PSYC 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Dorothea Dix, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder
Document Summary
Psychopathology (mental illness) is often seen as a failure of adaptation to the environment. Failure analysis approach tries to understand mental illness by examining breakdowns in functioning. Mental disorder does not have a clear cut definition. Many different conceptions of mental illness, each with pros and cons. Statistical rarity refers to so(cid:373)ethi(cid:374)g that"s u(cid:374)(cid:272)o(cid:373)(cid:373)o(cid:374)- limit: not all uncommon conditions are pathological ex. Subjective distress - produces emotional pain for person with disorder limit: not all disorders generate distress ex. Manic phase of bipolar disorder, or conduct disorder. Impairment interferes with daily functioning limit: impairment does not always indicate a disorder ex. Societal disapproval- societal attitudes shape views of abnormality limit not all disapproved conditions are mental disorders ex. Biological dysfunction many result from breakdown/failures of physiological systems ex. During middle ages, mental illnesses were often viewed through a demonic model. Odd behaviors were the result of evil spirits inhabiting the body. Exorcisms and witch hunts were common during this time.
