Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Psychological Disorders

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall “He’s crazy!”: Some Perspectives on Abnormality Statistical -- whatever most people do is “normal” – normal people engage in rare behavior (e.g., skydiving) – some rare behaviors are desirable (e.g., concert pianist) Societal -- does the behavior conform to existing social norms? – some behaviors may simply be eccentric or illegal – most people probably engage in some behavior that violates society’s norms (e.g., adultery, theft, plagiarism) – norms vary across cultures, subcultures, and historical eras Personal suffering -- one’s personal sense of well-being – some individuals are very distressed over nonpathological behavior (e.g., public speaking) – some disordered behaviors may not cause the person to feel distress (e.g., masochism)

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall A Practical Approach Behavior in context -- a synthesis of the previous perspectives – content of behavior -- behavior is likely to be judged abnormal by society if it is maladaptive or disabling, appears bizarre or irrational, and/or is unpredictable and uncontrolled – sociocultural context -- appropriateness of behavior is judged on where and when the behavior occurs (e.g., barking like a dog in the “Dawg Pound” is fine, barking in church during a funeral is not) – consequences of behavior -- considers whether the behavior causes harm or discomfort for the person or others The practical approach examines a person’s patterns of thought, behaviors, and emotions to determine if they cause impaired functioning and difficulty in fulfilling appropriate and expected social roles.

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Historical Views of Psychological Disorders Supernatural view – bizarre behavior attributed to supernatural powers such as demons, witches, spells, animal bites, or possession – dominated early societies Exorcisms, potions, burning at the stake were, magic charms were used to cure victims Mental hospitals and asylums were used more like prisons to keep the afflicted away from society

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Current Models of Psychological Disorders Biological model – Physiological or biochemical basis Psychoanalytic model – Disorders are the result of unconscious conflicts Cognitive-Behavioral model – Disorders are the result of learning maladaptive ways of behaving and thinking Diathesis-Stress model – Inherited biological characteristics and early experiences create a predisposition to develop a disorder which may be triggered by stressors encountered in life Systems theory (biopsychosocial model) – Model in which biological, psychological, and social risk factors combine to produce psychological disorders

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Classifying Psychological Disorders Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) -- provides specific criteria outlining the conditions that must be met before a person is diagnosed with a disorder Five dimensions or axes for evaluation – Axis I -- contains major mental disorders – Axis II -- includes personality disorders and mental retardation – Axis III -- looks at any physical conditions important in understanding the disorder – Axis IV -- psychosocial and environmental problems that are important for understanding a person's psychological problems are noted – Axis V -- ratings from 100 to 1 of the person's psychological, social, and occupational functioning

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Anxiety Disorders

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Anxiety Disorders Disorders in which anxiety is the characteristic feature or avoidance of anxiety motivates abnormal behavior – Anxiety -- feeling of apprehension, dread, or uneasiness Anxiety is intense, long-standing, or disrupting

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Generalized anxiety disorder -- chronic, vague fears not attached to any particular object or circumstance – “free-floating” anxiety Panic Disorder -- sudden onset of intense anxiety in which the person experiences terror for no apparent reason – Attack involves heart palpitations, sweating, and other physical symptoms of arousal – Person may feel like they are going crazy or going to die Anxiety Disorders

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Anxiety Disorders Phobias -- intense, irrational fear of specific situations or objects – Common phobias include animals, heights, closed places, needles, crowds or public places – Social phobias in which person experiences excessive fear of social situations Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) -- recurring thoughts (obsessions) accompanied by ritualistic and rigid behaviors (compulsions) – Performing the compulsive behavior temporarily reduces the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Causes of Anxiety Disorders Conditioning – For example, phobias can be learned through classical conditioning Feelings of not being in control can lead to anxiety Predisposition to anxiety disorders may be inherited Displacement or repression of unacceptable thoughts or impulses can lead to anxiety

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Psychosomatic and Somatoform Disorders

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Psychosomatic Disorders Real physical illness with psychological causes such as stress or anxiety (e.g., tension headaches, ulcers) Research indicates that most, if not all, illnesses may have a psychosomatic component

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Somatoform Disorders Physical symptoms without any physical cause Hypochondriasis – Fear that minor symptoms indicate the presence of serious illness (e.g., cancer, AIDS) Somatization disorder – Vague, recurrent physical complaints without physical cause Conversion disorder – Dramatic, specific disability without physical cause – la belle indifference Body dysmorphic disorder – Person becomes preoccupied with imagined ugliness and cannot function normally

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Causes of Somatoform Disorders Psychodynamic – Symptoms related to traumatic experience in the past Cognitive behavioral – Examines ways in which the behavior is being rewarded (illnesses while a child resulted in attention from parents) Diathesis-stress – People may have biological and psychological traits that make them vulnerable to somatoform disorders, especially when combined with a history of physical illness

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Dissociative Disorders Disorders in which some part of the personality seems separated from the rest Often involves intense, long-lasting disruptions in a person's memory, consciousness, or identity

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Dissociative Disorders Dissociative amnesia – Sudden loss of memory without a physical cause Dissociative fugue – Sudden loss of memory, flight from home, and adoption of a new identity Dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder) – Person has several distinct personalities that emerge at different times Depersonalization disorder – Person suddenly feels strangely changed or different

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Causes of Dissociative Disorders Psychodynamic – massive repression of unwanted impulses or memories, resulting in a "new person" who acts out these impulses. Social-cognitive – everyone is capable of behaving differently depending on the circumstances and, in rare cases, this variation can become so extreme that a person feels and is perceived by others as a "different person” – individual may be rewarded for a sudden memory loss or unusual behavior by escaping stressful situations.

