Abnormal Psychology And Therapy Paper
Abnormal Psychology and Therapy
PSY300
Shawna Aubuchon
July 2, 2013 Abnormal Psychology and Therapy
To distinguish psychology from other sciences and to explain how the human mind processes information, several schools of thought have emerged. Before the 1950s, psychologists used their own theories to diagnose psychiatric disorders. Now in its fourth edition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) uses a multiaxial system to diagnose mental illnesses (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). This system places mental disorders in their social and biological context by evaluating patients along five axes: clinical syndromes, personality disorders (and mental retardation), medical conditions, environmental stressors, …show more content…
Personality disorders are defined by maladaptive patterns of thought, feelings and behavior. These patterns lead to chronic and severe disturbances that substantially inhibit the capacity to love and to work (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). There are several types of personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder is typically more prevalent in women, while antisocial personality disorder is more prevalent in men (Kowalski & Westen, …show more content…
One of the most tragic mental illnesses that a human can have is schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is an umbrella term for a psychotic illness characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, behavior, language, communication, and emotion (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). Individuals often suffer from delusions, hallucinations, and loosening of associations. Theorists hypothesize that the cause of schizophrenia is reflected from early damage to the brain. In addition to schizophrenia, mood disorders are also found in the DSM-IV. Mood disorders are characterized by disturbances in emotion and mood. Marked by persistent or severe feelings of sadness and hopelessness, mood disorders can be dangerously positive, where the patient will experience a manic state (feel excessively happy or euphoric). There are several forms of mood disorders, as well as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder (Kowalski & Westen,
PSY300
Shawna Aubuchon
July 2, 2013 Abnormal Psychology and Therapy
To distinguish psychology from other sciences and to explain how the human mind processes information, several schools of thought have emerged. Before the 1950s, psychologists used their own theories to diagnose psychiatric disorders. Now in its fourth edition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) uses a multiaxial system to diagnose mental illnesses (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). This system places mental disorders in their social and biological context by evaluating patients along five axes: clinical syndromes, personality disorders (and mental retardation), medical conditions, environmental stressors, …show more content…
Personality disorders are defined by maladaptive patterns of thought, feelings and behavior. These patterns lead to chronic and severe disturbances that substantially inhibit the capacity to love and to work (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). There are several types of personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder is typically more prevalent in women, while antisocial personality disorder is more prevalent in men (Kowalski & Westen, …show more content…
One of the most tragic mental illnesses that a human can have is schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is an umbrella term for a psychotic illness characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, behavior, language, communication, and emotion (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). Individuals often suffer from delusions, hallucinations, and loosening of associations. Theorists hypothesize that the cause of schizophrenia is reflected from early damage to the brain. In addition to schizophrenia, mood disorders are also found in the DSM-IV. Mood disorders are characterized by disturbances in emotion and mood. Marked by persistent or severe feelings of sadness and hopelessness, mood disorders can be dangerously positive, where the patient will experience a manic state (feel excessively happy or euphoric). There are several forms of mood disorders, as well as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder (Kowalski & Westen,