What is a Psychological Disorder? by Felicia Bushhousen

      

     “A psychological disorder is a condition characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors” (OpenStax College, 2014, pg. 548). One way to determine if someone has a psychological disorder is to observe someone’s behaviors that aren’t culturally accepted. Do these abnormal behaviors get in the way of living a normal life? Does it keep the person from making friends? Are they harmful to themselves or others?

     To assist in determining if a person may have a psychological disorder, doctors can use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the DSM-5 to determine the exact or possible disorder the patient might have. There are many diverse types of psychological disorders ranging from eating disorders, personality disorders, to schizophrenia, and others. Many people that have one disorder may have others as well. Psychological disorders can be caused from childhood traumas, illnesses, chemical imbalances due to not having enough or too many neurotransmitters, or it can be biological. However just because a family member has a psychological disorder doesn’t mean that other family member will have the same disorder. Many times extreme stress or a trauma happens is someone’s life to trigger the onset of the disorder, such as child abuse, neglect, or extreme stress (OpenStax College, 2014).

     According to the Health and Human Services (n.d., para. 3), “About 1 in 5 adults have experienced a mental health issue, and 1 in 25 live with a serious mental illness.”  Symptoms may include mood swings, alcohol or drug abuse, depression, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts.

     Ways of treating someone with a disorder include medication, hospitalization, or psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is where a counselor works with people to help them deal or learn to react to certain situation differently. When people get properly diagnosed and work with their doctors they can go on to live normal lives. 

References

Health and Human Services (n.d.). Mental health myths and facts.  Retrieved on April 26^th, 2017 from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/myths-facts/

OpenStax College. (2014). Psychology. Houston, TX: Rice University. Retrieved from http:cnx.org/content/co111629/latest/>