ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY - A List of Psychological Disorders

List and Descriptions of the Categories of Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders, also known as mental disorders, are patterns of behavioral or psychological symptoms that impact multiple areas of life. These disorders create distress for the person experiencing these symptoms. The following list of psychological disorders includes some of the major categories of psychological disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as well as several examples of each type of psychological disorder.

Adjustment Disorders

This classification of mental disorders is related to an identifiable source of stress that causes significant emotional and behavioral symptoms. The diagnostic criteria listed by the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria included:

• (1) Distress that is marked and excessive for what would be expected from the stressor and
• (2) Creates significant impairment in school, work or social environments.

In addition to these requirements, the symptoms must occur within three months of exposure to the stressor, the symptoms must not meet the criteria for an Axis I or Axis II disorder, the symptoms must not be related to bereavement and the symptoms must not last for longer than six months after exposure to the stressor.

The DSM-V (released in May of 2013) moved adjustment disorder to a newly created section of stress-related syndromes.

Dissociative DisordersAnxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are those that are characterized by excessive and abnormal fear, worry and anxiety. In one recent survey published in the Archives of General Psychology1, it was estimated that as many as 18% of American adults suffer from at least one anxiety disorder.

Types of anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Agoraphobia
• Social anxiety disorder
• Phobias
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Separation anxiety

Dissociative disorders are psychological disorders that involve a dissociation or interruption in aspects of consciousness, including identity and memory. Dissociative disorders include:

• Dissociative disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder
• Dissociative fugue
• Dissociative identity disorder
• Depersonalization/derealization disorder

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are characterized by obsessive concerns with weight and disruptive eating patterns that negatively impact physical and mental health. Types of eating disorders include:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Rumination disorder

Factitious Disorders

These psychological disorders are those in which an individual acts as if he or she has an illness, often be deliberately faking or exaggerating symptoms or even self-inflicting damage to the body. Types of factitious disorders include:

• Munchausen syndrome
• Munchausen syndrome by proxy
• Ganser syndrome

Impulse-Control Disorders

Impulse-control disorders are those that involve an inability to control impulses, resulting in harm to oneself or others. Types of impulse-control disorders include:

• Kleptomania (stealing)
• Pyromania (fire-starting)
• Trichotillomania (hair-pulling)
• Pathological gambling
• Intermittent explosive disorder
• Dermatillomania (skin-picking)

Mental Disorders Due to a General Medical Condition

This type of psychological disorder is caused by an underlying medical condition. Medical conditions can cause psychological symptoms such as catatonia and personality changes. Examples of mental disorders due to a general medical condition include:

• Psychotic disorder due to epilepsy
• Depression caused by diabetes
• AIDS related psychosis
• Personality changes due to brain damage

Neurocognitive Disorders

These psychological disorders are those that involve cognitive abilities such as memory, problem solving and perception. Some anxiety disorder, mood disorders and psychotic disorders are classified as cognitive disorders. Types of cognitive disorders include:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Delirium
• Dementia
• Amnesia

Neurodevelopmental DisordersMood Disorders

Mood disorder is a term given to a group of mental disorders that are all characterized by changes in mood. Examples of mood disorders include:

• Bipolar disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Cyclothymic disorder

Developmental disorders, also referred to as childhood disorders, are those that are typically diagnosed during infancy, childhood, or adolescence. These psychological disorders include:

• Intellectual Disability (or Intellectual Developmental Disorder), formerly referred to as mental retardation
• Learning disabilities
• Communication disorders
• Autism
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Conduct disorder
• Oppositional defiant disorder

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders create a maladaptive pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that can cause serious detriments to relationships and other life areas. Types of personality disorders include:

• Antisocial personality disorder
• Avoidant personality disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Dependent personality disorder
• Histrionic personality disorder
• Narcissistic personality disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
• Paranoid personality disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder
• Schizotypal personality disorder

Sexual and Gender Identity DisordersPsychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders are those that involve a loss of contact with reality. People experiencing psychotic disorders may experience hallucinations and often display disorganized thinking. Delusional beliefs are another common characteristic of this class of psychological disorders. Types of psychotic disorders include:

• Schizophrenia
• Delusional disorder

Sexual disorders are those that impact sexual functioning, while gender identity disorders are those that involve a discontentment with the biological sex a person was born with. Examples of sexual disorders:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Sexual pain disorders
• Paraphilias

Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders involve an interruption in sleep patterns. These disorders can have a negative impact on both physical and mental health. Examples of sleep disorders include:

• Narcolepsy
• Sleep terror disorder
• Sleepwalking disorder
• Primary insomnia

Somatoform Disorders

Somatoform disorder is a class of psychological disorder that involves physical symptoms that do not have a physical cause. These symptoms usually mimic real diseases or injuries. It is important to note somatoform disorders differ from factitious disorders; people suffering from somatoform disorders are not faking their symptoms.

• Conversion disorder
• Somatization disorder
• Hypochondriasis
• Body dysmorphic disorder
• Pain disorder

Substance Related Disorders

Substance-related disorders are those that involve the use and abuse of different substance, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates and alcohol. These disorders can include dependence, abuse, psychosis, anxiety, intoxication, delirium and withdrawal that results from the use of various substances. Examples of substance-related psychological disorders include:

• Alcohol abuse
• Caffeine-induced anxiety disorder
• Cocaine withdrawal
• Inhalant abuse