Answer The Following Questions In 90 To 175 Words Each

Answer the following questions in 90 to 175 words each

1. Select two categories of psychological disorders, and outline the main symptoms associated with each disorder.

Schizophrenia and Major Depressive Disorder are two prominent psychological disorders. Schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and abnormal motor behaviors. Individuals may experience auditory or visual hallucinations, often hearing voices that are not present, alongside fixed false beliefs known as delusions. Disorganized speech and behavior interfere significantly with daily functioning. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), on the other hand, involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Other symptoms include changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide. Both disorders impact a person's ability to function normally and require tailored treatment approaches for management and recovery.

Paper For Above instruction

Psychological disorders encompass a wide range of mental health conditions, each presenting distinct symptoms that affect individuals' thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Understanding two key categories—schizophrenia and major depressive disorder—provides insight into their unique symptomatology and impact.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population. Its hallmark symptoms include hallucinations, particularly auditory ones where patients hear voices that have no external source. Delusions, or firmly held false beliefs, are common, such as perceiving oneself as being persecuted or experiencing grandiosity. Disorganized thinking manifests as incoherent speech, making communication difficult, while disorganized or abnormal motor behaviors, such as agitation or catatonia, can impair daily functioning. Negative symptoms, such as social withdrawal, anhedonia, and flattened affect, also detract from quality of life. The complexity of schizophrenia requires comprehensive treatment, including medication (antipsychotics) and psychosocial therapy, targeting both positive and negative symptoms to improve outcomes.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is characterized by pervasive low mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. Symptoms include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. Physical symptoms such as fatigue, changes in weight or sleep patterns, and psychomotor agitation or retardation are common. Cognitive distortions like difficulty concentrating, indecisiveness, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide further complicate the disorder. Unlike transient sadness, MDD impairs daily functioning and can persist for weeks or months if untreated. The etiology of depression involves biological, psychological, and social factors, necessitating a multifaceted treatment approach. Common interventions include antidepressant medications and psychotherapy modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which help modify negative thought patterns and improve resilience. Both disorders profoundly impact individual lives and demand ongoing management strategies to facilitate recovery.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Kessler, R. C., & Bromet, E. J. (2013). The epidemiology of depression across cultures. Annual Review of Public Health, 34, 119-138.
• Garety, P., & Freeman, D. (2013). The past and future of interpreting delusions. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 39(6), 1272–1278.
• Harvard Medical School. (2018). Understanding depression: Causes and treatments. Harvard Health Publishing.
• Oltmanns, T. F., & Emery, R. E. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (9th ed.).
• National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Schizophrenia. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Murray, C. J., & Lopez, A. D. (1996). Evidence-based health policy lessons from the Global Burden of Disease Study. Science, 274(5280), 740-743.
• Levinson, D. F. (2014). Genetics of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 40(4), 658-664.
• Gotlib, I. H., & Hammen, C. L. (2014). Handbook of depression (3rd ed.).