Verified for the 2025 AP Psychology (2025) exam•6 min read•Last Updated on March 5, 2025
Psychological disorders are complex conditions that affect a person's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Understanding how to identify, classify, and explain these disorders is crucial for mental health professionals and researchers.
Various perspectives, including behavioral, cognitive, and biological, offer different insights into the causes and treatments of mental disorders. The biopsychosocial model and diathesis-stress model provide integrated approaches to understanding these complex conditions.
Psychologists look at several factors to determine whether a person has a psychological disorder. These factors help distinguish between typical behavior and signs of mental health concerns.
Since mental health exists on a spectrum, no single factor alone determines a disorder. Instead, psychologists consider a combination of these factors to assess and diagnose mental health conditions.
Classifying psychological disorders can have both benefits and challenges. The effects of a diagnosis depend on the nature of the disorder, the individual receiving it, and the cultural and societal context.
Positive effects of diagnosis:
Negative effects of diagnosis:
Diagnosing psychological disorders requires specialized training and the use of evidence-based tools. Mental health professionals rely on classification systems to ensure accurate and consistent diagnoses.
Two major classification systems are used worldwide. These systems are regularly updated to reflect new research and improvements in mental health treatment. Using standardized guidelines helps ensure that diagnoses are based on scientific evidence rather than personal opinions or cultural biases. Proper diagnosis allows individuals to receive the right treatment and support for their mental health needs.
The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual):
The ICD (International Classification of Diseases):
Psychologists use different perspectives to understand and diagnose mental disorders. Each perspective focuses on different causes and contributing factors, helping to create a more complete picture of mental health.
Most psychologists use an eclectic approach, meaning they draw from multiple psychological perspectives when diagnosing and treating clients. Instead of relying on just one theory or method, they combine different approaches to best fit the needs of each individual.
This approach allows psychologists to:
Mental disorders can develop through learned associations between experiences and responses. If a person repeatedly connects a situation with stress or fear, they may develop unhealthy behaviors in response.
Unconscious thoughts and early life experiences shape mental health. Many emotional struggles may come from conflicts or unresolved feelings buried in the subconscious.
Mental disorders may arise when people feel disconnected, unsupported, or unable to reach their full potential. A lack of personal growth and social support can lead to distress.
The way people think affects how they feel and behave. Negative thought patterns, unrealistic beliefs, and distorted perceptions can lead to mental health challenges.
Some behaviors and mental processes that were once useful for survival may contribute to psychological disorders today. Traits that helped early humans adapt might now lead to difficulties in modern life.
Social and cultural environments shape mental health. The way people experience and express psychological distress can be influenced by relationships, community expectations, and societal pressures.
Mental disorders can have a physiological or genetic basis. Brain function, neurotransmitters, and inherited traits all play a role in mental health.
Psychological disorders do not usually have a single cause. Instead, they develop through a combination of different influences. Interaction models help explain how biological, psychological, and environmental factors work together to shape mental health.
This model suggests that mental disorders result from a mix of biological, psychological, and social factors. No single factor alone causes a disorder, but instead, they interact to influence a person’s mental health.
Because this model considers multiple influences, treatment often combines medical, psychological, and social support approaches. Therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes may all play a role in improving mental health.
This model explains that some people have a genetic or biological vulnerability to developing a disorder, but it only becomes active when combined with stressful life events.
For example, someone with a family history of depression may not develop symptoms unless they go through a stressful event, such as job loss or a major life change. This model highlights the importance of both genetics and environment in shaping mental health.