PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Redefining our perceptions of what constitutes psychological disorders.Learning to ask “Why?”Focus on observable data.

Learning Objectives: Introduction: 3 cases Anxiety Disorders Dissociative Disorders Somatoform Disorders Mood Disorders Schizophrenia Personality Disorders

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Psychological Disorders Three cases:

Jim Gordon Vincent “The Chin “Gigante Andrea Yates

What is Insanity? Disease vs. Disorder (illness)

What’s your perception? Psychological Disorders

Psychological Disorders A brief history: the pendulum swings

Greeks: perceived natural causes Middle Ages: natural & supernatural causes Colonial America: supernatural or natural? hysteria + ergot = trouble Present: natural versus supernatural The role of technology

Anxiety Disorders Phobias (irrational fears)

specific, social Panic Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorders

at least 6 months duration Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

thoughts and actions

Anxiety Disorders Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Acute Stress Disorder

occurs w/i 1 month of event, lasts 2 days - 4 weeks

Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Inhibitory neurotransmitter implicated in anxiety

reactions aids in calming us during anxiety

Dissociative Disorders Sudden, temporary changes in consciousness

or self identity. Dissociative Amnesia, Fugue (fleeing) Depersonalization Disorder Dissociative Identity Disorder (MPD); Most

extreme form of chronic PTSD, Dissociation as coping mechanism Four Cases:

Chris Sizemore; Shirley Ardell Mason; Billy Milligan; Truddi Chase.

Somatoform Disorders Complaints of physical (somatic)

problems despite physical abnormalities.

Symptoms are not intentional. Motivation for illness is unconscious

Conversion Disorder unconscious conflicts are

converted into physical symptoms. Symptoms are often significant to

the patient. Can persist for years.

Conversion Disorder FYI: Hysteria = womb / uterus

Psychosomatic (Hysterical) Blindness Psychosomatic (Hysterical) Pregnancy

Couvade “La belle Indifference”

characterized by an indifference to their symptoms.

Conversion Disorder Hypochondriasis

Not attention seeking behavior

Related Somatoform Disorders: Pain Disorder Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Mood Disorders Major Depression

Characteristics Types

Bipolar Disorder (manic depression) Types

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Suicide Rates

300,000 people per year Factors

Links to depression / hopelessness Diversity Myths

Schizophrenia Split between thought and reality Characteristics

Delusions Stupor Loss of control of thought processes inappropriate emotional responses Onset

1% of population

Schizophrenia Three types:

Paranoid Disorganized Catatonic: waxy flexibility, mutism

Dopamine Hypothesis: Glutamate may be the more important precursor.

Personality Disorders

Enduring patterns of maladaptive behavior. Sources of distress to the individual or others.

Overview of Types of Personality Disorders. Paranoid / Schizotypal / Schizoid / Avoidant /

Antisocial

Personality Disorders Paranoid Personality Type

Persistent suspiciousness Emotionally detached bear persistent grudges.

Schizotypal Personality Type Oddities of thought and behavior Eccentricities of behavior “Magical thinking” inappropriate dress

Personality Disorders Schizoid Personality Type

Social withdrawal Express few emotions

Avoidant Personality Type Generally unwilling to enter relationships

without assurance of acceptance High levels of emotional discomfort

Personality Disorders Antisocial Personality Type (“Sociopath”)

Frequent conflict with society, undeterred by punishment little guilt, anxiety, or remorse for actions Ongoing disregard for the rights of others Deceitfulness Repeated lying (lying for personal gain and/or pleasure) Must be at least 18 years old

Personality Disorders Malingering: “disease forgery” Factitious Disorder

attention Munchausen Syndrome (by proxy)

hero / victim Rarely treated successfully

Personality Disorders Narcissistic Personality Type

exaggerated sense of self importance, entitlement Disturbed self-centered relationships.

Histrionic Personality Type excessive emotionality

Borderline Personality Type Pattern of unstable personal relationships. poor self image, impulse control.

Impulse Control Disorders: Kleptomania, Pyromania, Trichotillomania (hair pulling)