Psychology: Etiology of Disorders

Study Notes

Etiology of Psychological Disorders

Etiology refers to the causes or manner of causation of a disease or condition.
Important for mental health professionals to identify abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors indicative of psychopathology.
Etiology directly relates to psychological disorders by providing insight into their causes.

APA Definition of Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders involve significant disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Disturbances indicate biological, psychological, or developmental dysfunction.
They lead to significant distress or disability in individuals' lives.
Disturbances should not represent expected, culturally approved responses to events.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

DSM-5, published in 2013, outlines various psychological disorders.
Each disorder includes detailed descriptions, diagnostic features, criteria for diagnosis, prevalence statistics, and risk factors associated with the disorder.

Common Psychological Disorders in the U.S.

Major depressive disorder is the most prevalent, with higher rates in women compared to men.
Alcohol abuse shows a contrast, with higher rates in men.
Specific phobias are more common among females.
Generally, women have higher prevalence rates for most disorders studied.

Comorbidity of Disorders

Comorbidity refers to the occurrence of two disorders in the same individual.
Example: 41% of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder also meet criteria for major depressive disorder.
Drug use disorders frequently coexist with other mental illnesses, with 60% of individuals affected by substance use disorders also suffering from another mental illness.

Biological Perspective of Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders are linked to biological phenomena such as genetic factors, chemical imbalances, and brain abnormalities.
Risk of developing schizophrenia increases with closer genetic relationships to individuals with the disorder.

Common Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders include excessive and persistent fear and anxiety, impacting behavior.
Notable examples are specific phobia (e.g., heights, flying), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
Contributing factors for anxiety disorders include painful childhood experiences, significant life events (e.g., parents' divorce), and genetic predisposition.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions).
Contributing factors include family history, stressful life events, and the presence of other mental health disorders.

Description

This quiz explores the etiology of psychological disorders, including the definitions and implications of disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The content is aligned with the DSM-5 criteria, helping mental health professionals understand the complexities of psychopathology. Test your knowledge on the causes and classifications of these disorders.