Revision: Psychological Disorders Psychology HSC Science (General) 12th Standard Board Exam Maharashtra State Board

Distress refers to behaviour that is unpleasant and upsetting to the person and to others.

Dysfunction refers to behaviour that interferes with the person’s ability to carry out daily activities in a constructive way.

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental wellness as "a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make contributions to his or her community."
• Mental wellness is a state of successful performance of psychological functions, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with people, ability to cope with stress, and ability to change and adapt.

• When a person feels nervous or worried without any obvious reason for a long time such that it starts interfering with the daily life, it is called Anxiety Disorder.
• Ross defines anxiety disorder as a series of symptoms which arises from the faulty adaptation to the stresses and strains of life.
• The term anxiety is usually defined as a diffuse, vague, very unpleasant feeling of fear and apprehension.

A panic attack denotes an abrupt surge of intense anxiety rising to a peak when thoughts of a particular stimulus are present.

• The disorder in which the individual experiences extreme feelings of sadness as well as guilt for at least two weeks, is called Depressive Disorder.
• Major depressive disorder is defined as a period of depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, together with other symptoms which may include a change in body weight, constant sleep problems, tiredness, inability to think clearly, agitation, greatly slowed behaviour, and thoughts of death and suicide.

It is a mood disorder in which an individual experiences very wide swings of mood from deep depression to wild elation.

In bipolar psychoses, mania and depression usually occur in a circular form. It is therefore called cyclic psychoses.

Suicide is a result of complex interface of biological, genetic, psychological, sociological, cultural and environmental factors.

• Schizophrenia is the descriptive term for a group of psychotic disorders in which personal, social, and occupational functioning deteriorate as a result of disturbed thought processes, strange perceptions, unusual emotional states, and motor abnormalities.
• Schizophreniais a breakdown of integrated personality function, withdrawal from reality, emotional blocking, distortion, and disturbances of thought and behaviour.
• It is a complex disorder or a cluster of disorders characterized by fragmentation of basic psychological disorders like attention, perception, thought, emotion, behaviour, social relationships, and motivation.

• Modern life stress such as competition, unemployment, disasters, and rapid social changes increases psychological disorders.
• Psychological problems are rising due to changes in society, culture, and lifestyle.
• Abnormal behaviour means deviation from normal behaviour.
• Normal and abnormal behaviour differ in kind, not just in degree.
• Abnormal behaviour shows poor adjustment to environment and situations.

• DSM-5 and ICD are used to diagnose psychological disorders.
• A disorder must show a clear cluster of symptoms (syndrome).
• It must cause distress and impairment in daily life.
• There should be a psychological or biological dysfunction.
• Normal stress reactions or cultural behaviours are not considered disorders unless they cause distress or dysfunction.

• Anxiety disorder is a long-lasting excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily life.
• GAD involves unrealistic and persistent worry with symptoms like restlessness, headache, and rapid heartbeat.
• A phobia is an intense and irrational fear of specific objects or situations, leading to avoidance.
• Panic disorder causes sudden panic attacks with breathlessness and fear of losing control or dying.
• Severe anxiety shows symptoms like sweating, dizziness, tremors, nausea, and sleep problems.

• Depressive Disorder involves extreme sadness and loss of interest lasting at least two weeks.
• Major Depressive Disorder requires five or more symptoms like sleep/appetite changes, fatigue, guilt, poor concentration, and suicidal thoughts.
• Normal sadness is temporary, but depression is long-lasting and seriously affects daily life.
• Bipolar Disorder involves mood swings between mania and depression, often in cycles.
• Mania shows high energy, less sleep, rapid speech, and risky behaviour.
• Risk factors include genetics, stressful life events, and higher risk in women.

• Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder) involves alternating episodes of mania (extreme happiness, excitement) and depression (sadness, hopelessness).
• Bipolar I disorder includes clear manic and depressive episodes, sometimes with normal mood periods in between.
• Causes include genetic factors and an imbalance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
• Suicide risk is high in mood disorders and is influenced by biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors.
• Warning signs in students include sudden behaviour change, declining performance, isolation, and substance use.
• Suicide prevention includes early identification, proper treatment, emotional support, limiting access to means, and strengthening self-esteem.

• Trauma and stress-related disorders arise from inability to cope with intense stress.
• Events like accidents, war, or abuse can cause severe stress reactions.
• Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) lasts 3 days to 4 weeks with symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks.
• If symptoms persist beyond a month, it becomes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Symptoms include emotional numbness, irritability, guilt, and social withdrawal.
• Trauma progresses through shock, suggestible, and recovery stages, but some may develop PTSD.

• Substance-related and addictive disorders involve repeated and harmful use of substances like alcohol, heroin, cocaine, tobacco, and other drugs that change mood and behaviour.
• Addiction develops when a person becomes physically and psychologically dependent and cannot control or stop the use of the substance.
• Common signs include increased tolerance, painful withdrawal symptoms, neglect of work and family, and continued use despite serious harm.
• Substance abuse can damage physical health, mental functioning, relationships, and may even lead to accidents or death due to overdose.
• Addiction also affects families and society, but recovery is possible with proper treatment and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.

• The term schizophrenia was coined by Paul Eugen Bleuler in 1911 from the Greek words schizein (split) and phren (mind), referring to fragmented thinking.
• It is a psychotic disorder that usually begins in adolescence or young adulthood and disturbs thoughts, emotions, perception, and behaviour.
• It is a complex cluster of disorders involving withdrawal from reality and problems in attention, perception, motivation, and social relationships.
• Important theorists include Meyer (life stresses), Sullivan (social isolation), Langfeldt (types of schizophrenia), and Schneider (first-rank symptoms).
• Symptoms include positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganised thinking), negative symptoms (alogia, flat affect, avolition, social withdrawal), and psychomotor symptoms (catatonia).

• Red flags are warning signs that indicate a person may need professional mental health help.
• A symptom is serious if it lasts for a long time, becomes more severe, and causes problems in daily life.
• Common warning signs include poor concentration, sleep problems, intense negative emotions, confusion, memory loss, loss of interest, self-harm, and self-neglect.
• Early identification helps in getting timely professional support.
• Psychological disorders can be treated through medication (pharmacotherapy) and different types of psychotherapy.
• Treatment varies from person to person; one therapy may not work for everyone.
• Seeking help from a qualified mental health professional is important, as recovery is a gradual process.