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Mood Disorders

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Depression Symptoms – Overwhelming feelings of sadness – Lack of interest in activities – Excessive guilt or feelings of worthlessness Major depressive disorder -- Intense symptoms that may last for several months Dysthymia -- Less intense, but may last for periods of two years or more

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Mania Not as common as depression Symptoms – Feelings of euphoria – Extreme physical activity – Excessive talkativeness – Grandiosity Mania rarely appears alone, but usually as part of bipolar disorder

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Bipolar Disorder Characterized by alternating between depression and mania Periods of normal mood may come between bouts of depression and mania Much less common than depression Stronger biological component than depression

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Causes of Mood Disorders Biological factors – Twin studies demonstrate that genetic factors play a role in development of depression – Mood disorders may be linked to chemical imbalances in the brain

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Causes of Mood Disorders Psychological factors – Cognitive distortions Maladaptive response to early negative life events that leads to feelings of incompetence and unworthiness – These responses are reactivated whenever a new situation arises that resembles the original events

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Causes of Mood Disorders Social factors – Depression is linked to troubled close relationships – May explain greater incidence of depression in women, who tend to be more relationship-oriented – Depressed people can evoke anxiety and hostility in others, who then withdraw, which in turn can intensify feelings of depression

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Suicide 19,000 people commit suicide in the U.S. every year, the 11 th leading cause of death More women than men attempt suicide, but more men succeed

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Schizophrenic Disorders Severe disorders characterized by disturbances of thought, communication, and emotions Delusions -- False beliefs about reality – grandeur – persecution Hallucinations -- Sensory experiences without external stimulation

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Types of Schizophrenic Disorders Disorganized schizophrenia – Bizarre and childlike behavior – May engage in incoherent conversations Catatonic schizophrenia – Can alternate between a catatonic state (mute and immobile) and an overly active state (overly excited and shouting) Paranoid schizophrenia – Marked by extreme suspiciousness and complex delusions Undifferentiated schizophrenia – Clear symptoms of schizophrenia that do not meet criteria for other subtypes

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Causes of Schizophrenia Biological predisposition to schizophrenia may be inherited Twin studies show genetic link Excessive levels of dopamine lead to psychotic symptoms Abnormalities of brain structures Abnormal patterns of connections between brain cells May involve family relationships and social class

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Personality Disorders

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Personality Disorders Disorders in which inflexible thinking and maladaptive ways of thinking and behaving learned early in life cause distress in the person and/or conflicts with others Approximately 3% of men and 1% of women have a personality disorder Rate among prisoners is close to 50%

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Personality Disorders Schizoid (Scrooge) – Withdrawn and lacks feelings for others – Appear cold, distant, and unfeeling Paranoid – Very suspicious of others Dependent – Inability to make decisions or act independently and cannot tolerate being alone Avoidant – Social anxiety leading to isolation

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Personality Disorders Narcissistic – Grandiose sense of self-importance Borderline – Instability in self-image, mood, and interpersonal relationships – Tend to be impulsive in self-destructive ways Antisocial – Pattern of violent, criminal, or unethical behavior with no sense of remorse

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Causes of Antisocial Personality Disorder Combination of biological predisposition, adverse psychological experiences, and an unhealthy social environment Also possible link to damaged frontal lobe during infancy Emotional deprivation during childhood may lead to antisocial tendencies

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Childhood Disorders Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) – Characterized by inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity – Causes not fully understood – Psychostimulants Drugs that increase the ability of children with AD/HD to focus

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Childhood Disorders Autistic Disorder – Characterized by lack of social instincts and strange motor behavior – Fail to form normal attachments to parents – May withdraw into their own world – Causes are not known

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Sexual Disorders

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Sexual Dysfunction Erectile disorder – Inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection Female sexual arousal disorder – Inability of a woman to become sexually aroused or reach orgasm Sexual desire disorders – Lack of sexual interest or active distaste for sex Orgasmic disorders – Inability to reach orgasm in a person who has sexual desire and can maintain arousal Premature ejaculation – Male’s inability to inhibit orgasm as long as desired Vaginismus – Involuntary muscle spasms in the outer part of the vagina making intercourse impossible

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Sexual Dysfunction

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Paraphilias Sexual disorders in which unconventional objects or situations cause sexual arousal

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Paraphilias Fetishism – Non-human object is preferred method of sexual excitement Voyeurism – Desire to watch others having sex or undressing Exhibitionism – Compulsion to expose one’s genitals to achieve sexual arousal Frotteurism – Touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person in public Transvestic fetishism – Wearing clothing of the opposite sex to achieve sexual arousal Sexual sadism – Obtain sexual gratification by humiliating or physically harming a sex partner Sexual masochism – Inability to enjoy sex without physical or emotional pain Pedophilia – Preferred desire to have sex with children

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Gender-Identity Disorders Involves a desire to become, or insistence that one really is, a member of the other sex Usually begins in childhood Most develop normal gender identity in adulthood Sex reassignment surgery is an option for adults who have this disorder Causes are not known

Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall Mental Illness and the Law Insanity – Legal term for mentally disturbed people who are not considered responsible for their criminal actions Those found insane often spend more time in mental institutions than they would have in prison