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Psychological disorder and psychological unhealthy behavior:

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Determine what constitutes a psychological disorder. Demonstrate your understanding of the topic by providing an example of a psychological disorder and an example of a psychological unhealthy behavior. Define the concept and provide sound evidence for your discussion through examples.

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Solution Summary

A psychological disorder is one which creates an imbalance in our mental health and cause mental illness. The term "mental illness" is used to describe a more severe type of mental health disorder. Less severe mental health problems are known as "disorders" or "syndromes" rather than "illness".

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A psychological disorder can be defined based on certain criteria such as:
whether the set cultural norms of the society are being violated, whether an individual's behavior is maladaptive or harmful, and whether distress is involved. According to the medical model, psychological disorders are described as diseases, whereas, the vulnerability-stress model states that such disorders are the result of an interaction between the biological and environmental factors. The learning model states that psychological disorders results from the reinforcement of abnormal behavior. The psychodynamic model proposes that such disorders are caused from maladaptive defenses against unconscious conflicts.

A psychological disorder is one which creates an imbalance in our mental health and cause mental illness. The term "mental illness" is used to describe a more severe type of mental health disorder. Less severe mental health problems are known as "disorders" or "syndromes" rather than "illness". Thus, it can be concluded that violation of the set cultural norms of the society, abnormal behavior, and maladaptive defenses against unconscious conflicts create an imbalance in our mental health and result in psychological disorders.

General Criteria / common features of psychological disorders:
? Bizarre or atypical behavior
? Disturbing, uncontrollable or persistent thoughts, behavior or emotions
? Maladaptive behavior
? Unjustifiable
DSM - IV Categories of psychological disorders:
DSM - IV categorizes the psychological disorders as follows:
? Anxiety disorders
? Somatoform disorders
? Dissociate disorders
? Mood disorders
? Behavioral disorders
? Personality disorders

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD:
It is a behavioral disorder that can occur during childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Children and youngsters are the ...

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