Mental disorders Flashcards
What type of disorders are phobias in the DSM?
Anxiety disorders.
What is the definition of phobias?
Group of mental disorders characterised by high levels of anxiety in response to a particular stimulus. Anxiety interferes with normal living.
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
Marked and persistent fear that is excessive and unreasonable. Feelings of anxiety/panic are out of proportion to actual danger posed.
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
Avoidance of object/situation. ‘Fight, flight or freeze’ (freezing or fainting). Interferes with everyday life.
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
Irrational thinking and resistance to rational arguments. Recognition of excessive and unreasonable fear (may be absent in children). Selective attention to stimulus.
What type of disorder is depression?
Mood disorder.
What is the definition of depression?
Disorder where an individual feels sad and/or lacks interest in their usual activities.
What is required for a formal diagnosis of depression?
Presence of at least 5 symptoms. Must include either sadness or loss of interest/pleasure in normal activities.
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
Sadness. Feeling of emptiness. Worthless, hopeless, low self-esteem.
Loss of pleasure in normal activities. Despair and lack of control. Anger.
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
Reduced or increased activity level. More agitated energy or a lack of energy (sleep patterns). Reduced or increased appetite.
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
Negative thoughts:
Negative self concept, negative view of the world, negative view of future. Negative thoughts are usually irrational.
What type of disorder is OCD and what does it stand for?
Anxiety disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
What is the definition of OCD?
Disorder where anxiety arises as a result of obsessions (persistent thoughts) and compulsions (overly repeated behaviours). Compulsions are a response to obsessions and individual believes they will reduce anxiety.
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
Obsessions and compulsions cause anxiety and stress. Self-awareness causes embarrassment & shame. Individual emotions e.g. disgust towards germs.
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
Recurrent thoughts/impulses (obsessions). Perceived as uncontrollable - anxiety. Recognition that obsessions/compulsions are unreasonable.
