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Psychological Disorders and Psychotherapy

ICSE · Class 12 · Psychology

Quick revision notes for Psychological Disorders and Psychotherapy — ICSE Class 12 Psychology. Key concepts, formulas, and definitions for last-minute revision.

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Key Topics to Revise

1

5.1 Abnormality - Concept and Meaning

  • Normal behavior: optimum intellectual capacity, organized personality patterns, well-adjusted with social environment
  • Abnormal behavior: maladjustment with social environment and uncontrolled emotional expressions
  • Four Ds of Abnormality: Deviant (deviates from social norms), Dysfunctional (interferes with daily activities), Distressing (unpleasant and upsetting), Dangerous (causes harm to self or others)
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5.1.1 Modern Perspectives of Abnormal Behavior

  • BIOLOGICAL/MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE: Explains abnormality through faulty genes, brain damage, neurotransmitter imbalances, hormonal imbalances, infections. Low GABA linked to anxiety disorders; dysfunction
  • PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE includes four approaches:
  • • Psychodynamic (Freud): Abnormality results from conflicts between unconscious desires and conscious motives; repressed primitive impulses manifest as symptoms
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5.1.2 Classification of Mental Disorders

  • Classification systems essential for: communication between professionals, diagnosis, treatment planning, research standardization, insurance purposes
  • Two major classification systems: ICD-10 (WHO) and DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association)
  • DSM-IV is most widely used and user-friendly for clinicians
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5.2 Anxiety Disorders

  • Anxiety: general feeling of fear and apprehension about possible danger; mild/moderate anxiety has adaptive value but chronic/severe is maladaptive
  • Common anxiety disorders: GAD, Phobic Disorder, OCD
  • GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD): excessive, chronic, unreasonable worry lasting >6 months about multiple events

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Key Concepts

Behavior that deviates from social normsExplains abnormal behavior through physicalIncludes multiple psychological theories explaining abnor...Emphasizes that psychological disorders develop dueThe Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

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Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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