Mental Disorders
Disorder Name
(N) Neurosis or
(P) Psychosis
Anxiety/Panic
Disorder
*Neurosis
Explanation &
Examples
Ones inability to
shut off the brain.
Constant feeling of
“worry”
Characteristics
Causes
% of Population
Nature/Nurture
Treatment
Emotional distress,
Fear of going crazy,
tight stomach, feeling
sick, inability to calm
yourself down, racing
heart, pounding heart,
Sweating
Terror, physical,
obsessive thought,
desire to flee and
anticipatory anxiety
Could be based on
experience in a
situation. Or based on
family history.
3-5% of
Population
Mostly nurture,
but could be both.
Psychotherapy, and in
severe cases, Medication.
Genes and sometimes
past experiences
12%
Nature & Nuture
Exposure Therapy
(exposure to the feared
object or situation)
PHOBIAS (P)
A phobia is a strong
fear of something
that is harmless.
Arachnophobia:
Phobia of spiders
OCD ObsessiveCompulsive
Disorder (N)
Obsessions and/or
Compulsions to do
things, most of
which are
meaningless and
ridiculous
(i.e compulsive hand
washing, checking
stove, arranging
books, etc.)
Uncontrollable/Intrusi
ve thoughts and
images
“Rituals” and habits
that must be adhered
to
Not fully understood
However, it is a
mixture of genes and
environment
1-2% Canada
2-3% Worldwide
Combination
Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Therapy
Medication
Hoarding (N)
Hoarding disorder
consists of a person
having an obsession
over a certain object
that they find
valuable and
excessively start to
collect such items
and refuse to part
from them, causing
their valued item to
- Living in clutter
- Unable to part from
items
- Embarrassment
- Organization
Difficulty
- Limited or No Social
Life
- Acquiring unneeded
or useless items
- Difficulty managing
There is not a known
cause for hoarding
disorder but can be
hereditary if a
previous family
member suffers from
this same disorder or
has had previous
brain injuries.
2-5% Of the
population
suffers from
hoarding
disorder.
Hoarding can be
classified as both
Nature and
Nurture due to
the fact hoarders
can become this
way because of
their
environment, but
on the other hand
people who grow
Cognitive behavioral
treatment (CBT) or
Medication
have serious
amounts of
accumulation in the
household.
daily life
- Excessively become
attached to their
possessions
Depression
N
Clinical depression,
occasionally called
major depression, is
a complex mood
disorder produced
by numerous
factors, stress, brain
development, and
under the right
environment
depression may be
more prominent,
personality can
easily change, one
moment you may
be happy and the
next you can be
really sad.
Feelings of
worthlessness or guilt,
difficulty
concentrating or
making decisions,
recurring thoughts of
death or suicide, that
happen during most of
the day, nearly every
day, for at least two
weeks and with
significant damage in
social or work-related
functioning.
Environment mainly,
but genes do play a
role in having
depression.
According to
Statistics
Canada's 2002
Mental Health
and Well-being
Survey Canadian
Community
Health Survey
5.3% of the
Canadian
population aged
15 years and
older showed
symptoms that
met the
standards for a
mood disorder
in the 12 months
prior, including
4.8% for major
depression and
1.0% for bipolar
disorder.
Bipolar Disorder
N
Individuals mood
switches between
mania (Overdrive)
Mania: increased loud
or quick talking, racing
thoughts, more active
Hereditary, substance
abuse, stress
1% of Canadian
population
up in nonhoarding
environments
doesn't prevent
them from
becoming a
hoarder later on
in their lives and
can become one
due to their genes
if other family
members have
had this disorder
as well.
Nature/ Nurture:
both
Nature however
environmental
factors such as
anti depressants, a doctor’s
help.
Counseling, medication,
psychotherapy
and depression
(overly sad)
SAD Seasonal
Affective
Disorder (N)
CRSD Circadian
Rhythm Sleep
Disorder (P)
Pyromania (N)
A serious mood
change, normally in
winter months,
caused by a lack of
natural sunlight. It
usually lifts in spring
and summer. It’s a
more serious form
of the “winter
blues”.
A persistent or
recurrent pattern
of sleep disruption
leading to
excessive
sleepiness or
insomnia.
