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Republic of the Philippines

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO STATE COLLEGE
Sablayan Occidental Mindoro
Website: www.omsc.edu.ph Email address: omsc_9747@yahoo.com
Tele/Fax: (043) 457-0231

College of Criminal Justice Education

Second Semester A.Y. 2022- 2023

Name: _______________________________ Date: _____________________

Course, Year & Section: ___________________

HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND VICTIMOLOGY

Hand- out # 1 (Finals)

CHAPTER III: Mental Disorders and Criminality (Part I)

Lesson 1: Mental Disorders, Anxiety, Disorder, Delusional Disorder/False Belief,
Mood Disorder, Personality Disorder, Somatoform Disorder
Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify and understand the list of mental disorders that primarily contributes to criminal behavior according to
research;
2. Compare and analyze the distinctions of mental disorders;
3. Understand and critique the administration of justice in consideration of mental disorders;
4. Realize how Philippine courts consider mental disorders through decided criminal cases by the Court of Appeals
and Supreme Court.
Mental Disorders
What is Mental Disorder?
 Mental disorders, also known as mental illnesses, are a group of disorders that affect an individual's
behavior, emotions, and thinking. These disorders can interfere with daily life activities, relationships, and
work.
Causes of Mental Disorders
1. Genetics:
 Mental disorders can run in families, suggesting that genetics plays a role in their development
 However, the specific genes involved and their interactions with the environment are not yet fully
understood.
2. Environmental factors
 Traumatic events, abuse, neglect, and chronic stress can all increase the risk of developing a mental
disorder.
 Environmental factors can also include exposure to toxins or drugs during pregnancy or childhood.
3. Brain chemistry and structure
 Changes in brain chemistry and structure can contribute to the development of mental disorders.
 For example, imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine can lead to depression or
anxiety disorders.
4. Developmental factors
 Mental disorders can also develop during critical periods of brain development, such as childhood and
adolescence.
 Adverse experiences during these periods can have long-term effects on mental health.
5. Medical Conditions
 Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders or brain injuries, can increase the risk of
developing a mental disorder.
Neurosis and Psychosis
 Neurosis- Neurosis is a term used to describe a group of mental disorders characterized by excessive anxiety,
distress, and emotional turmoil.
 Psychosis- is a severe mental disorder that can cause a person to lose touch with reality.
Neurosis Psychosis
 Neurosis is a relatively mild mental disorder  Psychosis is a severe mental disorder characterized by
characterized by a sense of anxiety, emotional distress, a loss of touch with reality.
and excessive worrying.
 Neurotic individuals may have difficulty coping with  Individuals with psychosis experience delusions,
daily life and may feel overwhelmed by stress. hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.

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 However, they usually maintain their connection with
reality and have a sense of self-awareness.
 Examples of neurotic disorders include obsessive-
compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, and somatic
disorders.
 Neurosis may be treated with therapy and lifestyle
changes
 Neurosis is a relatively mild mental disorder
characterized by a sense of anxiety, emotional distress,
and excessive worrying.
 Neurotic individuals may have difficulty coping with
daily life and may feel overwhelmed by stress.
 However, they usually maintain their connection with
reality and have a sense of self-awareness.
 Examples of neurotic disorders include obsessive-
compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, and somatic
disorders.
 Neurosis may be treated with therapy and lifestyle
changes
 Neurosis is a relatively mild mental disorder
characterized by a sense of anxiety, emotional distress,
and excessive worrying.
 Neurotic individuals may have difficulty coping with
daily life and may feel overwhelmed by stress.
 They may experience auditory or visual
hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things
that are not there.
 Psychotic individuals may have difficulty functioning
in daily life and may need significant support and
treatment.
 Examples of psychotic disorders include schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder, and severe depression with psychotic
features.
 Psychosis tends to be more longer than Neurosis
 Psychosis usually requires a combination of medication and
therapy to manage symptoms.
 Examples of psychotic disorders include schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder, and severe depression with psychotic
features.
 Psychosis tends to be more longer than Neurosis
 Psychosis usually requires a combination of medication and
therapy to manage symptoms.
 Examples of psychotic disorders include schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder, and severe depression with psychotic
features.
 Psychosis tends to be more longer than Neurosis
 Psychosis usually requires a combination of medication and
therapy to manage symptoms.

