Abnormal Psychology
Terminology
Term Definition
Aetiology The study of the causation of mental disorders
Clinical picture The constellation of visible signs or symptoms associated with a
particular mental disorder, the interpretation of which leads to a specific
diagnosis
Comorbity A mental disorder existing simultaneously but independently with
another mental disorder in the same individual
Dangerousness The extent to which an individual with a mental disorder is likely to
cause harm to themselves or others
Delusions False belief that is held strongly by an individual, even though they are
presented with evidence to the contrary
Deviance The extent to which an individual’s behavior and attitudes differ from
norms or accepted social standards
Diagnoses The determination of the nature of a case of a mental disorder or the
distinguishing of one mental disorders from another, based on
identifying signs and symptoms of a mental disorder
Differential The determination of which disorder may be producing the symptoms of
diagnoses a mental disorder
Distress The level of anxiety, sorrow, or pain an individual subjectively
experiences to a mental disorder
Disorder Refers to conditions in which there is disturbances of the usual orderly
processes on an individual’s development
Epidemiology The study of patterns, causes and effects of diseases or disorders in
specific populations
Hallucination A false perception in the absence of external stimuli that appears to the
individual to be real and to be in the outside world. A hallucination can
occur in any sensory modality (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.)
Malingering Pretending to suffer from a psychosocial or physical illness or
exaggerating symptoms to avoid unwelcome duties such as work,
1
, military, etc. or to gain benefits such as financial compensations
Prognoses The prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disorder for an
individual
Prevalence Prevalence is the percentage of a population that exhibits a disorder
during a specified time period
Symptoms Subjective complaints of the individual
Signs Physical changes observed in the individual presenting for treatment
Syndrome Common patterns of symptoms over time
Abnormality:
- characterized by an individual displaying behavior that is rare or unusual.
- It is behavior that is regarded as unhelpful or maladaptive to situations or the context in
which individuals live is seen as constituting abnormal behavior.
- In the context of mental health, abnormality often suggests that it is impairments in an
individual’s daily functioning.
- The Medical Model of Mental Disorders proposes that it is useful to think of mental
illness as a disease and to identify and classify symptoms in a similar way as the
symptoms and signs of physical diseases are diagnosed.
Mental Disorder Books
The International Classification of Diseases The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
(ICD-10) Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
Associated with WHO Associated with American Psychiatric
Association
Note: there is an eleventh edition of the ICD however it is only in use from January 2022
DSM-5 Categories
1. Anxiety disorder, OCD and Trauma Disorders
- The categories of ‘anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and related
disorders and trauma-related disorders’ have a significant overlap of symptoms but are
separately accounted for in the DSM-5.
- Anxiety disorders are a class of disorders marked by feelings of excessive fear and
anxiety and related disturbances in their behavior.
- Individuals fear real or perceived threats and anxiously anticipate future threats.
- There are three main types of anxiety disorders:
a. Generalized anxiety disorder
2
Terminology
Term Definition
Aetiology The study of the causation of mental disorders
Clinical picture The constellation of visible signs or symptoms associated with a
particular mental disorder, the interpretation of which leads to a specific
diagnosis
Comorbity A mental disorder existing simultaneously but independently with
another mental disorder in the same individual
Dangerousness The extent to which an individual with a mental disorder is likely to
cause harm to themselves or others
Delusions False belief that is held strongly by an individual, even though they are
presented with evidence to the contrary
Deviance The extent to which an individual’s behavior and attitudes differ from
norms or accepted social standards
Diagnoses The determination of the nature of a case of a mental disorder or the
distinguishing of one mental disorders from another, based on
identifying signs and symptoms of a mental disorder
Differential The determination of which disorder may be producing the symptoms of
diagnoses a mental disorder
Distress The level of anxiety, sorrow, or pain an individual subjectively
experiences to a mental disorder
Disorder Refers to conditions in which there is disturbances of the usual orderly
processes on an individual’s development
Epidemiology The study of patterns, causes and effects of diseases or disorders in
specific populations
Hallucination A false perception in the absence of external stimuli that appears to the
individual to be real and to be in the outside world. A hallucination can
occur in any sensory modality (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.)
Malingering Pretending to suffer from a psychosocial or physical illness or
exaggerating symptoms to avoid unwelcome duties such as work,
1
, military, etc. or to gain benefits such as financial compensations
Prognoses The prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disorder for an
individual
Prevalence Prevalence is the percentage of a population that exhibits a disorder
during a specified time period
Symptoms Subjective complaints of the individual
Signs Physical changes observed in the individual presenting for treatment
Syndrome Common patterns of symptoms over time
Abnormality:
- characterized by an individual displaying behavior that is rare or unusual.
- It is behavior that is regarded as unhelpful or maladaptive to situations or the context in
which individuals live is seen as constituting abnormal behavior.
- In the context of mental health, abnormality often suggests that it is impairments in an
individual’s daily functioning.
- The Medical Model of Mental Disorders proposes that it is useful to think of mental
illness as a disease and to identify and classify symptoms in a similar way as the
symptoms and signs of physical diseases are diagnosed.
Mental Disorder Books
The International Classification of Diseases The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
(ICD-10) Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
Associated with WHO Associated with American Psychiatric
Association
Note: there is an eleventh edition of the ICD however it is only in use from January 2022
DSM-5 Categories
1. Anxiety disorder, OCD and Trauma Disorders
- The categories of ‘anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and related
disorders and trauma-related disorders’ have a significant overlap of symptoms but are
separately accounted for in the DSM-5.
- Anxiety disorders are a class of disorders marked by feelings of excessive fear and
anxiety and related disturbances in their behavior.
- Individuals fear real or perceived threats and anxiously anticipate future threats.
- There are three main types of anxiety disorders:
a. Generalized anxiety disorder
2