Film: The
Machinist (2005);
suffers from
insomnia
Uncontrollable
urges to start fires
and burn things
than usual, doing
reckless things
without considering
consequences
Depression: weight
loss or gain, problems
concentrating, fidgety,
recurrent thoughts of
death/ suicide
Neurosis
Depression, decreased
energy, difficulty
sleeping,
oversleeping, changes
in weight, thoughts of
death, irritability
Interrupts
internal Circadian
Rhythm Clock; 24
hour clock telling us
when to sleep and
wake up
-Feelings of stress and
anxiety before a fire
-feelings of relief and
stress are triggers
for mood episodes
The darkness of winter
tricks our brains into
producing more
melatonin. Excess
amounts make us feel
drowsy and depressed.
Our biological clocks
are disrupted in
winter, leading to long
term disruption of
melatonin release.
Lack of sunlight also
decreases serotonin
levels which disrupts
messages between
nerve cells, leading to
sad feelings
Jet Lag
Shift Work
Advanced Sleep
Phase (ASP)
Delayed Sleep Phase
Syndrome (DSPS)
2-5% of
Canadians
Impulse Control
Disorder, as well as
poor and neglectful
Less than 1%
Approximately,
one-quarter of
the general
adult
population
40 percent of
severely timestressed people
about 30
percent of shift
workers
Nurture
Nurture – caused
by environmental
factors
Psychologists are
split between
nature and nature
Light therapy, where you sit
beside a light box 50 times
brighter than an ordinary
light, or wear a light visor, for
30 minutes a day. Receiving
doses of melatonin is a new
treatment that’s shown to
work. Antidepressants,
cognitive-behavioral therapy,
vacations, exercise, and
more time outside also help
Behaviour Therapy/
Chronotherapy
Bright Light Therapy
Medication
Sleep Hygiene
Isolation from all fire
starters, as well as therapy
PTSD Posttraumatic stress
disorder
Psychosis
Schizophrenia
-Psychosis
DID
Dissociative
Identity
Disorder(,
Multiple
Personality
(NOT an arsonist)
For example, John
has anxiety the
whole day during
school, much like
someone would feel
anxiety for a
cigarette, and when
he goes home he
lights a newspaper
on fire, afterwards
feeling relieved
gratification after
parenting
When you have
anxiety attacks, or
flash backs due to
previous events in
your life.
Past traumatizing
events
Past traumatizing
events
3.5%
Nurture
Antidepressants, go and
Cognitive therapy,
antipsychotics.
-Delusions.
-Hallucinations.
-Disorganized speech.
-Disorganized
behavior.
-Absence of normal
behavior.
-parental exposure to
a viral infection, low
oxygen levels during
birth, exposure to
virus during infancy,
early parental loss or
separation, or
physical or sexual
abuse in early
childhood.
-1% of the
population.
-Could be argued
for either side.
-Nature: the way a
person grows up
and the things
they’re exposed
to.
-Nurture: People
with any family
history of this may
be more prone to
continuing it.
-Medications and
psychological therapy can
help but nothing will make
it go away for sure.
*Truddi Chase
*Sybil *Tracey (Dr.
Phil)
*Criminal Minds
*Depression,
anxiety, memory
loss, more than
one personality
*1-3% of the
Canadian
population *
97% of people
with D.I.D
were sexually
* D.I.D is most
often caused
by nurture.
Very rarely is it
nature.
*Psychotherapy
*Cognitive Therapy
*Creative Therapy
*Medication if a
personality is in need of
it
Hyper vigilant,
suicidal thoughts,
easily scared,
nightmares.
-brain disorder that
affects the way a
person acts, thinks,
and sees the world.
It is a mental
illness that
involves
disruption from
reality,
awareness,
Disorder?
neurosis
Attachment
Disorder
Neurosis
ADHD
N
memory
and in this case
identity, D.I.D is
the most severe
dissociative
disorder.
With dissociative
identity disorder,
a person forms
two or more
alternate
personalities,
which can take
control of the
person’s real
personality at
any time.
Each alter can
have distinct
personality traits,
unique histories,
beliefs and
values, illnesses
and in some
cases even
different
genders.
Develops anger and
violent actions
instead of trusting
adults. Starts when
younger and is
based on the
caregivers actions
when raising the
child.
AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder also known
as ADHD is a
abused
* 9 times
more woman
than men
Be clingy, demanding,
feel worthless, resist
parents affection,
want control over
everything and eating
disorder habits.
The way parents
choose to treat and
raise their children.
Abuse (physical or
verbal), neglect and
by having several
caretakers.
General
population 1% of
children.
Children whom
are maltreated
in early years 5080%
Nurture.
Cognitive therapy- helps
positive/healthier thinking.
