Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

BECOMING AN 
INFORMED CONSUMER 
of Psychology
Deciding When You Need Help
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R E C A P / E V A L U A T E / R E T H I N K 
R E C A P 
How prevalent are psychological disorders?
• About half the people in the United States are likely to 
experience a psychological disorder at some point in 
their lives; 30% experience a disorder in any specifi c 
year. (p. 534)
What indicators signal a need for the help of a mental health 
practitioner?
• The signals that indicate a need for professional help 
include long-term feelings of psychological distress, 
feelings of inability to cope with stress, withdrawal from 
other people, thoughts of infl icting harm on oneself or 
suicide, prolonged feelings of hopelessness, chronic 
physical problems with no apparent causes, phobias and 
compulsions, paranoia, and an inability to interact with 
others. (p. 539)
E VA LU AT E
1. The latest version of DSM is considered to be the 
conclusive guideline on defi ning psychological disorders. 
True or false?
2.
, characterized by 
severe, incapacitating mood changes or depression related 
to a woman’s menstrual cycle, was eventually added to 
the appendix of DSM-IV-TR despite controversy 
surrounding its inclusion.
3.
Match the disorder with the culture in which it is most 
common:
1.
amok
a. India
2. anorexia nervosa
b.
Malaysia
3. brain fag
c.
United States