Psychological Disorders | Class 12 Psychology Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
Psychological Disorders – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Psychological Disorders from Class 12 Psychology, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders manifest early in development, often before school age, affecting personal, social, academic, and occupational functioning. Key disorders include Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability, and Specific Learning Disorder. ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Children with ADHD struggle to sustain attention, follow instructions, control impulses, and remain still. Autism Spectrum Disorder involves impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted repetitive behaviours. Many children with ASD have intellectual disabilities. Intellectual Disability involves below-average intellectual functioning (IQ ~70 or below) and deficits in adaptive behaviour such as communication, self-care, and social skills, manifesting before age 18. Specific Learning Disorder involves difficulties in reading, writing, or mathematics despite normal intelligence, affecting academic performance. Early identification and intervention are crucial to prevent chronic problems.
📊 Diagram: Table on page 17 (6×4): Characteristics of Individuals with Different Levels of Intellectual Disability
🔗 Connection: Leads to Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders.
Table on page 17 (6×4)
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-help Skills | Feeds and dresses self and cares for own toilet needs | Has difficulties and requires training but can learn adequate self-help skills | No skills to partial skills, but some can care for personal needs on limited basis |
| Speech and Communication | Receptive and expressive language is adequate; understands communication | Receptive and expressive language is adequate; has speech problems | Receptive language is limited; expressive language is poor |
| Academics | Optimal learning environment; third to sixth grade | Very few academic skills; first or second grade is maximal | No academic skills |
| Social Skills | Has friends; can learn to adjust quickly | Capable of making friends but has difficulty in many social situations | Not capable of having real friends; no social interactions |
| Vocational Adjustment | Can hold a job; competitive to semi-competitive; primarily unskilled work | Sheltered work environment; usually needs consistent supervision | Generally no employment; usually needs constant care |
| Adult Living | Usually marries, has children; needs help during stress | Usually does not marry or have children; dependent | No marriage or children; always dependent on others |
Frequently asked questions
Identify the symptoms associated with depression and mania.
Depression symptoms include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, changes in appetite or sleep, and difficulty concentrating. Mania symptoms include elevated mood, increased energy, reduced need for sleep, rapid speech, inflated self-esteem, and impulsive behavior.
Describe the characteristics of children with hyperactivity.
Children with hyperactivity often display excessive movement, difficulty staying seated, impulsiveness, difficulty focusing, and may interrupt others. They may also have trouble completing tasks and show restlessness.
What are the consequences of alcohol substance addiction?
Consequences of alcohol addiction include physical health problems like liver damage, cardiovascular diseases, neurological impairments, social problems such as family conflicts, job loss, legal issues, and psychological problems including depression and anxiety.
Can a distorted body image lead to eating disorders? Classify the various forms of it.
Yes, a distorted body image can lead to eating disorders. Eating disorders are characterized by abnormal eating habits and preoccupation with body weight or shape. The main types include Anorexia Nervosa (self-starvation and excessive weight loss), Bulimia Nervosa (binge eating followed by purging), and Binge Eating Disorder (recurrent episodes of eating large quantities without purging).
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