Psychological Disorders/Psychological Disorders/Abnormal PsychologyAbnormal Psychology

Mods 45 thru 49Mods 45 thru 49

Pgs. 623 – 665Pgs. 623 – 665

What is normal?What is normal? If someone is too depressed to get out of If someone is too depressed to get out of

bed for weeks, do they have a disorder?bed for weeks, do they have a disorder?

What if they just experienced a severe loss?What if they just experienced a severe loss? How long is okay?How long is okay?

What if, the day after experiencing a severe What if, the day after experiencing a severe loss, they went out partying? Is that wrong too?loss, they went out partying? Is that wrong too?

Most “abnormals” depicted on TV with Most “abnormals” depicted on TV with severe problems are usually inaccurate.severe problems are usually inaccurate.

Only a handful of the disturbed are Only a handful of the disturbed are dangerous.dangerous.

The average mental patient is confused, The average mental patient is confused, withdrawn and will bother no one.withdrawn and will bother no one.

Statistically, mental patients are less Statistically, mental patients are less violent than the general public.violent than the general public.

If you choose an emotionally disturbed If you choose an emotionally disturbed person at random, odds are that they person at random, odds are that they won’t be much different from you or won’t be much different from you or your friends in most areas except for an your friends in most areas except for an exaggeration in certain areas.exaggeration in certain areas.

Medical Students SyndromeMedical Students Syndrome: there are : there are many instances when reading about many instances when reading about lung collapses that med students get lung collapses that med students get pains in their chest. Don’t let this pains in their chest. Don’t let this happen to you here.happen to you here.

How can we define How can we define psychological disorders?psychological disorders?

Does being Does being differentdifferent from everybody else from everybody else make one have a disorder?make one have a disorder?

Not necessarily but, being Not necessarily but, being atypicalatypical is is part of the definition of a disorder.part of the definition of a disorder.

To be considered To be considered disordereddisordered, , other people must find the other people must find the

atypicalatypical behavior behavior disturbingdisturbing.. These standards vary depending on These standards vary depending on

cultural and historical context.cultural and historical context. Killing during wartime vs. peace.Killing during wartime vs. peace. Burping at the end of a meal is a Burping at the end of a meal is a

compliment in some countries.compliment in some countries. 200 years ago, everyone walked around 200 years ago, everyone walked around

England and America with white wigs on.England and America with white wigs on. If you’re afraid of a tiny mouse and jump If you’re afraid of a tiny mouse and jump

on tables screaming, it’s ok; if you have on tables screaming, it’s ok; if you have agoraphobia (fear of public places) you agoraphobia (fear of public places) you have a disorder.have a disorder.

Would you agree that there is something Would you agree that there is something abnormal in all of us? There must be abnormal in all of us? There must be something you’ve done that you would something you’ve done that you would rather not have others know about.rather not have others know about.

Winning!Winning!

Historically, madness = supernatural Historically, madness = supernatural forcesforces

Disorders are behaviors that Disorders are behaviors that are are maladaptivemaladaptive. Like when . Like when

a smoker’s nicotine a smoker’s nicotine dependence produces physical dependence produces physical

damage.damage. Abnormal behavior is most likely to Abnormal behavior is most likely to

be considered disordered when be considered disordered when others find it rationally others find it rationally unjustifiableunjustifiable..

If you can justify it or no one is If you can justify it or no one is disturbed by it, it’s acceptable.disturbed by it, it’s acceptable.

““she’s an entertainer”she’s an entertainer”

So, mental health workers label behavior So, mental health workers label behavior psychologically disordered when they judge it 1. psychologically disordered when they judge it 1. atypicalatypical, 2. , 2. disturbingdisturbing, 3. , 3. maladaptivemaladaptive and 4. and 4. unjustifiableunjustifiable..

