What Is Abnormal Psychology? Mental Health Diagnosis And Treatment
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What does abnormal psychology mean?
If you have a diagnosis under the label of "abnormal psychology," it may feel intimidating or frightening. However, abnormal psychology is a term in psychology to describe mental illnesses and symptoms that vary from popular psychology or commonality. It doesn't mean you are "abnormal" or "beyond help." The abnormal psychology field examines how emotional, behavioral, and cognitive tendencies can indicate mental illness.
An abnormal psychology diagnosis may not be a bad thing
Many mental health conditions labeled under abnormal psychology are common, and a diagnosis can be a positive experience. Understanding what your psychological symptoms are can point you toward effective treatment, and many "abnormal" mental disorders are treatable.
What is abnormal psychology?
The branch of psychology known as “abnormal psychology" includes assessing, treating, and preventing maladaptive behavior. While there is no definition of abnormal psychology in current diagnostic manuals, there are specific ways of characterizing the term concerning how a person deviates from what is considered "average." In the clinical world, abnormal psychology characterizes someone with a statistical deviation from normal behaviors or maladaptive self-behavior or relationships. The field of abnormal psychology also examines how various contexts influence individual functioning.
Maladaptive behavior
Those with maladaptive behaviors might struggle to reach their goals and adapt to the demands of life. Those who are maladaptive in society may interfere with or disrupt social group functions. Their behavior is often considered non-typical, socially unacceptable, and deviating from the average. This behavior is not their fault, however. It is often caused by the mental health conditions they're living with and may be improved with treatment like medication or therapy. It is also common for other fields, such as clinical psychology, to focus on abnormal behaviors when they support, diagnose, and treat psychological disorders in patients.
Abnormal psychology focuses on identifying patterns of abnormal behaviors and how they affect functioning. These patterns often include unusual patterns, observable behaviors, and distress that interfere with daily life.
Diagnosing abnormal psychological disorders in mental health
Since abnormal psychological disorders and mental disorders can significantly affect the quality of life of those who face them daily, it is essential to be diagnosed correctly. Diagnoses are a positive tool for some people, as they allow mental health professionals to provide individuals with effective tools. The process of diagnosis may be influenced by how professionals are defining abnormality in a clinical setting. Psychological disorders that are assessed in the field and study of abnormal psychology include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders, among others.
What is an abnormal psychology mental illness diagnosis, and what is its basis?
The diagnostic process for mental illness and other psychological disorders
What mental disorders or illnesses apply to abnormal psychology?
The question "Where does abnormal psychology originate?" can be answered by looking at the desire to understand, classify, and help individuals who experience severe psychological distress. Abnormal psychology focuses on identifying abnormal behaviors and their impact on human behavior, enabling therapists to design effective interventions. This branch examines the interaction between genetic inheritance and environmental factors, including chemical imbalances.
Abnormal psychology applies to all mental disorders, including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, personality disorders, delusional disorders, substance use disorders, dissociative disorders, and developmental disorders. Below are further explanations of each.
Anxiety disorders and other related mental health conditions
- Panic disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Specific phobias
- Social anxiety disorder
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Selective mutism
- Agoraphobia
- Substance or medication-induced anxiety disorder
- Anxiety disorder due to another medical condition
- Other specified anxiety disorder
In the DSM-5, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is listed under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is listed under trauma and stressor-related disorders. These conditions are no longer considered anxiety disorders. Research into these diagnoses employs both correlational research and experimental research to improve accuracy.
Specific phobias
Phobias cause people to fear a specific stimulus or situation, such as heights or spiders. Individuals living with phobias may understand that their fears are maladaptive behaviors. However, even with this knowledge, the fear remains. There are three subclasses of phobias: simple phobia, social phobia, and agoraphobia. Phobias are often treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP). These methods reflect a behavioral approach grounded in observable outcomes.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder often experience constant intrusion of unwelcome thoughts, images, or impulses that cause fear. Compulsions are behaviors, rituals, or acts that reduce fear temporarily. Many individuals living with OCD are aware that their behavior is maladaptive but struggle to change it out of fear. Exposure and response prevention treatment are often recommended for OCD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is caused by a traumatic event or chain of events. Traumatic events like accidents, violent personal assaults, and robbery, for example, may cause someone to develop PTSD. Prolonged events like abuse can also cause PTSD.
PTSD can cause flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, or guilt. Triggers of the event cause individuals living with PTSD to go into the fight-flight-freeze response, which often decreases their ability to cope. They may also experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders. These symptoms represent atypical behavior that diverges from statistical norms.
Mood disorders
Disturbances of mood characterize mood disorders. There are two general classifications of mood disorders: bipolar disorders and depressive disorders.
Bipolar disorder causes marked mood transitions from depressed states to hypomania or mania, which are terms to describe heightened energy, irritability, and ability. Mania can be dangerous and involve risky behaviors, delusions, psychosis, and insomnia.