Nurturing/re-parenting- reteach them that they won’t
hurt them like other have in
the past.
Can’t pay attention
Unable to stay
focused
Can’t stay still
Mothers who
smoked while babies
were in the.
Nicotine, alcohol,
5-12% of schoolaged children
Nature and
Nurture
Stimulants such as Ritalin
and Adderall are often
prescribed
Approximately
developmental
disorder
characterized by
distractibility,
hyperactivity,
impulsive behaviors,
and the inability to
remain focused on
tasks or activities.
Make simple mistakes
Quick to react
Seeming not to listen
Can’t follow
instructions
Easily distracted
and lead. This is
unlikely for children
to be exposed to this.
Caused from extreme
trauma to the head,
like a stroke or a
sever strike to the
brain.
Found in the genes of
kids whose parents
also carry that mental
disorder.
8-10% of males
and 3-4% of
females under
the age of 18
years have
ADHD
Over-sensitive to
environmental
stimulation,
Difficulty staying
focused,
Avoid visually
stimulating
environments and
sounds
May have a strong
hereditary and
genetic component
1 in 20 people
0.05 worldwide
Argued that it is a
Nurture, although
there is not
enough research
to conclude
Sensory Integration
activities, creating
challenging and fun tasks
for developing children to
stimulate certain senses
Have trouble with
social cue ( eye
contact, facial
expressions)
Become interested in
a certain topic, which
they will learn a lot
about
Hyperactivity is often
present
While there is no one
cause there is likely a
genetic component
and scientists have
increasing evidence
that may prove there
is also an
environmental cause
2.5- 36 per
10000
4 times more
common in boys
If a family
member has a
disorder on the
autism spectrum
you’re more likely
to have an autistic
disorder your selfthat would be
Nature
While if not
member has a
similar disorder it
maybe a Nurture
-group therapy
-social groups
-selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs),
antipsychotics and
stimulants to treat
associated problems
Examples: Getting
distracted easily,
fidgeting, making
irrational decisions,
being aggressive
SPD Sensory
Processing
Disorder
Complex disorder of
the brain that
affects developing
children and adults,
Neurosis
Examples: Dislike
textures in fabrics,
foods, grooming
products or other
materials found in
daily living
Asperger’s
Syndrome
Neurosis
It is pervasive
developmental
disorder, which
affects a child’s
development;
Asperger affects
social skills and
behavior. It is in the
Autism spectrum
Examples:
Abed NadirCommunity
Max Braverman-
eating a healthy diet,
getting plenty of exercise,
and making other smart
daily choices
60% will
maintain ADHD
through
adulthood
occurs when the
sensory signals do not
get organized into
appropriate
responses
Parenthood
Bill Gates
Robin Williams
issue
Alzheimer’s
(N)
-Causes memory
loss
-not caused by an
organic disease
-most common
form of dementia
-Difficulty
remembering things
-hard to make
decisions
-can’t perform
everyday tasks
-Worsens overtime
GID Gender
Dysphoria/
Gender Identity
Disorder
The unhappiness
that some people
feel with their
physical sex and/or
gender role.
Poor self image
Unknown
Dress like the opposite
sex (cross-dressing)
Disgusted by their own
genitals
Rejected by their
peers, withdrawing
from social
interaction, feelings of
isolation
Severe depression
and/or anxiety
(N)
Ex. Jenna Talackova,
Miss Universe
Canada’s first
transgendered
contestant,
underwent
hormonal treatment
and surgery to
undergo a
biologically female
transformation
Addictions (P)
A state in which an
organism engages
in a compulsive
behavior
A craving or
compulsion
The inability to limit
use of a substance or
activity
The use of substance
or activity effects
family/work life
-Most common are
aging and genetics
-people in their teens
and 20’s will not
contract Alzheimer’s
There are no specific
causes
-Approximately
500,000
Canadians have
Alzheimer’s
-1 in 11
Canadians over
the age of 65
have Alzheimer’s
% of Cdn pop is
unknown
(Statistics
Canada, 2010)
In the US,
estimated 0.3%
of adults are
trans*
In the
Netherlands
0.012% of adult
pop. underwent
recorded
treatment for
gender
dysphoria
65%
-Both
-several mutated
genes have been
found in families
with Alzheimer’s
-Poor diets and
lack of nutrition
can cause
Alzheimer’s
Nature:
Number of XY and
XX chromosomes
in a gender
dysphoric person
during gestation
Nurture:
Assigned gender
roles given to
babies by their