Manson Clip - Manson Clip - SavedSaved

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2oZWpqtNi4&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

The current authoritative scheme for The current authoritative scheme for classifying psychological disorders is the classifying psychological disorders is the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders --Disorders --

DSM IV-RDSM IV-R

Most health insurance companies require a Most health insurance companies require a DSM IV diagnosis before paying for therapy.DSM IV diagnosis before paying for therapy.

Anxiety DisordersAnxiety Disorders We all feel it at one time or another:We all feel it at one time or another:

Before the game, match, show or event.Before the game, match, show or event.Looking down from a ledge.Looking down from a ledge.Speaking in front of people, etc.Speaking in front of people, etc.

But, for some people, two thirds of whom But, for some people, two thirds of whom are women, anxiety becomes so are women, anxiety becomes so distressing and persistent that they suffer distressing and persistent that they suffer an anxiety disorder.an anxiety disorder.

3 Types3 Types Generalized Anxiety DisorderGeneralized Anxiety Disorder – in – in

which a person feels unexplainably which a person feels unexplainably tense and uneasy.tense and uneasy.

Phobic DisorderPhobic Disorder – in which a person – in which a person feels irrationally afraid of a specific feels irrationally afraid of a specific object of situationobject of situation

Obsessive Compulsive DisorderObsessive Compulsive Disorder – in – in which a person is troubled by which a person is troubled by repetitive thoughts and/or actions.repetitive thoughts and/or actions.

Generalized Anxiety Generalized Anxiety DisorderDisorder Sufferers are continually tense and Sufferers are continually tense and

jittery, apprehensive about bad jittery, apprehensive about bad things that might happen, and things that might happen, and experiencing all the symptoms of experiencing all the symptoms of autonomic nervous system arousal autonomic nervous system arousal (racing heart, clammy hands, (racing heart, clammy hands, stomach butterflies).stomach butterflies).

One of the worst characteristics of One of the worst characteristics of GAD is that the person cannot GAD is that the person cannot identify, and therefore cannot avoid, identify, and therefore cannot avoid, it’s cause.it’s cause.

Panic AttackPanic Attack For no apparent reason, the anxiety may at times For no apparent reason, the anxiety may at times

suddenly escalate into a terrifying suddenly escalate into a terrifying panic attackpanic attack – – an episode of intense dread, usually lasting several an episode of intense dread, usually lasting several minutes. Chest pain, choking or smothering minutes. Chest pain, choking or smothering sensations, trembling, dizziness, or fainting sensations, trembling, dizziness, or fainting typically accompany the panic.typically accompany the panic.

The experience is unpredictable and so frightening The experience is unpredictable and so frightening that the sufferer may then avoid situations where that the sufferer may then avoid situations where the attacks have occurred.the attacks have occurred.

Anxiety attack on planeAnxiety attack on plane http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_JjUER_r08&playnext

=1&list=PLA1ADBF0A6333DAA6&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

How not to help a person having an anxiety attackHow not to help a person having an anxiety attack http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0GW0Vnr9Yc&f

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Phobic DisordersPhobic Disorders Phobic anxietyPhobic anxiety focuses on some specific object, focuses on some specific object,

activity or situation. activity or situation. PhobiasPhobias are are irrational fearsirrational fears..

List of List of phobiasphobias -- -- http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/phobias.html

Deliberately forcing a person to overcome their Deliberately forcing a person to overcome their fears can be very dangerous. Throwing a person fears can be very dangerous. Throwing a person in the ocean who has in the ocean who has thalassophobiathalassophobia can be can be harmful.harmful.

Phobia clip – 3:32Phobia clip – 3:32 SavedSaved

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rl7Lr6eDLc&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Pop up phobia bookPop up phobia book

AgoraphobiaAgoraphobia FearFear of of open placesopen places and/or public situations. and/or public situations. How can it start?How can it start?

Perhaps suffering a Perhaps suffering a panic attackpanic attack in a in a specific specific placeplace will trigger a fear of being in that situation will trigger a fear of being in that situation again.again.