Depressive disorders are characterized by extended periods of sadness, often without an understandable cause. These conditions can also cause a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Defining abnormality in these cases often involves examining statistical infrequency and how symptoms impact functioning.
Personality disorders
Personality disorders cause rigid and often unhealthy behavior patterns and thinking that affect daily functioning. People with personality disorders may have difficulty perceiving and relating to situations and people. They may experience severe challenges in relationships, social interactions, work, and school. Personality disorders include but aren't limited to:
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Histrionic personality disorder (HPD)
- Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)
- Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
Personality traits such as impulsivity or emotional instability may become maladaptive in these conditions.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia can cause individuals to interpret reality differently from others. It may cause symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, as well as behaviors that impair the ability to function in daily life. Researchers are uncertain about the exact causes of schizophrenia, but they believe that a combination of multiple causes, such as genetic inheritance, brain chemistry, and environment, contributes to it. Sigmund Freud initially theorized that some psychotic symptoms are defense mechanisms.
Substance use disorders
Substance use disorders involve dependency and addiction to specific substances. These conditions may include chemical dependence and substance use that interfere with daily life. For a substance use disorder diagnosis, an individual must struggle to function at work, in family roles, and with other obligations due to their usage. Internal thoughts or environmental stressors may serve as the underlying cause of addictive behavior.
Dissociative mental disorders
A disconnection and lack of continuity between memories, thoughts, surroundings, behaviors, and identity characterize dissociative disorders. People with dissociative disorders escape reality in involuntary and often unsafe ways. These disorders may be developed to cope with trauma, such as past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. There is considerable debate among researchers about classification, as different perspectives yield varying definitions.
Impulse control disorder
Impulse control disorder is characterized by impulsivity. Afflicted individuals may struggle to resist temptations or urges to act, speak, or think about certain stimuli or thoughts. A disturbance in neurotransmission in the brain, traumatic childhood experiences, and frustration can cause impulse control disorders. People with impulse control disorder may display abnormal behaviors such as pathological gambling, sexual complexity, kleptomania, trichotillomania, or intermittent explosive disorder. These actions often involve observable behaviors that deviate from accepted social norms.
What is abnormal psychology? Other diagnoses of psychological disorders that affect behavior and mental health
Note that there are over 100 conditions in the DSM-5. Not all conditions are listed above. The study of abnormal psychology often covers a wide range of disorders. You're not alone if you believe you're living with a mental illness and mental health problems. Consider contacting a therapist for support and a more profound understanding of your symptoms and behavior. The question “Where did abnormal psychology originate?” has long been tied to centuries of inquiry into why individuals deviate from typical functioning. The following characteristics are often used to identify psychological disorders: statistical rarity, dysfunction, personal distress, and violation of social norms.
How is psychological abnormality treated in psychology?
While there are several ways to approach the treatment of mental illness, medication and psychotherapy are often used in combination or on their own as the most effective options. Psychotherapy is a broad term for many types of talk therapy for mild and severe mental health concerns. There are over 400 therapeutic modalities. However, standard treatment options include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and exposure and response prevention therapy. Some providers take a medical approach that emphasizes biological causes and factors, while others consider different perspectives rooted in behavioral or psychological factors.
Understanding why abnormal psychology is important helps remove stigma and promotes early intervention. Clinicians also believe the study of abnormal psychology is important in preventing long-term distress through early assessment.
Psychological abnormality treatment correlates with the cause of mental health disorders
Treatments for abnormal psychology correlate to the underlying state of one's mental health. You may start by talking with a licensed therapist if any symptom has impacted your quality of life and ability to function. If you face barriers to finding support, you can also try online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp. Clinical experience and reasoning contribute to treatment planning by helping identify the most appropriate strategy based on individual needs. Some professionals use correlational research designs to study symptom progression and outcomes.
Online therapy as an effective mental health treatment for abnormal psychology
Online psychotherapy is a highly effective therapeutic method, proven in several studies to significantly reduce symptoms of mood disorders such as major depressive disorder. These results are similar to those found in studies on face-to-face therapy. Online therapy has also been proven to be more cost-effective. If you want to find a therapist but are intimidated by the idea of making appointments and traveling to an office, online therapy may benefit you. With an internet-based platform, you can set appointments in your own time and work with a provider from home. The National Institute of Mental Health supports studies that show digital interventions are especially beneficial for underserved populations.
Takeaway
What is abnormal psychology, and what treatments are available for abnormal psychology disorders?
Abnormal psychology characterizes someone with a statistical deviation from normal behaviors or maladaptive self-behavior or relationships. The most common treatments for abnormal psychological disorders are medications and psychotherapy. Other treatments may also prove beneficial. Many expressive therapies and unique treatments, like electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation, are also available. Some methods reflect a medical approach based on biology, while others come from cognitive theory.
