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Psychopathology

Psychopathology is the study ofmental illness, mental distress, and abnormal/maladaptive

behavior. The term is most commonly used withinpsychiatrywherepathologyrefers to disease

processes.Abnormal psychologyis a similar term used more frequently in the non-medical fieldofpsychology. Psychopathology should not be confused withpsychopathy, a genetic subtype of

antisocial personality disorder.

Psychopathology as the study of psychiatric illness

Many different professions may be involved in studying mental illness or distress. Most notably,

psychiatristsandclinical psychologistsare particularly interested in this area and may either beinvolved in clinical treatment of mental illness, or research into the origin, development and

manifestations of such states, or often, both. More widely, many different specialties may be

involved in the study of psychopathology. For example, aneuroscientistmay focus onbrain

changes related to mental illness. Therefore, someone who is referred to as a psychopathologist,may be one of any number of professions who have specialized in studying this area.

Psychiatrists in particular are interested in descriptive psychopathology, which has the aim of

describing the symptoms and syndromes of mental illness. This is both for thediagnosisof

individual patients (to see whether the patient's experience fits any pre-existing classification), or

for the creation of diagnostic systems (such as theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

DisordersorInternational Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems)

which define exactly which signs andsymptomsshould make up a diagnosis, and how

experiences and behaviours should be grouped in particular diagnoses (e.g.clinical depression,paraphrenia,paranoia,schizophrenia).

Before diagnosing a psychological disorder, Clinicians must study the themes, also known asabnormalities, within psychological disorders. The most prominent themes consist of: deviance,

distress, dysfunction and danger. These themes are known as the 4 D's, which define

abnormality.

Description of the 4 D's when defining abnormality: Deviance: this term describes the idea that

specific thoughts, behaviours and emotions are considered deviate when they are unacceptable or

not common in society. Clinicians must, however, remember that minority groups are not alwaysdeemed deviate just because they may not have anything in common with other groups.

Therefore, we define an individual's actions as deviate or abnormal when his or her behaviour is

deemed unacceptable by the culture he or she belongs to. Distress: this term accounts fornegative feelings by the individual with the disorder. He or she may feel deeply troubled and

affected by their illness. Dysfunction: this term involves maladaptive behaviour that impairs the

individuals ability to perform normal daily functions such as getting ready for work in themorning, or driving a car. Such maladaptive behaviours prevent the individual from living a

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normal, healthy lifestyle. However, we must remember that a person's behaviour, who is acting

dysfunctional, is not always caused by a disorder. Dysfunctional behaviour may be voluntary,such as engaging in a hunger strike. Danger: this term involves dangerous or violent behaviour

directed at the individual, or others in the environment. An example of dangerous behaviour that

may suggest a psychological disorder is engaging in suicidal activity.

[edit] Psychopathology as a descriptive term

The termpsychopathology may also be used to denote behaviors or experiences which are

indicative of mental illness, even if they do not constitute a formal diagnosis. For example, the

presence of ahallucinationmay be considered as a psychopathological sign, even if there are not

enough symptoms present to fulfill the criteria for one of the disorders listed in the DSMorICD.

In a more general sense, any behaviour or experience which causes impairment, distress or

disability, particularly if it is thought to arise from a functional breakdown in either the cognitiveandneurocognitivesystems in the brain, may be classified as psychopathology.

[edit] Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

The DSM, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders, is an official guideline

for the diagnosis of psychological disorders. Clinicians, researchers and psychologists use this

manual as a reference guide to diagnose psychological disorders. For a diagnosis to be made, 2levels of criteria within the DSM must be met. First, the disordered behaviour must originate

within the person, and it must not be a reaction due to external factors. Second, the disorder must

be involuntary, meaning that the individual cannot physically or mentally control their

symptoms.

The DSM uses a Multiaxial system of classification, which requires the individual to be placedon 5 separate axes which describe possible mental health factors. Most disorders are recorded on

axis I, which are state dependent. Axis II describes disorders that are traitdependent. Axis III

describes currentphysical conditions, Axis IV describespsychosocial or environmental

stressors, and lastly, Axis V is used to discuss the individuals global assessment of functioning.

Axis I: Most psychological disorders Axis II: Personality disorders and mental retardation Axis III: General medical condition Axis IV: Psychosocial and environmental stressors Axis V

:Global assessment of functioning

Examples of Disorders classified within the DSM include:

Major Depressive Disorder is a mood disorder defined by symptoms of loss of motivation,decreased mood, lack of energy and thoughts of suicide.

Bipolar Disorders are mood disorders characterized by depressive and manic episodes ofvarying lengths and degrees.

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Dysthymia is a mood disorder similar to depression. Characterized by a persistent lowmood, Dysthymia is a less debilitating form of depression with no break in ordinaryfunctioning.