More agoraphobics are women. Society?More agoraphobics are women. Society?

Most have a Most have a specific boundaryspecific boundary they cannot they cannot cross, whether it be the doorway, a certain cross, whether it be the doorway, a certain street, the town border etc.street, the town border etc.

Obsessive-Compulsive Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/OCDDisorder/OCD

At times, we may all be obsessed At times, we may all be obsessed with senseless or offensive thoughts with senseless or offensive thoughts that will not go away.that will not go away.

We sometimes engage in rigid We sometimes engage in rigid behavior like rechecking the locked behavior like rechecking the locked door, stepping over cracks in the door, stepping over cracks in the sidewalk, lining up our books and sidewalk, lining up our books and pencils “just right” before studying or pencils “just right” before studying or whatever…..whatever…..

ObsessiveObsessive thoughtsthoughts and and compulsive compulsive behaviorsbehaviors crosscross the fine line between the fine line between normalitynormality and and disorderdisorder when they become when they become so persistent that they so persistent that they interfereinterfere with the with the way we way we livelive or when they cause distress. or when they cause distress.

ObsessionObsession – an endless preoccupation with – an endless preoccupation with an urge or thought.an urge or thought. Ex. What happens when you hear a song just Ex. What happens when you hear a song just

as you’re leaving your house or car.as you’re leaving your house or car. Multiply that 100x – when thoughts will not Multiply that 100x – when thoughts will not

leave the person alone.leave the person alone.

CompulsionCompulsion

A A ritualized behaviorritualized behavior that a person must that a person must act out. Each time he/she does so, act out. Each time he/she does so, anxiety anxiety is decreasedis decreased..

A A compulsivecompulsive handwasher is handwasher is obsessedobsessed with with cleanliness.cleanliness.

The compulsion is the action, the The compulsion is the action, the obsession is the thought.obsession is the thought.

Howie Manel clipHowie Manel clip 2:182:18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg14F7

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As Good As It Gets clip – 1:07As Good As It Gets clip – 1:07 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44DCW

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Explaining Anxiety Explaining Anxiety DisordersDisorders

Don’t write, just read.Don’t write, just read. Psychoanalytic perspectivePsychoanalytic perspective – assumes that, – assumes that,

beginning in beginning in childhoodchildhood, intolerable , intolerable impulses, ideas and feelings get impulses, ideas and feelings get repressedrepressed..Repetitive hand washing, for instance, may help Repetitive hand washing, for instance, may help

suppress anxiety over one’s “dirty” urges.suppress anxiety over one’s “dirty” urges.

Learning perspectiveLearning perspective – links general anxiety with – links general anxiety with learned helplessness. Some fears arise from learned helplessness. Some fears arise from stimulus generalization. Fear of heights may stimulus generalization. Fear of heights may lead to a fear of airplaines without ever being lead to a fear of airplaines without ever being on a plane.on a plane.

Biological perspectiveBiological perspective – explains our anxiety- – explains our anxiety-proness in evolutionary, genetic and proness in evolutionary, genetic and physiological terms. Maybe a lack of serotonin? physiological terms. Maybe a lack of serotonin?

Brain scansBrain scans of people with obsessive of people with obsessive compulsive disorder reveal unusually compulsive disorder reveal unusually high activity in an area of the frontal high activity in an area of the frontal lobeslobes just above the eyes. just above the eyes. Antidepressant drugsAntidepressant drugs control OC control OC behavior by behavior by dampeningdampening this this activityactivity

Somatoform DisordersSomatoform Disorders PsychologicalPsychological issues are expressed in issues are expressed in bodily bodily

symptomssymptoms, but there is , but there is nono actual actual physical problemphysical problem.. We all feel a little worse when life isn’t going so We all feel a little worse when life isn’t going so

well, but this is dramatic.well, but this is dramatic. 2 types2 types 1. 1. Conversion DisorderConversion Disorder: another name is : another name is hysterical hysterical

blindness.blindness. (More common in Freud’s day than (More common in Freud’s day than now)now)

Ex. A person who has witnessed a terrible human Ex. A person who has witnessed a terrible human torture or slaughter (the Holocaust) may have their torture or slaughter (the Holocaust) may have their visual system shut down.visual system shut down.

