Running Head: PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Psychological Disorders:

Causes and Treatments

Diana Diaz

Nova Southeastern University

Psychological Disorders: Causes and Treatments

Psychological disorder also known as a mental disorder, refer to patterns of behaviors or

psychological symptoms that affect various life areas. The disorders lead to feeling of distress to

the victim. And they can affect the well being and growth of an individual’s physical and

emotional condition. Mental disorders are classified in various areas depending on the symptoms

of the patient. According to studies there are about two hundred and fifty different types of

psychological disorders and they can be classified into the following types: anxiety disorders,

attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, eating disorders, mood

disorders, paraphilias, personality disorders, schizoaffective disorders, and sleep disorders.

However, some of the most common psychological disorders are mood disorders, sleep

disorders, stress, depression, schizophrenia and other personality disorders.

According to recent research there has been an augment in the rate of psychological

disorders among people that it is believed. According to a study carried by The National Institute

of Mental Health approximately twenty six percent of adults in the United States of America are

affected by a certain psychological disorder in one year. According to another research carried in

1994 by National Comorbidity Survey revealed that thirty percent of people who participated in

the research had experienced signs of one psychological disorder in 1993. The study also

indicated that most adults experience signs of psychological disorders in their life (Collins &

Levitt, 2009).

There are different causes of psychological disorders, which include genetic,

vulnerabilities and environmental stressors which combine to cause a dysfunction or trigger a

psychological disorder. According to twin studies genetic inheritance is a leading cause of

psychological disorders. And one of the major causes of psychological disorder is genes.
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Behavioral traits related to psychological disorders are passed on through generations.

Such genes relate to cognitive and neuropsychological processes of the body. The environment

which surrounds pregnancy and birth can also lead to the development of psychological disorder

both to the mother and baby. For example, maternal exposure to psychological trauma or stress,

complications during child birth, infections of other diseases or drug abuse such as alcohol

(Collins & Levitt, 2009).

Those factors affect the functioning of neurodevelopment leading to the development of

the psychological problems. Brain injury is also a main cause of psychological disorders. The

injury can be in physical injury or injury as a result of other diseases where the brain is affected

by diseases. Diseases of the white matter in the brain are common causes of psychological

disorders. The mental characteristics of an individual can also lead to the development of

psychological disorder. For example, the way a person thinks or perceives certain aspects of life

or individual temperament and stressors coping mechanisms. Other health problems, for

example, low level of dopamine activity, which cause psychological disorders, such as

schizophrenia. Other causes of psychological disorders include emotional stress and

relationships, life events that may lead to depression, social and cultural factors, for example,

poverty (Claridge & Davis 2003).

There are also different ways that psychological disorders are diagnosed. Getting

diagnosis because of psychological disorders is necessary in order to find an effective treatment

of the problem. Diagnosis of the psychological problems allows the patient to make a discovery

of the solution, information and treatment that applies to the disorder. Most of Psychological

disorders are assessed and treated by family physicians. The family physician may refer the

patient to a more specialized diagnosis if he or she finds the case complex. Most diagnostic
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practices of mental disorders involve interview where the mental state of the client is examined.

The judgment on the treatment that the patient should receive depends on appearance and the

behavior of the patient, psychological health history, symptoms and the current life situation that

the client is growing through at the time of diagnosis (Barlow, 2008). The views of relatives or

other third part are also put into consideration in the diagnosis.

In medicine, the psychological disorders are categorized depending on the symptoms.

The treatment or therapy given to a client depends on the symptoms that he or she presents to the

physician. There are different methods that psychological disorders can be managed. The

treatment and support for patients of psychological disorders are provided in psychiatric

hospitals, community mental health services and other clinics. Most of the treatment methods

used in psychological disorders are mostly based on the recovery model which focus on helping

a patient to have independence, be able to make personal choices and also helped in the journey

of regaining a meaningful life. The suitability of the treatment method is dependant on the

psychological disorder and the individual.

The two common treatment methods used in psychological disorders are psychotherapy

and medication. There are various types of psychotherapy, for example, cognitive behavioral

therapy which helps that patient modify her behavior and thought related to a certain disorder.

There is psychoanalysis which addresses psychic conflicts and defenses and systematic therapy.

Professional and peer counseling are also used in management of psychological disorders.

Psychiatric medication is also used in treatment of various psychological disorders.

Examples of medication that are prescribed for patients with mental disorders include

antidepressants used in treating clinical depression, Anxiolytics used for the treatment of anxiety
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disorders. There are also mood stabilizers used for treating bipolar disorder, stimulants,

antipsychotic used in the treatment of psychotic disorders (Barlow, 2008).

Psychological disorders are like a physical disease, they can hit anyone at any time in

their life, apart from how wealthy, happy, or stable they are. It's the luck of the draw, like many

things in life.

References

Barlow, D. (2008). Clinical handbook of psychological disorders: a step-by-step treatment

manual, 4th edition. New York: Guilford Press.

Claridge, G. & Davis, C. (2003). Personality and psychological disorders. New York: Arnold
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publishers.

Collins, C. & Levitt, P. (2009). Psychological Disorders, 1st edition. UK: Chelsea House Pub.