Psychopathology and Psychological Disorders: Definitions, Models, and Treatment

Psychopathology

The scientific study of psychological dysfunction.

Psychological Disorder

A psychological dysfunction within an individual associated with distress or impairment in functioning and a response that diverges from cultural norms.

Abnormal Behavior

Behavior that is considered outside of what is typical or culturally expected.

Continuum Model of Abnormality

The idea that abnormal behavior exists on a spectrum rather than as a clear-cut category.

Cut-Off Point

The point at which behavior is classified as normal or abnormal.

Psychological Dysfunction

A breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning.

Dysfunction Severity

The more dysfunctional behaviors and feelings are, the more likely they are considered abnormal.

Dysfunction Limitation

Not all psychological dysfunction leads to a disorder.

Distress

An emotional reaction that is common in many situations.

Dysfunctional Distress

Distress that is excessive compared to what others would experience in the same situation.

Stress and Abnormality

Stress level alone does not define abnormal behavior.

Impairment

Interference in functioning that must be significant or pervasive.

Deviance

Behavior that is atypical or statistically infrequent.

Statistical Infrequency

The rarity of a behavior in the general population.

Cultural Norms

Standards used to judge behavior relative to cultural context.

Cultural Relativity

Normalcy must be evaluated within the individual's culture.

Gender Cultural Norms

Expectations that differ based on gender.

Generational Cultural Norms

Expectations that differ across generations.

Dangerousness

Behaviors or feelings that pose potential harm to self or others.

Social Context

Situational factors that influence judgments of dangerousness.

DSM-5 Definition of Disorder

Dysfunction associated with distress, impairment, or increased risk of suffering, death, pain, or disability.

Eccentricity

Unusual behavior that is not necessarily disordered.

Clinical Description

The characterization of abnormal behaviors and disorders.

Etiology

The study of the origins or causes of psychological disorders.

Treatment

Methods used to manage or alleviate symptoms.

Outcome

The result or course of a disorder following treatment.

Three Areas of Psychopathology

Clinical description, causation, and treatment/outcome.

Presenting Problem

The initial complaint that brings a person to treatment.

Symptoms

Subjective or objective indicators of distress or dysfunction.

Clinically Significant Dysfunction

Dysfunction that goes beyond common human experience.

Epidemiology

The study of prevalence and incidence of disorders.

Prevalence

The number of individuals with a disorder at a given time.

Lifetime Prevalence

The proportion of people who develop a disorder at any time in life.

12-Month Prevalence

The proportion of people with a disorder in a given year.

Sex Ratio

The proportion of males to females affected by a disorder.

Age of Onset

The age at which symptoms first appear.

Course of Disorder

The pattern of symptom development over time.

Episodic Course

Symptoms occur in distinct episodes.

Time-Limited Course

Symptoms improve without treatment.

Chronic Course

Symptoms persist over a long period.

Acute Onset

Sudden appearance of symptoms.

Insidious Onset

Gradual development of symptoms.

Prognosis

The expected outcome of a disorder.

Good Prognosis

High likelihood of recovery.

Guarded Prognosis

Uncertain or poor recovery outlook.

Causality

Factors contributing to the development of psychopathology.

Treatment Development

The process of creating effective interventions.

Pharmacological Treatment

Use of medication to treat disorders.

Psychosocial Treatment

Psychological or social interventions.

Combined Treatment

Use of both medication and psychosocial therapy.

Mental Health Professionals

Individuals trained to assess and treat psychological disorders.

Clinical Psychologist (PhD)

Trained in research and treatment delivery.

Clinical Psychologist (PsyD)

Trained primarily in delivering psychological treatment.

Psychiatrist (MD)

Medical doctor who can prescribe medication.

Psychiatric Nurse

Assists in treatment and medication management.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Provides therapy and support services.

Marriage and Family Therapist

Treats individuals and families focusing on relationships.

Mental Health Counselor

Provides counseling for psychological issues.

Scientist-Practitioner Model

Integration of science and clinical practice.

Consumer of Science

Using scientific research to guide practice.

Evaluator of Science

Assessing the effectiveness of treatments.

Creator of Science

Conducting research to improve practice.

One-Dimensional Model

Explains behavior using a single cause.

Paradigm

A conceptual framework or school of thought.

Limitation of One-Dimensional Models

Ignore information from other areas.

Multidimensional Integrative Approach

Explains abnormal behavior using multiple influences.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Combines knowledge from different fields.

Biological Influence

Physical or genetic contributors to behavior.

Behavioral Influence

Learned patterns of behavior.

Emotional Influence

Affective contributors to psychopathology.

Social and Cultural Influence

Environmental and cultural contributors.

Developmental Influence

Changes across the lifespan.

Environmental Influence

External life experiences affecting behavior.

Behavioral Genetics

Study of genetic influences on behavior and abnormality.

Chromosomes

Structures containing genetic material.

DNA

Genetic material composing genes.

Genome

Complete set of genetic material.

Gene Expression

Process by which genes produce proteins.

Genetic Locus

Location of a gene on a chromosome.

Alleles

Alternative forms of a gene.

Genotype

An individual's genetic makeup.

Phenotype

Observable characteristics.

Dominant Gene

Expressed when present.

Recessive Gene

Expressed only when paired.

Polygenic

Disorders caused by multiple genes.

Gene Limitation

Genes account for less than 50% of psychopathology.

Adverse Life Events

Environmental stressors influencing disorders.

Gene-Environment Interaction

Interaction between genes and experiences.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Vulnerability combined with stress leads to disorder.

Diathesis

Underlying vulnerability.

Stress

Environmental trigger.

Reciprocal Gene-Environment Model

Genes influence exposure to environments.

Epigenetics

Environmental effects on gene expression.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects CNS to body systems.

Limbic System

Brain system involved in emotion and memory.

Amygdala

Emotion processing structure.

Hippocampus

Memory formation structure.

Prefrontal Cortex

Planning, judgment, impulse control.

Basal Ganglia

Movement and habit formation.