Or, a person who was in a car accident was unable Or, a person who was in a car accident was unable to help others because of fear – may develop a to help others because of fear – may develop a sort of paralysis.sort of paralysis.

These people are not faking it. Doctors would stick These people are not faking it. Doctors would stick them with needles and they have no reaction.them with needles and they have no reaction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2NbEV8cFzs&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Band Brothers 3:00Band Brothers 3:00

2. Hypochondriasis: Less unusual. 2. Hypochondriasis: Less unusual. Overly concerned about their health.Overly concerned about their health.

A slight headache is interpreted as A slight headache is interpreted as brain cancer, or the sniffles as brain cancer, or the sniffles as pneumonia.pneumonia.

Often, when children only got attention Often, when children only got attention and support from other people when and support from other people when they were sick.they were sick.

Dissociative Disorders (rare)Dissociative Disorders (rare)

When a person experiences a sudden When a person experiences a sudden loss of memory or change in identity.loss of memory or change in identity.

Part of one’s life become Part of one’s life become disconnected with other parts.disconnected with other parts.

Only when these experiences are Only when these experiences are severe and prolonged do they severe and prolonged do they suggest a dissociative disorder.suggest a dissociative disorder.

1. 1. AmnesiaAmnesia:: The failure to recall events, can be caused by The failure to recall events, can be caused by

head injury or alcoholic intoxication. But head injury or alcoholic intoxication. But psychogenic amnesiapsychogenic amnesia usually begins as a usually begins as a response to response to intolerable psychological stressintolerable psychological stress..

The memories are still inside of the person, The memories are still inside of the person, but they are cut off from consciousness.but they are cut off from consciousness.

Patients usually exhibit Patients usually exhibit Selective ForgettingSelective Forgetting: : remembering how to drive, talk, type etc.remembering how to drive, talk, type etc.

Combat soldiers blot out certain parts of the Combat soldiers blot out certain parts of the horror, but still remember childhood memories.horror, but still remember childhood memories.

2. 2. Psychogenic FuguePsychogenic Fugue (complicated) (complicated) Also involves forgetting, but it also Also involves forgetting, but it also

involves fleeing one’s home and identity involves fleeing one’s home and identity for days, months or years.for days, months or years.

When “When “awakeningawakening” from a ” from a fugue statefugue state, , people remember their old identities but people remember their old identities but typically deny remembering what typically deny remembering what occurred during the fugue.occurred during the fugue.

Can also be caused by severe stress. Can also be caused by severe stress. Maybe conflict with spouse.Maybe conflict with spouse.

3. Multiple Personality Disorder3. Multiple Personality Disorder Controversial. Massive dissociation of self Controversial. Massive dissociation of self

from ordinary consciousness.from ordinary consciousness. Instead of forgetting events, they forget a Instead of forgetting events, they forget a

portion of themselves. That portion begins portion of themselves. That portion begins to live a life of their own.to live a life of their own.

Usually a good and bad person. Possibly Usually a good and bad person. Possibly caused by a history of escaping from caused by a history of escaping from problems.problems.

Perhaps a history of severe child abuse or Perhaps a history of severe child abuse or traumatic experience.traumatic experience.

There have been cases where the different There have been cases where the different personality would write with the opposite personality would write with the opposite hand, be able to play an instrument or hand, be able to play an instrument or speak a different language.speak a different language.

SybilSybil

Mood DisordersMood Disorders

The mood of an individual is his/her emotional The mood of an individual is his/her emotional state – angry, depressed, happy etc.state – angry, depressed, happy etc.

