Psychological Disorders

Definition of Psychological Disorders

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) is a diagnostic tool used to diagnose psychological disorders.

Psychological disorders range from mild to severe, and each person presents differently. Many different psychological disorders can onset at any stage of a person's life and affect mental health. The greater toll a mental disorder has on a person's mental health, the greater support the person will need.

Psychological Therapy, Pixabay.com

One in five people in the US has a psychological disorder. Depending on the age of onset and the severity, psychological disorders can be extremely debilitating to a person's life quality and mental health. However, several treatments have been developed to treat a psychological disorder effectively. With treatment, many people live fulfilling lives even with a diagnosed psychological disorder.

While there are advantages to labeling a person's psychological disorder, there are some potential disadvantages. Labels matter. That's why people labeled as "ex-convicts" may have more trouble finding employment. Or, people labeled with a mental illness may be stigmatized as "crazy" or "aggressive".

Types of Psychological Disorders

Now that we have discussed some causes of mental disorders and mental illnesses, it is important to know the different types that can be classified into groups.

The main groups of psychological disorders are:

• Anxiety disorders (panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and phobias)

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Trauma (post-traumatic stress disorder)

• Somatic (somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder)

• Dissociative (dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue, dissociative identity disorder)

• Depressive disorders (major depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder)

• Bipolar disorders

• Schizophrenic

• Personality (narcissistic, antisocial)

• Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)

• Neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, autism)

• Organic/Neurocognitive disorders (Alzheimer's disease, delirium)

Each of these disorders has a psychological component and involves the patient's brain causing them to behave in a manner that hurts themselves or others. It is important to know the symptoms and signs associated with each disorder. Knowing the symptoms and signs of each mental illness is crucial for developing a support plan for the patient. Even though each patient may have varying needs for support, it is important to use psychological tests and the DSM-5 criteria to offer high-quality treatment to each patient.

Causes of Psychological Disorders

Psychologists have several theories regarding the causes of psychological disorders. By the 1800s, these theories began to follow a medical model, meaning that mental disorders were now thought of as diseases that could be diagnosed, treated, and (mostly) cured in a hospital. This prompted the mental health movement.

The medical model set the foundation to explain the causes of psychological disorders. One approach to explaining these causes is called the biopsychosocial approach.

The biopsychosocial approach has led to the discovery of several effective treatments for psychological disorders, including biomedical therapy, behavioral therapy, and interpersonal therapy. Other approaches to understanding the causes of psychological disorders include:

• Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic approach - unresolved and unconscious conflicts from early childhood trauma
• Humanistic approach - poor self-concept as a result of societal expectations
• Behavioral approach - abnormal behavior causes maladaptive responses
• Cognitive approach - illogical and distorted thinking causes abnormal behavior

Psychological Disorder Test

Mental health professionals need to administer psychological tests in order to get a better understanding of the patient's current mental health. A better understanding of the patient's mental health equals higher quality support for the patient. Additionally, some patients do not volunteer important information easily. By conducting tests, mental health professionals can gather valuable information that the patient otherwise might not have offered.

A psychological disorder test is clinically useful and is also important in research. They can provide researchers with relevant information regarding the subject's progress on various scales. Psychological tests can test intelligence, personality, and neuropsychological functioning. Here are a few examples:

• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

• Dissociative experiences scale

• Goldberg Bipolar Spectrum Screening Questionnaire.

• Rorschach Test

• Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A)

• Schizophrenia Test and Early Psychosis Indicator (STEP)

• Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

• The Patient Health Questionnaire-9

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Some psychological tests are administered by the clinician. Other times, the patient self-administers the test. The most commonly used personality tests are the Rorschach, TAT, and MMPI.

Examples of Psychological Disorders

Some psychological disorders that impact a person's life include major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia.

Depression, Pixabay.com

Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a psychological disorder that affects a person's mood. MDD is characterized by frequent depressive symptoms. People with this disorder struggle with having a depressive mood that causes persistent levels of sadness and hopelessness. This illness is categorized by poor mental health and little support.

Those who suffer from MDD report having frequent crying spells, a loss of interest in pleasurable activities, and frequent suicidal ideations. People with MDD cannot enjoy life because their symptoms are often debilitating, and they rarely seek professional support due to fear of being judged. This mental illness requires professional support in conjunction with medical intervention to expand the patient's ability to manage their depressive moods effectively.

Symptoms of MDD include:

• Feeling empty inside

• Insomnia

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite or increased appetite

• Agitation

• Trouble concentrating

• Suicidal ideation

• Suicidal attempts

• Self Harm

The symptoms listed above can range from mild to severe depending on the person and can warrant psychological intervention. People with MDD often harm themselves due to having a poor outlook on themselves, poor mental health, and a poor outlook on life which is commonly referred to as negative thoughts/symptoms.

Severe negative thoughts and self-harm in people suffering from MDD warrants emergency intervention known as the Baker Act. Under Baker Act protocol, a person at risk of harming themselves must be held in a psychiatric facility for a minimum of 3 days. As a mental health professional, it is your job to meet with the patient and document the Baker Act in the patient's file to update their treatment progress.

Researchers believe that MDD is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, specifically of the neurotransmitter called serotonin.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is another mental illness/psychological disorder that affects a person's daily life. People with schizophrenia suffer from auditory, visual, or tactile hallucinations. Those with schizophrenia have problems with their reality which impacts the patient's ability to expand on the severity of their symptoms during treatment. They may see things that aren't actually there and may hear voices in their heads.

People with schizophrenia usually have difficulty navigating through life as their hallucinations prevent them from functioning properly. As a result, schizophrenic patients often rely heavily on family and professional support. In severe cases of schizophrenia, a person can become catatonic. This condition is known as catatonic schizophrenia.

A person with catatonic schizophrenia has significant reductions in movement and will require full-time care due to the severe impact on daily life. People with this form of schizophrenia rarely talk or move and need constant assistance with eating, bathing, and going to the bathroom. People with catatonic schizophrenia require constant support from family and mental health professionals. This form of schizophrenia makes it extremely hard for the patient to expand on their feelings due to their inability to carry on a conversation.