Psychological diseases, often known as mental illnesses or psychiatric disorders, are one of the most studied fields in psychology. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies all major mental illnesses (DSM). It is a problem/condition that affects a person’s thinking, mood, and behaviour. It is believed that a stressful environment triggers psychological problems. While other definitions of abnormality have been proposed over time, none have gained widespread agreement. Nonetheless, most definitions share key characteristics, which are frequently referred to as the ‘four Ds’: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. 

Psychological problems’ nature:

  • Deviant (abnormal, extreme, unusual, even bizarre),
  • Distressing (unpleasant and disturbing to the individual and others),
  • Dysfunctional (interfering with the individual’s ability to carry out daily activities constructively), and
  •  Possibly Dangerous (to the individual or others).

Methodologies for Investigating Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

The first view of abnormal behaviour is that it deviates from social norms. According to many psychologists, “abnormal” is just a label applied to behaviour that deviates from societal norms. Abnormal behaviour, thoughts, and emotions deviate significantly from a society’s definition of normal functioning. Norms, which are explicit or implicit guidelines for proper conduct, exist in every culture. Abnormal behaviours, thoughts, and emotions deviate from societal norms.

The second perspective considers deviant behaviour to be maladaptive. Many psychologists believe that the best criterion for judging whether or not behaviour is normal is if it promotes the well-being of the person and, eventually, the group to which s/he belongs. According to this criterion, conforming behaviour is abnormal if it is maladaptive if it conflicts with optimal functioning and growth.

Factors that Contribute to Abnormal Behaviour

Numerous variables contribute to the development of the Abnormal Behaviour Biological Model.

  • Biological Model

Biological tissues such as hormonal imbalances, defective genes, and other variables may impact an individual’s normal functioning and development.

  • Modelling Genetics

Many psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, are caused by genetic factors and genetic mapping.

Maladaptive Family Structure, Faulty Parent-Child Relationship, Extreme Stress, Maternal Deprivation, and other Psychological Factors are some of the Psychological Factors that can lead to the development of Psychological Disorders.

Various models of psychological disorders are:

  1. The Psychodynamic Model: It emphasises that human behaviour, whether normal or abnormal, is the product of psychological forces (Id, Ego, Superego) operating in the unconscious mind. The relative strength of these forces creates a person’s personality.
  1. Behavioural Model: Whether normal or abnormal, human behaviour may be learned and unlearned. Learning maladaptive norms of behaviour leads to abnormal behaviour.

 

  1. Socio-cultural model: Various socio-cultural aspects, such as working practises, war, bias, prejudice, culture (collectivist or individualistic), and culture (collectivistic or individualistic), best explain human behaviour, whether normal or abnormal.

 

  1. Diathesis Stress Model: Psychological Disorders arise when a Diathesis (biological predisposition to the condition) is triggered by a stressful environment, according to the Diathesis Stress Model.

Psychological Disorders List:

1) Disorders of Anxiety

Anxiety is typically defined as a pervasive, nebulous, and extremely unpleasant sensation of fear and apprehension. Some of the symptoms are rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, insomnia, frequent urination, and tremors. Anxiety manifests itself in a variety of ways:

  • Generalised anxiety disorder: This is characterised by a persistent, vague, inexplicable, and overwhelming fear that is not specific to any object or person.
  • Symptoms include anxiety, apprehension about the future, and hypervigilance, constantly checking the area for threats.

 2) Panic disorder is characterised by recurring anxiety attacks and a sense of acute panic. A panic attack is a brief period of extreme anxiety that peaks when ideas of a specific stimulus are present. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, discomfort, fear of going insane, losing control, or dying.

3) Phobias: Individuals who suffer from phobias experience unreasonable terror in response to a certain object, person, or scenario. Phobias frequently develop over time, beginning with a general anxiety problem. For example, people are terrified of heights, deep waters, or riding on an elevator. They can be further classified into three categories, Specific phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia

4) Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Incapable of controlling their concern with specific ideas or refraining from repeating a specific act/series of behaviours impairs their capacity to perform routine activities.

5) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs very seldom among those who have been trapped in a natural disaster, such as floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, war, terrorist attacks, or major accidents. Dreams, flashbacks, decreased attention, and emotional numbing are all symptoms.

What are the other forms of psychological disorders:

  • Somatoform Disorder: Somatoform disorders include somatization, conversion, hypochondriasis, pain disorders.
  • Dissociative Disorders: Dissociation can be defined as the disconnection of thoughts and emotions. It is characterised by a sense of unreality, detachment, depersonalization, and identity loss or shifts.

 

They are classified into four categories:

  1. Amnesia dissociative 
  1. Dissociative fugue
  1. Disorder of dissociative identity
  2. Depersonalisation

4) Disorder of the Mood: Mood swings or an extended emotional state. Mood disorders are classified as depressive, manic, or bipolar.