Overview - a brief overview of the general category. What are the similarities between
all of the disorders in the category.
Disorders – brief review of disorders within this category. Highlight one symptom that
makes this disorder different than all the other disorders in this category (example: in the
Depressive disorders all the disorders are characterized by feelings of sadness. Highlight what
makes each diagnosis different: time frames, severity, types of symptoms, etc.)
DSM-5 SUMMARIES
All of the following information was taken from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th Edition
(American Psychological Association, 2013) unless otherwise noted.
Bipolar and Related Disorders
Overview
Bipolar and other related disorders have been identified as brain disorders that cause
extreme fluctuations in a person’s life. These fluctuations may be exhibited in mood, tolerance,
behavior, activity level, and function. Often the diagnostic criteria for bipolar and related
disorders boils down to symptomatology, family history, and genetics. Diagnoses encapsulated
by bipolar are bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder, substance/medication-induced bipolar
and related disorder, bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition, other specific
bipolar and related disorder, and unspecified bipolar and related disorder.
Disorders
Within diagnosing bipolar I disorder it is necessary to analyze that the individual is
experiencing manic-depressive episodes with and without psychotic episodes that interfere with
their functioning. Bipolar II is diagnosed with the difference of the individual experiencing
alternating major depressive and hypomanic episodes that are mild-moderate and typically do not
cause impairment. Whereas cyclothymic disorder is chronic cycle of fluctuating mood
disturbances, periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depressive periods that are
distinguishable from one another. The remaining disorders whether substance/medication
induced, comorbid, specified or unspecified, vary depending on onset and environmental factors.
Depressive Disorders
Overview
Depressive disorders have been identified as disorders that are distinguished by a
presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood, paired with somatic and cognitive changes that impact
the individual’s functionality. Depressive disorders include disruptive mood dysregulation
disorder, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric
disorder, substance/medication-induced depressive disorder, depressive disorder due to another
medical condition, other specified depressive disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder.
Disorders Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder includes chronic, severe and persistent
irritability that is either in the form of frequent temper outbursts or persistent angry mood. Major
depressive disorder is diagnosed when an individual experiences at least 5 of the following
symptoms within a 2-week period: depressed mood, decreased interest in daily activities,
significant weight loss or gain, mental sluggishness, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and guilt,
decrease in concentration, reoccurring thoughts of death or suicide. Persistent depressive
disorder is essentially prolonged major depressive disorder (MDD) that is characterized after 2
years of reported MDD. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is diagnosed by the individual
(female) through expressions of mood lability, irritability dysphoria and anxiety symptoms that
occur repeatedly prior to menses, alleviate on the onset of menses, and subside post menses. The
remaining disorders whether substance/medication induced, comorbid, specified or unspecified,
vary depending on onset and environmental factors.
Anxiety Disorders
Overview
Anxiety disorders are diagnosed by expressions of excessive fear and anxiety. Each
diagnosis differs from one another based off of the various types of objects or situations that
cause the aforementioned expressions. Anxiety disorders include separation anxiety disorder,
social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety disorder due to
another medical condition, other specified anxiety disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder.
Disorders Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when an individual experiences feeling
of fear or anxiety regarding being separated from home or attachment figures. Social anxiety
disorder is diagnosed by expressions of fear and anxiety related to an individual engaging in peer
settings where they may be scrutinized by others. Panic disorder describes repeated experiences
of intense fear or discomfort, or panic attacks, that spikes within minutes generally accompanied
by up to 13 physical/cognitive symptoms. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) caries the
essential feature of excessive anxiety and worry about several events. The remaining disorders
whether substance/medication induced, comorbid, specified or unspecified, vary depending on
onset and environmental factors.
Substance-related and Addictive Disorders
Overview
Substance-related and addictive disorders are identified as disorders resulting from the
use of 10 classes of drugs: alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids,
sedatives, hypnotics/anxiolytics, stimulants, tobacco, and other unknown substances. Substance
related disorders are activated through the brains reward system.
Disorders
Substance-induced disorders are characterized by the development of a reversible
syndrome due to recently ingesting a specific substance. Aside from the differing symptoms
related to specific substance use, the remaining disorders are delineated based upon the specific
substance ingested.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Overview
Disorders
Intellectual
Communication
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Specific Learning Disorder
Motor Disorder
Personality Disorders
Overview
Disorders
General Personality Disorder
Cluster A Personality Disorders
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Cluster B Personality Disorders
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Cluster C Personality Disorders
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Dependent Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
DISCUSSION POST
In basic terminology, psychopathology is the study of mental disorders, and their various
components. Psychopathology was originally coined by a psychiatrist by the name of Karl
Jaspers in 1913. From that point on it began to further shape the mental health field, as well as
the framework by which mental disorders are understood, assessed, diagnosed and treated.
Often times religion and psychopathology have had a relationship of negative framing, wherein
the beliefs arousing from religion shape a person’s understanding of mental illness. In Modern
Psychopathologies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal (2016), Christianity is described as a
religion that juxtaposes good versus evil, angels versus demons, and hell versus heaven (p. 90).
When Christianity has been in close communion with our understanding of mental illness, many
have turned to the supernatural phenomena in hopes of solving the abnormalities of
psychopathology. Although this is one of the general ways in which psychopathology is observed
through a Christian lens, I would argue that it is only a fraction of the truth.
Biblical scripture illustrates the beautiful depiction of God’s craftmanship by providing a
worldview that addresses the intention, sin, and redemption of our world. The Christian world
view is one that emphasizes God’s good works in all things (New International Version, 2011,
Genesis 1:31), as well as the fallen nature of our world during Adam and Eve’s sin in the
beginning of creation. These views may appear oppositional, but it allows humans to perceive
the nature of our world. That there is beauty and intentionality in all things created by God but
sin through the human condition has brought depravity and abnormalities to God’s creation.
Though the nature of our human hearts displays the fallenness of our world, it is important to see
that God does not leave us in this condition. In Psalm 30, creation is reminded that God has herd
our cry for help and has taken it upon himself to provide us with rescue from the pit in order that
his praises are not silenced by the darkness of this world (2011). This saving grace aids in
shaping our understanding of mental health, psychopathology, and the abnormalities or
symptoms of the aforementioned.
McRay, B. W., Yarhouse, M. A., & Butman, R. E. (2016). Modern psychopathologies: A
comprehensive Christian appraisal (2nd ed.). InterVarsity Press.
New International Version. (2011). BibleGateway.com.
www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#booklis
