PSY 202 Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Genetic Predisposition, Hypochondriasis, Psychomotor Retardation
16 May 2012
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Psy 202 - chapter 15: psychological disorders: when adaptation breaks down. Discuss conceptions of mental illness and identify criteria for defining mental disorders. Describe and explain how people experience anxiety. Examine the link between personality disorders and substance abuse. You cant classify mental disorders on only these things! It is very difficult to classify mental disorders. Some mental disorders are uncommon in the population. We cant rely on statistical rarity to define mental disorder. Not all psych disorders generate distress (eg manic phase of bipolar disorder a person can shift between manic extreme excitement this switches to depression; they go through highs and lows). Most interfere with everyday life but this doesn t mean a mental illness is present. Example racism is justifiably deplored by society but isn t considered a mental disorder. Little children may learn to be afraid of dogs if they see their parents act anxious around dogs.
