Introduction of the Study of Psyhcopathology

• Psychopathology


  The study of mental disorders
• Mental disorder (DSM-5)


  • Occurs within the individual
  • Involves clinically significant difficulties in thinking, feeling, or behaviour
  • Goes beyond what would be a culturally accepted reaction to an event
  • Not primarily a result of social deviance or conflict with society
• Characteristics of mental disorder


  • Personal distress
  • Disability
  • Violation of social norms
  • Dysfunction
• Personal distress can be part of the definition of mental disorder, but not all disorders involve distress, and not all psychological distress is related to a mental disorder
• Disability, such as impairment in some important area of life, can be part of the definition of mental disorder, but not all disorders involve disability
• Violation of social norms can be part of the definition of mental disorder, but not all disorders involve violation of social norms, and not all violations of social norms are related to a mental disorder
• Dysfunction, where psychological processes are not functioning in a normal way, can be part of the definition of mental disorder
• Together the four characteristics (personal distress, disability, violation of social norms, dysfunction) constitute a useful pattern to define mental illnesses, but they are not equally or invariably applicable to every diagnosis
• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV and the DSM-V) is used for contemporary diagnosis of mental disorders
• Stigma


  • A label is applied to a group of people that distinguishes individuals with mental illnesses from others
  • The label is linked to deviant or undesirable attributes by society
  • People with the label are seen essentially different from those without
  • People with the label are discriminated against unfairly
• Charities and organizations do a lot to dispel the stigma associated with mental health problems, such as finding success stories, creating awareness, and finding spokespeople
• Early demonology (ancient times)


  • All good and bad manifestations of power beyond human control were regarded as supernatural
  • Behavior seemingly outside individual control was ascribed to supernatural causes
  • The doctrine that an evil being or spirit can dwell within a person and control their mind
• Early demonology: Treatments


  • Exorcism
  • Trephination (early version of psychosurgery)
• Hippocrates (fifth century B.C.)


  • Separated medicine from religion, magic, and superstition
  • The brain as the organ of consciousness, intellectual life and emotions
  • Three categories of mental illness: mania, melancholia and phrenitis
  • Treatments focused on balancing the four humors/fluids (blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm)
• Plato (fourth century B.C.)


  • Soul as two-horse chariot, with reason as the driver and spirit (noble emotions) and appetite (base drive) as the two horses
  • Imbalance leads to mental illness
• The Dark Ages and Demonology (2nd – 17th century)


  • Christian monasteries replaced physicians as healers/authorities on mental disorder
  • Return to a belief in supernatural causes of mental disorders
  • The persecution of witches (13th century), with witchcraft seen as heresy and a denial of God
• Development of asylums


  Leprosariums were converted to asylums after the 15th century, but conditions remained deplorable and did not lead to more humane and effective treatment
• Robert Burton (1577- 1640)


  "Anatomy of Melancholy" (1621), a comprehensive treatise containing personal disclosure on the causes and symptoms of melancholy, as well as remedies such as good food, exercise, laughter, reading, friends, and music
• Philippe Pinel's reform during French Revolution


  • Primary proponent in the movement for humanitarian treatment, where patients should be treated as sick human beings rather than as beasts
  • Moral treatment emerged in the later 18th century, with close contact with nursing staff/attendants, and purposeful activities to lead lives as close to normal as possible