11/28/24, 12:32 AM (Part - 1) - Psychological Disorders Class 12 Psychology

Revision Notes (Part - 1) - Psychological Disorders

Concept of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

Various definitions of abnormality have been proposed, but none has gained universal
acceptance. Most definitions share common features known as the four Ds: deviance, distress,
dysfunction, and danger.

Psychological disorders are typically considered deviant, distressing, dysfunctional, and

potentially dangerous.
Deviation from Norms:
The term 'abnormal' suggests a departure from established norms or standards.
Psychology lacks an 'ideal' or 'normal' model of human behavior for comparison.
Abnormal behavior is often seen as a deviation from social norms and societal
expectations.
Views on Abnormal Behavior:
There are two primary views on abnormal behavior: deviation from social norms and
maladaptive behavior.

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Deviation from social norms refers to behaviors that significantly differ from societal
expectations.
Maladaptive behavior is defined by its hindrance to the individual's well-being and
growth.
Stigma Surrounding Psychological Disorders:
There is a common stigma attached to mental illness, leading individuals to feel
ashamed of seeking help.
Psychological disorders should be viewed as any other illness, indicating a failure in
adaptation.

Historical Background
(a) The organismic approach was introduced by Ancient Greek philosophers such as
Hippocrates, Socrates, and Plato, who believed that disturbed behavior was a result of conflicts
between emotions and reasoning. Galen also had a similar perspective, where he theorized that
temperament was influenced by an imbalance in four humours, much like the concept of
tridoshas.
(b) During the Middle Ages, people with mental health issues were commonly associated with
demons and superstition. St. Augustine discussed the topics of emotions, mental distress, and
inner conflict, which established the foundation for contemporary psychodynamic theories.
(c) During the Renaissance period, there was an increased focus on humanism and curiosity
about behavior. Johann Weyer suggested that psychic disorders were caused by troubled
interpersonal relationships and that mentally disturbed individuals required medical treatment
instead of theological treatment.
(d) The Age of Reason and Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries led to the growth of
the scientific method, which replaced faith and dogma. This movement contributed to reforms in
society, including increased compassion for those who were suffering from mental health issues.
Asylums were reformed, deinstitutionalization occurred, and community care was emphasized.
(e) In recent years, there has been a convergence of approaches resulting in an interactional

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biopsychosocial approach.
There are various factors underlying abnormal behavior, including biological, psychological,
and interpersonal factors:
Biological factors, such as faulty genes, endocrine imbalances, and malnutrition, can affect
normal development and functioning, resulting in behavior with a biochemical or
physiological basis. For instance, abnormal activity of neurotransmitters, which are
responsible for transmitting messages between neurons, can lead to specific psychological
disorders, such as low activity of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) in anxiety disorders, low
activity of serotonin in depression, and excess activity of dopamine in schizophrenia. While
scientific evidence links genetic factors to depression, anxiety, mood disorders,
schizophrenia, and mental retardation, it is unable to identify specific genes and there is no
single gene responsible for a particular behavior. Therefore, biological factors alone cannot
account for a mental disorder.
Psychological and interpersonal factors can also affect abnormal behavior. Maternal
deprivation, faulty parent-child relationships (such as rejection, overprotection, over-
permissiveness, or faulty discipline), maladaptive family structures, and severe stress are
examples of such factors.

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 11/28/24, 12:32 AM (Part - 1) - Psychological Disorders Class 12 Psychology

Try yourself: Which of the following factors is not considered to contribute to abnormal
behavior?

a. Faulty genes

b. Maladaptive family structures

c. Positive reinforcement

d. Severe stress

View Solution

Classification Of Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders are categorized based on a list of specific disorders that share
similar characteristics and grouped into various classes.
These classifications are beneficial to psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other
professionals in the field as they allow them to:
(i) Facilitate communication between professionals regarding the disorder
(ii) Assist in comprehending the origins and mechanisms involved in the development and
persistence of psychological disorders.
Official manuals that provide descriptions and classifications for different types of
psychological disorders include:
(i) The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), which
is currently published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). This manual presents
specific clinical criteria that indicate whether a disorder is present or not.
(iii) The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), which is a classification of

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behavioral and mental disorders published by the World Health Organization (WHO). For
each disorder, the manual provides a description of the primary clinical features or
symptoms, as well as any associated features and diagnostic guidelines.

