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Psychological Disorders Chapter 12 A.P. Psychology-NOTES
The David Rosenhan study-pseudo-patients (including himself) faked mental illness to
gain admittance into mental hospitals.
 No staff members realized they were ______ patients.
 Many patients did realize they were fake!
Psychopathology (AKA-Mental ___________ or Mental ______________)-Characterized by deviant,
maladaptive, or harmful behaviors and disruptive patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting
that cause distress and dysfunction and affect the performance of daily functions.
Deviant behavior-being different from the behavior of most people in a particular culture
(violation of social norms)
History of Psychopathology
Ancient world-Mental illness caused by demons and ___________ that had taken possession of
a person’s mind and/or body.
Middle Ages-Influence of the Medieval Church
 Demons, ____________
 Psychopathology was the “work of the ___________”
 Cure was to drive out the demons and evil spirits
Later part of the 18th century-The Medical Model-mental illness is a “disease” of the
mind. Like physical illness-can have cause and require special treatments.
Psychological models of mental disorders (alternatives to the medical model)-Can be any
of or combinations of the following; behavioral, cognitive, social learning, and biological.
Cognitive model-looks inward and emphasizes ___________ processes, how people think
about themselves, internal and external locus of _______________.
Behavioral model-looks outward focusing on influence or the environment, abnormal
behaviors are ____________, punishments, rewards, associations.
Many psychologists now say that cognitive and behavioral models work together in a social
context (Social perspective)
Social-cognitive-behavioral model-Combine all three, Albert Bandura theory of reciprocal
determinism (all influence each other).
Biopsychology of mental disorders-neuroscience, mental illness involves the brain or
nervous system, neurotransmitters, brain injury, genetics.
Biopsychosocial model-suggests psychological disorders are result of combination and
interaction of biological, psychological, and _____________________ factors.
Diathesis-stress hypothesis-genetic factors put individual at risk while environmental
factors transform this potential into mental illness.
Indicators of psychological disorders:
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Distress-unusual or prolonged levels of unease or _____________
Maladaptiveness-acting in ways that make others fearful or interferes with his or
her well ____________.
Irrationality
Unpredictability
Undesirable or unconventional behavior
DSM-IV-TR-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition-text revised)used by mental health professionals to describe and diagnose psychopathology.
 DSM-IV-TR evaluates individuals on 5 different axes.
We will look at these online
Diagnostic labels of mental disorders? Some psychologists suggest labeling people with
mental disorders can cause more harm than good, Thomas Szasz. How?
Psychosis-“break from reality”
ANXIETY DISORDERS-characterized by extreme feelings of apprehension which disrupt
functioning and are present for a long time
1. Generalize Anxiety Disorder-mild anxiety not connected with any particular object or
situation that tends to last for a long time, can cause fatigue, irritability, “something bad is
going to happen,” AKA-free-floating _________________
2. Panic Disorder (attacks)-sudden occurrence of panic attacks, ________ heart rate, heavy
breathing, sweating, fainting, etc…fear of a panic attack can trigger one….may lead to….
Agoraphobia-fear of crowded ___________ places
3. Phobia -persistent and irrational fears of an object, activity, or situation. Can be specific
(dogs, snakes, etc….) social (social situation and fear of being criticized), agoraphobia
Causes? Can be learned (John Watson with Little __________)
4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders-Condition characterized by patterns of persistent,
unwanted thoughts and behaviors
Obsession-______________, images, or impulses that persist despite trying to suppress them.
Compulsion-repetitive purposeful act in response to the obsession, removes __________ from
the obsession
 Person knows this is irrational
 Biological? Runs in families, tics, can respond to drug therapy
 Behavioral therapy-must learn extinction
5. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-symptoms of anxiety in response to extreme
physical or psychological trauma, causes person to avoid similar situations.
 Some war veterans, victims of natural disasters, some women who have had
abortions, etc……
Causes of anxiety disorders?
Biopsycholgical causes
 Overactive in NT norepinephrine-panic attacks?
 Undersupply of NT serotonin (_________ and sleep) linked to OCD and social phobias
 Deficiency of NT GABA-an inhibitory NT-could account for racing thoughts?
Preparedness Hypothesis-Martin Seligman’s theory that says-innate biological tendency
from natural selection to fear certain things that pose a survival danger to our ancestors
Unlearn phobias? Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Flooding and Systematic desensitization?
