Wakefield's Definition of Disorder

The idea that mental disorders are simply used to control society and do not reflect genuine biological or psychological issues.

The theory that mental disorders correspond to physical abnormalities in the brain or body.

The view that mental disorders are defined by their negative impact on an individual's well-being and functioning in society.

The notion that mental disorders are whatever mental health professionals choose to treat.

The concept that mental disorders are characterized by unusual variations in behavior or thinking compared to the average population.

The idea that mental disorders involve significant distress or impairment in daily functioning.

The theory that mental disorders represent a biological disadvantage in terms of survival or reproduction.

A theory that suggests mental disorders occur when a mental mechanism, shaped by evolution, fails to perform its intended function and causes harm based on societal norms.

The tendency to bring a gift to a social event even when it's not explicitly required. It helps us take a clear action when facing uncertainty, which is crucial for effective behavior.

A mental mechanism punishing actions that deviate from accepted internal and external standards. Anticipating guilt discourages immoral behavior, leading to predictable behavior and cultural transmission.

A mental process where feelings toward a previous relationship are redirected to a new person. These past experiences shape our expectations and influence how we perceive others.

A pattern of behavior that is resistant to change, often based on early childhood experiences. It creates a predictable personality but can be inflexible in new situations.

A state of belief that persists despite conflicting evidence or experiences. It often involves bizarre or impossible content, making it difficult to distinguish from reality.

A category of mental illness characterized by episodic mood swings, including mania and depression. It resembles modern bipolar disorder.

A category of mental illness distinguished by gradual decline in cognitive function. This concept is similar to modern schizophrenia.

A belief that is held with strong conviction, remains unaffected by contradictory experiences, and often includes bizarre or impossible content. It is distinct from normal beliefs and represents a significant dysfunction.

Events in your life that align with your developmental goals are more easily remembered.

The brain network involved in remembering the past and imagining the future, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC).

The construction of a personal life story that helps us make sense of our experiences and find purpose.

The ability to understand that others have different thoughts and feelings from our own.

Moments in our lives that involve significant tension, especially those related to mortality or important relationships, are more likely to be meaningful and lead to efforts to integrate them into our narrative identity.

Delusions can be a way for individuals to cope with low self-esteem or depression by attributing negative experiences to external factors instead of internal ones, protecting their self-image.

A type of delusional belief where individuals believe they are being persecuted or targeted by others and that their suffering is undeserved.

A type of delusional belief where individuals believe their suffering is deserved due to their own actions or thoughts, often linked to feelings of shame and guilt.

The concept that a person's self-perception and understanding of themselves is constantly evolving based on life experiences and interactions with the world.

A model that explains delusional beliefs as a way to maintain a stable self-esteem, with shifting attributions and self-perceptions.

The automatic, often unconscious, understanding of one's self-worth.

The conscious reflection and evaluation of one's self-worth.

The idea that psychosis, particularly delusional thinking, might be a byproduct of an evolved part of the human brain, possibly related to enhanced cognitive abilities.

The hypothesis suggesting that individuals with psychotic symptoms, particularly delusional beliefs, might have evolved as a way to provide heightened vigilance for groups, ensuring safety from threats.

The idea that psychotic experiences, while potentially problematic, might also offer advantages in some contexts.

A hypothesis suggesting that psychosis arose as a byproduct of the evolutionary leap in language development. This involved the independent development of the two brain hemispheres for greater functional diversity, leading to prolonged brain plasticity and rapid growth.

The idea that psychosis is a maladaptive byproduct of the genes that regulate social development. A certain combination of these genes can lead to increasing social benefits until they reach a point of dysfunction.

Delusions in psychosis often reflect themes related to ancestral social challenges, like mistrust, jealousy, or perceived threats. These themes were crucial for survival in the past.

The ability to understand the mental states of others (Theory of Mind) plays a role in delusions, particularly in paranoid individuals. They interpret others' actions based on a skewed perspective.

A connection exists between psychosis and creativity, especially in areas like divergent thinking and the ability to make unique associations.

Schizotypy is a personality trait characterized by unusual thoughts, behaviors, and experiences. Studies suggest a link between schizotypy and divergent thinking, a skill often associated with creativity.

Reduced latent inhibition, a tendency to filter irrelevant stimuli, is found in people with psychotic disorders. This suggests a possible role for dopamine receptors in their unusual experiences.

The link between psychosis and creativity might be explained by sexual selection, which favors traits that enhance reproductive success. Creative individuals might have been more desirable partners, even if this came with the risk of psychosis.

This concept emphasizes that accepting yourself despite flaws allows for growth and change. Unconditional positive regard doesn't mean condoning negative behaviors, but rather acknowledging the capacity for improvement. Painful emotions act as signals for necessary growth, guiding us towards better outcomes in life.

The limbic system regulates emotions and instinctual behaviors. Downregulating the top-down control from the prefrontal cortex allows for greater influence from bottom-up signals, such as those received during therapy. This promotes self-awareness and allows for revisions in belief systems. However, if the bottom-up signals align with existing beliefs, it can lead to psychological harm.

You can change cognitive patterns by actively changing your behavior. Treating yourself with kindness and respect acts as a cue for your brain, leading to cognitive dissonance with negative self-talk. It's not just pretending, as cues influence our thoughts, allowing for a shift in perspective.

Our unique experiences and perspectives shape our stories, which hold individual value and meaning. Embracing our own myth involves engaging with dreams, symbols, and metaphors to integrate our lived experiences and create a personal narrative. This integration reduces alienation and allows us to connect with others through the universal language of stories.

Art and fiction offer a lens to understand human experiences through parallels with archetypes. They provide solace by showing that others have felt similar emotions, anxieties, and desires. This resonates with our own lives and reduces feelings of isolation, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.