![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/1721253.png?425)
Objective 21: Summarize Freud's conception of the unconscious
Freud first discovered his conception of the unconscious by observing patients. While doing this, he turned to free association. Free association is a method of exploring the unconscious in which the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing. He believed that free association would allow him to retrace the line of "mental dominoes" that had fallen from his patients' past and present. Freud also believed that the mind was mostly hidden. He compares our conscious awareness to an iceberg that is floating above the surface. Beneath our awareness is the larger unconscious mind with thoughts, feelings, wishes, and memories. He thought that some those thoughts are stored in a preconscious area temporarily so we can retrieve them into conscious awareness. He believes that the rest of our thoughts and memories were being repressed from our minds because they are too unsettling to unblock.
This example is a picture of the theoretical iceberg that is our unconscious mind. As you can see, most of the mind is hidden beneath the conscious surface. The id is completely submerged, therefore it is completely unconscious. The ego and superego work both consciously and unconsciously. Unlike an actual iceberg, these three parts work together and interact.
http://www.freud.org.uk/education/topic/10567/subtopic/10568/ This website further explains Freud's conception of the unconscious. It also gives supporting examples and evidence to his idea of our unconscious mind.
Freud first discovered his conception of the unconscious by observing patients. While doing this, he turned to free association. Free association is a method of exploring the unconscious in which the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing. He believed that free association would allow him to retrace the line of "mental dominoes" that had fallen from his patients' past and present. Freud also believed that the mind was mostly hidden. He compares our conscious awareness to an iceberg that is floating above the surface. Beneath our awareness is the larger unconscious mind with thoughts, feelings, wishes, and memories. He thought that some those thoughts are stored in a preconscious area temporarily so we can retrieve them into conscious awareness. He believes that the rest of our thoughts and memories were being repressed from our minds because they are too unsettling to unblock.
This example is a picture of the theoretical iceberg that is our unconscious mind. As you can see, most of the mind is hidden beneath the conscious surface. The id is completely submerged, therefore it is completely unconscious. The ego and superego work both consciously and unconsciously. Unlike an actual iceberg, these three parts work together and interact.
http://www.freud.org.uk/education/topic/10567/subtopic/10568/ This website further explains Freud's conception of the unconscious. It also gives supporting examples and evidence to his idea of our unconscious mind.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/1029814.png?514)
Objective 22: Describe the structure of personality as Freud views it (id, ego, superego), his concept of defense, and his theory of development
Freud believed that personality arises from our efforts to resolve the basic conflict between impulse and restraint. To explain this, Freud developed three interacting systems: the id, ego, and superego. The id's unconscious psychic energy is constantly striving to satisfy the basic drives to survive, reproduce, and aggress. In other words, the id operates on the pleasure principle: it seeks immediate gratification. As the ego begins to develop, it operates on the reality principle: it seeks to gratify the id's impulses in the most realistic way possible while at the same time bringing long-term pleasure. The ego contains partly conscious perceptions, thoughts, judgments, and memories. The superego is the voice of our conscious. It forces the ego to consider not only the real but the ideal: it focuses on how we should behave. Freud also believed that the ego protects itself with defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are the ego's protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality. All defense mechanisms function indirectly and unconsciously. Perhaps one of the biggest things Freud is know for is his theory of development. Freud was convinced that personality forms during the first few years of life. He concluded that children passed through what was called psychosexual stages during which the id's pleasure-seeking energy focused on specific pleasure-sensitive areas of the body. These areas are called erogenous zones. These are the five stages of Freud's Psychosexual Stages. The five stages include oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. The names of the stages gives a very big clue to where each erogenous zone is for each stage.
Freud believed that personality arises from our efforts to resolve the basic conflict between impulse and restraint. To explain this, Freud developed three interacting systems: the id, ego, and superego. The id's unconscious psychic energy is constantly striving to satisfy the basic drives to survive, reproduce, and aggress. In other words, the id operates on the pleasure principle: it seeks immediate gratification. As the ego begins to develop, it operates on the reality principle: it seeks to gratify the id's impulses in the most realistic way possible while at the same time bringing long-term pleasure. The ego contains partly conscious perceptions, thoughts, judgments, and memories. The superego is the voice of our conscious. It forces the ego to consider not only the real but the ideal: it focuses on how we should behave. Freud also believed that the ego protects itself with defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are the ego's protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality. All defense mechanisms function indirectly and unconsciously. Perhaps one of the biggest things Freud is know for is his theory of development. Freud was convinced that personality forms during the first few years of life. He concluded that children passed through what was called psychosexual stages during which the id's pleasure-seeking energy focused on specific pleasure-sensitive areas of the body. These areas are called erogenous zones. These are the five stages of Freud's Psychosexual Stages. The five stages include oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. The names of the stages gives a very big clue to where each erogenous zone is for each stage.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/6583604.png?442)
Here is an example of how the id, ego, and superego go together. As you can see, the id only cares about satisfying itself. The superego tries to be reasonable, and the ego is trying to satisfy both of them.
