01/22/14 Psychological Disorders

• Psychological disorder- a "harmful dysfunction" in which behavior is judged to be atypical, disturbing, maladaptive and unjustifiable. 
• Early Theories
• Afflicted people were possessed by evil spirits.
• Music or singing was often used to chase away spirits.
• Current Perspectives
• Medical Perspective: Psychological disorders are sicknesses and can be diagnosed, treated, and cured.
• Bio-Psycho-Social Perspective- Assumes biological, psychological and sociocultural factors combine to interact causing psychological disorders. 
• Used to be called Diathesis- Stress Model: Diathesis meaning predisposition and stress meaning environment.
• Classifying Psychological Disorder
• DSM-IV: Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: the big book of disorders. 
• Neurotic Disorders: Distressing but one can still function in society and act rationally.
• Psychotic Disorders: Person loses contact with reality, experiences distorted perceptions.