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Psychological Disorders and Therapy

Manual: General · Subject: Psychology

Gain an introductory understanding of how psychological disorders are defined and diagnosed, and learn about the main approaches to treatment.

Defining and Classifying Disorders

What is a Psychological Disorder?

A psychological disorder is a syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior. These disturbances are considered dysfunctional or maladaptive, meaning they interfere with day-to-day life. The primary tool for classification in the United States is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), currently in its fifth edition (DSM-5).

Common Categories of Disorders

Anxiety Disorders
Characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety (e.g., Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias).
Mood Disorders
Characterized by emotional extremes (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder).
Schizophrenia
A severe disorder characterized by disorganized thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions.
Personality Disorders
Characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning.

Approaches to Therapy

Major Types of Psychotherapy

Therapy TypeCore IdeaExample Technique
Psychoanalytic/PsychodynamicAims to bring unconscious conflicts and feelings into conscious awareness.Free association, dream analysis.
Humanistic (Client-Centered)Aims to boost self-fulfillment by helping people grow in self-awareness and self-acceptance.Active listening, unconditional positive regard.
Behavior TherapyApplies learning principles to the elimination of unwanted behaviors.Systematic desensitization, token economy.
Cognitive TherapyTeaches people new, more adaptive ways of thinking.Identifying and challenging negative thought patterns.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)A popular integrative therapy that combines cognitive therapy with behavior therapy.Setting goals and changing both thoughts and behaviors.
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Biomedical Therapies

In addition to psychotherapy, biomedical therapies treat psychological disorders with medication or medical procedures. The most common are drug therapies, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety agents, and antipsychotics.

The DSM-5 is primarily used for:

Which type of therapy focuses on changing self-defeating thinking and maladaptive behaviors?