Just for fun, here is a YouTube video depicting Krunk from The Emperor's New Groove as he is trying to deal with his id and superego. As you can see, the id is the devil trying to tempt Krunk to do what he wants. The angel is the superego and is trying to show Krunk what a good person would do.
Objective 23: Define Rogers' actualizing tendency
Rogers' actualizing tendency is a theory that for people to be able to live life to the fullest and grow, there must be an environment with three specific conditions: genuineness, acceptance, and empathy. When these three things are met, a person is able to have a fuller concept of themselves. Carl Rogers' actualizing tendency is actually fairly similar to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. In Maslow's
hierarchy of needs, a person can move up each level of need if the preceding needs are met.
This website further explain Rogers' actualizing tendency and the different components. They also give a little background history of Carl Rogers, and they both explain how important his work is today.
https://www.boundless.com/psychology/personality/the-humanistic-perspective/rogers-theory/
This YouTube video is an interview with Carl Rogers as he explains his views on person-centered therapy, which involves his actualizing tendency.
Rogers' actualizing tendency is a theory that for people to be able to live life to the fullest and grow, there must be an environment with three specific conditions: genuineness, acceptance, and empathy. When these three things are met, a person is able to have a fuller concept of themselves. Carl Rogers' actualizing tendency is actually fairly similar to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. In Maslow's
hierarchy of needs, a person can move up each level of need if the preceding needs are met.
This website further explain Rogers' actualizing tendency and the different components. They also give a little background history of Carl Rogers, and they both explain how important his work is today.
https://www.boundless.com/psychology/personality/the-humanistic-perspective/rogers-theory/
This YouTube video is an interview with Carl Rogers as he explains his views on person-centered therapy, which involves his actualizing tendency.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/9670063.png?355)
Objective 24: Describe the development of congruence and incongruence
When talking about development, congruence is what an individual is aiming for, and incongruence is what an individual should avoid. Congruence is when a person's self-image, or how you see yourself, and ideal-self, who you wish to become, overlap extremely well, like a Venn Diagram. Incongruence, however, is the exact opposite. Incongruence is when a person's self image is different or separate from their ideal-self. Fortunately, as we mature, we become more congruent. When we age, we become more aware of who we are and who we want to be. There is not one person out there that can be 100% congruent. This is because there is always something that we wish we could do that we cannot.
As you can see by the picture, there are two diagrams representing incongruence and congruence. As you can see in the congruence Venn Diagram, there is a big overlap between self-image and ideal-self. According to the congruence diagram, this type of person can self-actualize, which is what Carl Rogers explained in the previous objective. As you can see on the incongruent diagram, there is only a slight overlap between self-image and ideal-self, and self-actualization is difficult to achieve.
http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/incongruence-in-psychology-definition-lesson-quiz.html#lesson This is a website that further talks about congruence and incongruence. It also talks about how incongruence is dealt with in therapy situations.
When talking about development, congruence is what an individual is aiming for, and incongruence is what an individual should avoid. Congruence is when a person's self-image, or how you see yourself, and ideal-self, who you wish to become, overlap extremely well, like a Venn Diagram. Incongruence, however, is the exact opposite. Incongruence is when a person's self image is different or separate from their ideal-self. Fortunately, as we mature, we become more congruent. When we age, we become more aware of who we are and who we want to be. There is not one person out there that can be 100% congruent. This is because there is always something that we wish we could do that we cannot.
