Unit 1849: Abnormal Psychology

1. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

• History of Abnormal Psychology
  • Early perspectives and treatments
  • Evolution of the field
• Definitions and Concepts
  • What constitutes 'abnormal' behavior?
  • Criteria: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger
• Approaches to Studying Abnormal Behavior
  • Clinical observation, case studies, experimental methods
• Cultural Considerations
  • Cross-cultural variability in definitions and manifestations
  • Culture-bound syndromes
• Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness
  • Social stigma and its impact on individuals
  • Strategies to reduce stigma

2. Theoretical Perspectives in Abnormal Psychology

• Biological Perspective
  • Genetic, neurochemical, and neuroanatomical factors
• Psychodynamic Perspective
  • Freud’s theory, unconscious conflicts
• Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective
  • Role of thoughts, learning, and behavior
• Sociocultural Perspective
  • Influence of social, cultural, and environmental factors

3. Classification and Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
  • Structure and organization
  • Criteria for diagnosis
• Assessment Process
  • Clinical interviews, psychological testing, observation
• Reliability and Validity of Diagnosis
  • Inter-rater reliability
  • Validity challenges
• Cultural Factors Influencing Diagnosis
  • Cultural formulation interview
  • Avoiding cultural bias

4. Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Symptoms and diagnostic criteria
  • Etiology and risk factors
  • Treatment approaches
• Panic Disorder
  • Features and symptomatology
  • Biological and psychological causes
  • Management and interventions
• Phobias
  • Specific phobias, social anxiety disorder
  • Behavioral models and treatments
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Obsessions and compulsions
  • Neurobiological underpinnings
  • Therapeutic strategies

5. Mood Disorders

• Major Depressive Disorder
  • Symptoms and diagnostic features
  • Biological, psychological, and environmental risk factors
  • Treatment modalities: psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy
• Bipolar Disorder
  • Types and diagnostic criteria
  • Neurobiological influences
  • Management and long-term care

6. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

• Overview of Schizophrenia
  • Positive and negative symptoms
  • Cognitive deficits
• Etiology
  • Genetic, neurodevelopmental, and environmental factors
• Neurobiological Factors
  • Brain structure and neurotransmitter abnormalities
• Treatment Approaches
  • Antipsychotic medications
  • Psychosocial interventions
• Impact on Individuals and Society
  • Social stigma, disability, and support systems

7. Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Diagnostic criteria and symptom clusters
  • Neurobiological and psychological effects of trauma
• Acute Stress Disorder
  • Distinctions from PTSD
• Other Trauma-Related Conditions
• Coping Mechanisms and Resilience
• Therapeutic Strategies
  • Cognitive processing therapy, EMDR, pharmacotherapy

8. Eating and Feeding Disorders

• Anorexia Nervosa
  • Symptoms and medical complications
  • Psychological and sociocultural risk factors
• Bulimia Nervosa
  • Behavioral characteristics and health consequences
• Binge-Eating Disorder
  • Diagnostic features
• Feeding Disorders
• Body Image Issues
• Treatment Modalities
  • Nutritional rehabilitation, psychotherapy, family therapy
• Prevention Efforts

9. Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

• Substance Use Disorders
  • Definitions and diagnostic criteria
  • Biological, psychological, and social factors
• Addiction to Drugs and Alcohol
• Gambling Disorder and Other Behavioral Addictions
• Assessment and Diagnosis
• Treatment Approaches
  • Detoxification, behavioral therapies, pharmacological treatments
• Relapse Prevention

10. Personality Disorders

• Overview and Classification
• Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Symptoms and diagnostic criteria
  • Etiology and treatment
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Diagnostic Challenges
• Treatment Approaches
  • Psychotherapy modalities

11. Psychosocial Interventions and Therapeutic Approaches

• Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Humanistic and existential approaches
• Behavioral Interventions
  • Exposure therapy, reinforcement strategies
• Pharmacological Treatments
  • Classes of psychiatric medications
• Other Therapeutic Techniques
  • Group therapy, family therapy, mindfulness
• Emphasis on Evidence-Based Practices