Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders are characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Some examples of these disorders are: 
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Hoarding Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

A disorder that results from experiencing or witnessing something that makes one feel afraid, terrified, or powerless and makes them think that their life, bodily integrity, or safety are in danger. It manifests as painful and intrusive memories of the stressful event, jitteriness, ongoing negative emotional states, social distancing, violent outbursts, and avoiding reminders of the incident.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Anxiety disorders are common psychological disorders that are rooted in excessive fear and worry. They are also often comorbid with other mood and personality disorders.

Anxiety Disorders

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed extremely stressful or traumatic events. Such events include, but are not limited to, combat, natural disasters, crimes, and sexual traumas, and can affect anyone regardless of background.

The core feature of dissociative disorders is a sense of detachment from one's own self, which leads to significant disruptions in memory and identity. These conditions are characterized by psychological disturbances where an individual feels disconnected from their core being.

Dissociative Disorder

Neurodevelopmental Disorders are characterized by delays or impairments in personal, social, academic, and or intellectual functioning, which are often detected early in childhood. Neurodevelopmental disorders are lifelong, although symptoms and support needs may vary over time. Neurodevelopmental disorders are caused by a combination of genetic, prenatal, perinatal, and environmental factors

Some common neurodevelopmental disorders include
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) 
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Intellectual Disability (ID)

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The diagnosis of a psychological disorder requires the systematic and accurate assessment of signs and symptoms. This process can be carried out through using diagnostic instruments such as the: 
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
- International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

Diagnosis

A personality disorder is defined by a pervasive and inflexible personality style that significantly deviates from cultural norms, causing problems for the individual and for others. This pattern typically emerges during adolescence or early adulthood and leads to significant distress or functional impairment.

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are mental conditions cause those who suffer from them to exhibit erratic, inflexible, or even violent behavior. These mental conditions are usually stable and arise during adolescence or early adulthood.

To determine if a psychological disorder is present, mental health professionals must agree on which inner experiences and behaviors are truly symptomatic. While characteristics such as being atypical or violating social norms can serve as indicators, it is widely recognized that neither criterion is sufficient on its own to define a disorder. Therefore, more comprehensive frameworks, like the harmful dysfunction model, are utilized to conceptualize these conditions and form the basis for formal diagnostic criteria.

Criteria for Defining Psychological Disorders

A key area of study in psychopathology involves identifying the prevalence, or frequency, of different mental disorders within the general population. While rates can fluctuate based on demographic factors and diagnostic criteria, certain categories of disorders, such as anxiety and depressive disorders, are consistently found to be among the most common.

Prevalence of Psychological Disorders

A psychological disorder is a condition that an individual has, rather than a trait that defines who they are. This distinction is critical, as these disorders are debilitating illnesses, much like cancer or diabetes, for which the individual is not at fault and did not choose to have.

Psychological Disorders as Conditions, Not Personal Identities

The complexity of psychopathology has led to a variety of etiological theories and perspectives for understanding its origins. Historically, a supernatural perspective attributed disorders to divine forces or spirit possession. In contrast, the modern biological perspective views them as resulting from faulty biological processes, an understanding advanced by decades of scientific research. The psychological perspective highlights the role of psychological and environmental factors like stress and thought patterns. Finally, a contemporary integrative approach combines biological and psychosocial factors to provide a more comprehensive explanation.

Perspectives on the Origin of Psychological Disorders

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a key resource for individuals in crisis, offering support via phone at 1-800-273-8255. A related service, the Crisis Text Line, provides help through text message by texting HELLO to 741741.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is an organization that serves as a resource for those seeking information and support related to suicide.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The National Institute of Health (NIH) is a source of information on suicide, which can be accessed through its official website.

National Institute of Health (NIH) Resources on Suicide

Based on the provided case study, analyze the individual's situation. Explain which elements of their experience align with the formal definition of a psychological disorder, specifically addressing the criteria of significant disturbance, dysfunction, and distress or impairment.

