Psychological Disorders

Module Overview Defining Disorder Understanding Disorders Classifying Disorders Labeling Disorders Click on the any of the above hyperlinks to go to that section in the presentation.

Defining Disorder Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Psychological Disorder A harmful dysfunction in which thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are maladaptive, unjustifiable, disturbing, and atypical. Hans Deryk/AP/Wide World Photos

Characteristics of Psych Disorders Maladaptive – An exaggeration of normal, acceptable behaviors – Destructive to oneself or others Unjustifiable – Behavior which does NOT have a rational basis Disturbing – A behavior which is troublesome to other people Atypical – A behavior so different from other people’s behavior that it violates a norm

MUDA A mnemonic device used to remember the four attributes of a psychological disorder – Maladaptive – Unjustifiable – Disturbing – Atypical

Understanding Disorders Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

The Medical Model The concept that mental illnesses have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and in most cases, cured. – Psychological disorders can be diagnosed based on their symptoms and treated or cured through therapy. – Psychological disorders are similar to a physical illness.

Bio-Psycho-Social Model A contemporary perspective that assumes biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors combine and interact to produce psychological disorders. – Studies the influences of nature and nurture and their interaction

Bio-Psycho-Social Model Bio – predisposition or hereditary susceptibility to a disorder Psycho – one’s thoughts and thinking patterns Social – expectations and influence of culture

Bio-Psycho-Social Perspective

Classifying Disorders Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Classifying Mental Disorders Psychology classifies disorders to: 1)Describe the disorder 2)Predict the future course of the disorder 3)Treat the disorder appropriately 4)Provide a springboard for research into the disorder’s causes

DSM-V The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition – a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders – lists and describes all the currently accepted categories of mental disorders

Labeling Disorders Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Labeling Stigmas Studies show a clear bias against people diagnosed with mental disorders.bias

Types of Psychological Disorders Lisa Thomberg/istockphoto

Anxiety Disorders Module 31: Anxiety and Mood Disorders

Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders Anxiety: a vague feeling of apprehension or nervousness. – Normal and everyone experiences it Anxiety disorder: where anxiety begins to take control and dominate a person’s life – MUDA

Types of Anxiety Disorders Anxiety disorders are divided into: – Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Panic Disorder – Phobia – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Anxiety Disorders

Mood Disorders Module 31: Anxiety and Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders Classification of disorders where there is a disturbance in the person’s emotions Major types of mood disorders include: – Major Depressive Disorder – Bipolar Disorder – Dysthymic Disorder

Mood Disorders

Dissociative Disorders Module 32: Dissociative, Schizophrenic and Personality Disorders

Dissociative Disorders Disorders in which the sense of self has become separated (dissociated) from previous memories, thoughts, or feelings. – Extremely rare and usually the result of overwhelming stress – Formerly Multiple Personality Disorder

Types of Dissociative Disorders Three main types: – Dissociative Amnesia – Dissociative Fugue – Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Disorders

Schizophrenic Disorders Module 32: Dissociative, Schizophrenic and Personality Disorders

Schizophrenia A group of severe disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and behaviors. – Is NOT one disorder but a family of disorders – Is NOT “split personality” – Occurs in about 1% of the population

Schizophrenic Disorders: Symptoms of Schizophrenia Module 32: Dissociative, Schizophrenic and Personality Disorders

Symptoms of Schizophrenia Symptoms of schizophrenia include: – Delusions (false beliefs) – Hallucinations (false perceptions) – Inappropriate emotions or behaviors

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Personality Disorders Module 32: Dissociative, Schizophrenic and Personality Disorders

Personality Disorders Psychological disorders characterized by rigid and lasting behavior patterns that disrupt social functioning. Divided into three clusters: – Related to anxiety – With odd and eccentric behaviors – With dramatic or impulsive behaviors

Personality Disorders

Psychological Therapies Module 33

Psychotherapy An interaction between a trained therapist and someone who is seeking to overcome psychological difficulties or achieve personal growth. – There are over 250 different types of therapy.

Four Major Types of Psychotherapy Most therapies can be divided into: – Psychoanalytic – Humanistic – Behavioral – Cognitive

Psychoanalysis Freud’s theory of personality; also, a therapeutic technique that attempts to provide insight into thoughts and actions by exposing and interpreting the underlying unconscious motives and conflicts.

Humanistic Therapies Client-Centered Therapy – therapist uses techniques such as active listening within a genuine, accepting, empathic environment to facilitate the client’s growth. Nondirective Therapy – Therapist listens without interpreting and does NOT direct the client (patient) to any particular insight.

Behavior Therapies Module 33: Psychological Therapies

Behavior Therapy Therapy that applies learning principles to the elimination of unwanted behaviors. – Uses both classical and operant conditioning – Primary concern is to eliminate the disorder’s behavior, NOT find the cause of the disorder

Cognitive Therapies Module 33: Psychological Therapies

Cognitive Therapy Therapy that teaches people new, more adaptive ways of thinking and acting. – Based on the assumption that thoughts intervene between events and our emotional reactions

Cognitive Therapy Almost half of all therapist at a university setting use cognitive therapies

Cognitive Therapy

Group Therapy Having a therapist work with a number of patients at one time Groups usually consist of 6 to 10 people Cognitive, behavior, and humanistic therapists all can lead group therapies.

Comparison of Psychotherapies

Eclectic Approach An approach to psychotherapy that, depending on the person’s problems, uses a variety of techniques from multiple forms of therapy. – Uses whichever therapy works best for the problem the person has