Analyzing Psychological Disorders 7

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

individual’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

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