Psychological Disorder Essay

What is a psychological disorder you might ask. A psychological disorder is a pattern of behavioral or psychological symptoms that impact multiple life areas and/or create distress for the person experiencing these symptoms. There are approximately 250 different psychological disorders, most of which fall under a category of similar or related disorders. Some of the prominent diagnostic categories include eating disorders, mood disorders, somatoform disorders, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders and personality disorders. Recent research has revealed that psychological disorders are far more prevalent than previously believed. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 26 percent of American adults over the age of 18 suffer from some type of diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. The 1994 National Comorbidity Survey indicated that 30 percent of respondents had experienced symptoms of at least one psychological disorder in the previous year. The survey also indicated that nearly half of all adults experience some form of mental disorder at some point in their life. One of the most common psychological disorders in America is mood disorders. Mood disorders estimate affect 20 million Americans plus. There are many forms of mood disorders, and one of them is Dysthymic Disorder. This mood disorder is a less severe form of depression. Although less extreme, dysthymic disorder causes long-lasting moodiness. With dysthymic disorder, low, dark moods invade your life nearly every day for two years or more. Dysthymia is contrasted with full major depressive episode that lasts two years or longer, which is called chronic major depression. Dysthymic disorder can occur alone or along with other psychiatric or mood ...

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...ersonality disorders are thought to be caused by a combination of these genetic and environmental influences. You may have a genetic vulnerability to developing a personality disorder and your life situation may trigger the actual development of a personality disorder. Personality disorders often begin in childhood and last through adulthood. There's reluctance to diagnose personality disorders in a child, though, because the patterns of behavior and thinking could simply reflect adolescent experimentation or temporary developmental phases. Complications and problems that personality disorders may cause, Depression, Anxiety, Eating disorders, Suicidal behavior, Self-injury, Reckless behavior, Risky sexual behavior, Child abuse, Alcohol or substance abuse, Aggression or violence, Incarceration, Relationship difficulties, Social isolation, and School and work problems.