Page 142 - Advanced Biblical Counseling Student Textbook

“Psychologists define a psychological disorder broadly as psychological dysfunction in an individual that
is associated with distress or impairment and a reaction that is not culturally expected. When
considering if something is a symptom of a disorder, consider the three Ds: Is it
psychologically dysfunctional? Is it distressing or handicapping to the individual or others? Is it
associated with a response that is atypical or deviant?” 202

“Standards for deviance also vary by context and by culture. In one context wartime-mass killing may be
viewed as normal and even heroic. In some contexts, people are
presumed deranged when they hear voices. But in cultures practicing
ancestor worship, people may claim to talk with the dead and not be
seen as disordered because other people find them rational.” 203

“Deviant and distressful behaviors are more likely to be considered
disordered when also judged to be a harmful dysfunction. If a
behavior becomes disabling, it is not a typical behavior. An intense
fear of spiders may be deviant (unusual), but if it doesn’t impair your
life it is not a disorder. Psychological disorders are diagnosed using a
book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
5 (or the DSM-5). The DSM-5 is a helpful and practical tool to help
psychologists diagnose disorders. 204 The manual is put together by
the American Psychiatric Association and is used by counselors,
researchers, health insurance companies and policy makers. If we
were meeting in person, I would bring my DSM to show you the layout
of the book. It is an interesting manual to look through. (DSM-5 photo from
psychcentral.com)

“Mental disorders include: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychoses
(characterized by an impaired relationship with reality), anxiety disorders, dementia and developmental
disorders including autism. There are effective strategies for preventing mental disorders such as
depression. There are also effective treatments for mental disorders and ways to alleviate the suffering
caused by them. Access to health care and social services capable of providing treatment and social
support is key to treating mental disorders. The burden of mental disorders continues to grow with
significant impacts on health and major social, human rights and economic consequences in all countries
of the world.” 205 Let’s spend some time briefly looking at several different mental disorders. We’ll first
look at anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Disorders
“Anxiety disorders are psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or
maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety.” 206 According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness
(NAMI), “We all experience anxiety. For example, speaking in front of a group can make us anxious, but
that anxiety also motivates us to prepare and practice. Driving in heavy traffic is another common

202 Broadway, 2015
203 Myers, 2009.
204 Myers, 2012.
205 “Mental Disorders,” p. 1, 2019.
206 Myers, 2012.

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