Psychology December 7, 2011 Warm Up What do you know about psychological disorders? Do you know anyone with a disorder? What symptoms do they exhibit? What symptoms do you think someone would exhibit with a psychological disorder? Describe EVERYTHING you know about psychological disorders.

Understanding Psychological Disorders Psychological disorders are relatively common. They cause personal suffering to millions of people and interfere with their ability to cope with everyday life. What are psychological disorders and how common are they? What are the four major symptoms that can help identify psychological disorders? How do psychologists help classify psychological disorders?

What are psychological disorders? Psychological disorders – behavior patterns of mental processes that cause serious personal suffering or interfere with a person’s ability to cope with life everyday. Estimates suggest 1 in 4 adult Americans experience some type of psychological disorder. – 26.6% - Americans who suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. – 6% - Americans who suffer from a serious psychological disorder. – 47.1 million - annual number of visits to an office-based physician due to psychological (US) – 6.9 days – average hospital stay for patients with psychological disorder in the US. – 90% - people that kill themselves who suffer from a DIAGNOSABLE psychological disorder.

What are the Four MAJOR SYMPTOMS in diagnosing a psychological disorder? Typicality – “normality” or average, typical behavior or mental process. (other factors must be take into account with this one to make an assessment.) Maladaptivity – behavior impairs the ability to function in everyday life. Behavior that causes misery and stress rather than happiness and fulfillment.

What are the Four MAJOR SYMPTOMS in diagnosing a psychological disorder? Emotional Discomfort – emotions that cause people to be unstable, such as anxiety and depression. People who suffer from depression often feel hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, guilt, and extreme sadness. Socially Unacceptable Behavior – behavior that violates the sociably acceptable norms. What is considered normal by one society, may not be considered “normal” by another.

How do psychologists CLASSIFY psychological disorders? Most psychologists agree there should be a classification system used to specifically classify each psychological disorder. Disorders diagnosed at infancy, childhood or adolescence. Delirium, dementia, amnesia and other cognitive disorders Substance related disorders Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder Anxiety disorders Mood disorders Dissociative disorders Somatoform disorders Sexual and gender identity disorder Eating disorders Impulse control disorders Personality disorders

Classifying Psychological Disorders (cont.) Psychologist use the DSM or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association) Manual is also used by physicians and insurance companies to cover those with mental disorders. The DSM is subject to changes as more information becomes available on individual disorders (such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.)

Activity Create a chart of the MAJOR CATEGORIES of each psychological disorder. Write a description of each category. – Causes, and Effects, types of disorders, characteristics, etc.