Srishti Nagpal
Remedial entry for missed quiz 1
Abnormal Psychology is concerned with the nature, causes and treatment of mental disorders. The field of abnormal psychology is also referred to as psychopathology and most of the information regarding it is accumulated through research. Research is at the heart of progress and knowledge in psychopathology. It employs scientific inquiry and careful observation to understand more about different mental disorders.With the development of technology, advances are made exposing clinicians and mental health professionals to newer and more effective treatments. Research is the engine that drives all these developments.Though not every person trained in clinical psychology conducts research, they still rely heavily on their scientific skills and ability to both ask questions and to put information in coherent and logical ways. Clinical researches often rely on a combination of self-report and observation methods. Most clinicians avoid case study method as its uniqueness hinders from drawing general conclusions. However, case studies do provide stimulus and an impetus for further research.
A uniform method of classification of mental disorders is provided in the DSM - Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder. It provides a common language to facilitate communication among clinicians. It’s first edition was published in 1952 and the most recent edition in 2013 is referred to as the DSM-5.
As all sciences rely on classification, it becomes essential to provide one in psychology as well. It provides us with a nomenclature and enables us to structure information in a more helpful manner. However, in the process of classification information is, more often than not, lost. When diagnosed a classified disorder may be labelled by the patient . These labels might stick around and hinder with the personal growth of the individual. Another poignant problem that persists till date is the stigma attached to mental disorders. In one of the most recent cases of the prevalence of stigma as well as insensitivity shown by people towards mental illnesses is that of Scottish football player who shared his struggle with depression and was mocked by fans and colleagues (BBC News). Thus despite several advancements, society still is unable to accept and understand mental illnesses.
Mental disorders throughout history have been misunderstood. Most cultures viewed mental disability as an act of possession by the demon or god and the only cure available would be exorcism. Several Greek philosophers had attempted to explain mental disability that was contrary to the mystic and religious beliefs of possession and witchcraft. Theories written by Hippocrates, Galen , Plato among others are renown. However, they too did not provide adequate etiology and solutions for the prevalent mental illnesses. In India, the Atharvaveda categorises mental diseases as both severe and mild ailments. It also provides a description of psychotherapies for each kind. Other ancient Indian texts like the Charak Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita have attempted to address various mental disorders. However, all in all, most mentally disturbed people throughout ancient and middle ages were outcasted from the society.
Sixteenth century onwards saw the spread of special institutions called asylums that worked as sanctuaries of refuge meant solely for the care of the mentally ill. However, residents of these ‘madhouses’ lived and died in incredible filth and cruelty. The treatment techniques were aggressive and based on the belief that the clients need to restore a physical balance in the body and the brain. It was only in the late eighteenth century that there were some reforms brought about owing to the efforts of Philippe Pinel in France and William Tuke in England. Gradually, throughout the world something called ‘deinstitutionalisation’ began. This enabled individuals to get treatment for their mental illnesses through outpatient facilities. It meant to do away with the trend of traditional hospitalisation of the mentally retarded.
Psychology as a science has come a long way and even presently people are constantly being made aware not to toss around terminology used for mental disorders as traits for normal people. For e.g. : equating a neat freak’s want for hygiene with that of an OCD patient or calling a sad person over a mundane event depressed. Mental health professionals are also constantly conscious of not labelling the clients in ways that would define them by their illness. Thus, psychologists and psychotherapists are increasingly switching to referring a client as ‘ someone with schizophrenia’ than simply schizophrenic. By doing so, it addresses a grave issue that the person is not the disorder.
References
“Players taunted footballer over depression.” BBC News. 2 February 2018. BBC News. Web. 4 February 2018.
Butcher, Hooley, Mineka and Dwivedi . Abnormal Psychology. Uttar Pradesh : Pearson , 2017. Print.
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