Abnormal psychology studies abnormal behaviors and psychological phenomena, aiming to understand their root causes, determine if they should be addressed, and develop treatment plans. The definition of abnormal behavior has changed throughout history, and psychologists use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual to diagnose and treat conditions. The field recognizes that there are many influences on psychological development and aims to help individuals live more fulfilling lives.
Abnormal psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with behaviors considered abnormal, along with psychological phenomena that have not been fully explained, such as dreams, altered mental states, and hypnosis. The goal of this branch of psychology is to understand the root causes of such behavior, determine how and if the behavior should be addressed, and develop a treatment plan that helps an individual patient. People who seek help from psychologists, counselors, and psychiatrists benefit from their study of abnormal psychology. It is also a very interesting subject, for people who have the possibility to take an abnormal psychology course in school.
The definition of “abnormal” behavior can be slippery and has changed dramatically throughout human history. Mental and emotional disorders, maladaptive behaviors, and behaviors that cause significant distress are all studied in abnormal psychology. Psychologists have also developed a comprehensive guide to the conditions that have been studied. This guide, called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, provides precise definitions of abnormal conditions, along with criteria for diagnosis and information about treatment options.
Various conditions have appeared and disappeared in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), illustrating changing attitudes towards human behavior. At one point, for example, homosexuality was included in the DSM, with the argument that it was a socially maladaptive behavior that could be treated. Today this argument is not generally accepted in the psychology community, and homosexuality has been erased from the pages of the DSM, while countless other gender and sexual behaviors have been added.
People who work in the field of psychology usually want to improve emotional well-being for people seeking psychological help. When someone goes to the doctor about depression, for example, the doctor may use the DSM to diagnose depression, but the patient also needs assistance, which can take different forms, depending on the individual psychologist’s approach to the problem. People may also seek treatment for things like social anxiety disorder, anger disorders, and a wide variety of other conditions that impair their quality of life.
The field of abnormal psychology recognizes that there are many influences on psychological development, including situational factors, environmental influences, and genetics. Their goal is not to force people to get back to “normal” but to help people who struggle with mental and emotional disorders so they can live more fulfilling and active lives. Some people work in research, studying people as a collective whole to learn more about human behavior patterns, while others work as caregivers, providing services directly to individuals.
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