Andrew Rivera COMMON FEATURES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

ANXIETY DISORDERS (POST - TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER) Anxiety Disorders- have a form of irrational fear as the central disturbance. Post - traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder which is characterized by intrusive memories of the tramatic event, emotional withdrawl, and heighted autonomic arousal, which may result in a multitude of conditions. The dominant features of posttraumatic stress disorder are emotional numbing (i.e., emotional non-responsiveness), hyper-arousal (e.g., irritability, on constant alert for danger), and re-experiencing of the trauma (e.g., flashbacks, intrusive emotions). PTSD is as an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders cover several different forms of abnormal, pathological anxiety, fears, phobias and nervous conditions that may come on suddenly or gradually over a period of several years, and may impair or prevent the pursuing of normal daily routines.

CRITERION FOR PTSD The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following have been present: 1.The person has experienced, witnessed, or been confronted with an event or events that involve actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of oneself or others. 2.The person’s response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Note: in children, it may be expressed instead by disorganized or agitated behavior.

SYMPTOMS OF PTSD ARE GROUPED INTO 3 CATEGORIES Intrusive elements: Recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event. Recurrent dreams of the event Sudden acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were recurring Intense psychological distress at exposure to things that symbolizes or resembles an aspect of the trauma, including anniversaries thereof. Physiological reactivity when exposed to internal or external cues of the event. At least one of these symptoms to be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

AGE OF ONSET AND CULTURAL FEATURES Can occur at any age, including childhood, and can affect anyone. Individuals who have recently immigrated from areas of considerable social unrest and civil conflict may have elevated rates of PTSD. No clear evidence that members of different ethnic or minority groups are more or less susceptible than others.

EATING DISORDERS (BULIMIA NERVOSA) Eating Disorders- Are characterized by eating patterns which lead to insufficient or excessive intake of food. Individuals with Bulimia Nervosa undertake binge eating and then use compensatory methods to prevent weight gain, such as induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative abuse.

SYMPTOMS The key characteristics of this disorder include bingeing (the intake of large quantities of food) and purging (elimination of the food through artificial means such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives, periods of fasting, or excessive exercise). Affective: Feelings of inadequacy, guilt, or shame. Behavioral: Recurrent episodes of binge eating; use of vomiting laxatives, exercise, or dieting to control weight. Cognitive: Negative self-image; poor-body image; tendency to percieve events as more stressful than most people would. Somatic: Swollen salivary glands; erosion of tooth enamel; stomach or intestinal problems, heart problems

AN EATING DISORDER WITH TWO BEHAVIORS:  A. Bingeing- uncontrollable consumption of very large amounts of food. For example, a binge might involve consuming all of the following in a very rapid amount of time (and in private): a. a whole box of cookies b. 2 liter bottle of soda c. gallon of ice cream

PURGING- USING INAPPROPRIATE METHODS OF ELIMINATING THE FOOD EATEN IN ORDER TO AVOID WEIGHT GAIN. For example: A. Vomiting B. Laxatives C. Diuretics D. Enemas E. Excessive exercise/fasting

GENETIC, HEREDITARY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Culture. Women in the U.S. are under constant pressure to fit a certain ideal of beauty. Seeing images of flawless, thin females everywhere makes it hard for women to feel good about their bodies. Families. If you have a mother or sister with bulimia, you are more likely to also have bulimia. Parents who think looks are important, diet themselves, or criticize their children's bodies are more likely to have a child with bulimia. Life changes or stressful events. Traumatic events (like rape), as well as stressful things (like starting a new job), can lead to bulimia. Personality traits. A person with bulimia may not like herself, hate the way she looks, or feel hopeless. She may be very moody, have problems expressing anger, or have a hard time controlling impulsive behaviors. Biology. Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain may be factors in developing bulimia.

Women are more likely than men or children to be the target for media propaganda for thinness. Especially young women.