Abnormal Psychology

Preface xxix

Learning About Disorders: Consolidated Tables to

Consolidate Learning

In addition to explaining each disorder in the text, we provide two types of tables to

help students organize and consolidate information related to diagnosis: DSM-IV-

TR diagnostic criteria tables, and Facts at a Glance tables.

DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria Tables

The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of psychiatric disorders—the

Mental Disorders The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of

(DSM-IV-TR)—provides tables of the diagnostic criteria for each of the listed

disorders. For each disorder that we discuss at length, we present its full DSM-IV-TR

diagnostic criteria table so that students become familiar with how the diagnostic

criteria are presented in the manual; the criteria—and criticisms of them—are also

explained in the text itself.

In Chapter 7, for example, full DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria tables are included

for generalized anxiety disorder, panic attack, panic disorder (with or without

agoraphobia), agoraphobia, social phobia, specifi c phobia, obsessive-compulsive

disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Facts at a Glance Tables for Disorders

An important innovation is summary tables that provide key facts about prevalence,

comorbidity, onset, course, and gender and cultural factors for each disorder. These

facts are presented in easy-to-read tables, which are titled with the name of the

disorder, followed by the term Facts at a Glance (for instance, Obsessive-Compulsive

Disorder Facts at a Glance). These tables give students the opportunity to access this

relevant information in one place and to compare and contrast the facts for various

disorders.

Table 3.4 • DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Schizophrenia

A. Characteristic symptoms: Two (or more) of the following, with each being pres-

ent for a signifi cant portion of time during a 1-month period:

(1) delusions

(2) hallucinations

(3) disorganized speech (evidenced by sentences that make no sense because

words are scrambled and the thoughts appear disconnected).

(4) grossly disorganized behavior (including diffi culty with daily tasks such as

organizing a meal or maintaining proper hygiene).

Note: The fi rst four symptoms are often referred to as positive symptoms, because

they suggest the presence of an excess or distortion of normal functions.

(5) negative symptoms (which indicate an absence of normal functions), such as

a failure to express or respond to emotion; slow, empty replies to questions;

or an inability to initiate goal-directed behavior.

Note: Only one Criterion A symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or

hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person’s

behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.

B. Social/occupational dysfunction: Since the disturbance began, one or more

major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are

markedly below the level achieved before the disturbance appeared.

C. Duration: Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least 6 months,

with at least 1 month of symptoms that meet Criterion A.

Source: Reprinted with permission from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,

Text Revision, Fourth Edition, (Copyright 2000) American Psychiatric Association.