SOMATOFORM DISORDERS-people experience psychological problems associated with
physical symptoms for which no physical origin can be found
1. Conversion disorder-paralysis, blindness, deafness, or loss of sensation with no
discernable physical cause, formally called “___________” “all in your head”
2. Hypochondriasis-excessive concern about ___________ and disease
3. Somatization disorder-people report multiple physical ailments rather than an isolated
disease or condition
4. Pain disorder-report sever pain without any known physical cause
Causes of Somatoform disorders-diathesis-stress model indicates that somatoform
disorders are the result of people being overly sensitive to physical sensations
 Children get special attention and privileges with they are sick?
DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS-very rare group of disorders involving “fragmentation” of a
personality, disruptions to a person’s memory, consciousness, and identity.
 Controversial because, Limited research on these disorders and not everyone agrees
on causes and symptoms
1. Dissociative amnesia-psychologically induced amnesia, memory loss of event, identity,
or series of events
2. Dissociative Fugue-Same as Dissociative amnesia but with “flight” from home, family,
job, etc…person forms a new identity, can last hours or days, alcohol?
3. Dissociative Identity Disorder-Multiple personality disorder
 Usually appears in childhood
 Report being sexually _____________
 May be a defense by dominant self to protect itself
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Other personalities emerge under __________
Causes of Dissociative disorders
 Psychodynamic therapists (Freudian) say DID is a result of defense mechanism
(_______________) which blocks unwanted impulses and memories from entering
consciousness.
 Person creates a “new person” who now acts out the unacceptable impulses and
copes with traumatic events.
MOOD DISORDERS (AFFECTIVE DISORDERS)
Major Depressive Disorder (AKA-unipolar disorder)
 “common cold of mental disorders”
 feelings of worthlessness
 lack of __________
 difficulty sleeping
 withdraw from family and friends
 lethargic and/or agitated
 _____________
 Women more than men
 Minimum of 2 weeks of deep depression
 Cognitive problems
Causes of Depression
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Often runs in ____________. Twin studies?
Malfunction of chromosome 13? Which is connected to production of NT serotonin
Lack of development in Limbic system, amygdala, Hippocampus, and frontal lobe?
Low levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine possible linked to
depression, while overactivity of these NTs can lead to mania.
Malfunction in endocrine system-people with depression have been shown to have
an excess release of the stress hormone cortisol. Problems with Pituitary gland?
Hypothalamus?
Faulty cognition-pessimism, low self-esteem, personal flaws or uncontrollable
events (Martin Seligman called-learned ______________) Look at figure 12.3 in textbook.
Sociological factors? Poverty, crime areas, domestic violence?
More often in teenagers now, why? 1. Self-centeredness that focuses on individualism
not groups 2. Self-esteem movement that has taught children that they should feel ______
about themselves irrespective of __________ and accomplishments 3. Culture of
victimology
Dysthymic disorder-less intense depression but may last longer, generally feels sad, must
have symptoms for more than two years to be classified as dysthymic disorder
Sunlight deprivation (SAD-Seasonal Affective Disorder)-Malfunction in circadian clock
could trigger excessive of hormone melatonin which causes person to be excessively tired.
Expose to artificial _________.
BIPOLAR DISORDERS
1. Bipolar I disorder-(formerly known as Manic-Depressive disorder)
 alternating periods of mania (excessive elation) and ______________
 manic phase-energetic, talkative, hyperactive, euphoric, may spend $$ wildly,
promiscuous sex, high-_______ behaviors
 Genetic component? Identical twins (monozygotic) ____% more likely to be bipolar
if other twin is, compared to 1% or normal population.
2. Bipolar II disorder-Major depressive episodes alternate with periods of hypomania
(less sever mania)
3. Cyclothymic disorder-less sever Bipolar I (dysthymic with hypomania)
SCHIZOPHRENIA-Rare group of psychotic disorders involving distortions in thoughts,
perceptions, and/or emotions.
 Literally means “split or broken mind,” not split personality but split mental
processes, perceptions, and feelings
 Symptoms usually appear in adolescence
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
 Clang associations-words based on double meanings or the way the word sounds,
talk in ________________
 Word salad-repetition of nonmeaningful statements
 Delusions-false and distorted beliefs. 1. Delusions of grandeur-exaggerated
beliefs about oneself “I am a King” I am a _____” 2. Delusions of persecution-people
are out to get you, following me! 3. Delusions of influence-one is being controlled
by outside forces (CIA, aliens)
 Hallucinations-False perceptions. Auditory hallucinations, hearing voices, most
common, Hallucinations may be visual, olfactory
 Inappropriate emotions-laugh at a funeral, flat affect-no _______________
 Neologisms-using words that only have meaning to the person saying them
 Loose associations-thoughts don’t seem to be connected with another
Positive symptoms-(addition of symptoms) hallucinations, delusions, disorganized
thought
Negative symptoms-(missing symptoms) lack of pleasure, motivation, speech skills, flat
affect
1. Disorganized-hallucinations, delusions, bizarre behavior, incoherent speech, talk to
imaginary people? Many homeless people?
