In the previous post, we explored how physical (somatic) symptoms can lead some individuals to experience psychological and/or behavioral distress. In this post, I’ll describe Somatic Symptom Disorder as well as two related disorders, using my own words.
After discussing Dissociative Disorders, the diagnostic manual takes a new direction. It moves to a category of disorders known as somatic disorders.
The word "somatic" is related to the Greek word soma, which means "body." Somatic symptoms are physical symptoms. But why should clinical psychology be concerned with physical symptoms? Let me explain in my own words.
In previous posts, we saw that dissociation is often a consequence of a traumatic event. Traumas can lead to two other types of dissociative disorders:
Have you ever heard of multiple personalities? Those who enjoy thrillers (like the movie Split) may have come across this term. The technical name for this condition is Dissociative Identity Disorder.
After covering disorders related to traumatic and stressful events, the diagnostic manual (DSM-5) continues with Dissociative Disorders. In previous posts, I mentioned the term dissociation but never delved into it, so now is the right time to explain it in my own words.
The overview of disorders related to traumatic and stressful events concludes with Adjustment Disorder. But what does "adjustment" mean in this context? Let's try to understand it in my own words.
Following the discussion on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the DSM-5 diagnostic manual continues with Acute Stress Disorder (ASD). This disorder shares similarities with PTSD, so I’ll explain it by drawing parallels between the two. Let’s explore, in my own words, the criteria for diagnosing Acute Stress Disorder.
After learning a bit about the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), let’s now look at it from a clinical perspective. Specifically, what are the conditions that allow PTSD to be diagnosed according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition)?
Among the disorders related to traumatic and stressful events, the most well-known is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly referred to by its acronym PTSD. Before we delve into it from a clinical perspective, let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of PTSD.
The first two disorders within the category of trauma-related disorders pertain to attachment issues in childhood.
Following the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, the diagnostic manual continues with Disorders Related to Traumatic and Stressful Events. Let's try to understand what trauma and stress are, and what these disorders have in common.
To conclude our journey through Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, let's discuss two disorders where the compulsion is directed towards oneself: Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) and Excoriation Disorder (skin-picking disorder). I'll try to explain them in my own words.
Among obsessive-compulsive disorders, there is Hoarding Disorder. Let's understand what is hoarded, how it is hoarded, why it is hoarded, and when this behavior warrants the attention of a clinician. I'll try to answer these questions in my own words.
In the previous post, we defined obsessions and compulsions. Now that we are familiar with these terms, we are ready to discuss Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
After Anxiety Disorders, the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) continues with Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. To understand these disorders, we need to know what an obsession is—distinguishing it from other forms of repetitive thoughts—and what a compulsion is. As usual, I will try to explain this in my own words.
With Separation Anxiety Disorder, Phobias, and Social Anxiety Disorder, we observed that fear and anxiety are associated with specific contexts. However, in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), excessive anxiety and worry pertain to more general contexts. For children and adolescents, these might include school or sports performance, while for adults, they might include family well-being or personal health.
In this "journey through anxiety," we have noted that anxiety disorders involve exaggerated fear or anxiety relative to the situation. Fear and anxiety are emotions we naturally experience under certain circumstances, but when these emotions are excessive and repetitive, they might fall under the definition of a disorder. Panic is also a form of fear, and to distinguish it from general fear or anxiety, the diagnostic manual (DSM-5) provides specific criteria.
Another way to define Social Anxiety Disorder is Social Phobia. We have already encountered the word "phobia" and have a rough understanding of the concept. A phobia is a disproportionate fear learned in the natural environment around us. However, today, humans also live in an elaborate and complex social environment.
Anxiety disorders include phobias. Can you imagine why? In my introduction to anxiety, I defined it as a form of "anticipatory fear" disproportionate to the situation. Phobias fall under this definition. I'm sure you've heard various names related to phobias. If I had to identify two common phobias, I think of arachnophobia (fear of spiders) or claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces). But how does a phobia develop? I'll try to explain it in my own words.
The first anxiety disorder indicated in the DSM-5 diagnostic manual is Separation Anxiety Disorder. This is a typical problem of childhood and youth, connected to "attachment wounds." But what is attachment?
Last time, we talked about fear and defined it as the emotion felt in response to an imminent threat that triggers immediate physiological responses. Anxiety, on the other hand, is the state activated in response to a probable future threat and generates muscle tension and vigilance (i.e., focused attention on the situation).
After the Depressive Disorders, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) discusses Anxiety Disorders. Before delving into anxiety, I’d like to talk about an emotion related to it, namely fear. What is the difference between fear and anxiety? Fear is a basic emotion that activates in response to an immediate danger, whereas anxiety is a complex emotion based on the threat of a future danger.
After discussing the symptoms of Depression, we can finally classify these two disorders:
For those who are learning a bit about clinical aspects through these posts, perhaps you've become familiar with the concepts of symptoms and disorders. To diagnose a disorder, you need to have a certain number of symptoms for a specific period under certain conditions. Before discussing Major Depression and Persistent Depression, let's explore the symptoms of depression.
The first depressive disorder we encounter in the diagnostic manual (DSM-5) is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. A very long name, so let's break it down to understand its meaning.
After Bipolar Disorder, the diagnostic manual continues with Depressive Disorders. The word "depression" is familiar to us, likely due to its prevalence; it's easier to have direct or indirect experiences with someone who has suffered or is suffering from depression. Therefore, I expect that even a reader not versed in the subject has a greater awareness of what Depression is compared to Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia.
