Psychological Disorders

Feeling happy, or crying when one is hurt, are some common actions which we all engage in some time or the other. Most of the time we act as the situation demands us to, that is, we control our emotions and behaviors according to the norm prevalent in the society. But if behavior is perceived to occur without any reason or against the context–how will you evaluate it? It will not be called normal behavior, in other words, it will be termed as abnormal behavior. But again at some point of time in our life many of us behave irrationally or away from normal behaviour. Does it mean that we have become abnormal? Perhaps not.

Perhaps the simplest approach to conceptualizing psychological disorders is to label behaviors, thoughts, and inner experiences that are atypical, distressful, dysfunctional, and sometimes even dangerous, as signs of a disorder. For example, if you ask a friends for a date and you are rejected, you probably would feel a little dejected. Such feelings would be normal. If you felt extremely depressed—so much so that you lost interest in activities, had difficulty eating or sleeping, felt utterly worthless, and contemplated suicide—your feelings would be atypical, would deviate from the norm, and could signify the presence of a psychological disorder. Just because something is atypical, however, does not necessarily mean it is disordered.

To determine any behaviour as away from normal, seven considerations are used as the distinguishing criteria. They are:
 (i) Suffering – experiencing distress and discomfort in one’s own life. 
(ii) Maladaptiveness – engaging in bahaviour or thought pattern which makes it more difficult to lead one’s life.
 (iii) Irrationality – unable to communicate in a reasonable manner with others. 
(iv) Unpredictability – acting in ways which are entirely unexpected. 
(v) Vividness and intensity– experience sensations which are far more vivid and intense than those of other people.
 (vi) Observer discomfort – acting in ways which others find embarrassing.
 (vii)Violation of moral and ideal standards – habitual breaking of norms.

TYPES OF DISORDERS;

Till now in this lesson we have learnt about abnormal behaviour and the causes. 
Now let us study in detail about some psychological disorders. Some of the major psychological disorders are –

 1) anxiety disorder

 2) mood disorders

3) schizophrenic disorders 

4) substance related disorders.