As you can see by the picture, there are two diagrams representing incongruence and congruence. As you can see in the congruence Venn Diagram, there is a big overlap between self-image and ideal-self. According to the congruence diagram, this type of person can self-actualize, which is what Carl Rogers explained in the previous objective. As you can see on the incongruent diagram, there is only a slight overlap between self-image and ideal-self, and self-actualization is difficult to achieve.
http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/incongruence-in-psychology-definition-lesson-quiz.html#lesson This is a website that further talks about congruence and incongruence. It also talks about how incongruence is dealt with in therapy situations.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/1398650436.jpg)
Objective 25: Describe the therapeutic concepts of therapeutic neutrality, free association, interpretation, and transference
Transference, interpretation, free association, and therapeutic neutrality are all important factors in the therapeutic process. Transference is the patient's transfer to the analyst of emotions linked with other relationships, such as love or hatred for a parent. In other words, transference is when you transfer your feelings that you experienced in an earlier relationship with family members/important people. Interpretation is the analyst's noting supposed dream meanings, resistances, and other significant behaviors and events in order to promote insight. In other words, this means that the analyst is taking what you are describing and putting it into meaningful context. Free association is a method of exploring the unconscious in which the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing. By saying whatever comes to mind, Freud believed that he could retrace the line between his patient's past and present. Therapeutic neutrality is when the therapist only acts as a reflecting board for the patient. By doing this, the patient will feel more at ease knowing the therapist will not judge them and will only listen.
This comic is an example of what therapeutic neutrality is not. As you can see, the girls says she is completely objective and has no prejudices, but when her brother begins to speak about her, she acts violently towards him.
This is a YouTube video demonstrating how free association is performed in a therapeutic situation. As you can see, the therapist says a word, and the patient says the first thing that comes to his mind. This patient, however, isn't accomplishing this at all, if you watch the video.
Transference, interpretation, free association, and therapeutic neutrality are all important factors in the therapeutic process. Transference is the patient's transfer to the analyst of emotions linked with other relationships, such as love or hatred for a parent. In other words, transference is when you transfer your feelings that you experienced in an earlier relationship with family members/important people. Interpretation is the analyst's noting supposed dream meanings, resistances, and other significant behaviors and events in order to promote insight. In other words, this means that the analyst is taking what you are describing and putting it into meaningful context. Free association is a method of exploring the unconscious in which the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing. By saying whatever comes to mind, Freud believed that he could retrace the line between his patient's past and present. Therapeutic neutrality is when the therapist only acts as a reflecting board for the patient. By doing this, the patient will feel more at ease knowing the therapist will not judge them and will only listen.
This comic is an example of what therapeutic neutrality is not. As you can see, the girls says she is completely objective and has no prejudices, but when her brother begins to speak about her, she acts violently towards him.
This is a YouTube video demonstrating how free association is performed in a therapeutic situation. As you can see, the therapist says a word, and the patient says the first thing that comes to his mind. This patient, however, isn't accomplishing this at all, if you watch the video.
Objective 26: Describe the difference between a non-directive and directive therapy and explain why Rogers' approach is non-directive
First of all, to explain why Rogers' approach is non-directive, you must know the definition of non-directive and how it is different than directive. Non-directive therapy is when the therapist listens, without judging or interpreting, and seeks to refrain from directing the client toward certain insights. This is also known as client-centered therapy. Directive therapy is when the therapist look at people's current symptoms and try to tackle them head on. This is also known as psychodynamic therapy. Rogers' approach is non-directive, because as a therapist, he strictly listened to his patients without steering them in a certain direction. In his approach, the therapist is like a mirror: the patient gets to talk without being judged and listening to themselves to better understand what they are going through.
http://teachereducationguidanceandcounsellin.blogspot.com/2011/03/directive-counselling.html This website further explains the directive approach in therapy. This website also gives the steps a therapist does in direct therapy.
This is a YouTube video of Carl Rogers. In this video, he is explaining person-centered therapy, which is the non-directive approach.
First of all, to explain why Rogers' approach is non-directive, you must know the definition of non-directive and how it is different than directive. Non-directive therapy is when the therapist listens, without judging or interpreting, and seeks to refrain from directing the client toward certain insights. This is also known as client-centered therapy. Directive therapy is when the therapist look at people's current symptoms and try to tackle them head on. This is also known as psychodynamic therapy. Rogers' approach is non-directive, because as a therapist, he strictly listened to his patients without steering them in a certain direction. In his approach, the therapist is like a mirror: the patient gets to talk without being judged and listening to themselves to better understand what they are going through.
http://teachereducationguidanceandcounsellin.blogspot.com/2011/03/directive-counselling.html This website further explains the directive approach in therapy. This website also gives the steps a therapist does in direct therapy.
