Titleabc123 Version X1 Week Two Assignment Worksheet Psy 410
Titleabc123 Version X1week Two Assignment Worksheetpsy410 Version 5u
Complete the following table. Category Disorders within the category Behavioral criteria for the category Possible causes
Paper For Above instruction
The classification of mental health disorders encompasses a broad spectrum, each with distinct behavioral criteria and underlying causes. This paper systematically examines several major categories of disorders—anxiety, trauma- and stressor-related, bipolar and related, and depressive disorders—highlighting their behavioral symptoms, potential causes, and prevalence rates.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterized by irrational fears or anxieties of disabling intensity, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and muscle tension. These disorders encompass specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Behaviorally, individuals may exhibit avoidance, hypervigilance, and exaggerated worry.
The causes of anxiety disorders are multifaceted, involving biological and environmental factors. Genetic contributions suggest a hereditary predisposition, while environmental influences include traumatic experiences and chronic stress. Brain chemistry also plays a vital role, with imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) being implicated. The prevalence shows that 23.4% of men and 42.8% of women experience some form of anxiety disorder at some point in their lives (Kessler et al., 2005).
Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
This category includes disorders like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acute Stress Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder. Behavioral criteria often feature intrusive memories, hyperarousal, avoidance behaviors, dissociation, and emotional dysregulation. Anger, aggression, dysthymic mood, and dissociative episodes are common manifestations.
These disorders primarily result from severe trauma or stress exposure. Biological factors include dysregulation of stress hormones such as cortisol, and genetic vulnerability can influence susceptibility (Yehuda & LeDoux, 2007). Environmental factors are crucial, with traumatic events in childhood or adulthood—such as war, abuse, or neglect—playing significant roles. The lifetime prevalence of trauma-related disorders is approximately 6.8%, with higher rates noted among trauma survivors (Sareen et al., 2007).
Bipolar and Related Disorders
Manic episodes are marked by abnormal and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable moods lasting at least one week, often accompanied by increased energy, reduced need for sleep, and impulsivity. Hypomanic episodes share similar features but last only four days. The biological underpinnings include physical changes in the brain, imbalances in neurotransmitters, and inherited traits.
The prevalence rate is about 2.6% in the adult population, with a significant proportion experiencing severe symptoms (Merikangas et al., 2011). Genetic factors are prominent, suggesting a hereditary component, while neurobiological factors involve dysregulation of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine pathways. Brain imaging studies have revealed structural differences in regions such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex (Strakowski et al., 2012).
Depressive disorders include major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, postpartum depression, and psychotic depression. Common behavioral symptoms are sadness, discouragement, hopelessness, loss of appetite, and pessimism. These symptoms often lead to social withdrawal and diminished functioning.
The causes are complex, involving genetic predisposition, life experiences such as illness, abuse, loss, and divorce, and hormonal changes. Women are more frequently affected (20-26%) compared to men (8-12%), highlighting a gender disparity potentially related to hormonal and psychosocial factors (Kuehner, 2017). Neurochemical imbalances, particularly involving serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are implicated. The etiology also includes psychosocial stressors and maladaptive cognitive patterns (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Conclusion
Understanding the multifactorial origins of mental health disorders enhances diagnosis and treatment strategies. Biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors interact in complex ways, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive approaches to mental health care. Continued research into the genetic and neurochemical substrates of these disorders holds promise for more targeted and effective interventions.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
- Kessler, R. C., et al. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602.
- Kuehner, C. (2017). Why is depression more common among women than among men? The Lancet Psychiatry, 4(2), 146-158.
- Merikangas, K. R., et al. (2011). Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder in the United States. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(3), 241-251.
- Sareen, J., et al. (2007). Anxiety and depression disorders associated with personal lifetime exposure to traumatic events: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68(4), 551-562.
- Strakowski, S. M., et al. (2012). Brain structural and functional neuroimaging in bipolar disorder. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 73(4), 479-486.
- Yehuda, R., & LeDoux, J. (2007). Response variation following trauma: A translational perspective on trauma-related disorders. Neuron, 56(1), 19-32.