Symptoms of Neurosis
1. Anxiety: Excessive worry and fear about everyday situations, events, or activities.
2. Obsessive thoughts: Intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that are distressing and difficult to control.
3. Compulsive behaviors: Repetitive behaviors or rituals that are performed to reduce anxiety or distress.
4. Phobias: Intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities.
5. Somatic symptoms: Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue that have no apparent
medical cause.
6. Emotional instability: Frequent mood swings, irritability, and emotional outbursts.
7. Low self-esteem: Negative self-talk, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy or inferiority.
8. Avoidance behaviors: Avoiding situations or activities that cause anxiety or distress.
9. Perfectionism: Setting high standards for oneself and feeling anxious or guilty when they are

Symptoms of Psychosis
1. Delusions: False beliefs that are not based in reality, such as believing that someone is out to get you or that
you have special powers.
2. Hallucinations: Sensory experiences that are not real, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not there.
3. Disorganized thinking: Difficulty organizing thoughts and speaking in a coherent and logical manner.
4. Disordered behavior: Acting in a way that is not typical or appropriate, such as speaking to oneself or
repeating a single behavior.
5. Emotional instability: Frequent mood swings, irritability, and emotional outbursts.
6. Low self-esteem: Negative self-talk, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy or inferiority.
7. Avoidance behaviors: Avoiding situations or activities that cause anxiety or distress.
8. Perfectionism: Setting high standards for oneself and feeling anxious or guilty when they are
1. Anxiety Disorders
 Anxiety
o Anxiety is a normal human emotion that we all experience from time to time.
o It's a feeling of unease, worry or fear that can be triggered by different situations such as speaking in public,
taking exams, or going through a difficult life event.
o However, when these feelings become excessive, overwhelming, and interfere with daily activities, it could
be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety Disorder Signs and Symptoms
o Emotional instability: Frequent mood swings, irritability, and emotional outbursts.
o Low self-esteem: Negative self-talk, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy or inferiority.

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o Avoidance behaviors: Avoiding situations or activities that cause anxiety or distress.

o Perfectionism: Setting high standards for oneself and feeling anxious or guilty when they are
Types of Anxiety Disorder
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
 This is a condition in which an individual experiences excessive and persistent worry and fear about
everyday life events and situations.
2. Panic Disorder
 This is characterized by sudden and unexpected panic attacks that are accompanied by physical
symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
3. Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder
 This is a condition in which an individual has recurring and intrusive thoughts or obsessions that cause
anxiety and performs repetitive behaviors or compulsions to reduce the anxiety.
4. Social Anxiety Disorder
 This is a condition in which an individual experiences intense fear and anxiety in social situations such
as public speaking, meeting new people, and being in social gatherings.
5. Post- traumatic Disorder
 This is a condition that occurs after a traumatic event and is characterized by intrusive memories,
nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event.
6. Specific Phobia
 Is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive and irrational fear or anxiety about a
specific object, situation, or activity.
 This fear is often out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the object or situation and can lead to
avoidance behavior.

Most Common Types of Phobias

1. Arachnophobia: Fear of spiders
2. Acrophobia: Fear of heights
3. Agoraphobia: Fear of open or crowded spaces
4. Claustrophobia: Fear of enclosed spaces
5. Aviophobia: Fear of flying
6. Ophidiophobia: Fear of snakes
7. Cynophobia: Fear of dogs
8. Hemophobia: Fear of blood
9. Nyctophobia: Fear of darkness
10. Aerophobia: Fear of air or flying
11. Astraphobia: Fear of thunder and lightning
12. Trypophobia: Fear of small holes or clusters
13. Mysophobia: Fear of germs or dirt
14. Social Phobia: Fear of social situations or scrutiny
15. Thanatophobia: Fear of death or dying
16. Xenophobia: Fear of foreigners or strangers
17. Pteromerhanophobia: Fear of flying in an airplane

