Psychological Disorders and Developmental Psychology: Mini-Study Guide

Adulthood and Developmental Psychology

Stages of Adulthood

Adulthood is a major phase in human development, characterized by distinct stages with unique psychological and physical features. Understanding these stages helps explain changes in identity, abilities, and health across the lifespan.

• Emerging Adulthood (18 to mid 20s): Focuses on identity exploration, especially in work and love.

• Early Adulthood (20s to 40s): Physical abilities peak; individuals often establish careers and families.

• Middle Adulthood (40s to 60s): Gradual physical decline begins; individuals may experience changes in health and cognitive abilities.

• Late Adulthood (60+): Senses decline, reaction times slow, and maintaining an active lifestyle becomes increasingly important.

• Health Factors: Exercise, nutrition, and an active lifestyle can mitigate age-related decline.

Psychological Disorders (Psychopathology)

Overview of Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders are conditions characterized by abnormal feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. They can result from biological, psychological, or developmental dysfunctions and often cause significant distress or disability.

• Abnormality: Unusual or atypical experiences may indicate a psychological disorder.

• Cultural Relativity: Definitions and rates of disorders can vary across cultures; there is no universal agreement on what constitutes a disorder.

• Prevalence: Mental health issues account for a large proportion of disability in developed nations. 1 in 5 Americans experience a mental health issue annually, and many do not receive treatment.

Key Terminology

• Symptom: A sign of a disorder.

• Diagnosis: The process of distinguishing between disorders.

• Etiology: The cause of a disorder.

• Prognosis: Prediction about the course of a disorder.

Diagnosing and Classifying Disorders

Diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is the primary tool used to classify and diagnose mental disorders based on observable symptoms and criteria.

• DSM-5: Provides criteria for diagnosis, prevalence information, risk factors, and comorbidity rates.

Anxiety Disorders

Types and Features

Anxiety disorders involve maladaptive levels of anxiety or fear, often accompanied by disturbances in behavior. They are among the most common psychological disorders.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Continuous, excessive, uncontrollable worry not tied to a specific object or situation.

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.

• Phobias: Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations.

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Persistent anxiety following traumatic events.

• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Fear of social situations and being judged by others.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Symptoms: Distractibility, fatigue, disrupted sleep, muscle tension.

• Contributing Factors: Moderate genetic component (biological); cognitive strategies to avoid negative emotions.

Mood Disorders

Types and Features

Mood disorders are characterized by maladaptive emotional extremes that distort outlook and impair functioning. They include several distinct diagnoses.

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Persistent sadness, despair, and loss of interest in usual activities (anhedonia).

• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): Chronic, less severe depression.

• Peripartum Onset Disorder: Depression occurring after childbirth.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression related to seasonal changes.

• Bipolar Disorder: Alternating periods of depression and mania.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

• Symptoms: Emotional (anhedonia, flat affect), cognitive (concentration, rumination, suicidal ideation), physical/behavioral (appetite, sleep, fatigue).

• Prevalence: Highly prevalent in the U.S.; rates vary globally.

MDD: Contributing Factors

• Biological: Moderate genetic component; low serotonin and norepinephrine.

• Cognitive: Beck’s Cognitive Triad (negative views of self, world, future), hopelessness theory.

Bipolar Disorder

• Definition: Alternating periods of depression and mania.

• Manic Episode: Distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated mood.

• Contributing Factors: High genetic component; high norepinephrine.

Dissociative Disorders

Types and Features

Dissociative disorders involve disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, and perception. The most well-known is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Presence of two or more distinct personality states; memory gaps.

• Contributing Factors: Developmental trauma model.

Schizophrenia

Symptoms and Features

Schizophrenia is a severe disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior. Symptoms are classified as positive (excesses) or negative (deficits).

• Positive Symptoms: Hallucinations (perceiving events that did not occur), delusions (false beliefs: paranoid, grandiose, somatic), disorganized speech/behavior.

• Negative Symptoms: Avolition (lack of motivation), alogia (reduced speech), anhedonia (loss of pleasure), asociality (lack of social interaction).

Contributing Factors

• Biological: High genetic contribution; neurotransmitter problems (dopamine); brain abnormalities

Disorders in Childhood

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive behaviors and interests.

• Symptoms: Deficits in interaction and communication; repetitive behaviors/interests.

• Contributing Factors: High genetic contribution; environmental factors (e.g., pollutants).

• Not Contributing Factors: The mother and vaccines are not causes of autism.

Daily Review and Key Concepts

Object Permanence

Object permanence refers to a child's understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. This is a key milestone in cognitive development.

Continuous vs. Stage Development

A continuous developmental approach views development as a cumulative process, rather than occurring in unique stages.

Summary of Psychological Disorders

• Psychological disorders are defined by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

• Diagnosis relies on observable symptoms and criteria (DSM-5).

• Disorders include anxiety, mood, dissociative, schizophrenia, and childhood disorders.

• Contributing factors can be biological, cognitive, environmental, or cultural.