15.1 What Are Psychological Disorders?
3 min read•june 25, 2024
Psychological disorders are complex and often misunderstood. They're not just about feeling sad or anxious sometimes. Instead, they involve persistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that significantly disrupt daily life and cause .
Defining these disorders isn't always straightforward. What's considered "normal" can vary across cultures and time periods. Mental health pros look at several factors, like how much the symptoms interfere with someone's life and whether they pose a to themselves or others.
Understanding Psychological Disorders
Defining Psychological Disorders
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- Definitions vary across time, cultures, and situations
- Behaviors considered normal in one culture may be seen as abnormal in another (talking to ancestors)
- Standards for normal behavior change over time within the same culture (homosexuality)
- No single behavior or set of behaviors can definitively indicate a psychological disorder
- Most people occasionally exhibit unusual behaviors or thoughts without having a disorder (superstitions, brief periods of sadness)
- Diagnosing involves subjective judgment and interpretation
- Mental health professionals may disagree on whether a particular set of symptoms constitutes a disorder (borderline personality disorder)
- Disorders exist on a rather than being discrete categories
- The line between normal and abnormal is not always clear-cut (shyness vs. social anxiety disorder)
Harmful Dysfunction vs. Typical Distress
- involves significant impairment in ability to function
- Individual experiences substantial distress or disability in social, occupational, or other important areas of life (inability to maintain relationships, job loss)
- Symptoms are not a typical or culturally appropriate response to a stressor or situation (prolonged, severe depression after a minor setback)
- Typical distress is a normal, expected response to life's challenges and stressors
- Distress is usually time-limited and does not significantly impair daily functioning
- Examples include grief after a loss, anxiety before a test, or sadness after a breakup
- Harmful distinguished by severity, duration, and impact on daily life
- Symptoms more intense, persistent, and disruptive than those of typical distress (constant panic attacks, debilitating obsessions)
- Individual's ability to function in important areas of life significantly compromised (dropping out of school, social isolation)
Criteria for Abnormal Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors
- : Differ significantly from cultural norms
- Statistical rarity: Uncommon in the general population (hallucinations, extreme mood swings)
- Social norm violations: Go against societal expectations or rules (public nudity, inappropriate sexual behavior)
- Distress: Negative emotions or psychological pain experienced by the individual
- Subjective discomfort or suffering, such as anxiety, depression, or emotional turmoil (overwhelming fear, persistent feelings of worthlessness)
- Distress may be a direct result of the symptoms or a consequence of their impact on daily life (strained relationships, job difficulties)
- Dysfunction: Impairment in one or more important areas of functioning
- Difficulty fulfilling roles and responsibilities at work, school, or in relationships (missing deadlines, neglecting family obligations)
- Inability to perform daily tasks or engage in self-care activities (poor hygiene, disrupted sleep patterns)
- Significant disruption to social, occupational, or academic functioning (avoiding social gatherings, declining work performance)
- Danger: Potential harm to oneself or others
- Suicidal thoughts, self-injurious behaviors, or suicide attempts (cutting, overdosing)
- Aggressive or violent behavior towards others (physical assaults, property destruction)
- Engaging in risky or life-threatening activities (reckless driving, unprotected sex with multiple partners)
Key Terms to Review (17)
Biopsychosocial Model: The biopsychosocial model is a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing psychological disorders. It posits that the development and manifestation of psychological disorders are influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Comorbidity: Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more medical conditions or disorders that occur simultaneously in an individual. It is a concept that is particularly relevant in the context of psychological disorders, as individuals with one mental health condition often experience the co-occurrence of additional disorders or issues.
Continuum: A continuum is a continuous sequence or range of values, elements, or events that merge into each other without any clear distinction or absolute division. It represents a gradual transition or progression between different states, conditions, or characteristics.
Cultural Relativism: Cultural relativism is the principle that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood in terms of their own culture, rather than judged against the standards of another. It is the idea that the practices and values of a culture can only be properly understood within the context of that culture.
Danger: Danger refers to the state or condition of being exposed to the possibility of harm, loss, or other undesirable consequences. It is a critical concept in the context of psychological disorders, as individuals with certain mental health conditions may be at increased risk of engaging in dangerous behaviors or experiencing dangerous situations.
Deviance: Deviance refers to any behavior, belief, or characteristic that violates social norms and deviates from what is considered acceptable or normal within a particular culture or group. It encompasses a wide range of actions and attitudes that fall outside the boundaries of societal expectations.
Distress: Distress is a state of physical, emotional, or psychological strain or tension that arises in response to challenging or demanding circumstances. It is a negative emotional experience that can have significant impacts on an individual's well-being and functioning.
DSM: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the authoritative guide used by mental health professionals to diagnose and classify mental disorders. It provides a common language and standardized criteria for the identification and categorization of various psychological conditions.
Dysfunction: Dysfunction refers to the impairment or abnormal functioning of a psychological, biological, or social process. It is a term used in the context of psychological disorders to describe the maladaptive or problematic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that deviate from what is considered normal or healthy.
Etiology: Etiology refers to the study of the causes or origins of psychological disorders. It examines the factors that contribute to the development and manifestation of various mental health conditions.
Harmful Dysfunction: Harmful dysfunction refers to the idea that a psychological disorder is present when there is a significant disturbance in an individual's mental functioning that causes impairment or distress, and this disturbance represents a dysfunction in the normal psychological mechanisms. In other words, a psychological disorder exists when there is a harmful deviation from typical, healthy psychological processes.
ICD: ICD, or the International Classification of Diseases, is a comprehensive system used to classify and code various medical conditions, including psychological disorders. It serves as a standardized diagnostic tool for healthcare professionals worldwide, providing a common language to identify, study, and treat different types of disorders.
Jerome Wakefield: Jerome Wakefield is a prominent American psychiatrist and philosopher who has made significant contributions to the understanding of mental disorders. He is known for his work on the concept of 'harmful dysfunction,' which has influenced the classification and diagnosis of psychological disorders.
Mental Illness: Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect an individual's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, impairing their ability to function effectively in daily life. These disorders can range in severity and may include conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Prevalence: Prevalence refers to the proportion or percentage of a population that is affected by a particular condition, disease, or characteristic at a given point in time. It is a fundamental epidemiological measure used to understand the burden and distribution of health-related phenomena within a specific population.
Psychopathology: Psychopathology refers to the study of mental disorders, their causes, symptoms, and effects. It is a critical concept in understanding psychological disorders, their diagnosis, and the various perspectives on their origins and treatment.
Stigma: Stigma refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors directed towards individuals or groups who are perceived as different or undesirable by society. It is a complex social phenomenon that can have significant impacts on the mental health and well-being of those who experience it.