Psychological Disorders

Bell Activity 5/14/2013

Learning Targets: At the end of class, you will be able to-

-Show mastery of the unit on Personality Traits

-Define Psychological disorders

-List and describe Anxiety Disorders

1.) What kinds of behavior would be characterized as “abnormal” in a classroom setting?

2.) Do you believe that the defense of insanity is a legitimate defense?

3.) Work on vocabulary for Unit 11 (Chapter 16)

What is a Psychological Disorder?There are several ways to define “abnormality”:

1. Deviation from Normality: Whatever most do is normal, any deviation from average is abnormal. Very limited approach and majority is not always right or best.

Example: If everyone cheats on their taxes are honest taxpayers abnormal? Different cultural norms must be considered as well.

What is a Psychological Disorder?2. Adjustment-Theory that normal people are

able to function emotionally, physically and socially. Abnormal people are the ones who fail to “adjust” to “normal” expectations.

*Again, not entirely true and cultural differences must be taken into account.

What is a Psychological Disorder?3. 3. Psychological HealthPsychological Health:: Person is mentally Person is mentally healthy if he/she is self-actualizing.healthy if he/she is self-actualizing.

•Difficult to determine whether or not a person is Difficult to determine whether or not a person is doing a good job of actualizing him/herself.doing a good job of actualizing him/herself.•Although it is difficult to define abnormality, that Although it is difficult to define abnormality, that doesn’t mean that it does not exist. It does mean doesn’t mean that it does not exist. It does mean that we should be very cautious about judging a that we should be very cautious about judging a person to be mentally ill.person to be mentally ill.•Range from mild psychological problem to Range from mild psychological problem to abnormality or illness (disrupts everyday life)abnormality or illness (disrupts everyday life)

Problems with classification Causes and symptoms of psychological

problems are rarely obvious or clear cut. In 1952 the APA created the Diagnostic &

Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). It is now in its 4th edition- DSM IV.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety- general state of dread or uneasiness that person feels in response to real or imagined danger.

Anxiety disorders are the most common (40 million Americans annually)

Anxiety Disorders

The anxiety disorders we will discuss are listed in the DSM IV as:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2. Phobic disorder

3. Panic disorder

4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder

5. Post-traumatic stress disorder

Extra CreditConduct the three following experiments:1.) Shake the hand of a friend but hold on much longer

than usual.2.) Make direct eye contact with someone on the bus

or in the cafeteria and prolong the gaze for 15-20 seconds

3.) Respond to a greeting such as “How are you” with the phrase “scrambled eggs and bacon?”

Write down the reactions you receive from the other person.

*You may want to explain your behavior to the other person after the experiment!

Bell Activity 5/15/2013

Learning Targets: At the end of class you will be able to-

-List and describe anxiety disorders.

-Describe Obsessive –Compulsive disorder

1.) What are the following phobias?

Ablutophobia

Cyclophobia

Arachnophobia

Dentophobia

Didaskaleinophobia

2.) Work on Project!

Bell Activity 5/16/2013

Learning Targets: At the end of class, you will be able to-

List and define Somatoform and dissociative disorders

Define Schizophrenia and list characteristics

1.) What is a hypochondriac?

2.) Define obsessive-compulsive disorder

3.) What does it mean to be schizophrenic?

4.) Work on project or vocabulary

Somatoform Disorders

Anxiety disorder in which no physical cause is apparent

Referred to as “hysteria” in Freud’s era

2 major Forms: Conversion disorders and Hypochondriasis

Somatoform Disorders: Conversion Disorders Converting emotional difficulties into

the loss of specific physiological functions

Invent physical symptoms to gain freedom from unbearable conflict

Ex: woman lives in terror of blurting out things she does not want to say so she may lose the power of speech

Somatoform: Hypochondriasis

When a person in good health becomes preoccupied with imaginary ailments

May be an individual repressing emotions and then expressing them symbolically in physical symptoms

Most common among young adults

Dissociative Disorders

Breakdown on normal conscious experience, such as loss of memory or identity.

1. Dissociative Amnesia: The inability to recall important events or information-usually associated with stressful events. May be a way to escape from problems

2. Dissociative Fugue: Like the above but the person travels away and is unable to recall past.

*This disorder can last hours or decades

Dissociative Disorders3. Dissociative Identity Disorder:

Person exhibits two or more personality states, each with its own patterns of thinking and behaving. Known as multiple personality disorder.

Very rare-psychologist believe that this dividing of personality is the result of a desire to escape part of his/her self that the individual fears.

Victims usually have suffered severe physical, sexual or psychological abuse.