2. Catatonic-involves _____________ functions, can be, Catatonic stupor-motionless “statuelike” or have unexpected bodily movements
3. Paranoid
 Delusions of persecution-“people are out to get me”
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Delusions of grandeur-highly exaggerated sense of self-importance “I am the King of
England”
Hallucinations
4. Residual-Once had schizophrenia but currently have no symptoms, ________________
5. Undifferentiated-“catchall” people who do meet requirements for any other
schizophrenic type
Possible causes of schizophrenia?
 Brain disorder? Undersized Thalamus-resulting in messages getting sent to
incorrect parts of the brain, possible causing hallucinations.
 “Dopamine Hypothesis”-most credible explanation of schizophrenia, Excessive
dopamine connected to positive symptoms, Antipsychotic drugs block dopamine
suppressing symptoms.
 Family history? Monozygotic ____________ 40% increase in likelihood
 Prenatal viruses? Increased risk when father is older than 45 at time of conception.
 Cocaine abuse affects levels of dopamine receptors increasing chance of
schizophrenia
 Vulnerability theory of schizophrenia (just like Diathesis stress model)-biological
predisposition to schizophrenia can be triggered by amount of stress in your life
PERSONLAITY DISORDERS-enduring or continuous inflexible patterns of thinking, acting,
or feeling. Personality disorder (Axis II on the DSM-IV-TR tend to be lifelong and inflexible)
compared to clinical disorder (Axis I) Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters
Cluster A: Odd-Eccentric
a. Paranoid-distrust of others, react with violence, not psychotic (no hallucination or
_______________)
b. Schizoid-no social relationships, “______________”
c. Schizotypal-Odd perceptions, thoughts, or emotions that resemble schizophrenia,
problems with relationships.
Cluster B: Dramatic-Erratic
a. Histrionic personality disorder-Obsessed with being center of attention, emotionally
shallow, very ____________________, increased risk of Somatoform disorders
b. Narcissistic personality disorder-exaggerated degree of self-importance, need constant
attention and admiration, don’t respond well to criticism or defeat, entitled, selfish, arrogant
c. Borderline personality disorder-unpredictable __________, trouble relationships, don’t
handle frustration well, self-mutilation, suicidal, sexual promiscuity. Women > _________
d. Antisocial personality disorder-no conscience, no sense of responsibility, chronic lying,
steal, fight, “Psychopaths” “_____________”, con artists, starts early in life. Men>_____________,
 Reduced activity in frontal lobe (which is responsible for planning)
 Lack of positive parenting, attachment problems
Cluster C: Anxious-fearful
a. Dependent-enormous need to be taken care of, very needy, cannot make decision
b. Avoidant-oversensitive to humiliation, rejection, and criticism. Does not partake in
social situations
c. Obsessive-compulsive-obsession with order and control of situations and events
EATING DISORDERS
1. Anorexia Nervosa-persistent loss of appetite from ________________ reasons not organic
ones
 May act unconcerned even though person is emaciated
 Extreme dieting, never _______ enough
 More prevalent in Western societies among white middle to upper class women
 Causes? Mass media?
2. Bulimia-overeating followed by “purges” (self-induced vomiting, laxatives, fasting)
 Can be a predictor of depression
 Do not associate pleasure with food
 Cognitive theory-analyze how person sees themselves and think about food, weight,
diets. Must alter faulty self-_________________
Two categories of psychological disorders associated with childhood are externalizing and
internalizing
Externalizing disorders-affect people in the child’s environment
a. Conduct disorders-usually boys who demonstrate lack of obedience to authority
figures, act ___________________
b. ADHD-problems concentrating, impulsive behavior, deficiency in NT dopamine?
Controversial, over diagnosed? Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall)
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Evidence shows that behavioral therapy, eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and
sleep, and making other smart lifestyle choices can help you or your child effectively
manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
Internalizing disorders-children isolate themselves, depression and anxiety
a. Separation anxiety disorder-fear of being left behind or abandoned, fear of being lost,
“______________” to parents
PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS (3)
1. Autism-impoverished ability to “read” other people, hard to use language, trouble
socially interacting with others.
 No “theory of __________”
 Socially isolated
 Head-banging
 Appears early in life, Genetic? No cure
Asperger syndrome-less form of Autism. Mirror Neurons??
2. Dyslexia-abnormalities in brain’s language processing
 English language?
 Arbitrarily defined group that is lower at reading skills
Pleading INSANITY!
The word insanity does not appear in the DSM-IV, it is a legal term.
Philippe Pinel
Etiology