Download Introduction to Psychology

Psychological Disorders

Psychological Disorder

a “harmful dysfunction” in which
behavior is judged to be:
 atypical--not
enough in itself
 disturbing--varies with time and culture
 maladaptive--harmful
 unjustifiable--sometimes there’s a good
reason
Historical Perspective

Perceived Causes

movements of sun or moon
 lunacy--full


moon
evil spirits
Ancient Treatments

exorcism, caged like animals, beaten,
burned, castrated, mutilated, blood
replaced with animal’s blood
Historical Perspective

Trephination
Psychological Disorders

Medical Model



concept that diseases have physical causes
can be diagnosed, treated, and in most cases, cured
assumes that these “mental” illnesses can be diagnosed
on the basis of their symptoms and cured through
therapy, which may include treatment in a psychiatric
hospital
Psychological Disorders

Bio-Psycho-Social Perspective

assumes that biological, sociocultural,
and psychological factors combine
and interact to produce psychological
disorders
Psychological Disorders
Psychological Disorders--Etiology

DSM-V


American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(Fifth Edition)
a widely used system for classifying
psychological disorders
5 Levels of the DSM-V: “Axes”

DSM-V


American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(Fifth Edition)
a widely used system for classifying
psychological disorders
5 Levels of the DSM-V: “Axes”

DSM-V


American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(Fifth Edition)
aw
Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety Disorders (5 Types)


distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive
behaviors that reduce anxiety
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

person is tense, apprehensive, and in a state
of autonomic nervous system arousal
Anxiety Disorders

2. Panic Disorder

marked by a minutes-long episode of intense
dread in which a person experiences terror
and accompanying chest pain, choking, or
other frightening sensation
Anxiety Disorders

3. Phobia

persistent, irrational fear of a specific object
or situation
Anxiety Disorders

Common and uncommon fears
Anxiety Disorders

4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions)
and/or actions (compulsions)
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders

5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Haunting memories, nightmares, social
withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia
that linger for 4 weeks or more after a
traumatic experience
Combat veterans
 Accident/disaster survivors
 Violent assaults
 Sexual assaults

Understanding Anxiety
Disorders

1. Learning Perspective

A. Fear Conditioning
Stimulus generalization
 Reinforcement



Escaping the feared situation reduces anxiety
B. Observational Learning
Understanding Anxiety
Disorders

2. Biological Perspective



A. Natural Selection
B. Genes: influence level of
neurotransmitters
C. Brain: an over-arousal of brain areas
involved in impulse control and habitual
behaviors
Understanding Anxiety
Disorders