Ex: “Three Faces of Eve” (Eve White, Eve Black and Jane)

Schizophrenia

A group of disorders characterized by confused and disconnected thought, emotions and perceptions.

1% of world population Increased odds of developing

schizophrenia if it is already in family.

Person loses touch with reality

Bell Activity 5/17/2013

Learning Targets: At the end of class you will be able to-

-List different forms of Schizophrenia

1.) What are the three types of dissociative disorders?

2.) What are the two types of somatoform disorders?

3.)Work on vocabulary or your projectPersonality Study

Books Due on Monday!

Schizophrenia

Many experience delusions (false beliefs maintained in the face of contrary evidence) and hallucinations.

Incoherent thoughts & “word salad” Exhibit emotions that are inappropriate for the

circumstances. May have slowed movement, non-movement

or highly agitated behaviors. Unable to focus attention

Schizophrenia: Types

Paranoid-hallucinations, delusions or grandeur (savior) or persecution.

Catatonic-remain motionless for long periods Disorganized-incoherent language,

inappropriate emotions, disorganized motor behavior and delusions and hallucinations.

Schizophrenia: More Types Remission-symptoms are gone or very

subtle. Symptoms will usually return. Undifferentiated-includes the basic

symptoms of schizophrenia (see all of above)

Causes of Schizophrenia

Genetics Possible chemical imbalances in brain Brain show signs of deteriorated brain tissue. Environment

*obesity before pregnancy, infection during 2nd trimester, and oxygen deprivation to the fetus are correlated with children developing schizophrenia

More Causes of Schizophrenia Family and Interactions may contribute:

When families are unstable, families become centered on the abnormal member, communication is often disorganized. This is common among people who develop schizophrenia

Psychologists are not sure which theory is correct (biological, Biochemistry, family interactions)-perhaps each is partially true.

Schizophrenia: Treatments Usually requires hospitalizations and

medications. There is no cure for schizophrenia

Bell Activity 5/20/2013

Learning Targets: At the end of class, you will be able to-

-Discuss different theories on mood disorders

Write a summary of what has happened in the movie so far. (You will turn this in today!)

Mood Disorders: Major Depressive Disorders At least 2 weeks of feeling depressed, sad, anxious,

fatigued, and agitated. Reduced ability to function and interact with others. Ranges from mild to severe- suicidal despair

(cannot be attributed to grief over a death) Marked by at least 4 of the following: problems with

eating, sleeping, thinking, concentrating, or decision making; lacking energy, thinking about suicide, and feeling worthless or guilty.

Mood Disorders: Bipolar Disorder Individual alternates between mania

(euphoria) or depression often inappropriately.

Manic phase- elation, extreme confusion, distractibility, and racing thoughts. Often have exaggerated self-esteem and engage in irresponsible behaviors.

Depressive phase- overcome with despair and feelings of worthlessness; become lethargic and unresponsive.

Mood Disorders: Seasonal Affective Disorder People that develop deep depression during

winter months. Thought to be caused by increase in

melatonin (more is secreted in winter due to less light).

What Causes Mood Disorders Psychological factors include certain

personality traits (such as self-esteem), amount of social support, and the ability to deal with stressful situations.

Learned helplessness (Seligman) Chemical imbalances, genetic factors and

faulty brain structure.

Suicide and Depression Not all people that commit suicide are depressed

and not all depressed people commit suicide. Many depressives think about suicide and some take action.

Suicide has many reasons Every 20 minutes an American commits suicide

(30,000 annually) More women attempt but more men succeed. Common among the elderly but 4th cause of death

for ages 18-65 70% of people of people that kill themselves had

threatened to do so within the 3 months before. Unsuccessful attempt is usually a trial run

Personality Disorders

Individuals with personality disorders are unable to establish meaningful relationships with others, inability to assume social responsibility or adapt to their social environment.

Different from previous disorders b/c they don’t suffer from anxiety or behave in bizarre & incomprehensible behavior.

Types of Personality Disorders Dependent-submissive and excessive need to be

taken care of. Histrionic- excessive emotions and attention

seeking. Obsessive Compulsive- Orderly, having control

and achieving perfection. Paranoid- distrusts others, people have evil

motives. Schizotypal-discomfort in close relationships,

distorted thinking and eccentric behavior.

Types of Personality Disorders Anti-social-Persistent

disregard for and violation of others’ rights.

People are objects Intolerant of everyday

frustrations and live in the moment.

No shame or guilt Tend to get away with their

behavior b/c they are intelligent, entertaining and able to fake emotions.

Theories on Anti-Personality Disorder Imitating antisocial parents Lack of or inconsistent discipline Dysfunction of the nervous system. Genetics?