A mood disorder is an exaggerated “up A mood disorder is an exaggerated “up mood”, depressed state, or an alternation mood”, depressed state, or an alternation between up and down.between up and down.

There is a There is a mild disordermild disorder called called dysthymic dysthymic disorderdisorder which is the “ which is the “common coldcommon cold” of ” of mental health.mental health.

A moderate depression and can clear up A moderate depression and can clear up without treatment. Lack of energy, without treatment. Lack of energy, unhappiness, loss of interest in activities, no unhappiness, loss of interest in activities, no sense of humor etc.sense of humor etc.

In many cases, as in the loss of a loved one, it In many cases, as in the loss of a loved one, it serves a purpose. If it appears out of serves a purpose. If it appears out of nowhere, there may be a problem.nowhere, there may be a problem.

Mood disordersMood disorders come in come in two two principal formsprincipal forms::

1. Major Depression1. Major Depression: the person experiences : the person experiences the hopelessness and lethargy of prolonged the hopelessness and lethargy of prolonged depression until eventually rebounding to depression until eventually rebounding to normalcy.normalcy.

Feelings of worthlessness, slow speech, Feelings of worthlessness, slow speech, thoughts of death or suicide.thoughts of death or suicide.

Many patients have trouble with everyday Many patients have trouble with everyday tasks. Some can lie motionless for hours.tasks. Some can lie motionless for hours.

Usually there is a great deal of anger inside Usually there is a great deal of anger inside (sometimes directed at the self)(sometimes directed at the self)

Affects many more women than men.Affects many more women than men. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeZCmqePLz

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ManiaMania is the is the oppositeopposite of of depressiondepression.. Extreme up moodsExtreme up moods. Doesn’t seem so bad. But this . Doesn’t seem so bad. But this

is is restlessnessrestlessness, , no concentrationno concentration, very , very rapid rapid speechspeech..

Thoughts are moving so quickly, they get Thoughts are moving so quickly, they get out of out of controlcontrol and get and get confusedconfused..

Ex. “I went to the store where I kept the containers Ex. “I went to the store where I kept the containers of milk which all babies should have in order to of milk which all babies should have in order to survive which not everyone can do because of the survive which not everyone can do because of the threat of nuclear war between countries which are threat of nuclear war between countries which are divisions of various parts of the land which is filled divisions of various parts of the land which is filled normally with rock and dirt.”normally with rock and dirt.”

Grandiose optimism and self esteem.Grandiose optimism and self esteem.

2. Bipolar Disorders:2. Bipolar Disorders: swings between ups swings between ups and downs -- mania and depression.and downs -- mania and depression. Used to be called manic depression.Used to be called manic depression.

CausesCauses: 80-90% of the time, they disappear by : 80-90% of the time, they disappear by themselves within six months. However, they themselves within six months. However, they usually reoccur.usually reoccur.

Maybe a Maybe a lifetime of loss, setbacks, poor self imagelifetime of loss, setbacks, poor self image..Chemical imbalanceChemical imbalance – serotonin, norepinephrine. – serotonin, norepinephrine.Possibly inheritedPossibly inherited. Depression is also contagious. . Depression is also contagious.

Constantly being around people that are down or Constantly being around people that are down or depressed will affect you. Vicious cycle.depressed will affect you. Vicious cycle.

Combination ofCombination of psychological factors, physical psychological factors, physical factors and chemical factors.factors and chemical factors.

Schizophrenic DisordersSchizophrenic Disorders A major/serious disorganization of the thought process. A major/serious disorganization of the thought process.

