Chapter 12 Neurosis and Disorders Outline

Neurosis/Disorders
Chapter 12


Anxiety
Neuroses are a continuum. Not given meds.
(psychosis need rx)
Neurotics can work and have a normal life.
Neurosis = light Neurotics are outpatients
Psychosis = heavy Psychotics are inpatients.
I Anxiety neurosis: The typical anxiety neurotic is an excessively tense person who is filled with uncontrollable dread and apprehension. He may be convinced that something terrible is going to happen, but he doesn’t know what it will be or why it should happen. It is only when the level of persistent anxiety reaches a point where the symptoms interfere with family life, social relations, or occupational adjustment that the condition is looked upon as a neurosis. While anxiety reactions are widely prevalent it is well to remember that many organic states show symptoms similar to those seen in anxiety.
II Phobic Reactions: Phobias are irrational fears. They attack everyone.
A. Acrophobia: fear of heights. Usually a defense against a self-destructive impulse.
B. Claustrophobia: fear of small, closed spaces.
C. agoraphobia: (social phobia) fear of being out with other people.
III Obsessive-Compulsive Reaction: Compulsions are obsessions carried into action. While it is possible for a person to show obsessive thinking without a compulsion, compulsive behavior is always based upon an obsession. An obsession is a thought. You can be obsessed and never carry it out.
A. Kleptomania: compulsive stealing. Usually a defiance of authority or a need to be caught. (go in trance, don’t remember. Must bring it to their attention)
B. Pyromania: compulsive concern with fire
C. Hypochondria: a person believes he has a physical disease where there is no real evidence for such a disease. It is an extreme pre-occupation with bodily affairs. If one is sick, poor performance is excused.
D. Conversion reaction (aka somatoform disorder): Conversion = change into something else. In this disorder the unconscious anxiety growing out of inner conflict is changed or converted into a physical symptom. While the hypochondriac merely complains, the conversion person attempts to rid themselves of the threat of anxiety by expressing it in the form of paralysis, deafness, blindness, etc. Rather than being expressed consciously the emotional conflicts which would otherwise give rise to anxiety are given symbolic external forms. Repressed ideas and impulses along with the defenses are against them are converted into physical disorders and disabilities. Conversion symptoms are expressed through the sensory system and the motor system.
IV PTSD