Abnormal Psychology and Mental Disorders

The provided document is a solved assignment on abnormal psychology and mental disorders. It covers different topics such as the definition of abnormality, types of mental disorders (biological, psychological, and sociocultural), and various treatments used by biologists and psychologists. The assignment also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each viewpoint and provides references to relevant books and journals.

Psychology of Mental Illness

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Evaluate the concept of abnormality in relation to behaviour and experience.................1
1.2 Discuss the problems of diagnosing mental disorders...........................................................1
Case study 1.................................................................................................................................2
Case study 2.................................................................................................................................2
Case study 3.................................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
There are two faces of human life that is happiness and sadness. it depends on person
behavior that how he or she handles these two faces. Mental illness can impact on a person
health to a great extent. It can affect on physical as well as mental health. The main reason for
this is stress and sadness (Sánchez & et.al., 2018). this report will describe concept of behavior
with abnormality. Also, it will discuss problems occurs in diagnosing mental disorder. Moreover,
some case study and mental illness of person will be described.
TASK 1
1.1 Evaluate the concept of abnormality in relation to behaviour and experience
Everyone experiences sadness, stress and anxiety in their life. This effects on their mental
health. but it does not mean that they are abnormal. The culture of society, values and ethics
reflects human behaviour. Due to frequent change in behaviour of people, abnormalities cases
are increasing. Human behaviour can be affected by mental illness. It can lead to abnormality
and impact in mental health. there is difference between mental illness and abnormality. They
should not be linked together. Many people think that depression is considered as abnormality.
Also, it is stated that going against social norms makes people abnormal. The behaviour of
person reflects his or her mentality.
1.2 Discuss the problems of diagnosing mental disorders
In order to diagnose mental disorder, there are several problems that occurs (Schrank &
et.al., 2014). This affects the quality of care and entire process. They are as follows:
 The first one is community behavior that a person possess during disorder. It is very
difficult to analyze needs and behavior of person in that situation. A psychiatrist may use
ADHD concept while other use oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) technique. Thus,
this leads to impact in mental condition of person.
 The second problem is development or growth or person. Each one has their own growth
process. Psychiatrist may use therapy to diagnose mental disorder. These therapies are
based on social, family or behavior of person.
 Third one is DSM disorder are based on subjective opinion rather than objective. So,
doctors decide which disorder has to be included in abnormality.
A feeling or belief may be developed among person that he or she there is something wrong
(Nesse, 2015). This changes behavior which impact on diagnose process.
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Therefore, these all are the problems that occurs in diagnose of mental disorder. It
restricts doctors as well as person to provide proper care to patient. Furthermore, this create
barriers as well.
Case study 1
1) Dave is suffering from schizophrenia. Due to frequent vision and dreams of aliens he is far
away from reality. This behavior can lead to negative thinking in Dave. He may not be able to eat
and sleep well. It will affect his mental and physical health. The person may start believing in
imagery world. He might not get involved with friends.
2) in order to overcome schizophrenia Dave might face many problems. First is Dave can cause
harm or threat to person who ever is diagnosing. he can behave in very rude way (Nolen-
Hoeksema & Rector, 2015). The time required for this can be 6 months.
Case study 2
1) Mary is suffering from depression due to circumstances that she has seen in childhood. She
might get in trouble while dealing with her children. She also has to
2) the person giving diagnosis may be face problem of rude behavior of Mary. He can find it
difficult to understand needs and how to deal with it. the doctor has to monitor changes in
behavior this can be difficult. Time required for diagnosis can be around 4 months.
Case study 3
1) here, Raphael has developed a phobia of needle and blood. Due to this he can suffer from
mental disorder. Also, he may not be able to work in hospital. The phobia may change his
behavior. The mental condition of Raphael may become worse.
2) the person giving treatment to may find it difficult to understand Raphael behavior. This will
restrict person to use sharp objects or any red liquid (Naslund & et.al., 2017). The time length is
not estimated in this. Phobia can remain for lifetime.
TASK 2
1: Schizophrenia
Describe what the
medical/biological
model states the
cause of
What evidence and
arguments are there
for the strengths of
this view?
What evidence and
arguments are there
for the weaknesses of
this view?
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schizophrenia is.
a: Twin study research Family background
and condition
For instance: adoption
and family studies
back the genetic
