Mental Health Disorders, CBT, and Ashtanga Yoga

Posted on Jun 9, 2026 in Psychology

Common Learning Disabilities

  • Dyslexia: Affects reading, spelling, and writing. It involves difficulty recognizing words, decoding sounds, or reading fluently.
  • Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Difficulty processing sounds and spoken language. It involves trouble following verbal instructions or distinguishing similar sounds.

Mental Health Disorders and Symptoms

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD has two main types of symptoms: obsessions and compulsions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological treatment that helps people understand how their thoughts (cognitive), feelings, and behaviors are connected—and how changing negative thinking can improve emotions and actions.

Main Techniques Used in CBT

  1. Cognitive Restructuring
  2. Behavioral Activation
  3. Exposure Therapy
  4. Problem-Solving Skills
  5. Relaxation Techniques

Bipolar Affective Disorder

Bipolar Affective Disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme mood changes:

  • Manic episode (high mood): ⬆️
  • Depression episode (low mood): ⬇️

Main Types of ADHD

  • Predominantly Inattentive Type: Difficulty focusing, easily distracted, and forgetful.
  • Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Excessive movement, restlessness, and impulsive actions.
  • Combined Type: Both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People may lose touch with reality (called psychosis).

Types of Schizophrenia

  • Paranoid schizophrenia
  • Disorganized (hebephrenic)
  • Catatonic
  • Undifferentiated

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

  • Positive Symptoms (added experiences): Hallucinations and delusions.
  • Negative Symptoms (loss of normal functions): Lack of emotions and social withdrawal.
  • Cognitive Symptoms: Poor memory and difficulty concentrating.

Psychiatric Medications

  • Anti-anxiety Drugs: Diazepam, Alprazolam, Lorazepam, Buspirone.
  • Antidepressants: Fluoxetine, Sertraline.
  • Mood Stabilizers: Lithium (most common), Valproate, Carbamazepine.

Anxiety Disorders and Amnesia

Anxiety Disorder

An anxiety disorder is a mental condition in which a person feels excessive fear, worry, or nervousness that is strong, long-lasting, and affects daily life.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Panic Disorder
  • Phobia
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Types of Amnesia

  • Retrograde Amnesia: Loss of past memories (before the event).
  • Anterograde Amnesia: Inability to form new memories.
  • Dissociative Amnesia: Memory loss due to psychological trauma or stress.

Psychological Treatments and Therapies

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a method of treating mental disorders by talking and interacting with a trained therapist. It helps a person understand feelings, thoughts, and behavior and improve mental health.

Psychoanalysis Therapy

Main Techniques of Psychoanalysis

  • Free Association: Patient speaks whatever comes to mind freely.
  • Dream Analysis: Dreams reveal hidden unconscious thoughts.
  • Interpretation: Therapist explains hidden meanings.
  • Transference: Patient transfers feelings about others onto the therapist.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

REBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps people identify and change irrational (unrealistic) beliefs that cause emotional problems. Developed by Albert Ellis, it uses the ABC Model.

The ABC Model (Core Concept)

  • A – Activating Event: Something happens.
  • B – Belief: What you think about it.
  • C – Consequence: Emotional or behavioral reaction.

REBT focuses on changing B (beliefs).

Conversion Reaction

Conversion reaction is a condition where psychological stress or conflict is converted into physical symptoms without any medical cause.

Ashtanga Yoga: The Eight Limbs

Ashtanga Yoga is a system of yoga with eight limbs (steps) for achieving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

  1. Yama (Moral Discipline): Social rules of behavior (e.g., non-violence, truthfulness).
  2. Niyama (Personal Discipline): Self-discipline and purity (e.g., cleanliness, self-control).
  3. Asana (Postures): Physical exercises that help body strength and flexibility.
  4. Pranayama (Breathing Control): Control of breath; improves energy and calmness.
  5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses): Controlling senses from external distractions.
  6. Dharana (Concentration): Focusing the mind on one object.
  7. Dhyana (Meditation): Continuous deep meditation.
  8. Samadhi (Self-realization): Highest stage of peace and enlightenment.

Understanding Abnormality in Psychology

Abnormality refers to behavior, thoughts, or emotions that are unusual, distressing, or harmful, and differ from what is considered normal.

Three Main Approaches to Abnormality

  1. Statistical Approach: Behavior is abnormal if it is rare or uncommon in society (e.g., very high or very low IQ).
  2. Evaluative (Social Norm) Approach: Behavior is abnormal if it violates social norms or rules (e.g., talking loudly in public without reason).
  3. Practical (Functional) Approach: Behavior is abnormal if it affects daily functioning (e.g., unable to work, study, or maintain relationships).

The 4 D’s of Abnormality

  • Deviance: Behavior differs from social norms.
  • Distress: Causes emotional suffering.
  • Dysfunction: Interferes with daily life.
  • Danger: Risk of harm to self or others.