Jaclyn Spielsinger Chapter 11 Psychopathology Describe in detail the features and diagnostic characteristics for Mood Disorders Bipolar I a person must have at least one manic episode Mania is sometimes referred to as the other extreme to depression Mania is an intense high where the person feels euphoric almost indestructible in areas such as personal finances business dealings or relationships The high although it may sound appealing will often lead to severe difficulties in these areas such as spending much more money than intended making extremely rash business and personal decisions involvement in dangerous sexual behavior and or the use of drugs or alcohol Depression is often experienced as the high quickly fades and as the consequences of their activities becomes apparent the depressive episode can be exacerbated Bipolar II There are periods of highs as described above and often followed by periods of depression Bipolar II Disorder however is different in that the highs are hypo manic rather than manic In other words they have similar symptoms but they are not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning and typically do not require hospitalization in order to assure the safety of the person Dysthymic disorder Depressed mood for most of the day for more days than not and ongoing for at least two years During this time there must be two or more of the following symptoms under or over eating sleep difficulties fatigue low self esteem difficulty with concentration or decision making and feelings of hopelessness There can also not be a diagnosis of Major Depression for the first two years of the disorder and has never been a manic or hypo manic episode Major depressive disorder depressed mood such as feelings of sadness or emptiness reduced interest in activities that used to be enjoyed sleep disturbances either not being able to sleep well or sleeping to much loss of energy or a significant reduction in energy level difficulty concentrating holding a conversation paying attention or making decisions that used to be made fairly easily and suicidal thoughts or intentions Seasonal affective disorder Reduction in hours of daylight trigger increase of melatonin so we feel tired and sleep more hours Excessive sleep eating carb craving and weight gain Ex can be severe and mild Anxiety Disorders Agoraphobia Agoraphobia like other phobias is made up of extreme anxiety and fear Different from other phobias however is the generalization which occurs Agoraphobia is the anxiety about being in places where escape might be difficult or embarrassing or in which help may not be available should a panic attack develop It can be sub diagnosed as either with or without panic disorder see above Typically situations that invoke anxiety are avoided and in extreme cases the person may never or rarely leave their home Generalized Anxiety Disorder As its name implies GAD is evidenced by general feelings of anxiety such as mild heart palpitations dizziness and excessive worry The symptoms are difficult to control for the individual and are not related to a specific event such as in PTSD and are not as severe as those found with Panic Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD The key features of this disorder include obsessions persistent often irrational and seemingly uncontrollable thoughts and compulsions actions which are used to neutralize the obsessions A good example of this would be an individual who has thoughts that he is dirty infected or otherwise unclean which are persistent and uncontrollable In order to feel better he washes his hands numerous times throughout the day gaining temporary relief from the thoughts each time For these behaviors to constitute OCD it must be disruptive to everyday functioning such as compulsive checking before leaving the house making you extremely late for all or most appointments washing to the point of excessive irritation of your skin or inability to perform everyday functions like work or school because of the obsessions or compulsions Panic Disorder Panic Disorder is characterized by sudden attacks of intense fear or anxiety usually associated with numerous physical symptoms such as heart palpitations rapid breathing or shortness of breath blurred vision dizziness and racing thoughts Often these symptoms are thought to be a heart attack by the individual and many cases are diagnosed in hospital emergency rooms Phobia Symptoms include either extreme anxiety and fear associated with the object or situation or avoidance To be diagnosed the symptoms must be disruptive to everyday functioning such as quitting a great job merely because you have to use an elevator Posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD Symptoms include re experiencing the trauma through nightmares obsessive thoughts and flashbacks feeling as if you are actually in the traumatic situation again There is an avoidance component as well where the individual avoids situations people and or objects which remind him or her about the traumatic event e g a person experiencing PTSD after a serious car accident might avoid driving or being a passenger in a car Finally there is increased anxiety in general possibly with a heightened startle response e g very jumpy startle easy by noises Somatoform Disorders Body Dysmorphic Disorder Preoccupation with a specific body part and the belief that this body part is deformed or defective The preoccupation is significantly excessive and causes distress or significant impairment in functioning It is not better explained by another disorder such as dissatisfaction with body shape in anorexia or delusions associated with a psychotic disorder Conversion Disorder Symptoms such as deficits in voluntary motor or sensory functions which are not intentionally produced but which cannot be fully explained by a physician There must be a significant impairment in functioning or a history of resulting medical treatment and not better explained by another disorder Hypochondriasis Disorder Preoccupation with fears of having a serious disease based upon a misinterpretation of bodily sensations The preoccupation exists despite assurance from a physician that the individual does not have a serious disease Pain Disorder Pain which causes significant distress or impairment in functioning which cannot be fully explained by a physician It must be judged to be related to psychological factors and cannot be better explained by another disorder Somatic
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