PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
Abnormal- Means away from the normal
Abnormal-Deviation from some clearly defined norms or standards of
society.
Common features of abnormal behavior (four Ds)
1. Deviance (different, extreme)
2. Distress (unpleasant to the person and to others or both)
3 Dysfunction (interfering in persons daily life activities)
4. Dangerous (harmful to the person or to self others or even both)
Two conflicting approaches to distinguish between Normal and abnormal
1. Abnormal behaviour is a deviation from social norms: It is the behaviour devour from
social expectations or norms.
Norms- Unwritten rules in order to guide behaviour.
• Social norms vary from society to society . If one doesn’t fit into the social norms , one is
considered abnormal.
• Social norms define most common behaviour.
• Age related- Ex tantrums of an 8 yr. old and 30 yr. old
• Gender based- Ex: clothes that men and women wear .
• Culture based- Ex: Teenager drinking in France and UK or India.
Limitations of Social norms:
• They change with age Ex: Acceptance of Homosexuality.
• Norms depends on the situation : Ex dressing for a party, dressing for a funeral
2. Abnormal behaviour is maladaptive:
• Any behaviour that blocks a person’s well being or growth and eventually
affects the group that he belongs to.
• A person cannot adjust with a particular situation. This does not depend
on the societal norms or whether the society accept certain behaviour.
• Some of the maladaptive behaviours are : Avoidance, Passive
Communication, withdrawal, self-injury, aggressive behaviour, binge
eating, inappropriate verbal behaviour, negative judgement.
Stigma:
• Vague ideas about Psychological disorders- superstition, ignorance
and fear.
• Common belief- Psychological disorder is something to be ashamed
of.
• Due to the stigma people are hesitant to consult a doctor or
psychologist –it is shameful to discuss.
Psychological disorder should be viewed as any other illness.
Well-being is not simply maintainance and survival but also includes growth
and fulfilment. i.e. the actualization of potential, (Maslow’s need hierarchy
theory)
• According to the theory confirming to behaviour can be seen as abnormal if
it is maladaptive,(interfering with optimal functioning and growth)
• Describing Maladaptive behaviour implies that problem exists( inability to
cope, vulnerability etc.,)
HISTORIC BACKGROUND OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR
Supernatural approach: operation of supernatural and magical forces like evil
spirit or the devil which is removed through exorcism.
Biological or organic approach: believe that individual behave strangely
because their bodies and brains are not working properly.
Psychological approach :believes that psychological problems are caused by
inadequacies in the way an individual thinks, feels and perceives the world.
The above three approaches reccurred throughout the history of
Western civilization.
Philosophers like Hippocrates, Socrates etc., believed that disturbed behaviour
arises from conflicts between emotion and reason.
Galen believed that imbalance in four humors can i.e. yellow bile,
red bile, blood, phlegm can cause disorders.
• Material world is up of four elements –earth, air, fire and water-
which form the biles
• each of these biles are responsible for a different behaviour.
• Imbalance in biles- cause various disorders.
• This is similar to the three doshas-vata, pitta and kappa-
mentioned in the Vedas.
TIMELINES
1. Middle age (5th-15th century)
Demonology and Superstitions were used to explain abnormal behaviour.
Witch hunts were a common practice.
St. Augustine wrote about feelings, mental anguish, conflicts and moves the
focus to western psychodynamic theories.
2. Renaissance period
Increased humanism & curiosity about behaviour.
Johann Weyer said psychological conflict and disturbed Interpersonal
relationships as causes of disorders.
According to him ‘witches’ were mentally disturbed and required medical not
theological treatment
TIMELINES …..
3. Age of reason and enlightenment (17th and 18th century)
Faith and dogma (belief) was replaced by Scientific methods as ways
to understanding abnormal behaviour.
Growth of Scientific attitude towards Psychological disorders. This led
to Reform Movement.
TIMELINES …..
4. Reform Movement (18 th Century)
Compassion for people suffering from disorders.
Reforms of asylums in both Europe and America.
Deinstitutionalization-providing community care for recovered
mentally ill individuals.
Interactional or bio-psycho- social approach believe that all these three
factors i.e. biological, psychological and social- important role in
influencing the expression and outcomes of disorders.
CLASSIFICATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
To understand Psychological disorders we need to classify them into a list of
categories or groups based on some shared characteristics.
• Classifications are useful because they enable users like psychologists, psychiatrists
and social workers to communicate with each other about the disorder and help
in understanding the causes of the disorders and processes involved in their
development and maintenance.
• The American Psychiatric Association (APA) published an official manual for
describing and classifying various kinds of psychological disorders.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders- 5th Edition (DSM-10)
• DSM evaluates the patient on five dimensions rather than just one broad aspect of
‘mental disorder’. The dimensions related to biological, psychological, social and
other aspects.
DSM-5- Prescribes discrete clinical criteria which indicate the presence
or absence of disorders.
International Classification of Diseases (ISD-10)-is officially used in
India.