parents
Can be both
-Currently no treatments
but there are 5 approved
medications that help deal
with the symptoms
Individual and family
therapy is recommended
for children
Couples therapy for adults
Sex reassignment through
surgery and hormonal
therapy
Some people may choose to
never seek treatment
Withdrawal from substance
and activity
Cognitive behavioral
therapy
Anorexia
*Neurosis
*Preoccupation
with *being thin
takes over your life
*Losing weight is
most important
thing
*Weight loss=
happiness
*Strange secretive
food rituals
*Depression
*Lie about eating
habits
*Dramatic weight loss
*Denial of being thin
*Media influences
*Cultural idealization
of beauty and thin
*Low self esteem
*Perfectionism
*Genetics, dna
*Traumatic
experiences
*Family environments
0.3 to 1% in
Canada
Bulimia (N)
-will eat large
amount of food in
short period of time
(binging), then try to
prevent gaining
weight by getting rid
of the food through
methods such as
purging, excessive
exercising, taking
laxatives
-will appear to have a
healthy weight
-often eat in private
-feel guilty after
overeating
-may be obsessed
with weight
-some physical signs
include: tooth decay,
teeth marks on the
backs of the hands,
and lack of energy
-being ridiculed (such
as being told that not
skinny enough)
-views of weight (selfview, parental, and
cultural)
-stressful events like
divorce and abuse
1-8%
Great sense of selfimportance
Exaggerates
achievements
Expects to be
recognized as superior
Unwilling to recognize
the feelings/needs of
others
Generally not well
understood
Genetics play a large
role (50%),
Environments can
shape and influence
narcissism
May be based on selfreflection
Cultural factors
Personality
disorder affects
between 6% and
15% of the
population
5.4% of that is
classified as
Borderline
Personality
Disorder, similar
Ex) Princess Diana suffered from
bulimia but
eventually became
an advocate of
eating disorder
awareness and
treatment
NPD
Narcissistic
Personality
Disorder
(N)
Often displays
arrogant behavior
Many narcissists
lack of empathy for
other people and
have a constant
need for admiration
Described as selfcentered,
manipulative, and
Nature=Genetic
predisposition,
brain chemistry,
twin studies
Nurture= media,
Over controlling
parents,
modeling,
dancing,
gymnasts.
-both nature and
nurture
-those with family
members who
have suffered
from eating
disorders, obesity,
and addiction
have a higher
chance of
becoming bulimic
-environment
highly influential –
stressful
environments and
social pressure
can trigger
bulimia
*Counseling
*Hospitalization
*Deal with emotions
properly
*Avoid looking at fitness
and fashion magazines
*Spend time with positive
influences on food
Nature: Genetics
account for
around 50%
Nurture: Watching
TV; learn
narcissistic
behaviours and
harsh
environments;
loss of empathy
Clinical treatment is rare,
most narcissists avoid
therapy.
Psychotherapy may be
useful to relate to others in
a more encouraging
manner
-must be willing to get help
themselves
-therapy will teach:
-improve self-image
-better eating habits
-avoiding binge-and-purge
cycle
-improve relationship with
loved ones
APD Antisocial
Personality
Disorder
Psychosis
BPD Borderline
Personality
Disorder
Borderline
neurosis/ psychosis
demanding
Pepe LePew
Affects a person’s
ability to think,
handle situations,
and relate to others,
and get in trouble
with the law, ignore
the feelings of those
around them.
Involves impulsivity
and emotional
instability.
Susanna Kaysen
from Girl,
Interrupted.
to Narcissism
-Lying
-Does not obey rules
-Repeatedly gets in
trouble with the law
-Ignores safety of
others and their own
safety
-No guilty feelings
-Lack of taking
responsibility
-Fails to think ahead
-Irritability, anger,
aggressiveness
Unkown
1.7% -3.7%
Unstable
relationships.
Uncontrollable anger.
Fear of abandonment.
Reckless and
irresponsible
behavior.
Mood swings;
emotional
rollercoaster.
Unusual paranoia
Inherited from
parents.
Childhood
abandonment.
Sexual abuse.
Neglect.
Unstable family life.
2-6%
Nurture: If there
was to be any
type of
violent/abusive/al
coholic presence
in the past from
parents the child
is most likely to be
at risk with the
disorder
Nature: some
parts of the brain
may be
dysfunctional such
as genes and
hormones
Combination of
both.
Psychotherapy or
medication
Psychotherapy
Antidepressants and mood
stabilizers.
Anger management
Severe cases may lead to
hospitalization