Mental Disorders

1. CHAPTER17 Most people with mental disorders have been overwhelmed by stress and can no longer cope. Another group suffer from disturbances created by chemical malfunctions. Mental Disorders EXIT

2. Causes of Mental Disorders 2. Stress 1. Psychological Combination of these reasons 4. Sociocultural 3. Biological EXIT

3. Definitions of Abnormal Behaviors 1. The person may have extreme anxiety, endless worry, and depression. 2. The person acts in bizarre ways. He or she cannot react normally or is constantly depressed. 3. The person cannot act out his or her role efficiently. 4. The person has self-defeating behaviors. 5. The person sees the world as threatening, dangerous, and rejecting. EXIT

4. It’s All a Matter of Degree EXIT

5. Disorders of Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Description: Child may be • unable to focus on a task • easily distracted or frustrated • impulsive • constantly moving and restless Causes are still unknown Treatment varies • Ritalin (stimulant) • Structuring the child’s environment • 1/3 of cases continue into adulthood EXIT

6. Autism Description: The child • fails to develop communication patterns, social interactions, and emotional responses. • is difficult to feed, and does not respond with smiles. • may rock or stare off into space. • may not attach to adults but will to objects. • may not have recognition or a visible response to the spoken word. Causes are unknown; may be brain malfunction; heredity may play a part. Treatment varies and is inconsistent. Degree of autism is biggest factor in deciding how to treat. EXIT

7. Anxiety Disorders Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension that includes sweating palms, erratic breathing, and a pounding heart. Panic Disorder Obsessive- Compulsive Behaviors Phobias Click on the disorders for more information. EXIT

8. Panic Disorders Caused by physical and chemical problems Medicine can reduce symptoms Occur when the person is under stress Overwhelming attacks of anxiety Psychotherapy can be useful Click for more information. Phobias Obsessive-Compulsive EXIT

9. Phobias Can include very specific categories such as snakes. Agoraphobia is fear of leaving a familiar place. Certain objects or events can “disable” a person. Most phobics are women. Click for more information. Panic Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive EXIT

10. Obsessive- Compulsive Behaviors Some drugs can reduce symptoms. Obsessions are recurring thoughts. Result from guilt, anxiety, and insecurity. Compulsions are ritualized behaviors. Click for more information. Phobias EXIT Panic Disorder

11. Somatoform Disorders Hypochondriasis Conversion Disorders People overly concerned about their health. An illness occurs for every physical complaint. Psychological problem is converted into a physiological dysfunction. EXIT

12. Dissociative Disorders Amnesia Fugue Memories related to a trauma disappear and the person starts life all over. Memories related to a trauma disappear. Identity Disorder A person will have several personalities that are unique. EXIT

13. Moderate depression that will go away without therapy Restlessness, inability to concentrate, and rapid speech Dysthymic Disorder Mania Mood Disorders Major Depression Bipolar Lasting from a couple of weeks to months Swings of mania and depression EXIT

14. Causes of Mood Disorders • Difficult to trace cause, as the problem can come and go without treatment. • Females are twice as likely to be moderately depressed and to suffer from dysthymic disorder as males; four times as likely to suffer from major depression. Males and females suffer from bipolar disorder at about the same rate, however. • Depression lies on a continuum from mild to severe; moderate depression can turn into major depression. MILD MODERATE SEVERE EXIT

15. Causes of Mood Disorders (continued) • Learned helplessness is a factor associated with depression. In this situation, people believe they are unable to help themselves get better. • People with poor self-images are more prone to depression. • Levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain also play a role in mania and depression. EXIT

16. Characteristics of Psychotic Disorders 1. Thought Disorders . . . a distortion of thinking 2. Hallucinations . . . to see or hear things that are not present 3. Delusions . . . false or inaccurate beliefs 4. Inappropriate emotional responses EXIT

17. Schizophrenic Disorders Symptoms Disorganized Thoughts Hallucinations Delusions Garbled Speech Word Salad Clanging EXIT

18. Types of Schizophrenia Catatonic Undifferentiated Paranoid Sufferers can hold an unusual posture for hours Feelings of persecution and suspiciousness Difficult to distinguish symptoms EXIT

19. Hereditary and Environmental Factors in Schizophrenia 1. Heredity plays a role but is not the only or major cause ( a person may have a predisposition). 2. Environment may play a role in the development of schizophrenia but is not the major factor. 3. A strange and bizarre family life may trigger appearance in someone who is predisposed. EXIT

20. Chemical Factors in Schizophrenia 1. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter found in the brain. 2. Schizophrenics have very high levels of dopamine. 3. They report that they feel agitated, talk rapidly, and their thoughts are racing. 4. Some schizophrenics report that lower levels of dopamine make them feel better. EXIT

21. Personality Disorders Antisocial Personality Disorder These people consistently come into conflict with the law and show little or no concern, guilt, or anxiety. Borderline Personality Disorder These people have unstable and intense relationships with others. They are dependent on others and yet, sabotage those relationships. They have problems controlling their impulses; their perceptions and thoughts are distorted. EXIT

22. Summary of Main Topics Covered Causes of Mental Disorders Abnormal Behaviors { Childhood Disorders ADHD Autism { Anxiety Disorders Panic Disorder, Phobias, Obsessive-Compulsive { Somatoform Disorders Conversion Hypochondriasis { Dissociative Disorders Amnesia, Fugue, D. I. D. { Mood Disorders Dysthymic, Depression, Mania, Bipolar Psychotic Disorders Schizophrenic Disorders EXIT