Anxiety Disorders and Criminality

 Coping Mechanisms: Some individuals with anxiety disorders may turn to criminal behavior as a way to cope
with their symptoms. For example, they might use substances or engage in illegal activities to alleviate their
anxiety temporarily.
 Impaired Decision-Making: Anxiety can impair decision-making and judgment. This can lead individuals to
make impulsive or risky choices, which may include engaging in criminal behavior without fully considering
the consequences.
 Compulsions: In conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), individuals may feel compelled to
perform certain actions. These compulsions can sometimes lead to criminal behavior if they involve actions like
stealing or vandalism.
2. Delusional Disorder/ False belief
 Delusional disorder is a mental illness that involves persistent false beliefs that are not based on reality.
 The person with delusional disorder is convinced that their beliefs are true despite evidence to the contrary.
 These beliefs can cause significant distress and impairment in the person's life.

Types of delusional disorder

1. Persecutory Delusions- the belief that someone or something is out to harm or persecute the individual.
2. Grandiose Delusions- the belief that the individual has special powers, abilities, or status that are not based in
reality.
3. Somatic Delusions- the belief that the individual has a physical illness or defect that is not supported by
medical evidence.

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4. Jealous Delusions- the belief that the individual's partner is unfaithful or has feelings for someone else.
5. Mixed type of delusions
 Refer to a subtype of delusional disorder in which the individual experiences delusions of more than one
type or theme. In other words, the person with mixed type delusions may simultaneously believe in
multiple false and irrational beliefs that do not have a logical connection.
 For example, a person with mixed type delusions may believe that they are being followed by the
government while also believing that they have special abilities or powers that allow them to communicate
with aliens.
 Another example could be a person who believes they are being persecuted by a religious group while also
believing that they have a special mission to save the world from an impending disaster
6. Unspecified Delusions
 Type of delusions is a subtype of delusional disorder in which the individual experiences delusions that do
not fit into any specific category or type.
 These delusions may be bizarre, unusual, or difficult to describe, and may not have a clear theme or
content.
 For example, a person with unspecified type delusions may believe that they have been cloned or that they
are living in a parallel universe.
 They may also have delusions about their body, such as believing that their organs have been replaced or
that they have no internal organs at all.
Causes of Delusional Disorder
1. Genetics
 There may be a genetic predisposition to delusional disorder, as it tends to run in families.
 Studies have suggested that certain genes may be involved in the development of the condition.
2. Brain abnormalities:
 Brain imaging studies have shown that individuals with delusional disorder may have structural and
functional abnormalities in certain regions of the brain.
 These abnormalities may affect the processing of sensory information and lead to the development of
delusions.
3. Environmental factors:
 Trauma, stress, and other environmental factors may contribute to the development of delusional
disorder.
 For example, individuals who have experienced significant trauma or stress may be more prone to
developing delusions.
4. Substance use:
 Certain drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines, can cause delusions and other psychotic symptoms.
 Long-term substance abuse can also increase the risk of developing delusional disorder.
5. Social factors:
 Social factors, such as isolation, social withdrawal, and lack of social support, may contribute to the
development of delusional disorder.
 Individuals who have experienced significant social stressors or have a history of interpersonal conflict may
be more prone.
Delusions and Criminality
 Paranoid Delusions: People experiencing paranoid delusions may believe that others are out to harm them.
This can lead to defensive or aggressive actions, potentially resulting in criminal behavior such as assault or
retaliation.
 Delusions of Grandeur: Individuals with delusions of grandeur may believe they possess extraordinary
abilities or status. These beliefs could lead them to engage in criminal acts as a means to fulfill their perceived
grandiose mission or goals.
 Command Hallucinations: Sometimes, individuals experiencing delusions may also have auditory
hallucinations instructing them to commit certain acts, including criminal behavior. They may perceive these
commands as coming from a higher power or an external force.
 Impaired Reality Testing: Delusions can impair a person's ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
This distortion of reality may lead them to engage in criminal acts without fully understanding the consequences
or impact of their actions.
3. Mood Disorder
 Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by significant changes in a person's
mood, energy, and behavior.
 Mood disorders affect how an individual feels, thinks, and behaves, and they can have a significant impact
on their daily life.
1. Bipolar Disorder
 Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by two distinct phases: manic or hypomanic
episodes and depressive episodes.

