1. Benny & Joon

2. Defining Disorder

3. Psychological Disorder
A “harmful dysfunction” in which behaviors are maladaptive, unjustifiable, disturbing, and atypical

4. All 4 criteria need to be present in order to diagnose someone with a psychological disorder
If the behavior does not meet all the conditions then the person does not qualify for a diagnosis

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

6. Maladaptive The behavior is destructive to oneself or others
Sometimes an exaggeration of normal, acceptable behaviors
For example, fears are normal, but are they preventing you from leading a normal life?

7. Unjustifiable A behavior which does not have a rational basis
Does the behavior make sense, at least to other members of the culture?

8. Disturbing A behavior which is troublesome to other people
Does your behavior make others concerned about you?

9. Atypical
A behavior so different from other people’s behavior that it violates a norm
A Norm is a rule for accepted and expected behavior in a particular culture
Norms vary from culture to culture
It doesn’t matter if my behavior is unlike yours if we live in different cultures; it only matters if people in my culture think my behavior is abnormal

10. Understanding Disorders

11. 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

12. Understanding Disorders: The Medical Model

13. The Medical Model
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.

14. Understanding Disorders: The Bio-Psycho-Social Model

15. Bio-Psycho-Social Model
Contemporary perspective that assumes biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors combine and interact to produce psychological disorders

16. Bio-Psycho-Social Perspective

17. Labeling Disorders

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

19. The End