
Psychological disorders have much in common with other medical disorders. They are out of the patient’s control, they may in some cases be treated by drugs, and their treatment is often covered by medical insurance. Like medical problems, psychological disorders have both biological (nature) as well as environmental (nurture) influences.
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What is abnormal psychology and why is it important?
Abnormal psychology examines psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The term covers a range of disorders. Included are mood disorders, personality disorders and any type of behavior that deviates from the norm. This particular branch of psychology is very important, especially when it comes to diagnosing and treating mental illness.
What are the approaches to abnormal psychology?
The medical approach: This approach to abnormal psychology focuses on the biological causes of mental illness, emphasizing understanding the underlying cause of disorders, which might include genetic inheritance, related physical illnesses, infections, and chemical imbalances.
Is cognitive behavioral therapy an abnormal psychology treatment?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an excellent form of treatment that can treat mood disorders, which fall under the category of abnormal psychology. Want To Learn More About Abnormal Psychology? Chat With A Board-Certified Psychology Expert Today. It's important to understand that there are a variety of psychological disorders.
What is a psychological disorder?
A psychological disorder is an ongoing dysfunctional pattern of thought, emotion, and behavior that causes significant distress, and that is considered deviant in that person’s culture or society (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2007). Psychological disorders have much in common with other medical disorders.

What are psychological abnormalities?
Abnormal psychology focuses on the patterns of emotion, thought, and behavior that can be signs of a mental health condition. Rather than the distinction between normal and abnormal, psychologists in this field focus on the level of distress that behaviors, thoughts, or emotions might cause.
What is treatment in abnormal psychology?
Key Takeaways: Treatment of Abnormal Behavior Psychological treatment is provided by mental health professionals in a variety of settings. The two most common types of treatment are psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment. Psychotherapies come in a variety of theoretical orientations and formats.
What is psychological abnormality and what are its causes?
Abnormal psychology is the field of psychology dedicated to studying deviant behavior. Theorists of abnormal psychology examine abnormal emotion, cognition, and behavior which may be caused by cultural, biological, or environmental sources.
What is abnormal psychology and examples?
Abnormal Psychology Disorders include anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, delusional disorders, substance use disorders, dissociative disorders, and impulse control disorders.
What is treatment in psychology?
n. 1. the administration of appropriate measures (e.g., drugs, surgery, psychotherapy) that are designed to relieve a pathological condition.
What is abnormal psychology class 12?
Abnormal behaviour, thoughts and emotions are those that differ markedly from a society's ideas of proper functioning. Each society has norms, which are stated or unstated rules for proper conduct. Behaviours, thoughts and emotions that break societal norms are called abnormal.
What are the possible treatment techniques of psychological disorder?
Types of psychological treatmentAcceptance and commitment therapy. ... Cognitive analytic therapy. ... Cognitive behaviour therapy. ... Dialectical behaviour therapy. ... Family therapy. ... Group therapy. ... Interpersonal therapy. ... Mentalisation-based therapy.More items...
How do you solve psychological problems?
University Health ServiceValue yourself: Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. ... Take care of your body: ... Surround yourself with good people: ... Give yourself: ... Learn how to deal with stress: ... Quiet your mind: ... Set realistic goals: ... Break up the monotony:More items...
What are the 10 psychological disorders?
This page lists some of the more common mental health issues and mental illnesses.Anxiety disorders. ... Behavioural and emotional disorders in children. ... Bipolar affective disorder. ... Depression. ... Dissociation and dissociative disorders. ... Eating disorders. ... Obsessive compulsive disorder. ... Paranoia.More items...
What is abnormal psychology PDF?
Abnormal psychology is the study of mental dis- orders (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.
Why is abnormal psychology important?
A scientific study of abnormal behaviour is essential for the following facts: 1. To know the nature and the cause of abnormality it leads us to understand the mechanism of abnormal mind, diagnose the disease and predict the progress of the disease. Hence abnormality no longer stands as a mystery or a curse.
What causes abnormal behavior?
A behavioral disorder can have a variety of causes. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the abnormal behavior that is usually associated with these disorders can be traced back to biological, family and school-related factors. Some biological causes may include: Physical illness or disability.
What is abnormal psychology?
In the clinical world, abnormal psychology is characterized by someone who has a statistical deviation from normal behaviors or those who tend to be maladaptive to themselves or in society. Individuals who are maladaptive to themselves find it difficult to reach their goals and adapt to the demands of life. Those who are maladaptive in society ...
