The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to abnormal psychology:
Abnormal psychology – is the scientific study of abnormal behavior in order to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning. Abnormal psychology in clinical psychology studies the nature of psychopathology, its causes, and its treatments. Of course, the definition of what constitutes 'abnormal' has varied across time and across cultures. Individuals also vary in what they regard as normal or abnormal behavior. Additionally, many current theories and approaches are held by psychologists, including biological, psychological, behavioral, humanistic, existential, and sociocultural. In general, abnormal psychology can be described as an area of psychology that studies people who are consistently unable to adapt and function effectively in a variety of conditions. The main contributing factors to how well an individual is able to adapt include their genetic makeup, physical condition, learning and reasoning, and socialization.
Nature of abnormal psychology
What type of thing is abnormal psychology? Abnormal psychology can be described as all of the following:
An academic discipline – focused study in one academic field or profession. A discipline incorporates expertise, people, projects, communities, challenges, studies, inquiry, and research areas that are strongly associated with a given discipline. One of the social sciences – concerned with society and the relationships among individuals within a society. A branch of psychology – study of mind and behavior. An applied science – discipline of science that applies existing scientific knowledge to develop more practical applications, like treating the mentally ill.
Essence of abnormal psychology
Abnormality
Mental disorder
Psychology
Psychopathology
Approaches of abnormal psychology
Somatogenic – abnormality is seen as a result of biological disorders in the brain. This approach has led to the development of radical biological treatments, e.g. lobotomy. Psychogenic – abnormality is caused by psychological problems. Psychoanalytic (Freud), Cathartic, Hypnotic and Humanistic Psychology (Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow) treatments were all derived from this paradigm.
Mental disorders
Mental disorder
– examples of mental disorders include: Anxiety disorder Bipolar disorder Delusional disorder Impulse control disorder Kleptomania Pyromania Personality disorder Obsessive–compulsive personality disorder Schizoaffective disorder Schizophrenia Substance use disorder Substance abuse Substance dependence Thought disorder Treatment of mental disorders Psychological evaluation Psychotherapy Psychiatric medication
Mental health professions
Mental health profession
Psychiatry
Clinical psychology
Psychiatric rehabilitation
School psychology
Clinical social work
Mental health professionals
Mental health professional
Psychiatrist
Clinical psychologist
School psychologist
Mental health counselor
History of abnormal psychology
History of mental disorders
History of mental disorders, by type
History of anxiety disorders
History of posttraumatic stress disorder
History of bipolar disorder
History of depression
History of major depressive disorder
History of neurodevelopmental disorders
History of autism
History of Asperger syndrome
History of obsessive–compulsive disorder
History of personality disorders
History of psychopathy
History of schizophrenia
History of the treatment of mental disorders
History of clinical psychology
History of electroconvulsive therapy
History of electroconvulsive therapy in the United Kingdom
History of psychiatry
History of psychiatric institutions
History of psychosurgery
History of psychosurgery in the United Kingdom
Lobotomy – consists of cutting or scraping away most of the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain. The purpose of the operation was to reduce the symptoms of mental disorder, and it was recognized that this was accomplished at the expense of the patient's personality and intellect! By the late 1970s, the practice of lobotomy had generally ceased. History of psychotherapy