This is a YouTube video of Carl Rogers. In this video, he is explaining person-centered therapy, which is the non-directive approach.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/3570737.jpg?326)
Objective 27: Describe the attitude of the client-centered therapist (congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard)
In client-centered therapy, the therapist most display congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. These are the three basic principles that show how the therapist should treat the client. First, the therapist must be congruent- or related equally- to the patient. Next, the therapist must provide unconditional positive regard, which is the basic acceptance and support to the client, no matter what he/she says or does. Finally, the therapist must be empathic towards the client, which means understanding the patient's condition from their perspective.
As you can see from the diagram, all three of these basic principles must come together and work with each other to create the attitude of a client-centered therapist.
In client-centered therapy, the therapist most display congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. These are the three basic principles that show how the therapist should treat the client. First, the therapist must be congruent- or related equally- to the patient. Next, the therapist must provide unconditional positive regard, which is the basic acceptance and support to the client, no matter what he/she says or does. Finally, the therapist must be empathic towards the client, which means understanding the patient's condition from their perspective.
As you can see from the diagram, all three of these basic principles must come together and work with each other to create the attitude of a client-centered therapist.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/1437469.jpg?382)
This picture further explains what empathy is. As you can see, there are four elements of empathy: communicate understanding, understand feelings, see their world, and appreciate them as human beings.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/180084412.png?458)
Objective 28: Distinguish between the various definitional and theoretical models of abnormal behavior
Abnormal psychology is the study of people's emotional, cognitive, and/or behavior problems. There are several perspectives that attempt to explain abnormal behavior. The medical perspective: This perspective focuses on the biological and physiological causes of abnormal behavior. In other words, the medical approach treats abnormal behavior like a disease and is diagnosed and attempted to be treated. Hospitals and drugs are commonly used instead of something like therapy. The psychodynamic perspective: This perspective came from the very famous Sigmund Freud, who said that psychological disorders are the consequence of anxiety from unresolved conflicts. Treatment involves identifying and resolving the conflict, using therapy. The behavioral perspective: This perspective says that abnormal behavior is a result of ineffective learning and conditioning. The treatment involves reshaping the behavior and teaching the patients new, correct behaviors. The cognitive perspective: According to this perspective, abnormal behavior occurs because people's particular thoughts and behaviors are based upon false assumptions. Treatment for this includes helping the individual develop new thought processes, even new values, like therapy. The social-cultural perspective: this perspective says that abnormal behavior is learned because of the social context, ranging from family to culture. Cultural variables are said to be important factors that cause abnormal behavior.
This diagram is an example of the cognitive perspective of abnormal psychology. As you can see, there are many different components to the cognitive side of psychology. This includes human intelligence, perception, attention, memory, thinking and problem solving, and language.
Abnormal psychology is the study of people's emotional, cognitive, and/or behavior problems. There are several perspectives that attempt to explain abnormal behavior. The medical perspective: This perspective focuses on the biological and physiological causes of abnormal behavior. In other words, the medical approach treats abnormal behavior like a disease and is diagnosed and attempted to be treated. Hospitals and drugs are commonly used instead of something like therapy. The psychodynamic perspective: This perspective came from the very famous Sigmund Freud, who said that psychological disorders are the consequence of anxiety from unresolved conflicts. Treatment involves identifying and resolving the conflict, using therapy. The behavioral perspective: This perspective says that abnormal behavior is a result of ineffective learning and conditioning. The treatment involves reshaping the behavior and teaching the patients new, correct behaviors. The cognitive perspective: According to this perspective, abnormal behavior occurs because people's particular thoughts and behaviors are based upon false assumptions. Treatment for this includes helping the individual develop new thought processes, even new values, like therapy. The social-cultural perspective: this perspective says that abnormal behavior is learned because of the social context, ranging from family to culture. Cultural variables are said to be important factors that cause abnormal behavior.
This diagram is an example of the cognitive perspective of abnormal psychology. As you can see, there are many different components to the cognitive side of psychology. This includes human intelligence, perception, attention, memory, thinking and problem solving, and language.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/1364373.jpg?290)
This diagram is an example of the social-cultural perspective of psychology. This gives examples of what components of culture influence us. This includes music, environment, economics, art, politics, history, religion, and clothing. Obviously, there are many other factors involved in the social-cultural perspective of psychology. For example: friends, family, coworkers. etc.
