomnia
 Insomnia
 Narcolepsy
 Nightmare Disorder
 Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome
 REM Behavior Disorder
 Sleep apnea
 Sleep Terror Disorder
 Sleepwalking Disorder
5. Suicide: Consequence of Psychological Problems
SAD PERSON
 Sex
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Age
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Female = Attempt more Xs (pills, cut)
Male = Successful more often & attempt less (gun, hang, jump off high places)
15-24 = high suicide rate
Life transitions can be difficult. Erik Erikson said, “Life is like a wall and one
can not see around it.”
Depression
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Adolescence mask depression through violence and aggression.
Look for an increase in “the blues” and a decrease in concentration, mood
and memory.
5. Suicide: Consequence of Psychological Problems
SAD PERSON
 Previous Attempt
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Easier to attempt 2nd time
Completed (most likely done before)
Learned behavior (mom, grandma)
Not based on SOS
Warning Signs:
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Sleep patterns
Drugs/Alcohol
Don’t care about milestones (HS, Driving)
Give away or take things back
* Never “romanticize” or make a big deal about someone's suicide. For
example: “That’s how I can get in the paper or school year book. I
can get a full page picture in the year book at SMHS.”
5. Suicide: Consequence of Psychological Problems
SAD PERSON
 Ethanol (Drinking Alcohol or Drug Abuse)
 Easier
 A friend of mine, Mike (cop), got drunk, parked his car in a field and shot
himself. He may not have committed suicide if was not drinking. He had a
daughter at home.
* Suicide is the most selfish thing one could do.

Rational Thinking Loss
Social Supports Lacking
 Who do you talk to?
 Who is your social support?
* Start with the facts and do not beat around the bush: “Are you going to kill
yourself?” It is ok to ask someone. It is a false belief that you will put ideas in their
head.
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5. Suicide: Consequence of Psychological Problems
SAD PERSON
 Organized Plan
Check if the person has a plan
 Check if the person has a weapon
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No Spouse / Break Up
Fewer married people kill themselves
 Break-ups can be devastating
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Sickness
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Terminal illness