Today, we commonly think of psychology as a way to treat mental disorders. However, psychopathology, the field of study Sigmund Freud made famous, is the branch of psychology that addresses these disorders. Clinical psychologists have since refined the field, developing more sophisticated methods for diagnosis and treatment so clients can maintain a normal lifestyle.
Millions of people live with various types of mental illness and mental health problems, such as social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, drug addiction, and personality disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychotherapy.
In this unit, we explore different perspectives on psychological disorders and learn to identify characteristic symptoms for each. Think about all the factors that may contribute to and alleviate the major mental disorders discussed. What is the interplay between biology, social support systems, and other environmental factors in how human beings cope?
Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.
Let's begin by exploring some problems that are inherent to defining a psychological disorder. For example, what do psychologists mean by harmful dysfunction? What formal criteria must be met before diagnosing a psychological disorder?
As you read this text, think about why atypical or unusual thoughts, feelings, or behaviors do not necessarily indicate the presence of a psychological disorder. Can you name an example?
Watch this video, which provides an introduction to a variety of mental disorders.
Watch this two-part lecture on mental illnesses.
Now, let's look at the classification systems psychologists use in the study of psychopathology, the basic features of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V or DSM-5), the changes in the DSM over time, and the most common disorders.
Read this text. Make sure you are able to explain what the DSM-V is, the kind of information it contains, and why it is important to the study and treatment of psychological disorders. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) differs from the DSM in several ways. Can you name some key differences between these two classification systems?
Watch this video, which explains the DSM-V.
Throughout time, humans have had psychological disorders. In ancient times, explanations focused on demonic possession, whereas today's explanations are more likely to focus on biological and social factors. In this section, we explore some historical perspectives and modern theories on the origins of psychological disorders. We also investigate which disorders have the highest heritability and the role of the diathesis-stress model in the study of psychopathology.
As you read this text, think about why the perspective you use to explain a psychological disorder is so important.
How do psychologists distinguish normal anxiety from pathological anxiety? In this section, we examine the main features and prevalence of major anxiety disorders and the basic psychological and biological factors in the etiology of anxiety disorders. We will learn about the main anxiety disorders of specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
As you read this text, think about how cognitive theories of the etiology of anxiety disorders differ from learning theories.
Watch this video, which outlines seven types of anxiety disorders:
In this section, we explore the main features and prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is a disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The related disorders of body dysmorphic disorder (in which the person is preoccupied with their appearance) and hoarding disorder (in which the person cannot dispose of items that others consider garbage). We will learn about some of the factors that contribute to the development of OCD.
As you read this text, make sure you can describe the common elements of the three disorders it discusses: obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and hoarding disorder.
Watch this video, which describes the characteristics of OCD.
Let's explore the nature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a disorder in which a person who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event has intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings long after the event. We also look at the risk factors of PTSD and the role of learning and cognitive factors in its development.
As you read this text, list some of the risk factors associated with the development of PTSD following a traumatic event.
In this section, we distinguish between normal states of sadness, euphoria, diagnosable depression, and mania. What are the symptoms of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder? We also examine the differences among the types of depression and the criteria for a manic episode. Psychologists have documented the complex interaction of genes, biology, and psychology that contribute to major depression. We explore the relationship between mood disorders, suicidal ideation, and suicide.
As you read this text, make sure you can describe several of the factors associated with suicide.
Watch this video, which explains the difference between depression and bipolar disorder.
In this section, we explore the essential nature of schizophrenia, which is a disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior. We investigate its major symptoms, the role of genes, biology, and environment in its development, and the importance of studying prodromal symptoms.
Read this text. Why is it so important to research and track individuals who show prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia?
Watch this video, which explains what it is like to have schizophrenia.
In this section, we learn about the essential nature of dissociative disorders, which are characterized by a break between the person's conscious awareness and what is actually occurring. The person may not remember important personal information, especially after stressful events. We explore the symptoms of the various types of dissociative disorders and the role of social and psychological factors in their development.
Read this text. The prevalence of most psychological disorders has increased since the 1980s. However, scientific publications regarding dissociative amnesia peaked in the mid-1990s and declined steeply through 2003. No fictional or nonfictional description of individuals showing dissociative amnesia following a trauma exists prior to 1800. How would you explain this phenomenon?
Watch this video, which explains five symptoms of dissociation: memory loss, derealization, feeling lightheaded, not feeling pain, and a loss of self-identity.
Childhood is a period that is relatively free of psychological disorders, except for two disorders typically diagnosed in childhood: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder. Here we discuss the nature and symptoms of ADHD (where the child has difficulty focusing, planning, or controlling their impulses to an age-appropriate degree) and autism spectrum disorder (which can range from mild interpersonal effects to major verbal and behavioral symptoms). We also explore their prevalence and factors that contribute to their development.
Read this text. Compare the factors that lead to the development of ADHD development with those that promote autism spectrum disorder.
Watch this video, which provides an overview of the symptoms of ADHD.
How do psychologists distinguish between normal levels of sadness or depression and diagnosable depression or mania? In this section, we explore the symptoms of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. We learn to recognize the differences between different degrees of depression, the criteria for a manic episode, and the main explanations for major depressive disorder. Finally, we examine the relationship between mood disorders and suicidal ideation and the factors associated with suicide.
Read this text. Imagine a child has a genetic vulnerability to antisocial personality disorder. In what ways do you think the child's environment may have prompted the development of this personality disorder?
Watch this video, which explains the symptoms of personality disorders.
Clinical psychologists are trained to diagnose psychological disorders and provide treatment, which varies according to the patient, diagnosis, and context. Psychologists employ several perspectives and specializations when treating psychological disorders.
For example, a behavioral therapist may use operant or classical conditioning techniques to help patients unlearn negatively-paired associations with an anxiety-inducing stimulus. Other clinicians may ask patients undergoing psychoanalytic therapy to describe their dreams or free associate to uncover unconscious ideas or concepts. Exposure therapy draws on behaviorism principles and is best suited to treat patients experiencing anxieties and phobias.
Read this text to explore how Western societies have treated people with psychological disorders throughout history. In 1963, the U.S. Congress emptied the nation's mental health institutions or asylums through a process we call deinstitutionalization because the conditions were so tragic and dreadful. Today, we deliver mental health services in community mental health centers, but many of the services they provide are inadequate. Statistics show that 26 percent of homeless adults living in shelters experience mental illness. Many people have been incarcerated because they are in unfortunate circumstances or because members of the community are frightened by the negative effects or anti-social aspects of their illnesses.
Read this text on psychotherapy and biomedical therapy. These treatments help people with psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
Read this text that distinguishes between various treatment modalities and discusses group therapy's benefits.
Read this text which examines the goals of substance-related and addictive disorders treatment, what makes treatment effective, and describes how to treat comorbid disorders.
Read this text which explains how therapy incorporates the sociocultural model and describes the barriers ethnic minorities face when they try to access mental health services.
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.