Abnormal Psychology

7/6/2010

Posted by admin as Uncategorized
Abnormal psychology is the study of thoughts and behavior that deviate from the norm. This usually refers to
mental disorders that distort the way people think and act. The field primarily consists of psychologists who
research abnormal psychology, and counselors and psychiatrists who treat the conditions that arise from it. The
standard manual for abnormal psychology is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) which is released by the
American Psychiatric Association. Our Office desk chairs are available in a variety of finishes to mix along with your workplace environment, and most can be combined with matching workplace chairs and workplace storage models which might remodel a uninteresting workplace right into a vivid, inspiring work space. Currently, the DSM is in its 4th edition (DSM-IV).
Currently the DSM-IV is what's used to make a diagnosis of mental illness in a patient. The patient is assessed
on 5 axes. Axis I is for clinical syndromes the patient has like schizophrenia or generalized anxiety disorder.
This is the main diagnosis. Axis II is for developmental and personality disorders that affected or currently
affect the life of the patient pervasively. Examples are mental retardation and antisocial personality
disorder. Axis III is for physical medical conditions the patient has that might worsen the symptoms of the
disorder, like diabetes or HIV. Axis IV is for psychosocial and environmental factors that might contribute,
like abuse or divorce. Axis V is for the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) which rates the functioning of
the patient on a scale of 0 to 100, 0 being the most impaired.
Sometimes the DSM is controversial and its validity is questioned. Critics have found fault with some of the
disorders listed to begin with. For example, prior to DSM III homosexuality was considered a mental illness and
currently transsexualism is listed as Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Other issues are the nature of the DSM's
categorizations. The criteria might not distinguish certain disorders from others sufficiently and patients
might not always fall so neatly into the criteria. A diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) requires the
presence of a major depressive episode lasting 2 weeks, and a patient who experienced an episode 1 day less
than 2 weeks would not qualify, but it would likely be fallible to conclude that this patient wasn't suffering
from depression.
There's no doubt that abnormal psychology is a valid field—no one can deny that mental illness exists, but
defining the nature of abnormal psychology is a challenge that isn't always adequately met. This foundation gives billet metal help for Ergonomic office chairs. However,
abnormal psychology is also a dynamic field that continues to progress, discovering new perspectives on the
recognition and treatment of mental illness over time. The DSM-V is due sometime in the future, and DSM-VI or
possibly a different manual entirely after that.
Taken from  http://www.cei2007.org/uncategorized/abnormal-psychology.html

Why???

My Signs And Symptoms Of My Mental Illnesses






Bipolar Disorder

Common signs and symptoms of mania include:

• Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable

• Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers

• Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic

• Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up

• Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next

• Highly distractible, unable to concentrate

• Impaired judgment and impulsiveness

• Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences

• Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)

Common symptoms of bipolar depression include:

• Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty.

• Irritability

• Inability to experience pleasure

• Fatigue or loss of energy

• Physical and mental sluggishness • Appetite or weight changes

• Sleep problems

• Concentration and memory problems

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

• Thoughts of death or suicide

Signs and symptoms of a mixed episode

A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania or hypomania and depression. Common signs of a mixed episode include depression combined with agitation, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, distractibility, and racing thoughts. This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.

Borderline Personality Disorder

A person with this disorder will also often exhibit impulsive behaviors and have a majority of the following symptoms:

• Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment

• A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation

• Identity disturbance, such as a significant and persistent unstable self-image or sense of self

• Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating)

• Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior

• Emotional instability due to significant reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days)

• Chronic feelings of emptiness

• Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)

• Transient, stress-related paranoid thoughts or severe dissociative symptoms

Symptoms of Dependent Personality Disorder

Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive fear that leads to "clinging behavior" and usually manifests itself by early adulthood. It includes a majority of the following symptoms:

• Has difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others

• Needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of his or her life

• Has difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of support or approval

• Has difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or her own (because of a lack of self-confidence in judgment or abilities rather than a lack of motivation or energy)

• Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant

• Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care for himself or herself

• Urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends

• Is unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or herself