What are the major psychological disorders?
A few of the mental illnesses included in the DSM-5 include the following:
- Mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Psychotic disorders like schizophrenia
- Substance use disorders like alcohol use disorder
- Personality disorders like NPD or BPD
- Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa
Sigmund Freud was one of the first to explore how unconscious conflicts contribute to mood and anxiety disorders.
What are the five most common psychological disorders in abnormal psychology?
The most common abnormal psychological disorders may include the following:
- Anxiety Disorders: Impacting over 40 million Americans
- Depressive Disorders: Impacting over 280 million people worldwide
- Eating Disorders: Impacting over 28.9 million Americans
- Substance Use Disorders: Impacting over 46.3 million Americans
These conditions often have multiple causes, such as environmental triggers and childhood adversity, which makes the reasoning contribute to the diagnosis complex.
Additional FAQs about abnormal psychology
Here are some additional questions and answers related to abnormal psychology.
What is true of abnormal behavior?
The person’s behavior is abnormal or atypical if it deviates from ideal mental health. An abnormal behavior can cause great distress or make it difficult for a person to cope with everyday demands. In some instances, abnormal behavior may cause the person to endanger themselves or others. This is one of the ways psychologists define abnormality when assessing risk and impairment.
How do you get a psychological diagnosis?
Psychological evaluation can include physical examinations and laboratory tests to determine related complications. For the psychological evaluation, a doctor or mental health professional can give a psychological diagnosis and help determine the accurate treatment. Some clinicians follow a medical approach that considers brain chemistry and biology. In such cases, doctors may recommend specific medical treatments in conjunction with therapy.
What is the difference between abnormal psychology and normal psychology?
Abnormal psychology focuses on abnormal behaviors that interfere with everyday functioning. In contrast, normal psychology studies typical patterns of human behavior under healthy or expected conditions. Experts use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to help define what is considered abnormal in a clinical context.
The study of abnormal psychology explores mental health issues that deviate from societal norms. While normal versus abnormal behavior can depend on cultural norms, certain signs, such as personal distress or maladaptive behaviors, are common red flags. The National Institute of Mental Health supports research to have a better understanding of mental health and its various conditions. There's often considerable debate about where to draw the line between eccentricity and true abnormal behaviors.
What is considered an abnormal psychology class?
An abnormal psychology class teaches students about the field of abnormal psychology and its applications in real-life situations. It includes topics such as correlational research, experimental research, and the origins of abnormal behaviors. Students learn about panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other psychiatric disorders. These classes may also cover medical treatments, therapeutic approaches, and behavioral therapy.
Often, a big part of these courses is learning how to treat psychological disorders using both the behavioral approach and cognitive therapy. Students explore how internal thoughts, genetic inheritance, chemical imbalances, or any of these may be the underlying cause of these behaviors. They also study normal versus abnormal behavior using diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and real-life examples.
Who is the father of abnormal psychology?
Many people consider Sigmund Freud the father of abnormal psychology due to his work on the unconscious mind's influence on behavior. He posited that maladaptive behaviors could come from unresolved inner struggles. Sigmund Freud’s ideas have helped shape how psychologists define what is abnormal, especially in a clinical context. His work also influenced both humanistic therapy and the medical approach to mental health.
While some ideas have evolved, Freud’s role in the field of abnormal psychology remains important. His work helps explain abnormal behaviors using different perspectives. He also influenced how experts use diagnostic criteria and correlational research designs to understand these behaviors.
What is abnormal psychology called now?
The term abnormal psychology is still used today, but it can have negative connotations. Many professionals now prefer to talk about mental health conditions to be more respectful. Still, the study of abnormal psychology is key to understanding psychiatric disorders, behavioral disorders, and psychological problems. Depending on the setting, you may also hear terms like clinical psychology or behavioral approach.
Even though the language has changed, abnormal psychology focuses on the same core ideas: atypical behavior, personal distress, and not fitting into social norms. Groups like the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Mental Health support research in this field. Regardless of the name, a better understanding of abnormal behaviors remains the ultimate goal.
What is an example of abnormal?
Someone who avoids all social contact out of fear might have a social anxiety disorder, which is a topic in abnormal psychology. A person exhibiting abnormal behaviors might overreact to minor things or act in ways that are outside of what is expected by societal norms. These behaviors often come from an underlying cause, such as life circumstances, biological causes, or the diathesis-stress model.
Therapists use cognitive therapy or humanistic therapy to help reduce distress. If someone doesn’t meet the following characteristics of usual behavior—like being able to care for themselves—they may be considered abnormal. Experts examine diagnostic criteria, follow a medical approach, and utilize correlational research to determine when treatment is necessary. Abnormal psychology focuses on helping them understand these behaviors from different perspectives.
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