Characteristics of Dissorders

Question 1

Name an effective disorder

Answer 1

Depression

Question 2

Describe 9 characteristics of an effective disorder

Answer 2

symptoms present over the same 2 week period
DSM-5 characteristics:
1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities most of the day, nearly everyday
3. Body weight loss more than 5% not due to diet or change in appetite
4. Insomnia or excessive sleep nearly everyday
5. Restlessness or less activity nearly everyday
6. Fatigue or loss of energy everyday
7. Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate/excessive guilt nearly every day
8. lack of ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions nearly everyday
9. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempt

Question 3

Name a psychotic disorder

Answer 3

Schizophrenia

Question 4

Name the positive characteristics of a psychotic disorder

Answer 4

1. Delusions
2. Hallucinations
3. Disorganised speech
4. Grossly disorganised or catatonic behaviour

Question 5

Name the negative characteristics of a psychotic disorder

Answer 5

1. Diminished emotional expression
2. Poverty of speech
3. Reduced motivation

Question 6

Conditions to diagnose a psychotic disorder

Answer 6

Two or more of the named characteristics in one month, at least one must be delusions, hallucinations or disorganised speech

Question 7

Name an anxiety disorder

Answer 7

Phobias

Question 8

Describe the characteristics of an anxiety disorder

Answer 8

1. Strong, persistent and irrational fears
2. Desire to avoid a particular object, activity, or situation
3. Interferes with normal everyday functions
4. Results in intense anxiety
5. Anxiety out of proportion to actual danger posed by phobic stimulus

Question 9

Name three types of phobias

Answer 9

1. Agoraphobia (fear of open or crowded places)
2. Social phobia (fear associated with social or performance situations)
3. Specific phobia (fear of objects or situations- irrational fear of something that poses no or little actual danger)

Question 10

Weaknesses of categorising disorders

Answer 10

• ethnocentric as other countries may not view mental illnesses the same way (as the American DSM) and so if in other countries people with these disorders may not receive the medical attention they need where certain disorders aren’t recognised
• some symptoms are not observable (e.g. low mood or disorganised thoughts)
  —> have to ask people about their symptoms, can reduce validity if they lie
• socially sensitive as patients who suffer from these mental illnesses may feel labelled or stereotyped, can feel separated from others in society like they are not ‘normal’ and no longer ‘fit in’

Question 11

Strengths of categorising disorders

Answer 11

• reliable as doctors all using the same criteria (avoids confusion with diagnosis, and diagnosis not up to opinion of doctor—> provides consistency
• useful as patients who have had their disorders diagnosed by these characteristics can get treatment to help manage their mental illnesses