Psychological Disorders Class 12 Notes with Important Questions & PDF 

Article Summary

• Psychological disorders are defined by the 4Ds framework — Deviance (unusual behavior), Dysfunction (impaired daily functioning), Distress (unpleasant to self or others), and Danger (harmful to self or others) — with major categories including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and substance-related disorders as per DSM-5.
• Key disorder distinctions examiners test include: delusions (false beliefs, e.g., persecution or grandeur) vs. hallucinations (false sensory experiences like hearing voices), obsessions (repeated unwanted thoughts) vs. compulsions (repeated actions to reduce anxiety), and unipolar depression (low mood only) vs. bipolar disorder (alternating mania and depression phases).
• The Diathesis Stress Model explains that disorders develop when a biological or genetic predisposition (diathesis) is triggered by external stressors — with treatment approaches including CBT (combining cognitive restructuring with behavioral change), medication (antidepressants, antipsychotics), and community support programs for rehabilitation and family support.

Psychological disorders are an important topic in the Class 12 Psychology syllabus, especially for students preparing for board exams. These disorders affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviour, and understanding them helps in recognising mental health issues and their impact on daily life.

In this blog, you will find clear and concise Class 12 notes on psychological disorders, including their types, symptoms, causes, and treatment. Designed as per the NCERT syllabus, this guide will help you revise key concepts quickly and prepare effectively for exams with structured explanations and examples.

What are Psychological Disorders?

Psychological disorders, also known as mental disorders, are patterns of abnormal thoughts, feelings, or behaviours that cause distress or impair an individual’s daily functioning. These disorders are studied to understand human behaviour better and to provide effective treatment. 

A disorder is considered psychological when the symptoms cause significant stress, maladjustment, or interference with normal life activities like work, studies, relationships, or social interaction.

Treatment of Psychological Disorders

The treatment of psychological disorders varies depending on the type, severity, and needs of the patient. The main goal is to reduce symptoms, improve daily functioning, and help individuals live healthier lives. Treatments are often a combination of therapies, medicines, and lifestyle support. Here are some tips for the treatment of psychological disorders:

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is the most widely used treatment method. It involved a structured session with a trained psychologist or therapist.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is one of the most effective modern therapies. It combines cognitive therapy (changing faulty thinking patterns) with behavioural therapy (changing harmful behaviours).
• Medication (Drug Therapy): In some cases, medicines are prescribed to manage symptoms along with therapy. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, and antipsychotics.
• Support Group and Community Program: Patients often benefit from others with similar struggles. Support groups reduce feelings of isolation and provide emotional strength. Community mental health programs focus on rehabilitation, vocational training, and family support.
• Lifestyle Changes and Self-Care: Healthy lifestyle habits can significantly improve mental well-being. It reduces stress and boosts mood by releasing endorphins. Balanced Diet: Provides nutrients essential for brain function.

Concept of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

Before we begin our notes on Psychological Disorders Class 12, let’s understand the concept of abnormality and psychological disorders. The meaning of Abnormality can be aptly described with the help of 4Ds :

1. Deviance: Psychological disorders are characterised by Deviance, Unusual, Bizarre, Strange
2. Dysfunction: Interferes with the normal functioning of an individual.
3. Distress: It implies behaviour that is unpleasant and distressing to oneself and to others.
4. Danger: It means behaviour that is harmful and dangerous to the person concerned and others.

Approaches to Study Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

Psychological Disorders Class 12 also covers the different approaches to the study of abnormality and mental disorders:

• First Approach views abnormal behaviour as a deviation from social norms, and those who are not able to fit into society are viewed as deviants
• The second Approach is the maladaptive approach, according to which behaviour that does not help the other person in leading a fulfilling life should be viewed as abnormal.

Also Read: Types of Psychology Degrees, Colleges, Fees, Scope

Factors underlying Abnormal Behaviour

Factors Underlying Abnormal Behaviour explain the different reasons why psychological disorders develop. These include biological, psychological, and social influences that affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, and actions, leading to maladaptive or abnormal patterns of behaviour.

There are various factors underlying Abnormal Behaviour according to Psychological Disorders Class 12:

• Biological Model: A wide range of biological factors, like hormonal imbalances, faulty genes, and other factors, may have repercussions on the normal functioning and development of individuals. As per various research and studies, Abnormal activity by various neurotransmitters may lead to abnormal behaviour and Psychological disorders like schizophrenia, which may happen because of the high activity of dopamine, and depression may be due to the low activity of serotonin.

