Psychology Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders

Overview of Psychological Disorders

• Psychological disorders involve clinically significant disturbances in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior.
• Disorders are typically marked by maladaptive thoughts, emotions, or behaviors.

Biopsychosocial Approach

• Psychological disorders' rates differ based on geographic and temporal context.
• Poverty is a notable risk factor for mental disorders, as it correlates with adverse conditions and experiences.
• Conversely, some disorders, such as schizophrenia, can lead individuals into poverty.

Anxiety Disorders, OCD, and PTSD

• Anxiety disorders manifest as persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Characterized by ongoing tension and readiness.
• Panic Disorder: Involves sudden episodes of intense dread and fear of recurrence.
• Phobias: Persistent, irrational fears towards specific objects or situations.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• OCD is marked by persistent obsessions (thoughts) and compulsions (actions) that disrupt daily life.
• More prevalent among teens and young adults than older populations.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• PTSD symptoms include haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, and hyperarousal lasting for over four weeks after a trauma.
• Common among combat veterans (7.6% of combatants) and survivors of violence and disasters (1.4% of non-combatants).
• Higher prevalence of PTSD reported in women.

Depressive Disorders and Bipolar Disorder

• Depression is prevalent, with women being nearly twice as likely to experience major depression as men.
• Key factors influencing depression include significant life stressors in work, marriage, and relationships.
• Depression's onset is occurring earlier in life with each new generation.

Neurobiological Aspects

• During depressive episodes, brain activity slows, particularly in the left frontal lobe, and there is a reduced presence of norepinephrine and serotonin.

Psychological and Social Influences

• Individuals with depression may adopt negative views of themselves and their environment, which perpetuates the disorder.
• The social-cognitive perspective suggests that self-defeating beliefs can manifest into a cycle of depression through negative perceptions and experiences.

Suicide and Self-Injury

• Over 1 million individuals commit suicide globally, with increased risk correlating with depression.
• Feelings of disconnection or being a burden heighten suicidal tendencies.
• Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) encompasses various self-harming behaviors.

Schizophrenia

• Schizophrenia encompasses delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and emotional disturbances.
• Symptoms often include disturbed perceptions, disorganized thoughts, and inappropriate emotional responses.

Onset and Development

• Chronic Schizophrenia: Symptoms typically present in late adolescence or early adulthood with a progressive worsening.
• Acute Schizophrenia: Can arise at any age often after emotional trauma, featuring longer recovery times.

Prenatal Factors and Risk

• Prenatal risks include low birth weight, oxygen deprivation, maternal nutrition, viral infections during pregnancy, and birth season.

Personality Disorders

• Personality disorders are characterized by enduring behavior patterns that disrupt social functioning.
• These disorders are categorized into three clusters based on anxiety, odd behaviors, and dramatic behaviors.