Why is it important to have a system for diagnosing abnormal behavior?
It's important to have a system for diagnosing abnormal behavior because it provides a framework for diagnosing various behaviors and improves the reliability of diagnoses. A standardized system helps clinicians to diagnosis disorders consistently based on research, evidence, and clinical experiences.
How many types of anxiety disorders are there?
People who live with anxiety disorders experience increased anxiety from what most people see as common, everyday occurrences. There are four types of anxiety disorders, and anxiety is the main symptom of each different type. The four classes of anxiety disorders include:
What is maladaptive behavior?
Those who are maladaptive in society interfere or are disruptive in social group functions. Their behavior is considered non-typical, socially unacceptable, and deviating from the behavior of average people. This is not their fault, however.
What is PTSD in psychology?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is caused by a traumatic event or chain of events. Traumatic events such as accidents, violent personal assaults, and robbery, for example, may cause someone to develop PTSD. PTSD can cause flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, or guilt.
What is the DSM V?
The American Psychiatric Association developed a system to diagnose abnormal behavior using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is referred to today as the DSM V (5th edition).
What are the three subclasses of phobias?
Individuals who suffer from phobias usually know that their fears are irrational, but even with this knowledge, the fear remains. There are three subclasses of phobias: simple phobia, social phobia, and agoraphobia.
What is the behavioral approach to abnormal psychology?
The Behavioral Approach. As the name suggests, the behavioral approach to abnormal psychology focuses on the specific conduct of the afflicted individual. The behavioral approach emphasizes positive reinforcement. Positive behavior patterns are important to override the adverse, atypical behaviors.
What is abnormal psychology?
Abnormal psychology examines psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The term covers a range of disorders. Included are mood disorders, personality disorders and any type of behavior that deviates from the norm. This particular branch of psychology is very important, especially when it comes to diagnosing and treating mental illness.
Why is abnormal psychology important?
This particular branch of psychology is very important, especially when it comes to diagnosing and treating mental illness. There are many factors that contribute to mental disorders. Abnormal psychology allows specialists to study, understand, and diagnose certain conditions. Reviewing Abnormal Psychology.
What is somatic therapy?
A combined approach with both psychotherapy and medications. Somatic treatments include medications, electroconvulsive therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulations. During treatment, the doctor will monitor your medication, mental disorder, and side effects of any treatment you have.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an excellent form of treatment that can treat mood disorders, which fall under the category of abnormal psychology.
Why do people with borderline personality disorder overreact?
For example, people with borderline personality disorder have trouble with emotional dysregulation, which can cause them to overreact. People with mood disorders often have intense emotions and reactions. It's important not to jump to conclusions because of one small overreaction.
What is neurodevelopmental therapy?
The treatment and rehabilitation, administered for various psychological disorders, vary and depend upon a series of factors. One primarily important factor is simply the approach which the specialist takes to the existence of abnormal psychology.
What is abnormal psychology?
Criticism. Abnormal psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior, often in a clinical context. The term covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to personality disorders. Counselors, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists often work directly in this ...
What is the cognitive approach to abnormal psychology?
Cognitive Approach. The cognitive approach to abnormal psychology focuses on how internal thoughts, perceptions, and reasoning contribute to psychological disorders. Cognitive treatments typically focus on helping the individual change their thoughts or reactions.
What is the psychoanalytic approach?
2 The psychoanalytic approach suggests that many abnormal behaviors stem from unconscious thoughts, desires, and memories. While these feelings are outside of awareness, they are still believed to influence conscious actions.
What is the medical approach to mental health?
Medical Approach. This approach to abnormal psychology focuses on the biological causes of mental illness, emphasizing understanding the underlying cause of disorders, which might include genetic inheritance, related physical illnesses, infections, and chemical imbalances.
What is behavioral therapy?
When dealing with abnormal behavior, a behavioral therapist might utilize strategies such as classical conditioning and operant conditioning to help eliminate unwanted behaviors and teach new behaviors.
What is abnormal behavior?
If behavior is creating problems in a person's life or is disruptive to other people , then this would be an "abnormal" behavior.
What are the different types of anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder. Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder. Neurocognitive disorders like delirium.
What is abnormal psychology?
Abnormal psychology is a division of psychology that studies people who are "abnormal" or "atypical" compared to the members of a given society.
What is abnormal behavior?
