Characteristics of a Disorder  Unjustifiable  Maladaptive  Atypical  Disturbing

How are disorders diagnosed?  Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 editions Provides diagnostic classification (disorder names or codes), symptoms, statistics, treatment options  Issues with the DSM

Categories of Disorders Anxiety Disorders Mood Disorders Personality Disorders Psychotic Disorders Dissociative Disorders

Anxiety: A vague feeling of apprehension & nervousness Symptoms: Restlessness, Feeling on Edge, Irritability, Sleep problems, Difficulty Concentrating, Muscle Tension

Anxiety Disorders Generalized Anxiety Disorder Panic Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Phobia

Generalized Anxiety Disorder  Anxiety Symptoms last must longer than usual (6 Mos.) & are not tied to any specific event.  Aware of unusually high anxiety, but can’t shake it off or pinpoint the cause.  Usually sets in during Childhood or adolescence.

Panic Disorder  Sudden bouts of intense, unexplained fear that something bad is going to happen.  Panic attacks happen regularly.  Choking sensation, heart rate increases, Fear of losing control, nausea, intense terror  Usually last less than 30 minutes.

Phobias  (1) Disruptive, (2) irrational fears of objects or situations.  Social Phobias: Fear of certain social situations.  Agoraphobia: Fear of having a panic attack. They avoid open spaces & Isolate themselves to avoid the trigger.  Can be learned, but genetic predisposition exists. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  Triggered by intense stress  Rape, Abuse, Car Accident, Death, etc.  Symptoms: Nightmares, persistent fear, emotionally distant, easily angered, flashbacks & troubling memories.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder  Obsessions: Repetitive thoughts.  Concern with germs, symmetry, order, grades  Compulsions: Repetitive actions.  Excessive cleaning, repeating rituals, training  Only way to reduce anxiety is to carry out compulsion. (Temporary relief)

Types of OCD:  Checkers: harm will be caused if things are not in the appropriate state of being. Ex. Door Locks, “Off” switches, homework  Washers: Fear of contamination. Never feel safe or clean from contaminants.  Hoarders: Collect insignificant items and have trouble turning down items or throwing items out.  Counters: Feel the urge to count and re-count items or actions. They are compelled to repeat processes in certain numerical patterns to satisfy the obsession.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders  Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Gain control over unwanted thought patterns Gain control over unwanted behaviors  Medication