Skip to content
Quick Guides

Psychology - Abnormal Psychology

Preview 5 of 14 pages

See the first 5 pages exactly as they appear in the document.

  1. Page 1
    Read page 1 as text

    Study Guide Psychology – Abnormal Psychology 1. Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders Diagnosing a psychological disorder is a careful and structured process . It is done by a trained mental - health professional and is never based on just one observation or test. Instead, the goal is to understand the person as a whole , including symptoms, background, and daily functioning. 1.1 How a Diagnosis Is Made To reach a diagnosis, mental - health professionals usually use several sources of information, such as: • Clinical interviews • Personality tests • Sometimes neuropsychological tests • Background information , including medical history and life circumstances All of this information is then compared with criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM - IV) , published by the American Psychiatric Association . The DSM - IV (fourth edition, published in 1994) provides a standardized system for classifying psychological disorders. It lists 16 major categories of disorders and over 200 specific subcategories . The purpose of this system is to: • Improve accuracy and consistency in diagnosis • Base diagnoses on observable behaviors • Keep diagnoses aligned with current scientific knowledge 1.2 The Five - Axis Diagnostic System The DSM - IV uses a five - axis system , meaning the clinician evaluates the person on five different dimensions . A diagnosis requires judgments on all five axes , not just one.

  2. Page 2
    Read page 2 as text

    Study Guide Axis I: Clinical Syndromes This axis includes most major psychological disorders, such as: • Anxiety disorders • Mood disorders • Schizophrenia These are typically shorter - term or episodic conditions . Axis II: Personality Disorders Axis II includes: • Personality disorders • Intellectual disabilities These conditions tend to be long - lasting and stable over time . A person can receive diagnoses on both Axis I and Axis II , since personality disorders can exist alongside clinical syndromes. Axis III: General Medical Conditions This axis records any physical or medical conditions that may affect psychological functioning, such as neurological disorders or chronic illness. Axis IV: Psychosocial and Environmental Problems Here, clinicians note life stressors , such as: • Family conflict • Job loss • Financial problems • Trauma These factors help explain why symptoms may have developed or worsened .

  3. Page 3
    Read page 3 as text

    Study Guide Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Axis V rates a person’s overall level of functioning , including: • Social functioning • Occupational performance • Psychological well - being It also considers the highest level of functioning during the past year , not just the person’s current state. 1.3 Why Use a Classification System? Using a standardized system like the DSM helps mental - health professionals: • Communicate clearly with one another • Choose effective treatments • Apply research findings to real cases • Make informed predictions about outcomes By using all five axes together, clinicians gain a full picture of the individual, not just a diagnostic label. 1.4 Limitations and Ongoing Debate Classification systems like the DSM are based on professional judgment , and they change over time as new research emerges. Because of this, the DSM is regularly revised . Some examples of changes include: • Homosexuality was removed as a mental - disorder category • Premenstrual syndrome was moved to the appendix and renamed premenstrual dysphoric disorder , indicating the need for more research • The category “neuroses” has not been included since the 1980 edition The term “psychosis” is still used for severe disorders such as schizophrenia , which involve: • Delusions • Bizarre behavior • Loss of contact with reality

  4. Page 4
    Read page 4 as text

    Study Guide Key Takeaway • Diagnosing psychological disorders is a complex, multi - step process . • The DSM - IV provides a standardized framework using five diagnostic axes . • Diagnosis considers symptoms, personality, medical issues, stressors, and functioning. • Classification systems help professionals but are not perfect and continue to evolve. Overall, diagnosis is meant to support understanding, treatment, and care , not simply to label individuals. 2. Classifying Psychological Disorders Psychological disorders are grouped and studied so that mental health professionals can understand them, diagnose them, and treat them effectively. To do this, psychologists look at patterns of symptoms . When certain symptoms regularly occur together, they form what is called a syndrome . The DSM - IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) organizes psychological disorders into different categories. Below is a clear and student - focused explanation of several major groups. 2.1 Anxiety Disorders Anxiety is a strong and unpleasant feeling of fear, worry, or nervousness. People with anxiety disorders often feel tense and on edge, even when there is no clear danger. Common symptoms include: • Motor tension : shaking, jumpiness, difficulty relaxing • Physical arousal : rapid heartbeat, dizziness, sweating • Mental distress : constant worrying or disturbing thoughts

  5. Page 5
    Read page 5 as text

    Study Guide Major Types of Anxiety Disorders Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) People with GAD experience constant and excessive worry for at least six months. This anxiety is not linked to one specific event or object. Instead, it is ongoing and widespread — what Freud described as free - floating anxiety . Phobic Disorders A phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a specific object or situation, such as heights, snakes, enclosed spaces, or social situations. Examples include: • Acrophobia : fear of heights • Agoraphobia : fear of open spaces • Social phobia : fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings Panic Disorder This disorder involves sudden and intense episodes of fear called panic attacks . These attacks may include chest pain, trembling, dizziness, and a feeling of losing control. Panic attacks can last minutes or even hours. Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder (OCD) OCD involves: • Obsessions : unwanted and disturbing thoughts • Compulsions : repetitive actions or mental rituals done to reduce anxiety For example, a person may repeatedly wash their hands or check locks, even when they know it is unnecessary. Post - Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) PTSD occurs after a person experiences a traumatic event. Symptoms include: • Reliving the trauma through flashbacks or nightmares • Avoiding reminders of the event • Feeling emotionally numb or uninterested in daily life This disorder is common among war veterans and others who have experienced severe trauma.

9 more pages in the full document

Unlock it once and it stays in your library, ready to chat with or turn into flashcards.

Unlock the full document

More Psychology study materials

See all

Study this document with CramX

Once it is in your library, every tool can work from it.