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.
Major Psychological Disorders
This section introduces the major categories of psychological disorders, beginning with Anxiety Disorders. Anxiety is defined as a diffuse, unpleasant feeling of fear and apprehension, accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweating, dizziness, and tremors. Normal anxiety motivates performance, but excessive anxiety that disrupts functioning is pathological. Types of anxiety disorders include Generalised Anxiety Disorder (persistent, vague fears without specific cause), Panic Disorder (recurrent intense terror attacks), Phobias (irrational fears of specific objects or situations), and Separation Anxiety Disorder (excessive fear of separation from attachment figures). The section includes Table 4.1 listing major anxiety disorders and their symptoms. Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders involve uncontrollable preoccupations (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) such as excessive hand washing or checking. Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following traumatic events, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness. Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders involve physical symptoms without biological cause, such as conversion disorder and illness anxiety disorder. Dissociative Disorders involve disruptions in consciousness, memory, and identity, including dissociative amnesia and dissociative identity disorder (multiple personalities).
📊 Diagram: Table on page 9 (5×1): Major Anxiety Disorders and their Symptoms
🧪 Activity: Activity 4.3: Recall feelings before Class X Board exams, note bodily and mental symptoms, compare with classmates, and classify anxiety as mild, moderate, or severe.
🔗 Connection: Leads to detailed discussion of other major disorders such as depressive, bipolar, schizophrenia, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Table on page 9 (5×1)
| 1. Generalised Anxiety Disorder: prolonged, vague, unexplained and intense fears that have no object, accompanied by hypervigilance and motor tension. |
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| 2. Panic Disorder: frequent anxiety attacks characterised by feelings of intense terror and dread; unpredictable ‘panic attacks’ along with physiological symptoms like breathlessness, palpitations, trembling, dizziness, and a sense of loosing control or even dying. |
| 3. Specific Phobia: irrational fears related to specific objects, interactions with others, and unfamiliar situations. |
| 4. Separation Anxiety Disorder: extreme distress when expecting or going through separation from home or other significant people to whom the individual is immensely attached to. |
| 5. Other disorders included under this category are Selective Mutism, Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder, Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical condition, etc. |
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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