Mental disorders

Included in diagnostic manuals (DSM + ICD) w/in category of 'anxiety disorders' - group of mental disorders w/ primary symptom of extreme anxiety.

Irrational fears - conscious avoidance.

Fear that is marked + persistant - excessive + unreasonable.

Anxiety + panic.

Cued by presence/anticipation of phobic stimulus + emotions out of proportion to actual danger.

Avoidance - interferes w/ daily life.

Freeze/faint - fight, flight or freeze - freezing adaptive response, predator might think prey is dead.

Irrational thinking + resisting rational arguments.

Recognises fear is excessive/unreasonable (feature may be absent in children) - distinguishes b/ween phobia + mental disorder, as w/ mental disorder, may not recognise anything is wrong w/ their thinking.

Mood disorder. DSM-V distinguishes b/ween major depressive disorder + persistent depressive disorder, which is longer term and/or recurring.

Formal diagnosis of 'major depressive disorder' - presence of at least 5 symptoms, must inc sadness or loss of interest + pleasure in normal activities.

Sadness - associated w/ feeling worthless, hopeless and/or low-self esteem.

Loss of interest + pleasure in hobbies + activities -associated w/ feelings of despair + lack of control.

Anger - directed towards others or self. Depression may arise from feeling of being hurt + wishing to retaliate.

Shift in activity level - reduced or increased - reduced energy, tiredness, want to sleep all the time. Increased - agitated, restless, pace around, wring hands or tear at skin.

Sleep - some sleep more, some experience insomnia.

Appetite - variation. Some reduced, some eat more.

Negative emotions associated w/ negative thoughts eg negative self-concept + guilt, sense of worthlessness etc.

Negative view of world, expect things to turn our badly. Negative expectations about lives + relationships. Can be self-fulfilling - expect to do badly in exam, so may reduce effort you make, end up doing badly.

Generally negative thoughts irrational.

Anxiety disorder. Begins in young adult life, 2 main components - obsessions + compulsions. Obsessions - persistent thoughts, compulsions - repetitive behaviours.

Both obsessions + compulsions source of anxiety + distress.

Aware behaviour excessive, causes feelings of embarrassment + shame.

Common obession - germs -> feelings of disgust.

Obsessions recurrent, intrusive thoughts/impulses - perceived as inappropriate/forbidden. May be frightening and/or embarrassing so person doesn't want to share them.

Thoughts/impulses not only excessive worries - uncontrollbale, creates anxiety. Recognises obsessional thoughts/impulses product of own mind.

At some point during disorder, recognises obsessions/compulsions excessive/unreasonable.

Compulsions performed to reduce anxiety created by obsessions. Repetitive + unconcealed eg handwashing. May be mental acts eg praying/counting.

Feel must perform actions eg otherwise something bad might happen -> anxiety.

Behaviours not concealed in realistic way - clearly excessive. Some only experience compulsive behaviours w/ no particular obsessions eg compulsive avoidance.