Understanding Psychological Disorders: Breaking Down Stigma and Defining Abnormality

TLDRPsychological disorders are prolonged or recurring problems that cause significant distress or interfere with a person's ability to function. They are often characterized by maladaptive thoughts, behaviors, or feelings. While there is still stigma around mental illnesses, defining abnormality is challenging, as it is influenced by cultural norms. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is commonly used to classify and diagnose psychological disorders, but it is not without flaws.

Key insights

🧠Psychological disorders are characterized by maladaptive thoughts, behaviors, or feelings that cause distress or disability.

🌍Defining abnormality is complicated, as it is influenced by cultural norms and values.

📚The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is commonly used to classify and diagnose psychological disorders.

🌐The DSM classification system may not be applicable to all populations and cultures worldwide.

⚖️Many clinicians and researchers believe that viewing distress and disordered behavior along a continuum of severity is more sensible than a simple disorder/not disorder distinction.

Q&A

What are psychological disorders?

—Psychological disorders are prolonged or recurring problems that cause distress or interfere with a person's ability to function. They involve maladaptive thoughts, behaviors, or feelings.

How are psychological disorders defined?

—Defining abnormality and psychological disorders is challenging, as it is influenced by cultural norms and values. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is commonly used for classification and diagnosis.

What is the DSM?

—The DSM, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is a manual used by clinicians to classify and diagnose psychological disorders. It provides information about symptoms, causes, and prevalence of various disorders.

Is the DSM applicable to all populations?

—The DSM classification system is primarily based on Western cultural values and may not be fully generalizable to all populations and cultures worldwide.

How should distress and disordered behavior be viewed?

—Many clinicians and researchers argue that it is more sensible to view distress and disordered behavior along a continuum of severity rather than a simple disorder/not disorder distinction.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Psychological disorders are prolonged or recurring problems that cause distress or interfere with functioning.

01:21Historically, people with mental illness were subjected to cruel treatments such as painful restraints and lobotomies.

02:19The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is currently used to classify and diagnose psychological disorders.

02:58The DSM has limitations and is influenced by cultural norms and values.

03:51Defining abnormality and psychological disorders still presents challenges.

Browse more