- Describe how psychological disorders are defined, and the challenges in defining them
- Describe the basic features of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR) and how it is used to classify disorders
- Discuss perspectives on the origin of psychological disorders
Distinguishing Between a Psychological Abnormality and Eccentricity: The 4 Ds
It can be difficult, even for trained experts to distinguish between a psychological abnormality (psychological disorder) and eccentricity. However, knowledge of the 4 Ds can help you make the distinction between them.
- Deviant: think of this as anything outside of the norm. For example, I prefer wearing mismatched socks. Keep in mind, this alone does not make a disorder. Let’s explore the other Ds.
- Dangerous: this is usually connected to the desire to harm oneself or others. For example, all of my socks are identical white ankle socks. This means I can’t wear mismatched socks, so I say, “If I have to wear socks that match, I’m going to kill someone.”
- Distress: this is related to an emotional reaction; feeling extremely upset. For example, I realize now that all of my socks are the same, so I sit and cry nonstop for hours.
- Dysfunction: this refers to an interruption in the person’s daily life. Think of all of the things you need to do each day like go to school, work, or even take a shower. An example of this would be, not going to school because you can’t find two socks that don’t match.
Be Stigma Free
Hopefully, your reading from this module will also help you to better understand mental illness and be less inclined to judge or stigmatize those who are managing an illness. While we often refer to people experiencing a mental disorder in general terms and say “They may experience this or that…” you should be careful not to make blanket statements or false assumptions about those with mental disorders as every person has a unique experience. You, or classmates, friends, or family members close to you, are likely dealing with one or more of the mental disorders discussed in this module. Try to be understanding, kind, and open-minded as you learn about and talk about mental illness.
Also note that there is often a tendency while reading through this material for students to self-diagnose, as it is easy to identify with various descriptions of mental disorders. Be wary of self-diagnosis; if you do think you may be suffering from a mental illness (defined as significant disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors causing impairment in one’s life), then please seek help from a counselor, doctor, or other trained professional. If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, please seek help or call the national suicide and crisis lifeline using the number 988.
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