chapter 12- disorders Flashcards
Abnormal Behavior
thought and behavior patterns characterized as atypical, disturbing, maladaptive, or unjustifiable
Types of definitions (three Ds):
Deviance
Not culturally accepted
(this changes across time and context)
Statistically uncommon
Distress
Dysfunction
Normal to Abnormal Continuum
Behavior is viewed on a continuum from normal to psychological disorder
DSM-5-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
Lists 20 categories of disorders
Covers more then 300 disorders
Takes an atheoretical approach
Continues to show improved reliability and validity over time
Note that having standards does not guarantee a correct diagnosis
Biological Perspective on Causes of Disorders
all abnormal behavior has a physical cause
medical model because mental health disorders are viewed as similar to physical diseases.
As such, they can be diagnosed, treated, or cured in much the same way as other physical illnesses, including by prescribing medications or through surgery.
Psychological Perspective on Causes of Disorders
abnormal behavior is caused by internal factors (sometimes with external influences)
Sociocultural Perspective on Causes of Disorders
abnormal behavior develops within a social context (family, community, and society) and must be treated according to that social context
Perspective on Causes of Disorders
we draw from multiple perspectives, not just one, in treating mental disorders
psychoanalytic view
mental disorders are the result of problems during development, or problems with the balance among the id, ego, and superego.
behavioral view (social learning)
people with psychological disorders have simply learned inappropriate behavior or have failed to learn the adaptive behavior that most people acquire.
cognitive view
mental disorders result from ideas and thoughts; our thinking/interpretations
humanistic view
abnormal behavior occurs when the real self does not live up to the ideal self; or when we are blocked from achieving our goals
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Key idea: Excessive worry about a number of events, often with no identifiable cause
Lasts for at least 6 months
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
Person has recurrent abrupt experiences of unexpected intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms
Specific Phobias & Social Anxiety Disorder
Key idea: Persistent fear that is excessive and unreasonable
Lasts for 6 months or more
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Key idea: Results from exposure to a traumatic event during which one feels helplessness or fear
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Key idea: a disorder where the person experiences anxiety related to an obsession or compulsion or both
obsession: an involuntary, irrational thought that occurs repeatedly (intrusive thoughts)
compulsion: an action that a person feels compelled to do, even though it is irrational
Dissociative Disorders
Involve a loss of connection with some part of our consciousness, identity, or memory.
Dissociative amnesia (sudden loss of memory)
Dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder)
Depressive Disorder
May involve depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in one’s usual activities; changes in sleep patterns, appetite, and motor functioning; and loss of energy
Bipolar Disorders
Involve shifts in mood between two states: depressed and manic
Explaining Mood Disorders
Genetics
Neurotransmitters
serotonin & norepinephrine
Stress hormones
Brain structures
prefrontal cortex & limbic system
Psychological factors
learned helplessness
ruminative coping style
cognitive distortions
Sociocultural factors
stressful events
lower SES
prior trauma
Schizophrenia
characterized by a lack of reality testing, deterioration of social and intellectual functioning, and serious personality disintegration with significant changes in thought, mood perception and behavior
Schizophrenia: Epidemiology
Typically diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood
Men generally diagnosed earlier than women
Rates differ by race and ethnicity
Schizophrenia: Neural & Developmental Factors
Abnormalities in brain structure and neurotransmitter function are associated with schizophrenia.
These abnormalities may have origins in prenatal and early childhood development.
environmental factors might encourage expression of this condition if a person carries the gene for it
