1. Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Module 30
Introduction to Psychological Disorders

2. Module Overview Defining Disorder Understanding Disorders
Classifying Disorders
Labeling Disorders
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3. Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Defining Disorder
Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

4. How do psychologists define what kind of behavior is diagnosed as a psychological
disorder?

5. Psychological Disorder
A harmful dysfunction in which thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are maladaptive, unjustifiable, disturbing, and atypical.
Hans Deryk/AP/Wide World Photos

6. Maladaptive An exaggeration of normal, acceptable behaviors
Destructive to oneself or others

7. Unjustifiable
Behavior which does not have a rational basis

8. Disturbing
A behavior which is troublesome to other people

9. Atypical
A behavior so different from other people’s behavior that it violates a norm
Norms are the rules established by a culture of accepted and expected behaviors
Norms can vary from culture to culture

10. MUDA
A mnemonic device used to remember the four attributes of a psychological disorder
Maladaptive
Unjustifiable
Disturbing
Atypical

11. Understanding Disorders
Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

12. Historically, what were considered the causes
of psychological disorders, and what are the
current perspectives?

13. Early Views of Mental Illness
In ancient times, mental illness was usually explained through a supernatural model; the person was possessed or a sinner
During the Middle Ages treatment methods were inhumane and cruel

14. Philippe Pinel ( )
French physician who worked to reform the treatment of people with mental disorders.
Encouraged more humane treatment

15. Understanding Disorders: The Medical Model
Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

16. The Medical Model
The concept that mental illnesses have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and in most cases, cured.
Psychological disorders can be diagnosed based on their symptoms and treated or cured through therapy.
Psychological disorders are similar to a physical illness.

17. Understanding Disorders: The Bio-Psycho-Social Model
Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

18. Bio-Psycho-Social Model
A contemporary perspective that assumes biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors combine and interact to produce psychological disorders.
Studies the influences of nature and nurture and their interaction

19. Bio-Psycho-Social Model
Bio – predisposition or hereditary susceptibility to a disorder
Psycho – one’s thoughts and thinking patterns
Social – expectations and influence of culture

20. Bio-Psycho-Social Perspective

21. How do psychologists categorize the different
psychological disorders?

22. Classifying Disorders
Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

23. Classifying Mental Disorders
Psychology classifies disorders to:
Describe the disorder
Predict the future course of the disorder
Treat the disorder appropriately
Provide a springboard for research into the disorder’s causes

24. DSM-IV-TR
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition
a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders.

25. DSM-IV-TR
Lists and describes all the currently accepted categories of mental disorders
DSM -5 scheduled for release in 2013

26. DSM-IV-TR Divides mental disorders into 16 clinical syndromes
Includes the symptoms but not the causes of each disease
Has changed significantly since the first edition

27. DSM-IV-TR Axis

28. DSM-IV-TR Axis
Axis II – Is a Personality Disorder or Mental Retardation (Intellectual Disability) present?
Axis III – Is a General Medical Condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or arthritis, also present?
Axis IV – Are Psychosocial or Environmental Problems, such as school or housing issues, also present?

29. DSM-IV-TR Axis
Axis V – What is the Global Assessment of this person’s functioning? (from 0 to 100)
91 – 100 Superior function in a wide range of activities, life’s problems never seem to get out of hand; is sought out by others because of his or her many positive qualities. No symptoms.
51 – 60 Moderate symptoms (for example, flat affect or occasional panic attack) or moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (for example, few friends or conflicts with peers or co-workers).
0 – Persistent danger of severely hurting self or others (for example, recurrent violence), persistent inability to maintain minimal personal hygiene, or serious suicidal act with clear expectation of death.

30. DSM-IV-TR Axis

31. Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Labeling Disorders
Module 30: Introduction to Psychological Disorders

32. Labeling Stigmas
Studies show a clear bias against people diagnosed with mental disorders.

34. The End