Factors Underlying Abnormal Behavior

Biological factors can have a significant impact on behavior, including the development and
functioning of the human body. These factors can include genetic abnormalities, endocrine
imbalances, malnutrition, injuries, and other conditions.
(i) Psychological disorders can often be linked to issues with the transmission of messages
between neurons. When an electrical impulse reaches the end of a neuron, it triggers the
release of a chemical known as a neurotransmitter.
(ii) Disorders can arise when there is abnormal activity in the release of neurotransmitters.
For example, low levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can lead
to anxiety disorders, while excess levels of dopamine can cause schizophrenia. Low levels of
serotonin can result in depression.
Mood disorders, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, mental retardation and other disorders
have been found to be associated with genetic factors, but there is no conclusive evidence to
suggest that a specific gene is solely responsible for causing these disorders. Rather, it is
believed that a combination of genes contributes to the development of these disorders.
While there is strong evidence linking genes to psychological disorders, it is important to
note that genetic factors are not the only contributors to these disorders.
Genetic factors have been associated with bipolar and related disorders, schizophrenia,
intellectual disability, and other psychological conditions. However, researchers have not
pinpointed the specific genes responsible for these disorders. It seems that most behaviors
and psychological disorders are not caused by a single gene. Instead, a combination of many
genes contributes to both functional and dysfunctional behaviors and emotional reactions.
While there is solid evidence supporting the role of genetic and biochemical factors in
conditions like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, biological factors alone cannot
explain most mental disorders.

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Psychological Model: Psychological Disorders various psychological factors that may

contribute to the development of psychological disorders, including maladaptive family
structures, faulty parent-child relationships, severe stress, and maternal deprivation.
Other models that offer explanations of psychological disorders include:
(i) The Psychodynamic Model emphasizes that both normal and abnormal human behavior
is a result of psychological forces, such as the Id, Ego, and Superego, in the unconscious mind.
The relative strength of these forces determines a person's personality.
(ii) The Behavioral Model posits that human behavior can be learned and unlearned.
Abnormal behavior results from maladaptive ways of behaving that are learned. The most
prominent theories of the behavioral model are classical conditioning, operant conditioning,
and social learning.
The Cognitive Model asserts that faulty thinking, negative and irrational beliefs about
oneself and others, and drawing broad negative conclusions based on insignificant events
can lead to abnormal behavior.
(iii) The Humanistic-Existential Model views human beings positively and believes that
they are inherently cooperative, positive, and capable of self-actualization. Those who lack
meaning in their lives tend to feel empty, depressed, and dysfunctional.
(iv) The Sociocultural Model explains human behavior, whether normal or abnormal,
through various sociocultural factors such as employment conditions, war, prejudice,
discrimination, and culture (collectivistic or individualistic).
(v) The Diathesis Stress Model proposes that psychological disorders develop when a
diathesis (biological predisposition to the disorder) is triggered by a stressful situation.

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 11/28/24, 12:32 AM (Part - 1) - Psychological Disorders Class 12 Psychology

Try yourself: Which model of psychological disorders emphasizes the role of unconscious
psychological forces in determining human behavior?

a. Biological Model

b. Psychodynamic Model

c. Cognitive Model

d. Behavioral Model

View Solution

Major Psychological Disorders

As per the information provided in the class on Psychological Disorders, the DSM-5 covers
several major psychological disorders:

Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterized by an overall feeling of fear and apprehension, accompanied
by symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweating, dizziness, and fainting.
The major types of anxiety disorders are as follows:
Generalised Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by a
persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry and fear about everyday life events and
activities, without any apparent cause or specific trigger. Its symptoms include restlessness,
feeling on edge, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.
People with this disorder find it challenging to control their worrying and have difficulty
relaxing.

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Panic Disorder: This category of anxiety disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of

sudden and overwhelming terror or fear, known as panic attacks, that are often triggered by
specific situations or stimuli. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain, choking
sensation, nausea, fear of dying or going crazy, and other physical and emotional symptoms.
Phobias: Phobias as irrational fears related to a specific object, person, or situation. There
are three types of phobias:
(i) Specific phobias: These are highly irrational fears, such as the fear of a specific type of
animal or being enclosed in a small space.
(ii) Social phobias: This is an intense fear of embarrassment when dealing with others in
public.
(iii) Agoraphobia: This is the fear of entering unfamiliar situations, and people with
agoraphobia may have difficulty leaving their homes, which prevents them from carrying out
their normal activities.
Separation Anxiety Disorder: Separation Anxiety Disorder is characterized by an extreme
fear of being separated from individuals with whom an emotional attachment has been
formed, to the extent that it impairs normal development. Children with this disorder
exhibit symptoms such as a reluctance to go to school alone, constantly following their
parents, and throwing fits when they are away from their parents for even a short period of
time.

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Individuals with OCD are excessively focused on a specific idea or thought and are unable to
stop themselves from performing a certain behavior that disrupts their regular daily
activities.
Obsessive behavior refers to the inability to cease thinking about a specific behavior or
thought.
Compulsive behavior refers to the urge to repeatedly engage in certain behaviors.

Trauma and Stress- Related Disorder

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Individuals who have been exposed to bomb blasts or terrorist attacks often suffer from
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
This disorder is characterized by recurrent nightmares, frequent flashbacks, and emotional
distress.

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