PSYC 2030U Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: American Psychiatric Association, Personal Distress, Etiology
Document Summary
The continuum between normal and abnormal behaviour. Breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioural functioning. Not physical, but beyond that is very difficult to define. Often associated with extreme expressions of otherwise normal emotions, behaviors and cognitive processes. Mentioning that it"s usually on a continuum because of how undefinable it is may be a good idea. Distress: refers to the individuals subjective feelings of pain, anxiety, depression, agitations, disturbance in sleep, loss of appetite, aches, pains, etc. In this regard, worth noting how stress can manifest in so many different ways. Impairment: refers to an inability to function optimally and independently. Is set in the context of a person"s background. Distress is a good indicator, but isn"t necessary or sufficient. Impairment is also a good indicator, but isn"t necessary or sufficient. If both are present, even a better indicator; but still not necessary or sufficient. Imagine the manic individual who accomplishes huge things during his manic episodes.
