CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

ConceptNormality vs. Abnormality

Criteria for abnormalityCauses of abnormal behaviorMajor psychological disorders

Clinical Psychology

diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders

investigate causes of disorders

associated mental health specialists: Psychiatrists and Psychoanalysts

NORMALITY VS ABNORMALITY

People who behave normally are those who act and behave in an average, typical way.

Statistically speaking, normal behavior is that which we would expect from the majority of people.

Abnormal, therefore, refers to any behavior that is not typical.

CRITERIA FOR ABNORMALITY

StatisticalTo determine abnormality, we simply observe what are rare or infrequent in a given society or culture and label these deviation from the norms as abnormal.

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Many population facts are measured such as height, weight and intelligence. Most of the people fall within the middle range of intelligence, but a few are abnormally stupid. But according to this definition, a person who is extremely intelligent would be classified as abnormal.

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Culturalevery culture has certain standards for acceptable behavior; behavior that deviates from that standard is considered to be abnormal behavior. But those standards can change with time and vary from one society to another.

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Behavioral According to this view of abnormality, people who are unable to function effectively and adapt to the demand of society are considered as abnormal.

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Personal distress The final criteria considers abnormality in terms of the individual's subjective feelings, personal distress, rather than his behavior. Most people diagnosed as 'mentally ill' feel miserable, anxious, depressed and may suffer from insomnia.

MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Dissociative disorders Schizophrenia Mood disorders; Depression, Bipolar Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Anxiety Disorders Personality disorders

DID is the presence of two or more distinct

identities or personality states.

The diagnosis requires that at least two personalities (one may be the host) routinely take control of the individual's behavior with an associated memory loss that goes beyond normal forgetfulness; in addition, symptoms cannot be the temporary effects of drug us or a general medical condition.

Along with these symptoms client might experience: Depression, mood swings, sleep problems, alcohol and drug abuse, compulsions, and some more.

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Positive: hallucinations, delusion,

Negative: apathy, lack of interest, emotions

Cognitive: disorganized thought, difficulty in concentration, difficulty in completing tasks

Anxiety disorders Generalized anxiety disorders

The experience of long term anxiety with no explanation.

Panic disordersAnxiety that manifests itself in the form of panic attack that lasts from a few second to as long as several hours.

Phobic disordersIntense irrational fears of specific object or situation.

Obsessive compulsive disordersa disorder characterized by obsession or compulsion.

CAUSES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Open floor session

CAUSAL FACTORS RELATED TO ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR

Biological model: Psychodynamic Model:Behavioristic Model:Cognitive model:

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Biological modelThis model suggests that physiological causes are root of abnormal behavior.

Psychoanalytic model Abnormal behavior stems from childhood conflicts.

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Behavioral model Abnormal behavior is a learned response.

Cognitive modelThis model assumes that cognitions are central

to abnormal behaviors.