Question 1

What is the difference between an organic and functional mental disorder? Name some of the disorders along with their symptoms, that are considered psychoses.

Accepted Answer

Organic mental disorders are caused by a physical or physiological change in the brain, such as a brain injury, infection, or substance abuse. These disorders often have a clear biological cause and can be diagnosed through medical tests. On the other hand, functional mental disorders, also known as psychiatric disorders, are characterized by psychological or behavioral symptoms without a clear physical cause. These disorders are often diagnosed based on a person's symptoms and behavior.

Some psychoses that are considered functional mental disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Symptoms of schizophrenia can include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and lack of motivation. Schizoaffective disorder combines symptoms of schizophrenia with a mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder with psychotic features involves episodes of mania or depression along with psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions.

It's important to note that while these disorders are considered psychoses, they can vary widely in their presentation and severity from person to person. Treatment for these disorders often involves a combination of medication, therapy, and support services.

Question 2

What are some of the correlates of mentally disorder? How may family setting, genetics and stress influence the onset of mental illness?

Accepted Answer

Some of the correlates of mental disorders include family history, genetics, and environmental stressors. Family setting can play a significant role in the development of mental illness, as individuals with a family history of mental disorders may be at a higher risk of experiencing similar issues themselves. This can be due to both genetic and environmental factors, as growing up in a household with a mentally ill family member can contribute to increased stress and potential trauma.

Genetics also play a key role in the onset of mental illness, as certain genetic factors can predispose individuals to specific disorders. For example, conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been linked to genetic predispositions, and individuals with a family history of these disorders may be more likely to develop them themselves.

Environmental stressors, such as trauma, abuse, or chronic stress, can also influence the onset of mental illness. High levels of stress can impact brain function and increase the risk of developing conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, exposure to environmental toxins or substance abuse can also contribute to the development of mental disorders.

Overall, the interplay of family setting, genetics, and stress can significantly influence the onset of mental illness. By understanding these correlates, individuals and healthcare professionals can work to identify and address risk factors, provide appropriate support, and develop effective treatment strategies for those experiencing mental health challenges.

Question 3

How does a medical model view mental illness? How does the labeling model view it? How can mental illness be viewed as a myth?

Accepted Answer

The medical model views mental illness as a biological or psychological dysfunction that can be diagnosed and treated through medical intervention, such as medication or therapy. This model emphasizes the importance of identifying specific symptoms and diagnosing mental disorders based on established criteria, and it often focuses on the biological and genetic factors that contribute to mental illness.

On the other hand, the labeling model views mental illness as a social construct, where individuals are labeled as "mentally ill" based on their behavior or symptoms. This model emphasizes the role of societal norms and expectations in defining what is considered "normal" or "abnormal" behavior, and it highlights the potential negative consequences of labeling individuals with mental illness, such as stigma and discrimination.

Mental illness can also be viewed as a myth in the sense that it is often misunderstood or misrepresented in society. This perspective suggests that the concept of mental illness is not based on objective scientific evidence, but rather on cultural beliefs and societal norms. Some critics argue that mental illness is over-diagnosed and over-medicated, and that it is used as a way to control and marginalize certain groups of people.

Overall, these different perspectives on mental illness highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of this issue, and they raise important questions about the role of biology, society, and culture in shaping our understanding of mental health.

Question 4

Discuss labeling theory and its views of residual behavior. In what ways has labeling theory possibly outlived its usefulness?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss labeling theory and its views of...

Question 5

What is the Therapeutic State and how does it operate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the Therapeutic State and how...

Question 6

Functional mental disorders are those that result from syphilis, lead poisoning, encephalitis, tumors, malnutrition, etc.

Accepted Answer

Functional mental disorders are those that are not caused by organic factors such as syphilis, lead poisoning, encephalitis, tumors, or malnutrition. They are instead caused by psychological or emotional factors.

Question 7

Sexual disorders in the DSM-III-R are transsexualism, fetishism, transvestism, zoophilia, pedophilia, masochism, and homosexuality.

Accepted Answer

As of the DSM-III-R (published in 1987), homosexuality was no longer classified as a sexual disorder. The other conditions mentioned were considered sexual disorders, but homosexuality was removed from the DSM as a disorder in 1973, with the publication of the DSM-II's seventh printing.

Question 8

Traditionally, psychiatrist diagnoses are very unreliable.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that diagnoses given by psychiatrists can be inconsistent and unreliable, with different psychiatrists reaching different conclusions about the same patient. This is partly due to the subjective nature of psychiatric diagnoses, which often rely on patients self-reporting their symptoms, and the lack of objective biological markers for many mental health conditions. However, efforts are underway to improve the reliability and accuracy of psychiatric diagnoses.

Question 9

The labeling of mental illness is usually by community members, not professional personnel.

Accepted Answer

The labeling of mental illness is often done by community members based on their own beliefs and perceptions, rather than by professional personnel or medical experts. These labels and stigmas can have a significant impact on how individuals with mental illness are perceived and treated within society.

Question 10

The nature of the link between genetic factors and mental disorders is a mystery.

Accepted Answer

While there is evidence to suggest that genetics play a role in the development of mental disorders, the exact nature of the link is still not fully understood.

Question 11

Thomas S. Szasz describes mental disorders as illnesses.

Accepted Answer

Thomas S. Szasz believed that mental disorders were not true illnesses, but rather labels used to categorize certain behaviors that society deems as abnormal or undesirable. He argued that mental illness is a myth and that psychiatric treatments were actually a form of social control.

Question 12

The medical model assumes that certain behaviors are symptomatic of disease.

Accepted Answer

The medical model views behaviors as indicative of underlying medical conditions or diseases that require diagnosis and treatment.

Question 13

The labeling model says that mental disorder is the result of reactions from others.

Accepted Answer

The labeling model, also known as the social reaction theory or social constructionist model, argues that mental disorder is not solely based on a person's symptoms or behavior, but rather on how society reacts and labels these behaviors as abnormal or deviant. The model suggests that individuals who are labeled as mentally ill may experience negative consequences such as discrimination, stigmatization, and marginalization, which can worsen their mental health outcomes.

Question 14

Evidence currently supports labeling as an explanation of who is labeled mentally disordered and as an explanation of why the disordered behavior emerges or persists.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Evidence currently supports labeling as an explanation...

Question 15

One criticism of the therapeutic state is that it requires an objective means or diagnosing and that this does not exist.

Accepted Answer

The idea of an objective means of diagnosing mental illness has been criticized by many experts in the field who argue that it is difficult to define mental illness in concrete terms and that diagnosis is often subjective and influenced by social and cultural factors.

Question 16

________ involve a high degree of disorganization and an inability to function socially.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ involve a high degree of disorganization...

Question 17

The ___________ states that persons who develop or are likely to develop emotional difficulties stay in the lower class or even descend into the lower class because they experience difficulties with employment and other social relationships.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ___________ states that persons who develop...

Question 18

Research indicates that for males, ___________ is a strong insulator for mental disorder, while for females, the ____________ is a strong insulator.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research indicates that for males, ___________ is...

Question 19

Anxiety caused by real or imagined problems is ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Anxiety caused by real or imagined problems...

Question 20

Insanity is:

Accepted Answer

Insanity is primarily a legal term rather than a psychiatric diagnosis. It refers to a defendant's inability to understand the wrongfulness of their actions at the time of a crime, which can affect their criminal responsibility.

Quiz 9: Mental Disorders