Psychological Disorders Mrs .Deming Psychology Psychological Disorders Mrs .Deming

Psychological Disorders Behavior patterns or mental processes that cause serious personal suffering or interfere with a person’s ability to cope with everyday life.

Psychological Disorders Approximately 1/3 of the adults in the US experience some type of psychological disorder “normal” = what is equated with what is average for the majority of people (culture specific)

Psychological Disorders There are about 1.5 million people presently hospitalized in the US for mental disturbances. Additional 4 to 5 million people seek psychological help

Psychological Disorders Media depicts inaccurate image of a person with a mental disorder—ax murderer killing house to house because of early childhood experience Average mental patient is confused and withdrawn, bothering no one.

Diagnosing Difficult and not always straight-forward Symptoms 1. Typicality = what degree is the behavior typical 2. Maladaptivity = behavior impairs everyday life; causes misery, distress

Symptoms, continued 3. Emotional Discomfort = lose interest, anxiety 4. Socially unacceptable behavior—violates norms --Culture bound Syndromes

Classification of Disorders DSM—Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders