ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal Psychology

Part 1: Anxiety, Mood, Dissociative

Introduction

The DSM-IV-TR offers diagnostic categories and classifications for the use of identifying and diagnosing mental disorders (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Of particular interest to this paper are the areas of anxiety disorders, mood and affective disorders, dissociative disorders, and somatoform disorders. The possible classifications and symptoms under these categories will be covered. In addition, one disorder out of each category—general anxiety disorder, cyclothymic disorder, depersonalization disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder—will be dissected into its subsequent biological, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional components.

Anxiety Disorders

The primary distinction between fear and anxiety is that fear is directed at a specific stimuli; whereas, anxiety is more a general feeling of apprehension about the future (Hansell & Damour, 2008). The specific disorders that can stem from excessive anxiety are: acute stress disorder, agoraphobia, anxiety disorders due to a medical condition, general anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), specific phobia, social phobia, and substance-induced anxiety disorder. Fear and anxiety are normal responses but when these sensations are felt in the absence of a causal agent psychological dysfunction can result, such as what happens in the course of generalized anxiety disorder.

Those who suffer from GAD, “…experience chronic pervasive anxiety…[and] feel tense and worried most of the time, which causes them distress and interferes with their functioning” (Hansell & Damour, 2008, p. 119). Furthermore, the sufferer finds it hard to control the pervasive worrying, which can precipitate restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances (BehaveNet, 1997-2010, n.p.). Also, Angst et. al. (2009) found that, “…there was no gender difference in lifetime prevalence rates between treated and non-treated subjects” (p. 46) that suffered from GAD. This fact clarifies that if GAD does develop as the result of a genetic component, then it is not gender related. Furthermore, people who are affected by GAD tend to, “…fixate on perceived dangers and threats…overestimate the severity of the perceived danger…and drastically underestimate their ability to cope” (Hansell & Damour, 2008, p. 147). These cognitive representations can lead to cycles of worry and anxiety. Lastly, GAD can, “…contribute to a wide variety of physical symptoms (such as dry mouth, nausea, or sweating) that may prevent them from pursuing or enjoying social relationship and new experiences” (Hansell & Damour, 2008, p. 120). These physical symptoms mediate and dictate behavior, since social relationships and new experiences bring about elevated anxiety.

Mood and Affective Disorders

As feelings of fear and anxiety are normal, so are fluctuations in mood on an everyday basis. Most people occupy a generally positive mood that is only brought down due to negative life events. However, some people experience prolonged periods of downs or prolonged periods of excessively positive moods, or some odd combination of the two (Hansell & Damour, 2008). The disorders that can result from mood instability or rigidity include: major depressive episode, hypomanic episode, manic episode, mixed episode, dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, cyclothymic disorder, mood disorders due to a general ...