1. Abnormal Behavior *
A psychological disorder, causing distress, disability, or dysfunction. Defined symptomatically by the DSM.

2. Statistics on Disorders
1 in 4 affected each year
Each year prevalence: 18.1% anxiety disorders;
1% schizophrenia; 4.4% alcohol use disorder
More lower SES
Mentally ill stigmatized
Many disorders comorbid.
Comorbid = more than one disorder at a time
Most severe disorders in a small group of people
6% of population have 3 or more disorders

3. DSM * Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
American Psychiatric Association
Currently DSM-5
Common language and standard criteria for classifying mental disorders
Controversies include:
Cultural bias (e.g. sexual disorders)
Medical rather than behavioral model
Diagnosing, e.g. ADHD, autism.

4. Diagnosing Disorder: The DSM
The DSM organizes disorders by category. Within a diagnostic category, clinicians may also identify specifiers and rate severity.

5. Categories of Disorders include:
Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Dissociative disorders
Substance Related and Addictive Disorders
Depressive Disorders
Bipolar and related disorders
Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
Feeding and Eating Disorders
Sexual Dysfunction
Personality Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Neurocognitive Disorders

6. Biopsychosocial Model *
biological factors
come from the body
e.g., genes; neurotransmitters
psychological factors
come from the individual
e.g., patterns of negative thinking; stress responses
social factors
come from society and culture
e.g., socioeconomic status, homelessness, abuse
Key concept is
Interaction.

7. Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety – irrational fear, dread, or agitation; physiological arousal
1. Phobias: unreasonable fear; avoidance
a. Specific phobia – clearly defined object or situation, e.g. dogs Video‬‏
b. Social phobia – extreme shyness or discomfort in social situations
2. Panic Disorder *
Sudden attacks of terror leading to behavioral changes & physical symptoms

8. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder * Obsessive Compulsive Disorder *
a. Obsessions *
Repetitive, distressing or frightening thoughts
b. Compulsions *
Repetitive behaviors
(an attempt to calm the thoughts)

9. Dissociative Identity Disorder *
2 or more distinct personalities in the same person
Memory disruption regarding the “alter”
Rare
Some psychologists don’t believe the disorder really exists
NOT the same as Schizophrenia
DID Video‬‏

10. Depressive Disorders *
Major depressive disorder *
Low mood (despair) - withdrawal, loss of interest & pleasure; eating & sleeping disturbance Video‬‏
More than 2 weeks
Impaired functioning
Twice as many women
May have psychotic features
Suicidal thoughts or attempts

11. Bipolar and related disorders * Video‬‏
Mood & energy swings from low (depression) to high (mania); near normal in between
Mania *
Exceptional energy, enthusiasm, agitation,
irritability, reckless
behavior.

12. Risk Factors for Suicide *
Diagnosable psychiatric disorder
Male, esp. older and physically ill
Method (guns succeed more than pills)
Prior attempts, family history, exposure
History of being abused
Incarceration
High risk behavior
Adolescence 2% attempt

13. Schizophrenia * Video – Gerald Psychosis: loss of contact with reality
Positive symptoms – hallucinations, delusions, inappropriate affect, disorganized speech and behavior
Negative symptoms – social withdrawal, deterioration of adaptive behavior, flat affect, poor problem solving abilities
Cognitive symptoms – problems with focus, memory, problem-solving; control

14. Possible Causes of Schizophrenia *
Genes – runs in families
Brain– loss of neurons; enlarged ventricles
Neurotransmitters – e.g. excess dopamine
Poverty, malnutrition, disease
Prenatal damage – e.g. viruses
Stress
Substance Abuse may trigger
Interactions between items above

15. Personality Disorders *
Inflexible patterns of thinking, feeling or relating to others
These patterns cause problems in personal, social & work situations.
Inability to understand needs of others
Three “clusters”
A) Odd, eccentric
B) Dramatic/erratic, BPD Video
C) Anxious/inhibited

16. Antisocial Personality Disorder *
Pervasive pattern of violating the rights of others
3x more males
Alcohol, drug abuse
Egocentric, impulsive
Lie, cheat, steal, criminal behavior
Biological and environmental factors

17. Somatic Symptom Disorders *
Substantial physical symptoms
May have no documented illness or may have a real illness with “overreaction”.
Stress-related
More females
Distressing and disruptive
Contrast with illness anxiety disorder –exaggerated “normal” physical sensations and no real physical illness.

18. Discussion Questions Why is lower SES associated with mental illness?
Should treatment for mental illness be required?
Should the homeless, alcoholic mentally ill be institutionalized?
Should mental health “check-ups” be part of yearly physicals for children? Adults?