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 These episodes are characterized by different sets of symptoms and can significantly impact an
individual's daily life.
Phases of bipolar Disorder
1. Manic Episode
 The first episode of bipolar disorder
 These episodes are characterized by elevated or irritable mood, increased energy or agitation, reduced
need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased talkativeness, poor judgment, and risky behavior.
 Individuals experiencing a manic episode may feel invincible, act impulsively, and engage in risky
behaviors such as spending sprees, reckless driving, or substance abuse.
 They may also experience delusions, which are false beliefs or perceptions, and hallucinations, which
are seeing or hearing things that are not there.
Hypomanic Episode
 Hypomanic episodes are similar to manic episodes, but the symptoms are less severe and do not cause
significant impairment.
 Hypomanic episodes are often associated with an increase in creativity, productivity, and energy
levels.
2. Depressive Hypomania
 The second phase of bipolar disorder is depressive episodes.
 During depressive episodes, individuals may experience symptoms such as sadness or hopelessness,
loss of interest in activities, fatigue or lack of energy, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, changes in
appetite or weight, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Mood Disorders and Criminality
 Impaired Judgment: During depressive episodes, individuals may experience impaired judgment, making
them more susceptible to engaging in risky or impulsive behaviors, including criminal acts.
 Substance Abuse: Many individuals with mood disorders turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate and
alleviate their symptoms. Substance abuse can increase the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities, such as
drug-related offenses or crimes committed while under the influence.
 Aggression and Irritability: In some cases, mood disorders can manifest with symptoms of irritability or
agitation, especially in individuals with bipolar disorder. This heightened emotional state can lead to conflicts or
altercations that escalate into criminal behavior, such as assault or domestic violence.
 Self-Harm and Suicide Attempts: Individuals with severe mood disorders, particularly depression, may
engage in self-harming behaviors or suicide attempts. In some instances, these actions may involve criminality,
such as property damage or endangerment, especially if others are involved.
 Financial Stress: Mood disorders can interfere with a person's ability to maintain employment or manage
finances effectively. Financial strain may lead individuals to resort to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud,
to meet their basic needs or alleviate financial stress.
4. Personality Disorder
 Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by persistent patterns of
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that deviate from the expectations of the individual's culture and cause
significant distress or impairment.
 Personality disorders are diagnosed when these patterns are inflexible, pervasive, and longstanding, and
they affect the person's ability to function in daily life.

Types of Personality Disorder

1. Cluster A: Odd or Eccentric Behaviors are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior, and they include the
following:
a. Paranoid Personality Disorder: This disorder is characterized by a pervasive distrust and
suspiciousness of others, even without any evidence of wrongdoing.
Manifestations of Paranoid Personality Disorders
 They feel constant suspicion and distrust toward other people
 They believe that others are against them and constantly look for evidence to support their
suspicions.
 They are hostile toward others and react angrily to perceived insults.
b. Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD): This disorder is characterized by a lack of interest in social
relationships, a preference for solitary activities, and emotional coldness.
Manifestations of Schizoid Personality Disorders
 Social isolation and lack of desire for close personal relationships.
 Prefers to be alone and seem withdrawn and emotionally detached.
 Seem indifferent to praise or criticisms from other people.
c. Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD): This disorder is characterized by odd beliefs or magical
thinking, unusual perceptual experiences, and eccentric behavior or appearance.
Manifestations of Schizotypal Personality Disorders
 Social isolation and lack of desire for close personal relationships.

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 Prefers to be alone and seem withdrawn and emotionally detached.

 Seem indifferent to praise or criticisms from other people.