Objective 29: Describe the diagnostic techniques used by psychologists
To diagnose an individual correctly, psychologist must refer to the DSM-5, which is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. This tool was created by the American Psychiatric Association and acts as a manual for all of the known mental disorders. Like you said in class, this manual is like a backwards cookbook: you look up the symptoms, and it tells you what mental disorder an individual has. This manual is reviewed by many psychologists before it is published. This manual is controversial, because it changes disorders from one thing to another, or even disregarding a disorder by saying it is less severe than originally thought. The question is, what to we do about the ever-changing policies/recipes? Say for example a certain type of autism isn't even classified as a mental disorder. What do we do with the individuals that used to be autistic? This is why this manual is so controversial, but psychologists are required to use it to diagnose patients.
http://www.psych.org/practice/dsm This website gives a brief description of the DSM-5. I got this from the American Psychological Association website.
To diagnose an individual correctly, psychologist must refer to the DSM-5, which is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. This tool was created by the American Psychiatric Association and acts as a manual for all of the known mental disorders. Like you said in class, this manual is like a backwards cookbook: you look up the symptoms, and it tells you what mental disorder an individual has. This manual is reviewed by many psychologists before it is published. This manual is controversial, because it changes disorders from one thing to another, or even disregarding a disorder by saying it is less severe than originally thought. The question is, what to we do about the ever-changing policies/recipes? Say for example a certain type of autism isn't even classified as a mental disorder. What do we do with the individuals that used to be autistic? This is why this manual is so controversial, but psychologists are required to use it to diagnose patients.
http://www.psych.org/practice/dsm This website gives a brief description of the DSM-5. I got this from the American Psychological Association website.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/4/26145398/6204277.png?288)
This is a picture that some could say perfectly describes the DSM-5. The entrance sign says "DSM-5, abandon hope, all ye who enter here." The other signs say: "Personality Disorders", "Drugs", "More Drugs", "Drugs", and "Pathological" and "Normal" facing opposite ways. In a sense, this is making fun of the DSM.
Objective 30: Describe the symptoms and possible causes for the following disorders: phobic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatoform disorders, dissociative disorders, schizophrenia disorders, and mood disorders
To be able to understand these disorders, we must first known the definition of a psychological disorder. According to Psychology Tenth Edition in Modules, a psychological disorder is deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. Although the standards for deviant behaviors vary by context, culture, and time, we have grouped psychological disorders into different categories. The first one I will discuss is anxiety disorders. An anxiety disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety. A generalized anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder in which a person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal. The symptoms are: being worried continually, being jittery, agitated, being sleep-deprived, twitching eyelids, trembling, perspiration, or fidgeting. Many people with generalized anxiety disorder were often maltreated and inhibited as children. A panic disorder is an anxiety disorder marked by unpredictable, minutes-long episodes of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening sensations. Heart
palpitations, shortness of breath, choking sensations, trembling, or dizziness are usually the symptoms. The book doesn’t specifically state possible causes for a panic disorder. According to http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/understanding-panic-attack-basics , there is evidence of both a genetic and a biochemical basis. Some researchers believe that it may result from an oversensitivity in the brain to carbon dioxide which triggers a “false alarm” inside the brain, thus leading to hyperventilation and panic. A panic disorder may also begin after a serious illness or accident, the death of a loved one, etc.
A phobia is an anxiety disorder marked by a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object, activity, or situation. The symptoms would include things such as avoiding a certain object or activity at all costs, being incapacitated by that fear, insomnia, etc. A traumatic experience with said object or activity is most likely the cause of a phobia. Perhaps even witnessing someone else go through a traumatic event may also make someone develop a phobia. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions). Symptoms would include doing things much more often than normal and having severe anxiety or stress if not done repeatedly. According to http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ocd/basics/causes/con-20027827 , OCD may be caused by changes in your body’s own natural chemistry or brain functions. Genetics may also be involved, but researchers haven’t linked a specific gene to OCD. Environmental factors such as infections could also be triggers, but more research needs to be
completed. Schizophrenia is a group of severe disorders characterize by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and behaviors. One of the major symptoms of schizophrenia is bizarre and fragmented delusions. These disorganized thoughts may result from a breakdown in selective attention. The other symptoms include inappropriate emotions and actions, some of which are split off from reality. Sometimes people with schizophrenia are in an emotionless state of mind. Some perform senseless and compulsive acts. Scientists have long believed that strange chemicals can cause strange behavior. An over abundance of dopamine has also been linked to schizophrenia. Maternal viruses during pregnancy, abnormal brain activity, and many psychological factors can also contribute. A dissociative disorder is a disorder in which conscious awareness becomes separated (dissociated) from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings. Symptoms include sudden loss of memory or sudden change in identity. An overwhelmingly stressful situation can cause a dissociate disorder. A mood disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by emotional extremes. Mood disorders come in two principal forms: major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Symptoms of depression include feeling socially isolated, lacking energy to even get out of bed, unable to concentrate, eat, or sleep, being dissatisfied with your life. Depression is usually caused by a past and current loss, such as a loved one’s death, a lost job, a corrupted marriage. Symptoms of bipolar disorder include a wild state of mania and aggressive mood swings. Behavioral and cognitive changes are possible causes of bipolar disorder.
