Types of Psychological Disorders

Psychological distress often leads to psychological disorders:

Psychological disorders , also known as mental disorders,are patterns of behavioral or psychological symptoms that impact different areas of life.There is a huge list of disorders listed in DSM-4 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

Some of them are as follows:

                                Adjustment Disorders

·         (1) Distress that is marked and excessive for what would be expected from the stressor and

·         (2) Creates significant impairment in school, work or social environments.

This classification of mental disorders is related to an identifiable source of stress that causes significant emotional and behavioral symptoms. The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria include:

In addition to these requirements, the symptoms must occur within three months of exposure to the stressor, the symptoms must not meet the criteria for an Axis I or Axis II disorder, the symptoms must not be related to bereavement and the symptoms must not last for longer than six months after exposure to the stressor.

                                  Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are those that are characterized by excessive and abnormal fear, worry and anxiety. In one recent survey published in the Archives of General Psychology¹, it was estimated that as many as 18% of American adults suffer from at least one anxiety disorder.

Types of anxiety disorders include:

Gernalized Anxiety Disorder
Agoraphobia

Social Anxiety Disorder

Phobias

Panic Disoders

Post Traumatic Disorder

Mood Disorders:

Mood disorder is a term given to a group of mental disorders that are all characterized by changes in mood. Examples of mood disorders include:

·         Bipolar disorder

·         Major depressive disorder

·         Cyclothymic disorder

Cognitive Disorders:

Cognitive disorders are a category of mental health disorders that primarily affect learning, memory, perception, and problem solving
It includes

Amnesia

Dementia

Delirium

Alzheimer"s disease.

                            Developmental Disorders :

Developmental disorders, also referred to as childhood disorders, are those that are typically diagnosed during infancy, childhood or adolescence. These psychological disorders include:

Mental Retardation

Learning Disabilities

Autism

Communication Disorders

Autism

Attention Deficit hyperactive disorder

Communication Disorders

Dissociative Disorders:

Dissociative disorders are psychological disorders that involve a dissociation or interruption in aspects of consciousness, including identity and memory. Dissociative disorders include:

·         Dissociative disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder

·         Dissociative fugue

·         Dissociative identity disorder

·         Depersonalization disorder

                               Eating Disorders:

Eating disorders are  characterized by obsessive concerns with weight and disrupted eating patterns  that negatively effect physical and mental health.
It includes
 Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Rumination Disorder

Factitious Disorders

These psychological disorders are those in which an individual acts as if he or she has an illness, often be deliberately faking or exaggerating symptoms or even self-inflicting damage to the body. Types of factitious disorders include:

·         Munchausen syndrome

·         Munchausen syndrome by proxy

·         Ganser syndrome

Impulse-Control Disorders:

Impulse-control disorders are those that involve an inability to control impulses, resulting in harm to oneself or others. Types of impulse-control disorders include:

·         Kleptomania (stealing)

·         Pyromania (fire-starting)

·         Trichotillomania (hair-pulling)

·         Pathological gambling

·         Intermittent explosive disorder

·         Dermatillomania (skin-picking)

 

Mental Disorders Due to a General Medical Condition:

This type of psychological disorder is caused by an underlying medical condition. Medical conditions can cause psychological symptoms such as catatonia and personality changes. Examples of mental disorders due to a general medical condition include:

·         Psychotic disorder due to epilepsy

·         Depression caused by diabetes

·         AIDS related psychosis

·         Personality changes due to brain damage