Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology is a subfield of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The term covers a broad spectrum of disorders, from depression to obsession-compulsion to sexual deviation and much more. Counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists often work directly in this field. 
Understanding Abnormal Psychology

For understand psychopathology, it is important to first understand what the word "understand abnormal" about? On the surface, the meaning seems clear that something outside the norm. But we are talking about the rules of a group particular sex or age? Many human behaviors can follow what is known as the normal curve. In conjunction with this bell curve is, most people around the peak of the curve, as the media reported clustering. People who fall from May to end of the normal curve as "abnormal."

It is important to note that differences between normal and abnormal are not synonymous with good or bad. Consider one of the characteristics such as intelligence. A person who falls in that abnormal bulge of our definition of "this person is a genius. Of course, this is a case where the rules fall is actually a good thing.

If you focus on psychopathology, rather than relying on the distinction between normal and abnormal levels of stress or illness causing the behavior. If a behavior is due to problems of human life, or is harmful to others, then this behavior is "abnormal" that require some type of mental health interventions.

Abnormal Psychology Perspectives


There are a number of different angles used in Abnormal Psychology. While some psychologists or psychiatrists could focus on a point of view, many professionals in mental health, we are concerned, the troubles the elements of each sector to better understand and treat mental disorders.
Behavior: The behavioral approach to psychopathology focuses on observable behavior. In behavior, attention has to intensify the building of positive attitudes and focuses dysfunctional behaviors. This approach focuses exclusively on the behavior itself, not the underlying causes.

Doctor: The medical approach to psychopathology focuses on the biological causes of mental illness. The view focuses on understanding the causes of disturbances, in May, which include genetics, physics, diseases, infections, and chemical imbalances. Medical treatment is often pharmacological in nature, even if the drugs often used in combination with another type of psychotherapy.

Cognitive: The cognitive approach to abnormal psychology focuses on the inner thoughts, perceptions and thoughts contribute to mental disorders. Can focus attention on supporting the cognitive processes of the person to change their thoughts and reactions, or cognitive therapy, in combination with behavioral methods in a technique, such as cognitive behavioral therapy used.
Types of mental disorders

Mental disorders are also role models and defined psychological symptoms affecting most areas of life. These mental danger of the person that these symptoms. Be classified as incidents and defined? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association and serves the professional mental health for a variety of purposes. The manual contains a list of psychiatric disorders, diagnostic codes, information on the prevalence of various diseases and diagnostic criteria.

Categories of mental disorder are:
Adjustment Disorders
Mood Disorders
Fear
Developmental disabilities
Cognition