Analyzing Psychological Disorders Lisa Miller Axia College, University of Phoenix Psychological disorders impact many areas of an individual’s life as well as create stress for the individual and their loved ones. Psychological disorders are not biased and can affect any race, gender, age and social class. While some individuals may be predisposed to psychological disorders, there really is not a genetic component. The social stigma attached to psychological disorders prevents many people from seeking to be diagnosed and receiving treatment. Establishing a diagnosis is essential to an ndividual’s treatment. Understanding a psychological disorder is about discovering solutions, treatments and information related to the problem. Not being able to determine or differentiate between real and unreal experiences can make treating a psychological disorder even more difficult. Welcome to the world of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is defined as the difficulty or inability to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations (Google Health, 2009).
Individuals who suffer from schizophrenia tend to have brain tissue loss throughout the brain, not just one location. Family stress, environmental stress, social stress and pregnancy stress in combination with genetic predisposition can cause a perfectly normal person to suffer from schizophrenia. The psychological disorder usually develops slowly over a period of months and years. The first symptoms may go unnoticed. The first symptoms of feeling tense and inability to concentrate may be initially related to stress. Over a period of time, psychotic symptoms begin to develop.
These symptoms include a flat affect, catatonic behavior, delusions, hallucinations and disordered thinking. One who suffers from schizophrenia can suffer any one of the five types of the psychological disorder or a combination of all five. For classification purposes, the five types of schizophrenia are; catatonic type, paranoid type, disorganized type, undifferentiated type and residual type. Depending upon symptoms, a person may display one or more symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Environmental triggers in combination with genetics can play a role in who develops schizophrenia.
Psychological and social factors may also affect the development of schizophrenia. Antipsychotic and neuroleptic medications have been found effective in treatment and management of schizophrenia. These medications are used to change to balance of chemicals in an individuals brain and to help control the symptoms of the disorder. Therapy and counseling that teaches behavioral techniques, such as social skills training, has also been found to be effective in managing the disorder. Many people with schizophrenia not only suffer mental limitations, individuals can also suffer functional limitations.
These functional limitations can make it hard for individuals to live and work on their own. It is important that individuals that suffer from schizophrenia have a strong family and community support system in place. Due to community recognition and support, psychological disorders are becoming more recognized. There are thought to be more than 250 psychological disorders. Most of these 250 fall under categories of similar disorders. Insomnia and anxiety disorders are two of the more prominent psychological disorders. When a person has trouble sleeping, this can be classified as insomnia.
Insomnia is a psychological disorder in itself; however, is often times accompanied by other psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. Life’s problems can take a toll on an individual and therefore, the individual is not able to sleep. Insomnia can also be related to environmental factors and medications. It is important to determine the cause of an individual’s insomnia to effectively treat the disorder. Treatments for insomnia include medications, changes to daily routines and incorporating relaxation techniques. Therapy has also proven to be an effective form of reatment, as therapy allows individuals to get to the bottom of their problem that is causing insomnia, which many times are environmental stressors. Environmental stress not only plays a part in causing insomnia, the stress of life can also cause anxiety. A person who is successful and appears to have not a worry in the world can become overwhelmed in the daily tasks of life. The mounting stress can cause anxiety. Anxiety can often times present as muscle aches, headaches, sleepless nights and a rapid heartbeat. Anxiety is linked to the neurotransmitters of the brain.
When the neurotransmitters are not controlled, stress and frustration are the result. Too much of stress and frustration over repeated amounts of time can result in anxiety. Medications are helpful in managing anxiety; however, as therapy gets to the root of the cause, therapy is most effective. References Fuller-Torrey, E. (2009). Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from http://www. schizophrenia. com/disease. htm Google Health. (2009). Schizophrenia. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from https://health. google. com/health/ref/Schizophrenia
National Institute of Mental Health. (2008). The numbers count: Mental disorders in America. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from http://www. nimh. nih. gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index. shtml#Intro Pinel, J. P. J. (2007). Basics of biopsychology. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon U. S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2006). Insomnia. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from http://www. womenshealth. gov/faq/insomnia. cfm WebMD. (2009). Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from http://www. medicinenet. com/anxiety/article. htm