• Genetic Model: A lot of Psychological Disorders, like Schizophrenia, Depression, and Anxiety, happen because of hereditary factors and genetic mapping of individuals. These may be regressive in nature but can be triggered in an individual’s life by external stimuli.

• Psychological Model: According to Psychological Disorders Class 12, there are several Psychological factors due to which the development of Psychological Disorders may happen, and some of those factors are Maladaptive Family Structure, Faulty Parent-Child relationship, severe stress, maternal deprivation, etc. Various other psychological models, which provide a substantial explanation of Psychological disorders, are explained as follows:
  • Psychodynamic Model: focuses on the fact that human behaviour, whether normal or Abnormal, is a result of Psychological forces (Id, Ego, Superego) in the unconscious mind, and the relative strength of Id, Ego and Superego determines a person’s personality.
  • Behavioural Model: states that human behaviour, whether normal or Abnormal, can be learnt and unlearnt. Abnormal behaviour is a result of learning Maladaptive ways of Behaving. The three most eminent theories of the behavioural model are classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning.
  • Cognitive Model: states that Abnormal Behaviour is a consequence of faulty thinking and negative and irrational beliefs about oneself and others, and drawing broad negative conclusions on the basis of insignificant events results in abnormal behaviour.
  • Humanistic-Existential Model: views human beings in a positive light and believes that human beings are inherently positive, cooperative and can self-actualise. Those who lack meaning in their lives tend to lead empty, depressed and dysfunctional lives.
  • Socio-cultural model: Various socio-cultural factors like employment conditions, war, prejudice, discrimination, culture(collectivistic or individualistic) explain human behaviour, whether normal or Abnormal, in the best possible manner.
  • Diathesis Stress Model: As per this model, Psychological Disorders develop when a Diathesis (biological predisposition to the disorder) is set off by a stressful situation.

Major Psychological Disorders

Major Psychological Disorders cover the main categories of mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, and substance-related disorders. Understanding their symptoms and impact helps in identifying and managing them effectively.

According to Psychological Disorders Class 12, some major psychological disorders covered by DSM-5 are:

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is defined as a vague and unpleasant feeling of fear and apprehension, and some of its symptoms are rapid heart rate, fainting, dizziness, sweating, etc. The main types of anxiety disorders are described as follows:

Generalised Anxiety Disorders

• Consists of vague, intense and inexplicable phenomena that are not attributed to any particular object or cause. 
• Its symptoms are frequent worry, apprehension, hypervigilance that involves continuous scanning of dangers in the environment and motor tension. A person finds it pretty difficult to stay at ease and relax.

Panic Disorder

• Comprising frequent anxiety attacks in which the person experiences intense terror, and here, anxious thoughts are experienced due to a specific cause or stimulus.
• Symptoms include shortness of breath, choking, nausea, fear of going crazy or death, chest pain, etc.

Phobias 

According to Psychological Disorders Class 12, Phobias are defined as irrational fears related to a particular object, person or situation. Three types of Phobias are

1. Specific Phobias are highly irrational fears, such as fear of a specific type of animal or being enclosed in enclosed spaces
2. Social Phobias are defined as a feeling of intense fear and embarrassment when dealing with others in public
3. Agoraphobia is the fear of entering unfamiliar situations and people with agoraphobia have problems in leaving their home as well and thus due to which prevents them from carrying out their normal activities.

Separation Anxiety Disorders

It is defined as an intense fear of being separated from attachment figures to such an extent that it hinders their development as well. Children with Separation Anxiety Disorder show the following symptoms: they are reluctant to go to school alone, shadow every move of their parents and throw tantrums when they are away from their parents, even for a little while.

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

• People who suffer from OCD are preoccupied with a certain idea or thought, and they are unable to prevent themselves from carrying out a particular activity that hinders their normal day-to-day functioning.
• Obsessive Behaviour means the inability to stop thinking about a particular Behaviour or a thought.
• Compulsive Behaviour is the need to perform certain behaviours over and over again.

Trauma and Stress-Related Disorder

• People who have been victims of bomb blasts and terrorist attacks often experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Some of its key symptoms are mentioned below:
  • Recurrent Dreams
  • Frequent flashbacks
  • Emotional distress

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder

These are defined as conditions in which the client feels some of the physical symptoms and Psychological difficulties without any biological or medical cause. Main types of somatic symptoms and related disorders are explained as follows-

Somatic Symptom Disorder

• Persistent body-related symptoms are seen in this disorder, which does not have a definite medical cause.
• People with this disorder are preoccupied with their Symptoms, worry about their health and thus, make frequent visits to doctors.

