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PSYCH 110 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

UNDERSTANDING PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

TOPIC 1

ABNORMAL

PSYCHOLOGY

The study of mental disorders

(also called mental illness,

psychological disorders or

psychopathology) – what they

look like (symptoms), why they

occur (etiology), how they are

maintained, and what effect they

have on people’s lives.

She found it difficult to look at raw meat, or even Band-Aids, because they brought the feared images to mind. Eventually, anything her friends or parents said that evoked an image of blood or injury caused Judy to feel lightheaded. It got bad that if one of her friends exclaimed, “Cut it out!” she felt faint. Beginning about 6 months before her visit to the clinic, Judy actually fainted when she unavoidably encountered something bloody. Her family physician could find nothing wrong with her, nor could several other physicians. By the time she was referred to the clinic, she was fainting 5 to 10 times a week, often in class. Case Example

Clearly, this was problematic for her and disruptive in school; each time Judy fainted, the other students flocked around her, trying to help, and class was interrupted. Because no one could find anything wrong with her, the principal finally concluded that she was being manipulative and suspended her from school, even though she was an honor student. Case Example

A psychological dysfunction within an individual that is associated with distress or impairment in functioning and a response that is not typical or culturally expected. Abnormal Behavior

A psychological dysfunction within an individual that is associated with distress or impairment in functioning and a response that is not typical or culturally expected. Abnormal Behavior

WHAT MAKES BEHAVIOR “ABNORMAL”? EVIANCE ISTRESS YSFUNCTION ANGER

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER

Behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunctions that are

unexpected in their cultural context and associated with

present distress and impairment in functioning, or increased

risk of suffering, death, pain, or impairment.

1. Clinical description

2. Causation (etiology)

3. Treatment and outcome

Three major categories that make up the study and discussion of psychological disorders

1. Clinical description

presenting problem prevalence – incidence course (chronic or episodic or time-limited) onset (acute or insidious) prognosis (good or guarded) Three major categories that make up the study and discussion of psychological disorders

HISTORICAL CONCEPTIONS OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR

Three types of theories have been used to explain abnormal behavior: ➢ Supernatural theories : abnormal behavior as a result of divine intervention, curses, demonic possession, and personal sin. ➢ Biological theories : abnormal behavior as similar to physical diseases, caused by the breakdown of systems in the body. ➢ Psychological theories : abnormal behavior as a result of traumas such as bereavement, or of chronic stress. Historical Perspectives

The Supernatural Tradition ➢ Stress and melancholy ‒ insanity was a natural phenomenon, caused by mental or emotional stress, and that it was curable ‒ Common treatments were rest, sleep, and a healthy and happy environment. Other treatments included baths, ointments, and various potions.

The Supernatural Tradition ➢ Mass hysteria ‒ large-scale outbreaks of bizarre behavior ‒ known by several names, including Saint Vitus’s Dance and tarantism ‒ may simply demonstrate the phenomenon of emotion contagion , in which the experience of an emotion seems to spread to those around us