explanation up.
The fact that twin
studies do not provide
100% genetic
evidence… what about
the environment?
b: Dopamine
hypothesis
Here, symptoms such
as depression, stress,
etc. are viewed
For example- reasons
for depression
It does not provide
background
information of person.
c: Brain structure The structure and
complex pattern of
brain is found by MRI.
Change in structure of
brain.
Through this, mental
disorder and
behaviour can not be
analysed.
Alternative Cognitive
Behavioural view
Describe the
viewpoint of the
Cognitive Behavioural
viewpoint on what
causes schizophrenia.
What evidence and
arguments are there
for the strengths of
this view?
What evidence and
arguments are there
for the weaknesses of
this view?
A: Irrational thinking It shows that stress
and depression can
lead to mental
disorder.
It fits with the
biological view that
faulty wiring equals
faulty thinking
Not all faulty thinking
leads to stress.
B: Learning behaviour
through copying
others. (Social
Learning).
It allows person to
follow or do similar
things.
It shows the social
learning of person and
ethics of society.
Social cause may not
always be reason.
Discuss the
treatments that
biologists might use
Drugs available They remove many
symptoms
They only deal with
the symptoms and not
the cause.
Discuss the CBT (Cognitive It effectively changes Only ethics and values
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treatments
psychologists might
use
behavioural therapy) the social behaviour of
person.
are changed.
2: Depression
Describe what the medical/biological
model states the cause of depression
is.
What evidence
and arguments are
there for the
strengths of this
view?
What
evidence
and
arguments
are there
for the
weaknesse
s of this
view?
a: Recent research
into neurogenesis
(brain cell growth
in the
hippocampus)
https://brainslab.wordpress.com/
essays/is-neurogenesis-in-the-
hippocampus-linked-to-depression/
it deals with brain
cells and mental
disorder.
This focus
on mental
condition
of person.
b:
Probiotics/prebioti
cs
https://www.psychologytoday.com/
blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201602/
probiotics-depression
This describes
thoughts while
providing
medication.
Alternative
Cognitive view
Describe the viewpoint of the Cognitive
viewpoint on what causes depression
What evidence
and arguments are
there for the
strengths of this
view?
What
evidence
and
arguments
are there
for the
weaknesse
s of this
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view?
Irrational thinking Overthinking leads to depression.
Discuss the
treatments that
biologists might
use
Drugs available They remove many
symptoms
They only
deal with
the
symptoms
and not
the cause.
Discuss the
treatments
psychologists
might use
REBT or CBT concentrating on
rationalising irrational negative
automatic thought patterns.
It removes
negative behaviour
of person.
They deal
with
thoughts
but not
impact.
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3: Phobias.
Describe what the
medical/biological
model states the
cause of a phobia is.
What evidence and
arguments are there
for the strengths of
this view?
What evidence and
arguments are there
for the weaknesses of
this view?
a: Twin study research For instance: adoption
and family studies
back the genetic
explanation up.
The fact that twin
studies do not provide
100% genetic
evidence… what about
the environment?
b: GABA imbalance in
brain chemistry
It prevents
overstimulation.
It shows methods
through which person
remains calm.
It deals with stimulus
of person.
Alternative
Behavioural view
Describe the
viewpoint of the
Behavioural
viewpoint on what
causes a phobia.
What evidence and
arguments are there
for the strengths of
this view?
What evidence and
arguments are there
for the weaknesses of
this view?
A: Classical
Conditioning
Here, potent stimulus
is paired with
previously neutral
stimulus.
Through stimulus
behaviour can be
understood.
It only deals with
behaviour of person.
B: Operant
Conditioning
It shows rewards and
punishments for
behaviour
This improves person
symptoms and
behaviour as well.
It analyses behaviour
in particular situation.
Discuss the
treatments that
Drugs available They remove many They only deal with
the symptoms and not
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biologists might use symptoms the cause.
Discuss the
treatments
psychologists might
use
CBT (Cognitive
behavioural therapy)
They can remove fear
of phobia.
It can only be used for
short time period.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that abnormality is related to behaviour and experience of person.
They change mental condition and led to illness. They occur due to culture or social change.
Besides this, many problems affect diagnosing mental disorders. this restricts in providing
quality care to person.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Michaels, P. J. & et.al., (2017). Constructs and concepts comprising the stigma of mental
illness. Psychology, Society, & Education, 4(2), 183-194.
Naslund, J. A. & et.al., (2017). Health behavior models for informing digital technology
interventions for individuals with mental illness. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 40(3), 325.
Nesse, R. (2015). Evolutionary psychology and mental health. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Rector, N. A. (2015). Abnormal psychology. Boston: McGraw-
Hill.
Sánchez, J. & et.al., (2018). Predictors of perceived social effectiveness of individuals
with serious mental illness. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal.
Schrank, B. & et.al., (2014). Positive psychology: An approach to supporting recovery in
mental illness. East Asian Archives of Psychiatry, 24(3), 95.
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