Psychological Disorders Definitions

The definitions with page references come from the David Myers
Psychology textbook with an update for the DSM-IV.

Psychological Disorder- Deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional

patterns of
thoughts, feelings and behaviours. (Pg. 607)
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - A
psychological disorder marked by the appearance by age 7 of one
or more of the 3 key symptoms extreme inattention, hyperactivity
and impulsivity. (Pg. 607)
Medical Model- The concept that diseases including
psychological disorders have physical causes that can be
diagnosed, treated, and in some cases cured in a professional
medical setting such as a hospital (Pg. 609)
DSM-IV-TR- the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, with
an updated text revision. It is a widely used system for classifying
psychological disorders. (Pg. 611)
Anxiety Disorders- Psychological disorders characterized by
distressing, persistent anxiety and maladaptive behaviours that
reduce anxiety. (GAD, panic disorder, phobias, OCD, PTSD) Pg.
614
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - An anxiety
disorder in which a person is continually tense,

apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system

arousal. (Pg. 614)
Panic Disorder- 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 (Pg. 614)

Phobia- An anxiety disorder marked by a persistent,

irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object, activity or
situation. (Pg. 614)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(OCD)- An anxiety
disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts
(obsessions) usually followed by actions meant to relieve
these thoughts (compulsions) Pg. 616
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - An anxiety
disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares,
social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and sometimes insomnia
that lingers for 4 weeks or more after a traumatic
experience. (Pg. 616)

Post-Traumatic Growth- Positive psychological changes as a

result of struggling with extremely challenging circumstances and
life crises. (Pg. 618)

Mood Disorders- Psychological disorders characterized by

emotional extremes. (Major depressive disorder, mania, bipolar
disorder) Pg. 621
Major Depressive Disorder- A mood disorder in which a
person experiences, in the absence of drugs or another
medical condition, two or more weeks of significantly
depressed moods or diminished interest or pleasure in most
activities, along with at least 4 other symptoms (Pg. 622)
Mania- A mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly
optimistic state. (Pg. 622)

Bipolar Disorder- A mood disorder in which a person

alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of
depression and the overexcited state of mania (formerly
called manic-depressive disorder) Pg. 622

Schizophrenia- A group of severe disorders characterized by

disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and
inappropriate emotions and behaviours. (Pg. 631)
Psychosis- A psychological disorder in which a person loses
contact with reality, experiencing irrational ideas and distorted
perceptions. (Pg. 631)
Delusions- False beliefs, often of persecution or grandeur, which
may accompany psychotic disorders. (Pg. 633)

Dissociative Disorders- Disorders in which conscious awareness

becomes separated or dissociated from previous memories,
thoughts and feelings. (Pg. 638)
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) - A rare dissociative
disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct and
alternating personalities or egos. Formerly known as multiple
personality disorder. (Pg. 638)
Eating Disorders- a range of psychological disorders
characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits
Anorexia Nervosa An eating disorder in which a person
(usually adolescent female) maintains a starvation diet
despite being significantly underweight (15% underweight or
more) Pg. 640
Bulimia Nervosa An eating disorder in which a person
alternates between binge eating and purging by self-induced
vomiting or laxatives. (Pg. 640)

Personality disorders- Psychological disorders characterized by

inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social
functioning. (Pg. 642)
Antisocial Personality Disorder- A personality disorder in
which a person (usually a man) exhibits a lack of conscience
for wrongdoing, even toward friends and family members.

May be aggressive and ruthless or clever con artists. (Pg.

642)

Somatoform Disorders- psychological disorders that cause

bodily symptoms, including pain. The symptoms can't be traced
back to any physical cause. And they are not the result of
substance abuse or another mental illness