Illness Anxiety Disorder

As the name suggests, people with illness Anxiety Disorder are preoccupied with the thought of developing a serious illness.

Conversion Disorder

Clients with conversion Disorder report loss of a body part or bodily function, like deafness, blindness, difficulty in walking, etc.

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociation is defined as a feeling of estrangement, unreality or depersonalisation etc. Some of the major Dissociative Disorders mentioned in the psychological disorders class 12 chapter are-

Dissociative Amnesia

• Its main characteristic is extensive but selective memory loss, where people fail to remember either a particular incident, a phase of life or cannot remember anything about their past. It is associated with high stress.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

• Its main root lies in Traumatic childhood experiences, and it is also known as multiple personality disorder. A person assumes alternate or different personalities, which may or may not be aware of each other.

Depersonalisation

• This involves a dream-like state in which there is a sense of being separated from self and reality.
• A person’s sense of reality is temporarily lost.

Dissociative Fugue

• New identity formation happens because of an unexpected travel away from the workplace and home.
• People with Dissociative Fugue experience an inability to recall their previous identity.

Depression

Depression is defined as one of the most widely recognised mental disorders, and it usually indicates a range of negative emotions and behavioural changes. Depression is usually experienced either after a fallout in a relationship or our failure to attain a significant goal.

Major Depressive Disorder

It is characterised by loss of interest and enthusiasm in most of the activities in our life, and along with that, other symptoms include irregular sleep patterns, change in body weight, irritability, withdrawal from social relationships, etc. Factors predisposing to Depression are mentioned below-

1. Age: Women are likely to get depressed in young adulthood, and men are likely to get depressed during middle age, either due to a midlife crisis.
2. Genetics: It is a crucial factor that determines an individual’s proneness to depression.
3. Other factors: A Significant bad phase in life or a lack of desired social support can cause depression as well.

Bipolar And Related Disorders

People who suffer from mania are highly euphoric, talkative and easily distractible, and episodes of mania are accompanied alternatively by depression. In bipolar mood disorder, both mania and depression happen alternatively, and in between, there are periods of normal mood as well.

Suicide 

Suicide is a major concern as the suicide rate has increased, and some of the symptoms of suicide are mentioned below

• Difficulty in maintaining concentration.
• A drastic personality change.
• Change in eating and sleep patterns
• Cut off from family and friends 
• Drug and alcohol abuse.

Factors leading to suicide are given below-

1. The last suicide attempt is the strongest factor.
2. Significant problems in the family, peer group, work-life, and inability to deal with them may lead to suicide.
3. Culture is also an important factor determining suicide.

Some measures suggested by the WHO to reduce Suicide

1. Care for people who have attempted suicide and provide them much much-needed support
2. Limiting access to suicide.
3. Early identification, treatment and prevention of people who are at risk

Schizophrenia Disorders

It is the descriptive term for a group of psychotic disorders in which functioning in personal, social and work life deteriorates, and the causes behind that can be motor abnormalities, unusual emotional states and strange perceptions. Psychological disorders class 12 states that the symptoms of Schizophrenia are classified into three categories:

Positive Symptoms

They are defined as bizarre additions to a person’s behaviour, and they are mentioned below and are basically an excess of thought, emotion and behaviour.

Delusion 

It is defined as a false belief that is firmly held on inadequate grounds, and they are of various types –

1. Delusion of Persecution: People believe that they are being plotted against, spied upon and threatened.
2. Delusion of Reference: attaches special and personal meaning to the actions and events of others
3. Delusion of Grandeur: People believe themselves to be highly empowered.
4. Delusion of Control: People believe that their thoughts, emotions, and feelings are in the hands of others.

Hallucination

Perceptions that occur in the absence of stimuli are defined as hallucinations, and various types of hallucinations are described as follows-

1. Auditory Hallucination: Patients hear sounds or voices that speak sounds, phrases, words, etc.
2. Tactile Hallucination-People experience a tingling and burning sensation.
3. Olfactory Hallucination-People experience the smell of poison or smoke.

Negative Symptoms 

They are pathological deficits and include poverty of speech, blunted and flat affect and social withdrawal.

• Alogia-People show a reduction in speech content
• Blunted Effect– People show less anger, sadness, joy, etc.
• Flat effect-People, at times, exhibit no emotion at all.
• Avolition– Inability to start or complete a course of action.

