characteristics of disorders

• affective disorders


  worthlessness, guilt, loss in interest and pleasure, weight gain or loss, thoughts of death, loss of concentration and ability to think

  16% - 20% of people are affected

  typically diagnosed 20s-30s

  affects more women
• psychotic disorders


  delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, catatonic behaviour, reduced expressions of emotion

  1% affected

  affects more men

  diagnoses early 20s
• anxiety disorder


  extreme disproportionate fear, persistent distress, impairment in areas of functioning

  9% are affected
• similarities between affective and psychotic

  both affect cognitive function

  • D = loss of concentration
  • S = disorganised speech and thoughts

  both affect daily activities

  • D = loss of pleasure
  • S = catatonic behaviour, lack of motivation
• differences between affective and psychotic

  S = hallucinations (auditory and visual)

  D = no effect on senses

  S = break from reality (unaware of disorder)

  D = aware of reality and disorder

  S = doesnt affect mood

  D = low mood
• similarities in diagnosis


  both rely on self report

  both need persistent symptom

  • D = two weeks
  • S = one month
• differences in diagnosis 


  ICD

  • D = four or more symptoms for two weeks
  • S = 2 or more symptoms for one month

  numbers affected

  • D = 16% - 20%
  • S = 1%

  age affected

  • D = 20s-30s
  • S = late teens and early adulthood
• usefulness


  can develop practical applications such as drug treatments to correct hormones

  knowledge and understanding through websites like NHS which increase awareness