Somatoform disorders are mental illnesses that cause bodily symptoms, including pain. Symptoms besides pain include neurologic problems and sexual symptoms. The possible causes includes defense against psychological distress, heightened sensitivity to physical sensations, and catastrophic thinking about physical sensations.
This is a video on YouTube that further dives into schizophrenia. It shows actual people with schizophrenia, along with the mental health professionals that treat them.
To be able to understand these disorders, we must first known the definition of a psychological disorder. According to Psychology Tenth Edition in Modules, a psychological disorder is deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. Although the standards for deviant behaviors vary by context, culture, and time, we have grouped psychological disorders into different categories. The first one I will discuss is anxiety disorders. An anxiety disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety. A generalized anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder in which a person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal. The symptoms are: being worried continually, being jittery, agitated, being sleep-deprived, twitching eyelids, trembling, perspiration, or fidgeting. Many people with generalized anxiety disorder were often maltreated and inhibited as children. A panic disorder is an anxiety disorder marked by unpredictable, minutes-long episodes of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening sensations. Heart
palpitations, shortness of breath, choking sensations, trembling, or dizziness are usually the symptoms. The book doesn’t specifically state possible causes for a panic disorder. According to http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/understanding-panic-attack-basics , there is evidence of both a genetic and a biochemical basis. Some researchers believe that it may result from an oversensitivity in the brain to carbon dioxide which triggers a “false alarm” inside the brain, thus leading to hyperventilation and panic. A panic disorder may also begin after a serious illness or accident, the death of a loved one, etc.
A phobia is an anxiety disorder marked by a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object, activity, or situation. The symptoms would include things such as avoiding a certain object or activity at all costs, being incapacitated by that fear, insomnia, etc. A traumatic experience with said object or activity is most likely the cause of a phobia. Perhaps even witnessing someone else go through a traumatic event may also make someone develop a phobia. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions). Symptoms would include doing things much more often than normal and having severe anxiety or stress if not done repeatedly. According to http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ocd/basics/causes/con-20027827 , OCD may be caused by changes in your body’s own natural chemistry or brain functions. Genetics may also be involved, but researchers haven’t linked a specific gene to OCD. Environmental factors such as infections could also be triggers, but more research needs to be
completed. Schizophrenia is a group of severe disorders characterize by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and behaviors. One of the major symptoms of schizophrenia is bizarre and fragmented delusions. These disorganized thoughts may result from a breakdown in selective attention. The other symptoms include inappropriate emotions and actions, some of which are split off from reality. Sometimes people with schizophrenia are in an emotionless state of mind. Some perform senseless and compulsive acts. Scientists have long believed that strange chemicals can cause strange behavior. An over abundance of dopamine has also been linked to schizophrenia. Maternal viruses during pregnancy, abnormal brain activity, and many psychological factors can also contribute. A dissociative disorder is a disorder in which conscious awareness becomes separated (dissociated) from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings. Symptoms include sudden loss of memory or sudden change in identity. An overwhelmingly stressful situation can cause a dissociate disorder. A mood disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by emotional extremes. Mood disorders come in two principal forms: major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Symptoms of depression include feeling socially isolated, lacking energy to even get out of bed, unable to concentrate, eat, or sleep, being dissatisfied with your life. Depression is usually caused by a past and current loss, such as a loved one’s death, a lost job, a corrupted marriage. Symptoms of bipolar disorder include a wild state of mania and aggressive mood swings. Behavioral and cognitive changes are possible causes of bipolar disorder.
Somatoform disorders are mental illnesses that cause bodily symptoms, including pain. Symptoms besides pain include neurologic problems and sexual symptoms. The possible causes includes defense against psychological distress, heightened sensitivity to physical sensations, and catastrophic thinking about physical sensations.
This is a video on YouTube that further dives into schizophrenia. It shows actual people with schizophrenia, along with the mental health professionals that treat them.
This is also a YouTube video, but this is actually a documentary on bipolar disorder. It is a full movie that was made in 2011, and it is called "Up/Down". This documentary includes in-depth interviews with people suffering with bipolar disorder as they explain their journey so far.