Psychomotor Symptoms

They move less spontaneously and make odd gestures.

• Catatonic Stupor-People remain motionless and silent for long stretches of time.
• Catatonic Rigidity-People maintain rigid postures for hours.
• Catatonic Posturing-People maintain awkward and bizarre positions for long stretches of time.

Formal Thought Disorders 

In the chapter, Psychological Disorders Class 12, there are formal thought disorders wherein people are not able to think rationally, communicate properly, quickly switch from one topic to another, and, at times, invent their own phrases too.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders 

According to Psychological Disorders Class 12, there are neurodevelopmental disorders that manifest during early childhood and impact academic and personal development. They are characterised as excesses or deficits in a particular behaviour. Several neurodevelopmental disorders are discussed as follows-

Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder

Main features of ADHD are-

• Inattention is defined as the inability to sustain attention in academics or play. Inattentive children quickly lose interest in boring activities, are disorganised and find it difficult to follow instructions.
• Impulsivity is defined as the inability to control their immediate reaction to the stimulus in the environment, and they are habituated to instant gratification, and they find it difficult to delay their gratification.
• Hyperactive children have difficulty sitting still through class and are in constant motion. Boys are four times more likely to get diagnosed with ADHD than girls.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

This disorder is characterised by difficulty in social communication, interaction and restricted categories of interests. Children with autism are unresponsive to others in social situations, face problems in communication and are intellectually deficient as well.

Specific Learning Disorder

The individual experiences problems in processing information accurately and efficiently, and in reading and writing. In the early years of childhood, academic performance is usually below average, but with effort and input, it can be improved.

Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders

Various disorders under this category, according to the chapter on Psychological Disorders, Class 12-

1. Oppositional Defiant Disorder(ODD)
   1. People exhibit an age-inappropriate amount of stubbornness and are defiant.
   2. People behave in a hostile manner.
2. Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Behaviour are Actions which are not appropriate as per family expectations and societal norms. Behaviours in conduct disorder are of an aggressive nature and include those actions which cause harm to others. Types of aggressive behaviour include
   1. Verbal Aggression includes actions like name-calling, swearing, etc.
   2. Physical Aggression includes hitting and fighting with others.
   3. Proactive Aggression includes bullying and dominating others without being provoked.
   4. Hostile Aggression is aimed at inflicting injury to others.

Feeding and Eating Disorders

According to the Psychological Disorders Class 12 chapter, there are various eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa

People with Anorexia Nervosa see themselves as overweight and thus, due to their self-image, they exercise extensively and refuse to eat. They can starve themselves to death as well at times.

Bulimia Nervosa

People with Bulimia Nervosa may overeat and then purge their bodies by vomiting or using laxatives, and thus, feel relieved.

Binge Eating

Binge Eating is characterised by frequent episodes of out-of-control eating. The erratic eating patterns can be harmful to the health and well-being of the individual.

Substance Related and Addictive Disorder

Disorders which are related to maladaptive Behaviours resulting from regular and consistent use of substances involved are included under substance-related and Addictive disorders, and some of the frequently used substances are explained below-

Alcohol

• People who abuse alcohol and rely on it to handle severe situations, and this addiction interferes with their ability to function well in their social, personal, and work lives.
• Due to excessive consumption of alcohol, the body of alcoholics develops a tolerance for alcohol, which means that they have to consume it to feel normal.
• Withdrawal of alcohol results in a huge range of Psychological problems like anxiety, depression and other health problems as well.

Heroin 

• It impacts our social and occupational functioning.
• People develop a tolerance for it and experience withdrawal when they stop consuming Heroin
• It paralyses breathing and may lead to death as well.

Cocaine

• May cause problems in short-term memory and attention.
• People develop a tolerance for it and experience withdrawal when they stop consuming Cocaine
• People who are Cocaine addicts may function poorly in their work-life and social lives.
• It has serious repercussions on Psychological and physical well-being.

Also Read: Study Psychology at the University of Florida

Important Questions for Psychological Disorders Class 12

Important Questions for Psychological Disorders Class 12 cover the exact NCERT theory that CBSE asks in exams. You need to write answers in clear paragraphs with proper explanation, not in points, so you can score full marks. Here are some important questions for your exam. 

Q1. Explain the Four Ds of abnormal behavior.

