Psychological Disorders

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

In this episode, we dive into psychological disorders, a crucial topic for the Psych/Soc section of the MCAT. We’ll start by defining what a psychological disorder is, highlighting key concepts like significant stress and deviant behavior, and discussing how they’re classified using the DSM-5.

You'll learn about various categories of disorders, including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, and more. We’ll explore the biopsychosocial and biomedical approaches to understanding these conditions, providing insight into the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to mental health issues.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the different types of psychological disorders and how they are categorized and treated, helping you tackle related questions on the MCAT.

Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT. Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro: Med School Coach promotion and podcast introduction

(01:03) Overview of Psychological Disorders: Episode topics and structure

(02:13) Defining Psychological Disorders: Significant stress and deviant behavior

(05:29) Biopsychosocial vs. Biomedical Approaches: Holistic vs. traditional perspectives

(09:18) DSM-5 Classification of Psychological Disorders: Overview of main categories

(10:37) Anxiety Disorders: Fear and anxiety beyond normal levels

(16:43) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Obsessions and compulsions explained

(18:20) Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders: PTSD and related disorders

(19:19) Somatic Symptom Disorders: Physical symptoms causing mental distress

(22:01) Bipolar and Related Disorders: Mood swings and differentiating Bipolar I and II