313392 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Epigenetics, Amygdala, Frontal Lobe
Topic of Psychological Disorders in Psychology
A psychological disorder is a syndrome marked by a clinically significant
disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior.
● A medical model is the concept that diseases, in this case psychological
disorders, have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and, in most
cases, cured, often through treatment in a hospital.
● In contrast, the biopsychosocial approach emphasizes that mind and body
are inseparable.
o Negative emotions contribute to physical illness, and physical
abnormalities contribute to negative emotions.
o Epigenetics is the study of environmental influences on gene
expression that occur without a DNA change.
2. The DSM-5 (the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) is a widely used system for
classifying psychological disorders.
● It contains diagnostic labels and descriptions that provide a common
language and shared concepts for communication and research.
● Most U.S. health insurance organizations require a DSM diagnosis before
paying for treatment.
● Some critics believe the DSM editions have become too detailed and
extensive. Others view DSM diagnoses as arbitrary labels that create
preconceptions, which bias perceptions of the labeled person’s past and
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present behavior.
3. An attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychological
disorder marked by extreme inattention and/or hyperactivity and
impulsivity.
● It is most commonly diagnosed in children and may be treated with
medication and other therapy. Long-term effects of stimulant-drug treatment
for ADHD are not yet known.
● There is a controversy centering around whether the growing number of
ADHD cases reflects over-diagnosis or increased awareness of the disorder.
4. Mental disorders seldom lead to violence.
● However, when they do, they raise moral and ethical questions about
whether society should hold people with disorders responsible for their
violent actions.
● Most people with disorders are nonviolent and are more likely to be victims
than attackers.
5. Psychological disorder rates vary, depending on the time and place of the
survey.
● In one multinational survey, rates for any disorder ranged from less than 5
percent (Shanghai) to more than 25 percent (the United States).
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● Poverty is a risk factor for psychological disorders.
o Conditions and experiences associated with poverty contribute to
the development of psychological disorders.
o But some disorders, such as schizophrenia, can drive people into
poverty.
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Document Summary
A psychological disorder is a syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual"s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior. A medical model is the concept that diseases, in this case psychological disorders, have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and, in most cases, cured, often through treatment in a hospital. Manual of mental disorders, fifth edition) is a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders. It contains diagnostic labels and descriptions that provide a common language and shared concepts for communication and research. Most u. s. health insurance organizations require a dsm diagnosis before paying for treatment. Some critics believe the dsm editions have become too detailed and extensive. Others view dsm diagnoses as arbitrary labels that create preconceptions, which bias perceptions of the labeled person"s past and present behavior: an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (adhd) is a psychological disorder marked by extreme inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity.
