Psychological Disorders

Maria Cedillo BEH/225 05/03/07

Psychological Disorders
There are a large variety of classified disorders such as mood, anxiety, psychosomatic, dissociative, sexual, personality and childhood disorders. Causes of some of these disorders are still unknown but most are treatable through counseling and medications.

Mood Disorders
Depression is a mood disorder that includes symptoms like sadness, feelings of worthlessness, fatigue and guilt. The leading cause is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Counseling and medications can be used to treat clinical depression. (Charles G. Morris, Albert A. Maisto, 2005)

Anxiety Disorders
Panic disorder is an example of a Anxiety disorder. The symptoms of panic disorder are recurrent panic attacks and feelings of no control during stressful events. Although researchers are still not sure about the causes of this disorder they have concluded that heredity might be a factor. Medication and counseling can be used as treatment. (Charles G. Morris, Albert A. Maisto, 2005)

Psychosomatic Disorders
Tension headaches is a psychosomatic disorder. Symptoms of this disorder are headache, stress, and anxiety. Muscle contractions brought on by stress is what causes tension headaches. Medication, meditation and acute therapies can be used as treatment for this disorder. (Charles G. Morris, Albert A. Maisto, 2005)

Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative identity disorder, or multiple personality is dissociative disorder. Several distinct personalities and memory impairment are symptoms of this disorder. The leading causes of this disorder are substance abuse, the aging process and trauma the to the head. (Charles G. Morris, Albert A. Maisto, 2005)

Sexual Disorders
Gender identity disorder is classified as a sexual disorder. The most distinct symptom of this disorder, is the persons desire to become the opposite sex. The causes are unknown but there are optional treatments like sex reassignment, and counseling for children. (Charles G. Morris, Albert A. Maisto, 2005)

Personality disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is a disorder in which a person will lie, cheat steal, and no sense of responsibility. One major cause is an unhealthy social environment. Treatment for this disorder consists of psychotherapy. (Charles G. Morris, Albert A. Maisto, 2005)

Childhood Disorders
Attention deficit/Hyperactivity disorder or AD/HD, is a childhood disorder in which a child is unable to focus, is easily distracted, impulsive and is constantly in motion. Major causes are anomalies in the central nervous system and genetics. This disorder is treated with psycho stimulants. (Charles G. Morris, Albert A. Maisto, 2005)

References
Morris, C.G., & Maisto, A. (2005). Psychology: an introduction. Prentice-Hall. PrenticeCopyright by Pearson Education Inc.