Psychological Disorders
A psychological disorder can be defined as a behavior that is atypical, disturbing,
maladaptive, and unjustifiable. Psychologists use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) to describe a disorder, to predict its future course, to
apply appropriate research, and to stimulate research into its cause. According to the
DSM-IV psychological disorders fall into six distinct areas. Psychological disorders
might be neurotic or psychotic depending on the intensity of the symptoms and the
degree of impairment to everyday life.
Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety becomes disabling when people are unexplainably and
uncontrollably tense, have an irrational fear of something, or are troubled by repetitive
thoughts and actions.
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder
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Phobic Disorder
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Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
Somatoform Disorders: Somatic disorders have somatic (bodily) symptoms
without apparent physical causes.
Dissociative Disorders: Conscious awareness becomes dissociated (separated) form
previous memories, thoughts, and feelings.

Amnesia
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Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)
Mood Disorders: Debilitating emotional extremes in which a person suffers
prolonged hopelessness and lethargy, or swing between depression and an overactive
state.
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Major Depressive Disorder

Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia: A psychotic disorder in which a person loses contact with reality,
experiencing grossly irrational ideas or distorted perceptions. Symptoms include
disorganized thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions.
Personality Disorders: Maladaptive behavior patterns that impair a person’s social
functioning without anxiety, depression, or delusion.
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Anti-social personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder