Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on understanding the nature of psychological disorders. It is an integrative field of study that draws on multiple scientific disciplines such as sociology, biology, and anatomy, among others, in its exploration of the causes and effects of mental illnesses. Abnormal psychology researchers are interested in understanding the factors that can cause a person to experience a psychological disorder, as well as how best to help those who suffer from them. Additionally, the study of abnormal psychology looks at different treatment interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and pharmacology, amongst others. Psychologists utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose and classify mental disorders. This manual is a highly informative and trusted source of information on abnormal psychology. The DSM classification model divides psychological disorders into five separate categories: anxiety, mood, dissociative, somatoform, and psychotic disorders. Each category contains various subcategories of disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, to name a few. When diagnosing a patient, a psychologist might use a range of tests, including medical examinations, psychological questions and tests, physical examinations, and evaluations of the patient’s thought processes and mental state. Research and knowledge of evidence-based treatments can then be utilized to treat the patient. Treatment options vary depending on the particular disorder; for instance, depression might be treated using cognitive-behavioral therapy, while anxiety might be treated using a combination of psychological and pharmacological interventions. Over the last several decades, researchers have made significant advances in the field of abnormal psychology, such as discovering the genetic basis of many mental illnesses, the role of environment and stress in developing a mental disorder, and the development of new evidence-based treatments. This research has provided a better understanding of psychological disorders, and it continues to be an area of intense focus for the mental health community.