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Gen Psy Lecture Recording Psychological Disorders Part 1

Sam Bergmann・55 minutes read

Psychological disorders are defined by abnormal symptoms causing significant disruptions in behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, with the DSM used to classify them. Various models, including the medical model and alternative views, impact perceptions of mental health, with differing opinions on whether mental problems are diseases, character flaws, criminality signs, or special abilities.

Insights

  • Psychological disorders are defined by a cluster of symptoms that are abnormal and cause significant disturbances in behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, leading to maladaptive functioning and distress.
  • The classification and understanding of psychological disorders have evolved over time, influenced by cultural contexts, with the medical model emphasizing biological causes and humane treatment, while alternative views include spiritual, moral, and creative interpretations, highlighting the complexity and multifactorial nature of mental health issues.

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Recent questions

  • What are psychological disorders?

    Psychological disorders are clusters of abnormal symptoms causing significant disturbances in behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, impairing daily functioning.

  • How are psychological disorders classified?

    Psychological disorders are classified using the DSM, which evolves over time to reflect changing understandings of mental health.

  • What role does cultural context play in defining psychological disorders?

    Cultural context influences what is considered a psychological disorder, evaluating behaviors, thoughts, and feelings within that specific context.

  • Are psychological disorders solely viewed through a medical model?

    While the medical model views psychological problems as medical issues with biological causes, other models like spiritual or moral views have historically influenced perceptions.

  • What factors contribute to the development of mental disorders?

    Mental disorders stem from a combination of biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors, with varying levels of risk based on genetics, experiences, and stressors.

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Summary

00:00

Understanding Psychological Disorders: Definitions and Perspectives

  • The lecture on psychological disorders for General Psychology is divided into parts, with this recording focusing on defining psychological disorders.
  • Future recordings will cover various types of psychological disorders, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, substance use, eating disorders, and personality disorders.
  • Psychological disorders are defined as a cluster of symptoms that are abnormal and cause clinically significant disturbances in behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.
  • To be classified as a psychological disorder, symptoms must be maladaptive, causing distress or dysfunction that impairs a person's ability to function.
  • Cultural context plays a significant role in determining what is considered a psychological disorder, with behaviors, thoughts, and feelings being evaluated within that context.
  • The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) is used to classify psychological disorders, with changes over time reflecting evolving understandings of mental health.
  • Homosexuality was removed from the DSM in the 1970s due to changing attitudes and research findings, while gender dysphoria remains as a diagnosis for transgender individuals.
  • The medical model of psychological problems views them as medical issues with biological causes, leading to treatments provided by medical professionals.
  • Viewing psychological disorders through the medical model has led to a more humane approach to mental illness, emphasizing compassion and empathy for those affected.
  • Other models of understanding psychological problems, such as spiritual or moral views, have historically influenced perceptions of mental health in different cultures and time periods.

19:48

Evolution of Views on Psychological Problems

  • Some people historically viewed psychological problems as signs of sin, demon possession, or weak character.
  • Defining psychological problems by specific symptoms has increased agreement and communication among professionals.
  • The DSM model clusters symptoms together, reducing disagreements on what constitutes a psychological disorder.
  • Alternative views to the medical model include supernatural explanations, crime or immorality perspectives, and creativity or uniqueness interpretations.
  • Bipolar disorder may be associated with increased creativity, challenging the notion of it being solely a disorder.
  • The debate continues on whether mental problems are diseases, character flaws, signs of criminality, or special abilities.
  • The push towards a disease model for psychological problems has been influenced by pharmaceutical advertising.
  • The identification of neurosyphilis led to the recognition that brain degeneration can cause psychological problems.
  • Despite research into the biology of psychological problems, clear biomarkers for most disorders are lacking.
  • Biological determinism assumes biology determines thoughts and behaviors, which may not always be the case for psychological problems.

39:39

Diagnosing Psychological Distress: Causes and Criticisms

  • Psychological distress is a common part of life, not always indicative of a psychological disorder.
  • The line between bereavement and depression has become blurred in diagnoses.
  • Adjustment disorder is a diagnosis for individuals struggling to adapt.
  • Depression is not solely caused by biological factors but also by stress and societal influences.
  • The DSM-5 is used in the U.S. to diagnose psychological problems based on symptoms, not biological signs.
  • Diagnoses are determined by patterns of symptoms and interviews with individuals.
  • The DSM-5 does not address the causes of symptoms due to complex disagreements and individual variations.
  • Criticisms of the DSM-5 include pathologizing everyday struggles and making it too easy to qualify for mental illness diagnoses.
  • Increased research has led to more diagnoses, but labeling individuals can have negative consequences.
  • Diagnosing individuals can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies and stigma, impacting treatment effectiveness.

59:04

Understanding Mental Illness Causation: Factors and Risks

  • Clear diagnoses and labels aid professionals in discussing patients and problems effectively.
  • Defined diagnoses assist researchers in studying mental illness causes and treatments.
  • Incorrect diagnostic systems can harm by grouping different conditions together.
  • Multiple causation is key in understanding psychological disorders, with various causes for the same symptoms.
  • Each individual's mental health issues stem from a multifactorial combination of causes.
  • Biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors all play a role in mental health problems.
  • The diathesis stress model explains how predisposition and stressors interact to cause psychological problems.
  • Different individuals have varying levels of risk for developing mental disorders based on genetics, experiences, and stressors.
  • Chronic stress, genetics, early life trauma, and feelings of loneliness or rejection are crucial factors in mental illness causation.
  • The importance of biology, genetics, stressors, and traumas varies in causing different mental disorders.
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