What Is Abnormal Psychology?: Understanding Diagnosis And Treatment

Medically reviewed by Paige Henry, LMSW, J.D. and Arianna Williams, LPC, CCTP

Updated February 20th, 2025 by BetterHelp Editorial Team

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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.

Interested in learning more about abnormal psychology?

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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.

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 illness 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 behavior when they support, diagnose, and treat patients.

Diagnosing abnormal psychological disorders in mental health

Since abnormal psychological disorders can significantly affect the quality of life of those who face them daily, it can be 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. Psychological disorders that are assessed in the field of abnormal psychology include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders, among others.

What is abnormal psychology diagnosis, and what is its basis?

Abnormal psychological disorders are diagnosed by therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and doctors. The American Psychiatric Association developed a system to diagnose abnormal behavior using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, now in its fifth edition (DSM-5). Having a system for diagnosing abnormal behavior provides a framework for the reliability of diagnoses.

The diagnostic process

A standardized system helps clinicians diagnose mental illness consistently based on research, evidence, and clinical experiences. This system of diagnosis also aids in the treatment of the client and the development of new or updated diagnostic labels. The tool is not primarily used to label individuals but to help them understand themselves and receive support.

What mental disorders or illnesses apply to abnormal psychology?

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

People who live with anxiety disorders experience increased anxiety, often daily. There are ten anxiety disorders listed in the DSM-5, and anxiety is the main symptom of each type. They include the following:

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.

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. 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).

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.

Mood disorders

Disturbances of mood characterize mood disorders. There are two general classifications of mood disorders, including 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.

Interested in learning more about abnormal psychology?

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Personality disorders

Personality disorders cause rigid and often unhealthy behavior patterns and thinking that affect daily function. 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)

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia can cause individuals to interpret reality differently than 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 genetics, brain chemistry, and environment contribute to it.

Substance use disorders

Substance use disorders involve dependency and addiction to specific substances. These conditions may include chemical dependence and substance use that interferes 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.

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.

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 behavior such as pathological gambling, sexual complexity, kleptomania, trichotillomania, or intermittent explosive disorder.

Other diagnosis 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. Consider contacting a therapist for support and a more profound understanding of your symptoms and behavior.

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.

Psychological abnormality treatment correlates to 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.

Online therapy as an effective treatment for psychological abnormality

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 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.

Takeaway

Although the label "abnormal psychology" can feel intimidating, you're not alone. Millions of people live with a mental illness, and over 41.7 million US adults see a therapist. Many mental illnesses are treatable or manageable with support. Consider contacting a licensed provider to discuss your symptoms further and receive guidance as you move forward.

Frequently asked questions

Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.

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 which can cause personal distress and life challenges. 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.

What are major psychological disorders?

Major psychological disorders are mental health issues and behavioral disorders that feature unusual patterns of thinking or behavior and meet diagnostic criteria laid out in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). A few 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

What are the five most common mental health conditions 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

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 oneself or others.

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.

What do you mean by abnormal psychology?

Abnormal psychology focuses on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders and mental health problems.

What is an example of abnormal behavior?

Psychologists define the word abnormal through the lens of statistical rarity. This is because normal vs abnormal in human behavior can be subject to influences like societal norms, cultural norms, and social norms. Atypical behavior from one person’s perspective may have nothing to do with psychological problems in a person’s life, and may be a result of viewing them through the negative connotations of negative stereotypes.

That being said, observable behaviors that are indicative of psychiatric disorders may be classified as abnormal behavior. This includes auditory or visual hallucinations—hearing or seeing things that do not exist in reality.

What is considered an abnormal psychology class?

In an abnormal psychology class, your professor will likely start by defining abnormality from a scientific perspective, then go on to examine where and how abnormal psychology originated, classifying mental disorders, the history of mental illness, and understanding stigma around mental disorders. Many classes will also explore experimental research, and study different approaches that may be used for understanding and treating these disorders like cognitive perspective and cognitive therapy, humanistic therapy, psychodynamic perspective, and the diathesis stress model.

Is abnormal psychology the same as mental illness?

Abnormal psychology is the study of what used to be called “mentally ill” human beings. The preferred term for mental illness today is psychiatric disorder or mental health condition. In abnormal psychology, important ideas for study include clinical context for certain patterns of negative emotions, thoughts, and behaviors and what causes such behaviors.

To treat psychiatric disorders, an expert must understand the underlying pathology of mental processes that lead to harm. These psychological processes can be the result of one or more of the following characteristics or factors:

Brain dysfunction
Medical treatments
Personality traits
Life circumstances
Chemical imbalances
Genetic inheritance

Which is the best description of abnormal psychology?

To define abnormal psychology, let’s start with the World Health Organization’s definition of mental disorder: “A mental disorder is characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior.” Abnormal psychology is the study of mental disorders, including the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.

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