Distorted perceptions of the world. Roses are redDistorted perceptions of the world. Roses are red 4 Major Symptoms4 Major Symptoms – all four need not be present, but at – all four need not be present, but at

least two.least two. 1. 1. Thought disorderThought disorder: distortion of the thinking process.: distortion of the thinking process. 2. 2. HallucinatingHallucinating: seeing or hearing things that are not : seeing or hearing things that are not

there.there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=0vvU-Aj

wbok (oral hallucinations link) (oral hallucinations link)

3.3. DelusionsDelusions: inaccurate beliefs. “Prophets” or : inaccurate beliefs. “Prophets” or avenging angels etc.avenging angels etc.

4.4. Inappropriate emotional responseInappropriate emotional response: no rsponse to : no rsponse to something interesting. Then laugh at tragic events. something interesting. Then laugh at tragic events. They don’t really think it’s funny, they are confused, a They don’t really think it’s funny, they are confused, a malfunction of the brain.malfunction of the brain.

Affects 1% of the population.Affects 1% of the population.

It almost never appears earlier than It almost never appears earlier than adolescence or early adulthood. So it is adolescence or early adulthood. So it is probably caused by a chemical probably caused by a chemical imbalance.imbalance.

It may not be psychologically caused It may not be psychologically caused because psychological problems occur because psychological problems occur at any age.at any age.

They speak in what is called They speak in what is called word saladword salad. . Incoherent, no sense and often try to Incoherent, no sense and often try to rhyme words.rhyme words.

Types of SchizophreniaTypes of Schizophrenia Catatonic schizophreniaCatatonic schizophrenia – disturbance of movement. – disturbance of movement.

Usually say very little. Won’t move for hours.Usually say very little. Won’t move for hours.

Paranoid SchizophreniaParanoid Schizophrenia – feelings of – feelings of suspiciousnesssuspiciousness or the or the opposite – grandiose beliefs.opposite – grandiose beliefs.

In and out of In and out of Psychotic EpisodesPsychotic Episodes – schizophrenics are not out – schizophrenics are not out of touch with reality all of the time. They go in and out of of touch with reality all of the time. They go in and out of ““episodesepisodes.”.”

One One chemical key to schizophreniachemical key to schizophrenia is the is the neurotransmitterneurotransmitter dopaminedopamine. . Too muchToo much of it. of it.

May be genetic.May be genetic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJOT45

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Personality DisordersPersonality Disorders Originally called Originally called psychopaths or sociopathspsychopaths or sociopaths.. Inflexible and enduring patterns of behavior that Inflexible and enduring patterns of behavior that

impair one’s social functioning – sometimes impair one’s social functioning – sometimes coexist with one of the other psychological coexist with one of the other psychological disorders, but need not involve anxiety, disorders, but need not involve anxiety, depression or loss of contact with reality.depression or loss of contact with reality.

Typically a male whose Typically a male whose lack of consciencelack of conscience becomes plain before the age 15, as he begins becomes plain before the age 15, as he begins to lie, steal, fight or display unrestrained sexual to lie, steal, fight or display unrestrained sexual behaviorbehavior

In adulthood, he may be unable to keep a job, In adulthood, he may be unable to keep a job, be irresponsible as a spouse and parent, and be be irresponsible as a spouse and parent, and be assaultive or otherwise criminal.assaultive or otherwise criminal.

They may be intellectual and charming.They may be intellectual and charming. Most criminals show responsible concern for Most criminals show responsible concern for

their family and friends; antisocial their family and friends; antisocial personalities feel little and fear little.personalities feel little and fear little.

Clip 10:00 Mind of a Psychopath – saved.Clip 10:00 Mind of a Psychopath – saved.

No concern, guilt or anxietyNo concern, guilt or anxiety.. Drugs and/or psychological treatment do Drugs and/or psychological treatment do

not help.not help. They will want to help and cooperate, but as They will want to help and cooperate, but as

soon as they’re out, they repeat behavior.soon as they’re out, they repeat behavior. Manson :12Manson :12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XREnvJRkif0&feature=related&sa

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Many have a history of rough family Many have a history of rough family treatment, abuse or neglect.treatment, abuse or neglect.