1. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
Psychology II
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

2. Explain what is ‘abnormal’
Defining Abnormality
What does it mean to be sane or insane?
Seemingly simple, but complex concept

3. Defining Abnormality Statistical Definition
Is something atypical considered abnormal?
Societal and cultural norms definition

4. Defining Abnormality
Distress Definition - however, there are times when abnormal behavior is not distressing
Manic phase of bipolar depression
Antisocial personality disorder

5. Defining Abnormality Impairment in functioning
Cognitive
Emotional
Behavioral
Sometimes, this is not “abnormal”
Depression over a death

6. Defining Abnormality Difficult to define… 3 Criteria…
Deviance
Distress
Disability/Maladaptive Behavior
Symptom/Behavior Continuum:
normal range
Abnormal Abnormal

7. Defining Abnormality DSM-IV-TR Definition
Behavioral, emotional or cognitive dysfunctions that are;
unexpected in their cultural context
associated with personal distress, or
substantial impairment in functioning

8. Defining Abnormality
Abnormal behavior must be a consistent pattern of behavior
“Thousand light years running through my brain reminding me that no one’s sane, not all the time”
What is considered abnormal depends on various factors
"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." Friedrich Nietzsche

9. Defining Abnormality Characteristics of abnormal behavior.
Statistical deviance
Cultural deviance
Emotional Distress
Dysfunction
Problems with labeling mentally ill: Rosenhan study – “On being sane in insane places”
Just being labeled insane can tremendously affect how people react to you

10. Labeling Issues Reasons to Label/Diagnose: Arguments against Labeling:
Needed for communication
Guide treatment
Insurance reimbursement
Arguments against Labeling:
Creates a stigma
Creates a self-fulfilling prophecy
Fail to see the person behind the disorder

11. Ancient Perspective Perceived Causes Ancient Treatments
movements of sun or moon
lunacy- full moon
evil spirits
Ancient Treatments
exorcism, caged like animals, beaten, burned, mutilated, blood replaced with animal’s blood

12. Bio-Psycho-Social <BPS> Model
Biological
(chemistry,
brain)
Psychological
(learned helplessness,
negative perceptions
and memories)
Sociocultural
(Societal expectations,
definition of normality
and disorder)
assumes that biological, sociocultural, and psychological factors combine and interact to produce psychological disorders

13. Medical Model Diagnosis Prognosis Etiology Label for a set of symptoms
Prediction or forecast for the course of a D/O
Etiology
Suspected cause of a disorder

14. Classifying Disorders
DSM-IV-TR
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, th edition, Text Revision
Published by the American Psychiatric Association
2000…(most recent update 2004)
Next major revision (DSM-V) anticipated for 2011.
Provides for reliable classification and description of all mental illnesses
Allows for better communication

15. Classifying Disorders
DSM IV- Purpose:
Provide a well-defined classification system
based on objective and measurable criteria,
reliable diagnoses of psychological disorders

16. DSM’s Multi-axial Diagnosis
Axis I Major Clinical Disorders
Axis II Mental Retardation & Personality Disorders
Axis III General Medical Conditions
Axis IV Psychosocial/Environmental Stressors
Axis V Global Assessment of Functioning
# between 1 and 100
Current and Highest in past year

17. Major Classes of Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Mood Disorders
Somatoform Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Schizophrenia
Substance Use Disorders
Other Axis I Disorders
Personality Disorders (Axis II)