Exploring Psychological Disorders: Historical Views, Diagnostic Criteria, and Theoretical Perspectives

### Week 13 Assignment

#### 1. Historical Views of Psychological Disorders

Historically, psychological disorders have been understood through various lenses. In ancient times, mental illness was often attributed to supernatural forces or spiritual disturbances. Treatments included rituals and exorcisms. During the Classical period, philosophers like Hippocrates suggested that mental disorders could be linked to biological factors, such as an imbalance in bodily humors.

In the Middle Ages, mental disorders were again seen through a religious or moralistic lens, with people often being considered possessed or suffering due to sin. The Enlightenment brought a shift towards more humane treatment, emphasizing the need for understanding mental illness through reason and scientific inquiry.

By the 19th and 20th centuries, the emergence of psychology and psychiatry brought more structured approaches to understanding mental disorders. Sigmund Freud introduced psychoanalysis, focusing on unconscious processes, while behaviorists like B.F. Skinner emphasized observable behavior and conditioning. Today, psychological disorders are viewed through biopsychosocial models, which consider biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding and treating mental health issues.

#### 2. Criteria for Psychological Disorders and the Role of the DSM-V

A psychological disorder is characterized by patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment in functioning. The criteria for defining a psychological disorder include:

– **Deviance**: Behavior that deviates from societal norms.
– **Distress**: Personal suffering or emotional distress.
– **Dysfunction**: Impairment in daily functioning or inability to perform essential life activities.
– **Danger**: Risk of harm to oneself or others.

The DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) is a comprehensive classification system used by mental health professionals to diagnose psychological disorders. It provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental disorders, aiding in consistency and accuracy. The DSM-V includes descriptions of disorders, diagnostic criteria, and codes used for billing and treatment planning.

#### 3. Diagnostic Criteria for Anxiety Disorders

**Phobias**: Intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation. Criteria include significant distress or impairment caused by the phobic stimulus.

**Panic Disorder**: Characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about having more attacks or the implications of the attacks.

**Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)**: Excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, occurring more days than not for at least six months. The worry must be difficult to control and lead to significant distress or impairment.

**Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)**: Presence of obsessions (recurrent, intrusive thoughts) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety). The obsessions and/or compulsions are time-consuming and cause significant distress.

**Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)**: Development of symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event, including intrusive memories, avoidance of reminders, negative changes in mood or cognition, and heightened arousal. Symptoms must last for more than one month and cause significant distress or impairment.

**Theoretical Views**: Cognitive-behavioral theories emphasize maladaptive thinking patterns and avoidance behaviors. Biological theories suggest neurotransmitter imbalances and genetic predispositions. Psychodynamic theories focus on unresolved internal conflicts.

#### 4. Diagnostic Criteria for Dissociative Disorders

**Dissociative Amnesia**: Inability to recall important personal information, usually related to a traumatic event, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetting. It may involve localized, selective, or generalized amnesia.

**Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)**: Presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. There is recurrent gaps in memory that are inconsistent with ordinary forgetting.

**Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder**: Persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from one’s body (depersonalization) or surroundings (derealization). These experiences cause significant distress or impairment.

**Theoretical Views**: Psychodynamic theories suggest DID arises from severe trauma and defense mechanisms. Cognitive-behavioral theories focus on dissociation as a coping mechanism. Biological theories explore neurobiological factors.

#### 5. Diagnostic Criteria for Mood Disorders

**Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)**: Characterized by a persistently low mood and loss of interest in activities, along with other symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite, and energy levels. Symptoms must be present for at least two weeks and cause significant distress or impairment.

**Bipolar Disorder**: Involves mood swings between depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic episodes. Manic episodes include elevated mood, increased activity, and impulsivity, while hypomanic episodes are less severe.

**Contributing Factors**: Genetic predispositions, neurochemical imbalances, environmental stressors, and psychological factors such as negative thinking patterns.

#### 6. Diagnostic Criteria for Schizophrenia

**Paranoid Schizophrenia**: Dominated by delusions of persecution or grandiosity and auditory hallucinations.

**Disorganized Schizophrenia**: Marked by disorganized speech, behavior, and flat or inappropriate affect.

**Catatonic Schizophrenia**: Characterized by motoric immobility, excessive motor activity, or extreme negativism.

**Theoretical Views**: Biological theories emphasize genetic factors and neurotransmitter imbalances. Cognitive theories focus on dysfunctional thought patterns. Environmental stressors also play a role.

#### 7. Diagnostic Criteria for Personality Disorders

**Paranoid Personality Disorder**: Persistent distrust and suspiciousness of others, believing that others are exploiting or deceiving them.

**Schizotypal Personality Disorder**: Odd beliefs or magical thinking, eccentric behavior, and discomfort in close relationships.

**Schizoid Personality Disorder**: Detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression.

**Antisocial Personality Disorder**: Disregard for the rights of others, deceitfulness, impulsivity, and lack of remorse.

**Avoidant Personality Disorder**: Extreme shyness, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.

**Theoretical Views**: Psychodynamic theories suggest early life experiences shape personality disorders. Cognitive-behavioral theories focus on maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors.

#### 8. Suicide

**Risk Factors**: Include mental illness, substance abuse, chronic pain, recent trauma, and a history of previous attempts.

**Myths**: Common myths include that people who talk about suicide won’t act on it, or that asking about suicide might encourage it.

**Warning Signs**: May include talking about wanting to die, increased substance use, withdrawal from social activities, and giving away possessions.

**Ethnicity and Gender Differences**: Rates and methods of suicide vary across ethnic and gender lines. For example, men are more likely to die by suicide, often using more lethal means, while women may have higher rates of suicide attempts but with less lethal methods.

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### Week 13 Discussion: Psychological Disorders

**Discussion Prompt Response:**

**Character Diagnosis: Woody from “Toy Story”**

**Disorder: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)**

Woody, the cowboy doll from “Toy Story,” demonstrates characteristics that align with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. GAD is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, which causes significant distress or impairment.

**Description of Disorder:**
GAD involves persistent anxiety and worry about everyday events and activities, occurring more days than not for at least six months. Individuals with GAD often experience physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, and muscle tension.

**Evidence from Woody:**

1. **Excessive Worry:** Woody frequently displays excessive concern about the well-being of his owner, Andy, and the fate of his fellow toys. His worry often leads to distress, such as when he fears being replaced or forgotten.

2. **Restlessness and Tension:** Woody often exhibits restlessness and tension, particularly when he anticipates negative outcomes, such as the arrival of new toys or the risk of being lost.

3. **Impact on Functioning:** Woody’s anxiety impacts his ability to enjoy his role as a toy. His constant worry affects his interactions with other toys and his overall happiness, reflecting how GAD can impair daily functioning.

Woody’s behavior and reactions provide a fictional example of how GAD can manifest in everyday situations, illustrating the disorder’s impact on both emotional and functional levels.