2. Cluster B: Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Behaviors are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior, and
they include the following:
b. Anti- Social Personality Disorder (APB): This disorder is characterized by a disregard for the rights
of others, a lack of empathy, and a tendency to engage in criminal or impulsive behavior. Anti-social
behavior in people less than 18 years old is called conduct disorder.
Manifestations of Antisocial Personality Disorder
 Act in a way that disregards the feelings and rights of other people.
 They often break the law.
 Use or exploit other people for their own gain.
 They may lie repeatedly, act impulsively, and get into physical fights.
 They may mistreat their spouse, neglect or abuse their children and exploit their employees.
 They may even kill other people.
 People with this disorder are also sometimes called sociopaths or psychopaths.
b. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): This disorder is characterized by unstable relationships,
mood swings, impulsivity, self-harm, and a fear of abandonment. There are 5 types of borderline
personality disorder: Affective, Impulsive, Aggressive, Dependent, and Empty
Manifestations of Borderline Personality Disorder
 They have intense emotional instability, particularly in relationship with other.
 They make frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment by others.
 They may experience minor problems as major crises.
 They express their anger, frustration, and dismay through suicidal gestures, self-mutilation, and
other self-destructive acts.
 They tend to have unstable self- mage or sense of self
5 Types of Borderline Personality Disorder
1. Affective
 This type revolves around intense and fluctuating emotions.
 People with affective BPD may experience rapid shifts in mood, such as going from
feeling very happy to extremely sad in a short amount of time.
 For example, they might feel euphoric one moment and then suddenly become
overwhelmed with sadness or anger.
2. Impulsive
 Individuals with impulsive BPD may struggle with controlling their impulses and
acting on urges without considering the consequences.
 This could involve reckless behaviors like overspending, substance abuse, or engaging
in unsafe sexual activity without thinking about the risks involved.
 For instance, they might impulsively quit their job without a plan or spend all their
money on something unnecessary.
3. Aggressive
 This type is characterized by a tendency towards anger and hostility.
 People with aggressive BPD may have difficulty managing their anger and may lash
out verbally or physically towards others, even in situations where it's not warranted.
 For example, they might get into fights over small disagreements or become physically
aggressive during arguments.
4. Dependent
 Individuals with dependent BPD often struggle with an intense fear of abandonment
and rely heavily on others for validation and support.
 They may have difficulty making decisions on their own and may cling to relationships
even if they are unhealthy or harmful.
 For instance, they might stay in an abusive relationship because they fear being alone
or not being able to cope on their own.
5. Empty
 This type refers to a pervasive feeling of emptiness or a lack of identity.
 People with empty BPD may struggle to understand who they are and may feel
disconnected from themselves and the world around them.
 They may constantly seek external validation or distractions to fill the void they feel
inside.
 For example, they might constantly change their appearance, hobbies, or goals in an
attempt to find something that brings them fulfillment.
c. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): is a mental health condition that is characterized by a pattern
of grandiosity, a lack of empathy for others, and a need for admiration.

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Individuals with NPD often have an inflated sense of self-importance, believe that they are special or
unique, and require excessive admiration.
Manifestations of narcissistic Personality Disorder
 They have a grandiose sense of self- importance.
 They seek excessive admiration from others and fantasize about unlimited success or power.
 They believe they are special, unique or superior to others. However, they often they have very
fragile self- esteem.
d. Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD): is a mental health condition characterized by a pattern of
excessive attention-seeking behaviors, emotions, and dramatics in order to draw attention to oneself.
Individuals with HPD may be overly sensitive to criticism or rejection and may struggle to form close
relationships due to their tendency to be emotionally intense and unstable.
Manifestations of Histrionic Personality Disorder
 They strive to be the center of attention
 They act overly flirtatious or dress in ways that draw attention.
 They may also talk in dramatic or theatrical style and display exaggerated emotional reactions.

