HLTHAGE 1CC3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Medicalization, Psychopathology, Pyromania
Document Summary
Lecture 3: how do we de ne mental health and illnesses. First published by apa in 1952 and is the of cial, accepted account of disorders. "a mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically signi cant disturbance in an individual"s cognition, emotion regulation, or behaviour that re ects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. Mental disorders are usually associated with signi cant distress or disability in social, occupational or other important activities. Dsm doesn"t ask why someone is sad, angry, etc. Ex) homosexuality was listed as a disorder in rst few additions, social pressure resulted in it being removed. Reinforces a particular set of social norms for what is appropriate behaviour. Gives people on dsm committee has a lot of power. Reliable but haven"t been able to validate/demonstrate many mental disorders. Nding herself in abusive relationship, by diagnosing her blame shifts from abuser.