Lecture Notes on Psychological Disorders

Definition of Psychological Disorder

• Psychological dysfunction within an individual
• Associated with distress or impairment in functioning
• Response not typical or culturally expected
• DSM-5: Unexpected behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunctions
• Associated with current distress, impairment, or increased risk of suffering
• Psychopathology: Scientific study of psychological disorders

Clinical Description

• Unique combination of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings
• Prevalence: Number of people with the disorder in a population
• Incidence: Number of new cases during a given time period

Course Patterns

• Chronic course: Long-lasting, sometimes lifetime
• Episodic course: Recovery followed by recurrence
• Time-limited course: Will improve without treatment shortly

Onset

• Acute onset: Sudden beginning
• Insidious onset: Develops gradually over time

Etiology

• Study of origins and causes of disorders
• Includes biological, psychological, and social dimensions

Historical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior

1. The Supernatural Tradition

• Evil perceived as a cause of irrational behavior
• Demons, witches, and exorcism
• Paracelsus: Moon effects on bodily fluids (lunatic)

2. The Biological Tradition

• Hippocrates: Psychological disorders treatable as diseases
• Humoral Theory: Four bodily fluids (blood, black bile, yellow bile, phlegm)
• Treatments: Bloodletting, induced vomiting

3. Psychological Tradition

• Moral Therapy: Social interactions and normalcy in treatment
• Decline post-Civil War due to overcrowding
• Psychoanalytic Theory: Mesmer, Charcot, Breuer

Multidimensional Integrative Approach

• Genetic Contributions: Role of genes in behavior
• Diathesis Stress Model: Genetic tendencies activated by stress

The Human Nervous System

• Central Nervous System: Brain and spinal cord
• Peripheral Nervous System: Somatic and autonomic systems

Neurotransmitters

• Glutamate and GABA: Excitatory and inhibitory
• Serotonin: Regulates mood and behavior
• Norepinephrine: Alpha and beta receptors
• Dopamine: Associated with pleasure, implicated in disorders

Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Techniques

• Clinical Interview: Past and current behavior assessment
• Mental Status Exam: Systematic observation of behavior
  • Appearance, thought processes, mood, intellectual functioning
• Behavioral Assessment: Observation in specific contexts

Psychological Testing

• Projective Testing: Rorschach, TAT
• Personality Inventories: MMPI
• Intelligence Testing: Stanford-Binet, Wechsler scales
• Neuropsychological Testing: Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test

Diagnosing Psychological Disorders

• DSM-5: Criteria for psychological disorder diagnosis
• Historical Context: Development and revisions of DSM

Research Methods in Psychology

• Hypothesis: Educated guess
• Research Design: Dependent and independent variables
• Statistical vs. Clinical Significance: Mathematical vs. meaningful differences

Anxiety, Trauma-related, and OCD

Anxiety Characteristics

• Negative mood state, bodily tension, future apprehension
• Panic Attack: Intense fear with physical symptoms

Biological and Psychological Contributions

• Genetic predispositions, neurotransmitter imbalances
• Psychological views on uncontrollability

Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Chronic worry
• Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: Unexpected panic attacks and fear of situations
• Specific Phobia: Irrational fear of specific objects or situations

PTSD and Related Disorders

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Re-experiencing trauma, emotional numbness

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

• OCD: Intrusive thoughts and repetitive actions
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Preoccupation with imagined defects

Mood Disorders and Suicide

• Major Depressive Episode: Depressed mood, cognitive and physical symptoms
• Mania: Exaggerated elation and activity
• Suicide: Ideation, plans, and attempts

Eating and Sleep-Wake Disorders

• Bulimia Nervosa: Binge-eating and purging
• Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme weight loss
• Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, hypersomnolence

Substance-Related, Addictive, and Impulse-Control Disorders

• Classification of depressants, stimulants, opioids, etc.
• Gambling Disorder: Inability to resist gambling urge

Personality Disorders

• Cluster A: Odd/eccentric (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal)
• Cluster B: Dramatic/emotional (antisocial, borderline)
• Cluster C: Anxious/fearful (avoidant, dependent)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

• Positive, negative, and disorganized symptoms
• Neurobiological and genetic influences

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Includes ADHD, specific learning disorders, autism spectrum disorder

Neurocognitive Disorders

• Delirium: Temporary confusion
• Major and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder: Gradual cognitive decline

These notes provide a summary of key concepts related to psychological disorders as discussed in the lecture. Understanding these foundational ideas is crucial for exploring the complexities of mental health and the various approaches to diagnosis and treatment.