ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

abnormal psychology. or psychopathology, is the study of the nature and development of mental disorders. many psychology students go on to study clinical psychology which involves the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

one must first, however, decide what behaviours should be classified as abnormal. there are several ways in which one might determine that a certain behaviour is not "normal". For example, if the behaviour is,

1. statistically infrequent,
2. in violation of social norms,
3. causing subjective distress,
4. leading to disability or dysfunction, or if it is
5. unexpected.

one of the major criteria in the diagnosis of a mental disorder is that it is causing subjective distress. this helps to prevent the abuse of individuals through labelling them with a mental disorder when in fact they do not believe there is anything wrong with them.

clincial psychologists use a special book to aid in their diagnosis and treatment of indivduals. the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) contains information regarding the symptoms and treatment of particular disorders.

learn more about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

an essay about anxiety sensitivity

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