Ans. The Four Ds are used to understand when a behavior is abnormal. First is deviance, which means the behavior is very different from what society normally accepts. Second is distress, where the person feels mentally upset or people around them feel disturbed. Third is dysfunction, which means the person is not able to handle daily life activities like work or studies properly. Fourth is danger, where the behavior can harm the person or others. In exams, you need to explain all four clearly with meaning.

Q2. Identify the symptoms of depression and mania.

Ans. Depression and mania are two opposite mood conditions. In depression, the person feels very low, loses interest in activities, has changes in sleep and eating habits, and may avoid people. On the other hand, mania shows very high energy levels. The person talks a lot, feels overconfident, gets distracted easily, and may act without thinking. You should explain both sides clearly in your answer.

Q3. Distinguish between delusions and hallucinations.

Ans. Delusions and hallucinations are common in serious disorders like schizophrenia, but they are different. Delusions are false beliefs. For example, a person may believe someone is trying to harm them even when it is not true. Hallucinations are false sensory experiences. The person may hear voices or see things that are not actually present. In exams, you should clearly show this difference.

Q4. Explain the Diathesis Stress Model.

Ans. The Diathesis Stress Model explains how psychological disorders develop. It says that a person may already have a biological or genetic risk, which is called diathesis. When this risk combines with stressful life situations like trauma or pressure, it can lead to a disorder. So both internal factors and external stress work together.

Q5. Describe the symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

Ans. In Generalised Anxiety Disorder, the person feels constant worry without any clear reason. This worry does not go away easily. The person may feel restless, tense, and tired. They may also have trouble sleeping and find it hard to concentrate. These symptoms continue for a long time and affect daily life.

Q6. Explain the types of somatoform disorders.

Ans. Somatoform disorders are conditions where a person shows physical symptoms but doctors cannot find any medical cause. In pain disorder, the person feels strong pain without physical reason. In somatisation disorder, the person has many physical complaints like headaches or fatigue for a long time. In hypochondriasis, the person keeps thinking they have a serious illness even when reports are normal. In conversion disorder, stress leads to loss of body functions like movement or sensation.

Q7. Describe anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Ans. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders. In anorexia, the person is very afraid of gaining weight and eats very little, even if they are underweight. They may also exercise too much. In bulimia, the person eats a large amount of food in one go and then tries to remove it by vomiting or using other methods. Both conditions are unhealthy and need proper understanding in exams.

Q8. Differentiate between unipolar and bipolar disorders.

Ans. Unipolar disorder mainly includes depression only. The person stays in a low mood for a long time. In bipolar disorder, the person experiences both extremes. They have phases of mania with high energy and phases of depression with low mood. These mood changes are an important difference you should explain clearly.

Q9. Describe characteristics of hyperactive children.

Ans. Hyperactive children usually show constant movement and cannot sit still. They get distracted very easily and find it hard to focus on one task. In class, they may interrupt others or act without thinking. This behavior affects their studies and daily routine.

Q10. Distinguish between obsessions and compulsions.Ans. Obsessions and compulsions are related but different. Obsessions are repeated thoughts that keep coming into the mind and do not go away easily. These thoughts can create anxiety. Compulsions are repeated actions that a person feels forced to do again and again to reduce that anxiety. In exams, you need to explain both with clear difference.

Psychological Disorders Class 12 NCERT PDF

The study of Psychological Disorders in Class 12 Psychology is not only important for exams but also for understanding mental health in real life. With increasing stress in modern society, awareness of these disorders is essential. These notes provide a clear, structured, and student-friendly way to revise the chapter quickly and effectively.

FAQs

Related Reads

Everything about Applied Psychology: Branches, Courses,	Build Up Your Career as a Psychologist with Highest …
List of Top Psychology Courses After 12th: Arts, Humanities	NCERT Solutions Class 11 Psychology Chapter 1
What are the Different Types of Psychologists?	8 Best Online Educational Psychology Master’s Programs

Psychological Disorders Class 12 Notes will help you score better if you revise smart. You should focus on understanding symptoms and linking them with disorder names because CBSE often twists questions. Also, you can write better answers if you use simple examples in your mind while studying. Try to revise one disorder at a time and connect it with real-life behaviour, so you remember it faster. You can also learn keywords like delusion, anxiety, and dysfunction because examiners look for these exact words in answers. 

For more such simple and useful Study Material, keep learning and stay connected with the School Education page on Leverage Edu for more helpful and student-friendly blogs. And if this helped you, don’t forget to share, rate, and drop a comment. Your support helps more students find the good stuff.