Abnormality is therefore seen as the development of behavior patterns that are considered maladaptive (i.e. harmful) for the individual.
What does failure to function adequately mean?
Failure to function adequately is a definition of abnormality where a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life, or experience personal distress. .
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health. Abnormality can be defined as a deviation from ideal mental health. This means that rather than defining what is abnormal, psychologists define what is normal/ideal mental health, and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal.
What is the medical perspective of mental health?
Medical / Biological Perspective of Mental Health Behaviour. The medical model of psychopathology believes that disorders have an organic or physical cause. The focus of this approach is on genetics, neurotransmitters, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, biochemistry etc.
What is cognitive approach?
The cognitive approach assumes that a person’s thoughts are responsible for their behavior. The model deals with how information is processed in the brain and the impact of this on behavior. The basic assumptions are: Maladaptive behavior is caused by faulty and irrational cognitions.
Who were the anti-psychiatrists?
Notable anti-psychiatrists were Michel Foucault, R.D. Laing, Thomas Szasz and Franco Basaglia. Some observations made are;
Why is abnormal psychology important?
This emphasis on abnormal psychology — the application of psychological science to understanding and treating mental disorders — is appropriate, as more psychologists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorder than in any other endeavor, and these are probably the most important tasks psychologists face.
What is psychological disorder?
A psychological disorder is an ongoing dysfunctional pattern of thought, emotion, and behavior that causes significant distress, and that is considered deviant in that person’s culture or society (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2007). Psychological disorders have much in common with other medical disorders. They are out of the patient’s control, they may in some cases be treated by drugs, and their treatment is often covered by medical insurance. Like medical problems, psychological disorders have both biological (nature) as well as environmental (nurture) influences. These causal influences are reflected in the bio-psycho-social model of illness (Engel, 1977).
What is the DSM?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM) is used to classify psychological disorders in the United States. Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious – Light bedtime reading – CC BY-SA 2.0. The first edition of the DSM was published in 1952 on the basis of census data and psychiatric hospital statistics.
What is stigma in mental health?
A stigma refers to a disgrace or defect that indicates that person belongs to a culturally devalued social group. In some cases the stigma of mental illness is accompanied by the use of disrespectful and dehumanizing labels, including names such as “crazy,” “nuts,” “mental,” “schizo,” and “retard.”.
What is the biopsychosocial model?
The bio-psycho-social model of illness is a way of understanding disorder that assumes that disorder is caused by biological, psychological, and social factors ( Figure 12.1 “The Bio-Psycho-Social Model” ). The biological component of the bio-psycho-social model refers to the influences on disorder that come from the functioning ...
What are the consequences of psychological disorders?
People with psychological disorders are also stigmatized by the people around them, resulting in shame and embarrassment, as well as prejudice and discrimination against them. Thus the understanding and treatment of psychological disorder has broad implications for the everyday life of many people.
What is distress and dysfunction?
The focus on distress and dysfunction means that behaviors that are simply unusual (such as some political, religious, or sexual practices) are not classified as disorders. Put your psychology hat on for a moment and consider the behaviors of the people listed in Table 12.2 “Diagnosing Disorder”.

The Definition of Abnormal Psychology and Behavior
Diagnosing Abnormal Psychology Disorders Through Behavior
- Since abnormal psychology disorders can greatly affect the quality of life of those who face them daily, it is important that they are diagnosed correctly. Diagnoses often get a negative reaction, but they are actually a positive tool as they allow mental health professionals to provide individuals with the help they need. Abnormal psychology disorders are diagnosed by therapists…
Outlining Abnormal Psychology Disorders
- Abnormal Psychology Disorders include anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, delusional disorders, substance use disorders, dissociative disorders, and impulse control disorders. Each of these challenges is explained in greater detail below.
Treatments in Abnormal Psychology and Abnormality
- Treatments for abnormal psychology will always correlate to the underlying disorders. A good place to start is by talking with a licensed therapist. Consider talking to a licensed therapist online at BetterHelp to get sincere and professional guidance from the comfort of your own home. They can both help you and point you toward other services that could be of further assistance in you…
Conclusion
- If you are suffering from an abnormal psychology disorder, do not lose hope. Remember that there are many types of abnormal psychology disorders and despite the phrase "abnormal," these challenges are common. Keep in mind that each type can be treated, and you can receive treatment as well. No matter what you're experiencing, with the right tools, you can move forwar…