Psychology December 7, 2011

Warm Up

What do you know about psychological disorders? Do you know anyone with a disorder? What

symptoms do they exhibit? What symptoms do you think someone would exhibit with a psychological disorder? Describe EVERYTHING you know about

psychological disorders.

Understanding Psychological Disorders

• Psychological disorders are relatively common. They cause personal suffering to millions of people and interfere with their ability to cope with everyday life.

• What are psychological disorders and how common are they?

• What are the four major symptoms that can help identify psychological disorders?

• How do psychologists help classify psychological disorders?

What are psychological disorders?• Psychological disorders – behavior patterns of mental processes

that cause serious personal suffering or interfere with a person’s ability to cope with life everyday.

• Estimates suggest 1 in 4 adult Americans experience some type of psychological disorder. – 26.6% - Americans who suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in

any given year. – 6% - Americans who suffer from a serious psychological disorder. – 47.1 million - annual number of visits to an office-based physician

due to psychological (US)– 6.9 days – average hospital stay for patients with psychological

disorder in the US. – 90% - people that kill themselves who suffer from a DIAGNOSABLE

psychological disorder.

What are the Four MAJOR SYMPTOMS in diagnosing a psychological disorder?

• Typicality – “normality” or average, typical behavior or mental process.

• (other factors must be take into account with this one to make an assessment.)

• Maladaptivity – behavior impairs the ability to function in everyday life.

• Behavior that causes misery and stress rather than happiness and fulfillment.

What are the Four MAJOR SYMPTOMS in diagnosing a psychological disorder?

• Emotional Discomfort – emotions that cause people to be unstable, such as anxiety and depression.

• People who suffer from depression often feel hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, guilt, and extreme sadness.

• Socially Unacceptable Behavior – behavior that violates the sociably acceptable norms.

• What is considered normal by one society, may not be considered “normal” by another.

How do psychologists CLASSIFY psychological disorders?

• Most psychologists agree there should be a classification system used to specifically classify each psychological disorder.

• Disorders diagnosed at infancy, childhood or adolescence.

• Delirium, dementia, amnesia and other cognitive disorders

• Substance related disorders• Schizophrenia and other psychotic

disorder• Anxiety disorders• Mood disorders• Dissociative disorders• Somatoform disorders• Sexual and gender identity disorder • Eating disorders• Impulse control disorders• Personality disorders

Classifying Psychological Disorders (cont.)

• Psychologist use the DSM or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association)

• Manual is also used by physicians and insurance companies to cover those with mental disorders.

• The DSM is subject to changes as more information becomes available on individual disorders (such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.)

Activity

• Create a chart of the MAJOR CATEGORIES of each psychological disorder.

• Write a description of each category.– Causes, and Effects, types of disorders,

characteristics, etc.