3. Cluster C: Anxious, Fearful Behaviors- It is characterized by a pattern of anxious or fearful behaviors and
includes three personality disorders:
a. Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD): This disorder is characterized by feelings of inadequacy, social
inhibition, and a fear of criticism or rejection. Individuals with APD may avoid social situations or
interpersonal relationships due to their fear of negative evaluation or humiliation.
Manifestations of Avoidant Personality Disorder
 They possess, intense, anxious shyness.
 They are reluctant to interact with others unless they feel certain of being liked.
 They fear being criticized and rejected.
 They often view themselves as socially inept and inferior to others.
b. Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD): This disorder is characterized by a pattern of excessive
dependence on others for emotional and physical needs. Individuals with DPD may have difficulty
making decisions or taking responsibility for their own lives, and may fear abandonment or rejection.

Manifestations of Dependent Personality Disorder

 They have severe and disabling emotional dependency on others.
 They have difficulty in making decisions without a great deal of advice and reassurance from
others
 They urgently seek out another relationship when close relationships ends.
 They feel uncomfortable by themselves.
c. Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): This disorder is characterized by a pattern of
preoccupation with order, control, and perfectionism. Individuals with OCPD may have rigid rules and
standards for themselves and others, and may have difficulty relaxing or being flexible in their thinking.
Manifestations of Obsessive – Compulsive Personality Disorder
 They have pre- occupation with details, orderliness, perfection and control.
 They devote excessive amounts of time to work and productivity, and fail to take time for leisure
activities and friendships.
 They tend to be rigid, formal, stubborn, and serious.
Personality Disorders and Criminality
 Impulsivity and Aggression: People with ASPD and BPD may act impulsively and aggressively, leading
to violent, substance abuse, or property-related crimes.
 Lack of Empathy and Responsibility: ASPD, especially, can lead to a lack of empathy and disregard for
rules, making individuals less likely to feel guilty about their actions.
 Emotional Instability and Relationship Issues: BPD and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) can
cause emotional instability and difficulty managing relationships, leading to conflicts that might escalate
into criminal behavior.
 Substance Abuse: Personality disorders are often linked to substance abuse, which can worsen symptoms
and increase the likelihood of criminal acts like drug offenses or impaired driving.
 Environmental Factors: Adverse experiences and societal factors like trauma and poverty can contribute
to the development of personality disorders and increase the risk of criminal behavior.
5. Somatoform Personality Disorder
 Somatoform disorders are a group of mental health conditions in which individuals experience physical
symptoms or sensations that cannot be fully explained by medical or neurological conditions.
 These symptoms often cause distress and impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning.
Six Major types of somatoform disorders
b. Conversion Disorder (Hysteria) - is a type of somatoform disorder that involves neurological
symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition or other neurological disorder.
The symptoms of conversion disorder can be varied, but typically involve changes in sensory or motor
function.

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Symptoms of Somatoform Disorders

