Question

The graph given below represents the prevalence of psychological disorders during the Covid-19 lockdown in India.

1. From the given data, identify the psychological disorder that has the highest reported percentage. State any two of its symptoms.     [3]
2. State the two stages of the disorder with the lowest percentage as shown in the graph. Discuss any three causes of this disorder.    [4]

Answer 1

1. Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:
   • Disorientation – People take some time to understand the full meaning of what the disaster has done to them. They may actually deny to themselves that something terrible has happened.
   • They may experience physical reactions such as difficulty in sleeping, change in eating pattern, increased heartbeat and blood pressure.
   • Emotional reactions such as grief and fear, irritability, anger, helplessness, hopelessness, and depression might also be felt by them.
2. Bipolar mood disorder has the lowest reported percentage. It is characterised by mania and depression. Causes of Bipolar mood disorder.
   • Biological factors: Genetic studies show heredity increases the risk of bipolar disorder. Biological tests indicate chemical imbalances such as excess cortisol and high calcium levels in brain cells, which can trigger manic symptoms.
   • Chemical imbalances: People with bipolar disorder often show altered levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. Hormonal changes, especially abnormal cortisol levels, also contribute to mood disturbances.
   • Role of Brain Structures: Abnormal activity is found in brain regions related to emotion and movement, while lower activity is seen in areas responsible for concentration and judgement, leading to mood instability.
   • Psychological factors: Freud argued that at some point in early childhood, the depressed patient suffered the loss, real or imagined, of someone with whom they were very close. Moreover, the individual depended on that other person to maintain his/her self-esteem. Unable to cope with the loss, the person then creates an internal representation of the lost individual so that they can maintain the close relationship.