Applying the Definition of a Psychological Disorder

Psychological disorders are broadly characterized as conditions involving abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. More formally, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines a psychological disorder as a syndrome that includes a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior. This disturbance is understood to reflect a dysfunction in the underlying psychological, biological, or developmental processes of mental functioning and is typically associated with significant distress or impairment in important areas of life.

Google

New York University

Columbia University

Trinity College (CT)

Profoundly negative health consequences can arise when stress becomes extreme or chronic. This prolonged stress is a significant contributor to the onset and progression of various psychological disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, as well as a wide range of physical illnesses and diseases.

Negative Health Consequences of Chronic and Extreme Stress

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Cardiovascular disorders, which affect the heart and blood circulation system, are serious medical conditions that are central to the study of psychophysiological health. Extensive research has consistently demonstrated a strong link between these disorders and psychological factors, showing they are significantly influenced by stress and negative emotions like anger, negative affectivity, and depression.

Cardiovascular Disorders

Asthma is a chronic and serious respiratory disease characterized by the obstruction of airways, which makes it difficult to expel air from the lungs. This obstruction is a result of two primary factors: inflammation that causes the airway walls to thicken, and the tightening of muscles surrounding the airways, which leads to their narrowing. Consequently, individuals with asthma may experience recurring episodes of symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing, which often occurs more frequently in the morning and at night.

Asthma

The immune system functions as the body's surveillance and defense network. It is composed of a complex array of structures, cells, and mechanisms designed to protect the body from invading microorganisms. A properly functioning immune system maintains health and prevents disease by identifying and eliminating harmful agents such as bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances that could damage tissues and organs.

Immune System

Psychological Disorders

Tension headaches are a common psychophysiological disorder characterized by a dull, aching pain often described as a tight band around the head. Stress and other emotional factors are known to be significant triggers that can either cause or worsen these headaches.

Tension Headaches

Psychophysiological disorders are physical diseases or conditions characterized by genuine physical symptoms. These symptoms are either initially caused or significantly worsened by stress and other emotional factors. The term itself highlights the interplay between psychological ('psycho') and physiological ('physiological') elements in these conditions.

Psychophysiological Disorders

Based on a comprehensive statistical review of numerous studies, researchers Friedman and Booth-Kewley proposed the concept of disease-prone personality characteristics. This idea suggests that certain personality traits, such as depression, anger/hostility, and anxiety, may predispose individuals to developing physical illnesses.

Disease-Prone Personality

The well-documented link between social class and health outcomes can be partly explained by the concept of perceived control. Research indicates that more affluent individuals generally report better health, a phenomenon attributed to their stronger belief in their ability to manage life's stressors. This sense of control acts as a psychological resource that influences health behaviors and responses to stress.

Relationship Between Social Status, Stress, and Health

The immune system is a primary biological pathway through which psychological stress can lead to or worsen physical illness. An effective analogy illustrates this relationship: stress is not the direct cause of illness (the 'sword that kills the knight'), but rather the factor that weakens the body's defenses (the 'sword that breaks the knight's shield'), with the immune system acting as that shield.

The Immune System as a Mediator Between Stress and Illness

A pioneering 2004 study offered a biological explanation for the 'haggard' appearance often associated with stressed individuals, proposing that chronic stress can hasten the aging process at the cellular level.

Stress-Induced Acceleration of Cellular Aging

Research indicates a connection between exposure to stressful life events and the development of asthma throughout an individual's life. This link is particularly evident with stressors involving parental or interpersonal conflicts.

Link Between Interpersonal Stress and Asthma Development

Numerous studies have provided evidence that stress has a detrimental effect on the body's immune system, weakening its ability to function properly. This compromised immunity is a key mechanism by which stress and emotional factors can contribute to the onset or exacerbation of physical diseases, such as psychophysiological disorders.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After