Home › Free notes › Class 12 Psychology › Psychological Disorders

Psychological Disorders – Class 12 Psychology notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Psychology, chapter 4. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Psychological disorders are patterns of behaviour, thought and emotion that are deviant, distressing, dysfunctional and sometimes dangerous. Views of abnormality have changed from supernatural explanations to scientific models. Disorders are classified in systems such as the DSM (American Psychiatric Association) and ICD (World Health Organization). Their causes involve biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors, best understood through the diathesis-stress model. Stigma prevents many people from seeking help, though disorders are treatable.

Concepts and causes

The four Ds: deviance (different from social norms), distress (unpleasant for the person), dysfunction (interferes with daily life) and danger (to self or others).
Historical views moved from supernatural ideas to biological and psychological explanations; the modern biopsychosocial approach combines biological (genes, brain chemistry), psychological (thinking, learning, early experiences) and socio-cultural factors (poverty, discrimination, family).
The diathesis-stress model says disorders develop when a biological or psychological vulnerability (diathesis) interacts with stressful life conditions.

Major disorders

Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias and social anxiety; obsessive-compulsive disorder involves intrusive thoughts and repetitive acts; trauma-related disorders include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mood disorders include major depressive disorder (persistent low mood and loss of interest) and bipolar disorder (alternating depression and mania); schizophrenia involves positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations) and negative symptoms (flat affect, social withdrawal).
Other categories include somatic symptom disorders, dissociative disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability), behavioural disorders in children, feeding and eating disorders, and substance-related disorders; anyone facing difficulties should consult a qualified professional.

Key terms

Psychological disorder: a pattern of deviant, distressing and dysfunctional behaviour
Diathesis-stress model: disorders result from vulnerability interacting with stress
Phobia: an irrational and intense fear of a specific object or situation
Delusion: a false belief held firmly despite contrary evidence
Hallucination: a perception without an external stimulus

Important questions with answers

What is the diathesis-stress model?2 marks

The diathesis-stress model states that psychological disorders develop when a predisposition or vulnerability (diathesis), such as genetic or early-experience factors, interacts with stressful life events. Either factor alone may not be enough to cause the disorder.

Explain the four Ds used to identify abnormal behaviour.3 marks

Deviance means behaviour differs markedly from social norms; distress means the person feels upset or uncomfortable; dysfunction means behaviour interferes with daily activities such as work and relationships; danger means behaviour may harm the person or others. These criteria are used together, not alone.

Describe major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.5 marks

Mood disorders involve disturbances in a person's emotional state. Major depressive disorder is characterised by a persistent depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities for at least two weeks, along with other symptoms such as changes in appetite and weight, sleep problems, fatigue and loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty in concentrating, and slowed or agitated movements. It interferes with work, study and relationships. Risk factors include genetic vulnerability, imbalance in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, negative thinking patterns, stressful life events and lack of social support. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression alternating with episodes of mania. During mania, the person may show excessively elevated or irritable mood, inflated self-esteem, reduced need for sleep, rapid speech, racing thoughts, distractibility and risky behaviour such as overspending. Bipolar disorder has a strong genetic component. Both disorders are treatable through medication prescribed by psychiatrists and psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, along with family support and a healthy routine. Early help from a qualified mental health professional improves outcomes, and reducing stigma encourages people to seek treatment.

Quick revision

Four Ds and models of abnormality.
DSM and ICD classification.
Diathesis-stress model.
Anxiety, OCD, PTSD, mood disorders, schizophrenia, neurodevelopmental disorders.

Exam tips

Learn the four Ds of abnormality.
Distinguish positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Practice MCQs

An irrational, intense fear of a specific object is a
1. phobia
2. delusion
3. hallucination
4. obsession
Show answer
Answer: (a) phobia. Fear of heights is an example.
The classification system published by the World Health Organization is
1. DSM
2. ICD
3. MMPI
4. TAT
Show answer
Answer: (b) ICD. It is the International Classification of Diseases.
A perception without any external stimulus is
1. a hallucination
2. an illusion
3. a delusion
4. an obsession
Show answer
Answer: (a) a hallucination. Hearing voices is an example.
The model that explains disorders as vulnerability interacting with stress is the
1. medical model only
2. diathesis-stress model
3. supernatural model
4. humoral model
Show answer
Answer: (b) diathesis-stress model. Both factors are needed.
A disorder with alternating episodes of depression and mania is
1. bipolar disorder
2. generalised anxiety disorder
3. phobia
4. ADHD
Show answer
Answer: (a) bipolar disorder. Mood swings between extremes.
Repeated unwanted thoughts and ritual acts such as excessive hand-washing indicate
1. PTSD
2. schizophrenia
3. obsessive-compulsive disorder
4. autism
Show answer
Answer: (c) obsessive-compulsive disorder. The person feels unable to stop them.
Which is a negative symptom of schizophrenia
1. hallucinations
2. flat affect and social withdrawal
3. delusions of persecution
4. disorganised speech
Show answer
Answer: (b) flat affect and social withdrawal. Negative symptoms are deficits in normal functioning.
Why does stigma about psychological disorders matter
1. it improves recovery
2. it has no effect
3. it discourages people from seeking help and leads to discrimination
4. it cures disorders
Show answer
Answer: (c) it discourages people from seeking help and leads to discrimination. Awareness reduces stigma.

All chapters of Class 12 Psychology

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.