PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

THE MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

ANXIETY

CAUSES OF MOOD DISORDERS

DEPRESSION

SCHIZOPHRENIA

PERSPECTIVES ON ABNORMALITY: 

·         Medical

·         Psychoanalytic

·         Behavioral

·         Cognitive

·         Humanistic

·         Sociocultural

PERSONALITY DISORDERS

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Anxiety disorder is the occurrence of anxiety without an obvious external cause, affecting daily functioning. There are 3 types of anxiety disorders. 1) Phobic (Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations) , 2) Panic (disorder that takes the form of panic attacks lasting from a few seconds to as long as several hours) and 3) Generalized anxiety disorder (experience long-term, persistent anxiety and worry. Sometimes people concerns are about identifiable issues involving family, money, work, or health. In other cases, though, people with the disorder feel that something dreadful is about to happen but can't identify the reason) .

Mood disorders are characterized by emotional states of depression or euphoria so strong that they intrude on everyday living. They include major depression and bipolar disorder;

Causes of mood disorders (major depression; mania & biporal disorders) .  The causes of these disorders might be genetic which we get from our ancestors, cognitive for example learned helplessness (it’s a learned expectation that events in one’s life is uncontrollable and that one cannot escape from the situation). There is one more cause of mood disorders it’s - psychological. For instance, proponents of psychoanalytic approaches see depression as a result of feelings of loss. And the most important is biological cause. When a person has a decrease of serotonin (one of the transmitter).

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable, or suffer cognitive impairments (e.g., difficulty concentrating, remembering details, making decisions). They may contemplate or attempt suicide. Their weight may change dramatically and they might have problems in falling asleep.

Schizophrenia refers to a class of disorders in which severe distortion of reality occurs. Usually, the onset of schizophrenia occurs in early adulthood, and the symptoms follow one of two primary courses. Those symptoms are : Disorganized thinking- schizophrenics commonly have trouble linking thoughts together logically and solving problems. Their ideas may shift rapidly from topic to topic; Emotional distortions- schizophrenics emotions are blunted, though they experience different feelings (at the same time they can talk something serious to others and other things come into they head at  the same time that are funny and this make them laugh). Delusions and hallucinations; Withdrawal from reality.

The major perspectives on psychological disorders used by mental health professionals are:

1) the medical perspective which views abnormality as a symptom of an underlying disease

2) psychoanalytic perspectives suggest that abnormal behaviour stems from childhood conflicts in the unconscious.

3) behavioural  approaches view abnormal behaviour not as a symptom of an underlying problem, but as the problem itself.

4) the cognitive approach suggests that abnormal behaviour is the result of thoughts and beliefs.

5) humanistic – emphasize the responsibility people have for their own behaviour.

6) Sociocultural approaches view abnormal behavior in terms of difficulties arising from family and other social relationships.

Personality disorder: A disorder characterized by a set of inflexible, maladaptive behavior patterns that keep  person from functioning appropriately in society.

There are 3 types of personality disorders : 

Antisocial personality disorder – a disorder in which individuals show no regard for the moral and ethical rules of society or the rights of others. . Although they can appear quite intelligent and likable (at least at first), but after some time they turn out to be manipulative and false. . When those with antisocial personality disorder behave in a way that injures someone else, they understand intellectually that they have caused harm but feel no conscience.

Borderline personality disorder – a disorder in which individuals have difficulty developing a secure sense of who they are. People with this disorder distrust others and have difficulty controlling their anger. Individuals with borderline personality disorder often feel empty and alone.

Narcissistic personality disorder – a personality disturbance characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Those with the disorder expect special treatment from others. In some ways, in fact, the main attribute of the narcissistic personality is an inability to experience empathy for other people.