Mental Disorders

Through reading the psychology textbook, Fundamentals of Psychology in Context, I have learned about a wide variety of psychological disorders. A psychological disorder is basically a combination of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that create significant distress, impair daily living, or lead to a risk of harm.

In 1952, the first manual of mental disorders was published. This manual was called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In the manual, there are 17 major categories of psychological problems and almost 300 mental disorders are specified. Some of the major categories include mood disorders, eating disorders, sleep disorders, and personality disorders.

The DSM also has five different axes, or types of information that should be considered when assessing a patient. Axis I includes clinical disorders, Axis II includes personality disorders and mental retardation, Axis III is any general medical conditions that might pertain to a diagnosis. Environmental or psychosocial problems are listed on Axis IV and the highest level of functioning from the patient in major areas of life is recorded on Axis V.

Mood disorders, listed in Axis I, are a category of disorders marked by persistent or episodic disturbances in emotion that leads to problems with normal functioning. The most common mood disorder is major depressive disorder (MDD) which is characterized by two or more weeks of depressed mood, loss of energy, sleep disturbances, and/or feelings of hopelessness. According to the text book, up to 20% of Americans will experience major depressive disorder in their lifetime. While major depressive disorder is the most common psychological disorder in the United States, it can also be found in all different cultures and ethnic groups.

Major depressive disorder is the leading class of absenteeism in the workplace. It is also responsible for "presenteeism", which is defined as a depressed person being physically present, but not mentally present. Presenteeism causes a decline in production at many jobs.

Major depressive disorder is also a factor in attempted suicides. These suicide attempts are linked with the sense of hopelessness that accompanies depression. While only half the attempts are successful, 30% of people with depression will attempt suicide.

While major depressive disorder is sometimes biological, a person's view on the world,