 Motor symptoms: These can include paralysis or weakness in a limb or the entire body,
abnormal movements such as tremors or jerking, or difficulty coordinating movements.
 Sensory symptoms: These can include loss of sensation, such as numbness or tingling, or
altered sensation, such as pain or a sense of heaviness or weakness.
 Seizure-like symptoms: These can include convulsions, shaking, or uncontrolled movements,
which may be mistaken for seizures.
 Speech or language symptoms: These can include difficulty speaking, slurred speech, or
changes in voice quality.
 Vision or hearing symptoms: These can include changes in vision or hearing, such as
blindness or deafness, which cannot be explained by a physical problem.
 Gait or balance symptoms: These can include difficulty walking or maintaining balance, or
feeling unsteady on one's feet.
c. Hypochondriasis- also known as illness anxiety disorder, is a type of somatoform disorder in which
individuals are preoccupied with the fear of having a serious illness, despite medical reassurance that
they are healthy.
This preoccupation with health can be persistent and excessive, leading to significant distress and
impairment in daily functioning.
d. Somatization- also known as Briquet’s Disorder, now referred to as somatic symptom disorder, is a
mental health condition in which a person experiences physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a
medical condition or a physical cause.
These symptoms can include pain, gastrointestinal problems, sexual dysfunction, and other physical
complaints.
The person may become excessively preoccupied with these symptoms and experience significant
distress or impairment in their daily life.
e. Pain Disorder- It is when patient experiences chronic pain in one or more areas, and is taught to be
caused by psychological stress. The pain is often so severe that it disables the patient from proper
functioning. It can last as short as few days, be as long as many years.
f. Body Dysmorphic Disorder- previously known as Dysmorphophobia and sometimes referred to as
body dysmorphia or dysmorphic syndrome. It is psychological somatoform disorder in which the
affected person is excessively concerned about and preoccupied by a perceived defect in his or her
physical features or body image.
g. Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorders- Only one unexplained symptom is required for at least 6
months. Included among these disorders are false pregnancy, psychogenic, urinary retention, and mass
psychogenic illness (so called mass hysteria)
Fictitious Disorder and Malingering
 Fictitious Disorder- is a mental health condition in which a person feigns or induces physical or
psychological symptoms for the purpose of assuming the role of a sick person. The individual with
fictitious disorder is motivated by a need for attention and sympathy from medical professionals and
others.
 Malingering - involves intentionally feigning or exaggerating symptoms for a specific gain, such as
avoiding work, obtaining financial compensation, or evading legal responsibility.
Somatoform Disorders and Criminality
 There is no direct link between somatoform disorders and criminal behavior.
 However, individuals with somatoform disorders may sometimes engage in behavior that is considered
criminal, such as fabricating symptoms in order to obtain prescription drugs, disability benefits, or workers'
compensation.
4. Dissociative Disorders
 Dissociative disorders refer to disorders in which, under stress one loses the integration of consciousness,
identity and memories of important personal events.
 This is formerly called Multiple Personality disorder.
Types of Dissociative Disorders
1. Psychogenic Amnesia- also known as dissociative amnesia, is the temporary or permanent loss of a part of
all the memory. If it is due to extreme psychosocial stress, it is labelled as psychogenic amnesia
Sub-categories of Psychogenic Amnesia
a. Localized Amnesia
 Refers to a specific period of time in a person's life for which they have no memory.
 The memory loss is limited to a specific event or time frame and can be caused by a traumatic
experience or emotional shock.
 For example, a person may have localized amnesia for a car accident they were involved in, and
they may not remember the details of the accident or the events leading up to it.
b. Selective Amnesia
 Involves the selective loss of certain memories or aspects of a memory.
 In selective amnesia, the person may remember certain aspects of an event or time period, but
they have no memory of other specific details or experiences.

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 Selective amnesia can also occur in response to trauma, such as abuse or assault, where the
person may block out certain details as a coping mechanism.
c. Generalized and Continuous Amnesia
 Refers to a complete loss of memory of a person's entire life, including their identity, personal
history, and past experiences.
 It can be sudden or gradual and may be accompanied by confusion, disorientation, and other
cognitive impairments.
 In some cases, the person may retain basic skills, such as language or motor skills, but they have
no recollection of how they acquired those skills.
2. Psychogenic Fugue- also known as dissociative fugue, is a rare psychiatric disorder characterized by sudden
and unexpected travel away from home, accompanied by a loss of memory for past events and personal identity.
3. Multiple Personality Disorder- now known as dissociative identity disorder (DID), is a rare and complex
psychological disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states
within one individual. Individuals with DID often report gaps in their memory, as well as feeling as if they are
observing themselves from outside their body, or feeling as if they have no control over their actions or
thoughts.
4. Depersonalization / Derealization Disorders- This is the continued presence of feelings that the person is not
himself/ herself or that she/ he can’t control his/ her emotions. This is labelled as disorder when it is recurrent
and impairs social and occupational function.
Dissociative Disorders and Criminality
 Memory Loss and Impaired Judgment: During dissociative episodes, they may act without awareness,
leading to actions with unintended consequences, including criminal acts.
 Altered Identity or Perception: Changes in identity or reality perception can cause confusion, potentially
leading to behavior that goes against their usual character or legal norms.

Prepared by:

ROSANA F. RODRIGUEZ, RN, MAN

Permanent Faculty
Consultation hours- TTh 2:30 – 4:00
Venue: IQA Office

OMSC-Form-OFC-09 Eff. Date: 01-07-22 Rev 01