Also called Classification of Behavioural and Mental Disorders-
Prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO)
Here , for each disorder, the clinical features or symptoms and of other
associated features including diagnostic guidelines are provided
FACTORS UNDERLYING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOURS
1. Biological factors: The history of Abnormal psychology believed that individuals behave
strangely because their bodies and their brains are not working properly. In the modern
era there is evidence that body and brain process have been linked to many types of
maladaptive behaviour. Correcting these defective biological processes result in
improved functioning.
Neurons- are responsible in transmitting messages . Ex: touch a hot cup. Reflex action tells
you to remove your hand; your body gives you a message that you should remove your
hand. This message is from the neurons.
At the end of the neurons is a space called Synapse, which separates one neuron from
another.
Here chemicals called neurotransmitters are released. Abnormal activities of the
neurotransmitters leads to Psychological disorders. Some of them-
Abnormality in the neurotransmitters causes for instance-
Anxiety disorder (low activity of GABA gamma aminobyric acid)
Depression (low activity of serotonin)
Schizophrenia (excess activity of dopamine)
2. Genetic Factors:
• believes that no single gene is responsible for a particular behaviour or
disorder. These factors have been linked to mood disorder, Schizophrenia,
intellectual disability etc.
• Research-No single gene but many genes combine to bring about both
functional and dysfunctional reactions.
• Both Biology and genes together account for mental disorders.
3. Psychological model
Several models believes that psychological and interpersonal factors like-
• maternal deprivation (during early years)
• Faulty parent-child relationships( overprotective or over permissive, faulty discipline)
• Maladaptive family structure
• Severe stress
Psychological problems are caused by inadequacies in the way an individual thinks, feels or
perceives the world.
Psychological models explain the factors leading to mental disorder. These model includes
Psychodynamic model, behavioural model, cognitive model, Humanistic-existential, socio-
cultural model.
Psychodynamic model
Behaviour either normal or abnormal, is determined by psychological forces
within the person(internal forces) irrespective of whether he is conscious or
unconscious.
These internal forces are dynamic- these forces interact with one another and
shape our behaviour, thoughts and emotions.
Abnormal symptoms are the result of conflicts between the psychological forces
which we are unconscious of.
This model was first formulated by Freud who believed that the three forces in
ourselves shape our personality-instinctual needs and drives (ID), rational thinking
(EGO) and moral standards (superego).
According to Freud’s model the expression of unconscious mental conflicts can be
generally traced to early childhood or infancy.
Behavioural Model
Both Normal and abnormal Behaviours are learned- psychological disorders are the result of
learning maladaptive ways of behaviour .
This concentrates on behaviour that is learned and can be unlearned.
Learning can take place by classical, operant conditioning and social learning-
• Classical conditioning (Pavlov)- temporal association where two events repeatedly occur close
together in time. Ex dog- food and bell
• Operant Conditioning- behaviour followed by a reward . Ex: child eating vegetables through
rewarding
• Social learning- learning by imitating other’s behaviour Ex: child talking loudly
These three types of conditioning account for either adaptive or maladaptive behaviour.
Cognitive model
• Abnormal behaviour can result from cognitive problem. People may hold
assumptions and attitude about themselves that are irrational and
inaccurate. : Ex: if son doesn’t turn up, parents assuming he had an accident
etc, based on previous experience.
• People may also repeatedly think in illogical ways and make
overgeneralizations i.e. they may draw broad, negative conclusions on the
basis of single insignificant level.
Humanistic-existential model
• Humanists believe that human beings are born with a natural tendency to be
friendly, cooperative and constructive and are drawn to self-actualize i.e. fulfill this
potential for goodness and growth.
• Existential believe that from birth we have total freedom to give meaning to our
existence or to avoid that responsibility. Those who shirk from this responsibility
would live empty, inauthentic and dysfunctional lives.
Socio-Cultural model
• As per this model, abnormal behaviour is best understood in light of social and cultural
forces that influence an individual.
• factors like Prejudice, violence, money problems, war- lead to psychological problems and
the rapid social change puts us in a lot of stress which can lead to psychological problems.
• Family system is one of such factor that influences us.
• Social network in which people operate also affect our behaviour. It is also influenced by
societal labels and roles assigned to trouble people. The person generally learns to accept,
internalize and behave in a disturbed manner.
Diathesis- Stress model
• Psychological disorders develop when a diathesis (biological predisposition to the
disorder) is set off by a stressful situation. Three components of this model-
a. Diathesis presence of some biological aberration which is inherited.
b. Diathesis may carry a vulnerability to develop a psychological disorder
c. Presence of pathogenic stressors, (factors or stressors that may lead to
psychopathology).
• If “at risk” persons are exposed to these stressors, their predisposition may actually
evolve into a disorder.
• This model has been to several disorders including anxiety, depression and
schizophrenia.
We always try to stay or
go back to the green zone
and avoid the red zone.
Here are some acts of self-compassion
we can do to achieve that.
Practice conscious Move Practice
breathing. your body. meditation.
Thank you for
participating!
Have a great day ahead.
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