History of Psychological Disorders

What is Abnormal?? Many psychologists view psychological disorders as ‘harmful dysfunctions’. Those who are labeled Psychologically ill have behavior and mental processes that can be described as being ‘atypical, disturbing, maladaptive and unjustifiable’.

Early Theories on what Caused Psychological Disorders Afflicted people were possessed by evil spirits In some cases, cutting a hole in the head of the afflicted to let out the evil spirit.

History of Psychological Disorders Around 400 B.C., Hippocrates recognized that psychological disorders should be treated as an illness not as a sign of possession! During the Middle Ages there is a slow decline in the treatment and understanding of the mentally ill. Many are labeled witches and burnt at the stake!! By the 1600’s, the treatment of the ill hit rock bottom as many were locked away in dungeons! They are often chained to walls!!

History of Psychological Disorders In the 1800’s, disturbed people were no longer thought of as madmen, but as mentally ill and were emitted into hospitals. As Dorothea Dix observed in the 1840’s, these hospitals were nothing more than barbaric prisons where patients were chained, beaten and locked away. Some hospitals even charged admission for the public to see the “crazies”, just like a zoo.

History of Psychological Disorders In 1946, Harry Truman signed the National Mental Health Act which allowed for federally funded research into mental illnesses. Today, the mentally ill are still mistreated. Nearly 1/3 of all homeless people are considered seriously ill! Nearly 7.2% of all inmates in our prison system are also mentally ill!

Causes of Psychological Disorders

What really causes Psychological Disorders? Psychological - Inner turmoil, conflict, effects of childhood experiences, traumas, etc... Biological - Physical illness and/or a chemical imbalance. Diathesis Stress Model – A combination of the two. Individuals are genetically predisposed to the disorder and a stressor triggers it.

Classifying Psychological Disorders DSM IV Describes each form of a disorder and provides criteria for diagnosis. 5 Axes:  I – Any mental disorder (V-codes for insurance purposes)  II - Personality disorders and mental retardation  III - Physical / medical conditions  IV – Psycho-Social stresses (Levels of Stress)  V - Global Assessment of Functioning