Abnormal Psychology Concepts: Then and Now

 Robert Fettgather, PhD, has served as an associate faculty member at Mission College in Santa Clara, California, since 1983. When he is not leading courses in general, developmental, and abnormal psychology, among other subjects, Robert Fettgather enjoys hiking and boating.

Abnormal psychology is a distinct branch of psychology focused on atypical behavioral patterns and uncommon emotions and thoughts that may qualify as mental disorders. 

In modern times, aspects of this psychological discipline can be traced back to Karl Jaspers, who published the book General Psychopathology in 1913. It was an instrumental title in reframing interpretations of individual mental experiences, particularly those that might be considered unusual or out of the ordinary. Over the course of more than a century, the discipline has evolved to emphasize in-depth, medical-based studies of various mental illnesses, which may be caused by factors as diverse as genetics and social influence.

Psychopathology is the focus on the underlying disease processes or pathology, causing the abnormal behavior. Abnormal psychologists may study several clinical and personality disorders. One of the most common behavioral disorders in the United States is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD refers to impulsive actions and the inability to focus on a single topic or activity. It is usually diagnosed and treated in childhood, with a prevalence rate of approximately 9.4 percent. However, a 2019 study found that ADHD prevalence in adults had nearly reached 1 percent, doubling over a decade. It is not clear whether the trend represents sound medicine or diagnostic inflation. Personality disorders include obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), narcissistic personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Interestingly, OCPD is different than a similarly named disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCPD is characterized by a preoccupation with perfectionism and a staunch dedication to rules and standards. Behaviors associated with OCD include repeated obsessions and compulsions. Treatment options for OCD generally involve exposure and response prevention, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a regimen of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Historically, abnormal psychology was preceded by various religious traditions including shamanism that involved rituals such as incantations and exorcisms. Trephining, involving drilling a hole directly into the skull, was utilized as an attempt to promote healing by the early Greeks and the Chinese. Primitive and dangerous ancient methods can overshadow reasonable contributions from Tradiotional Chinese Medicine, including some herbal interventions.

Models of Psychopathology

Robert Fettgather, Ph.D. is a counselor, educator, writer and activist residing in Grass Valley, California.  He started as a special education teacher in an institutional setting where he worked with people with intellectual disability, autism and cerebral palsy. Robert Fettgather holds a doctorate in psychology and master degrees in both psychology and education, and teaches at Mission College. 

There are various models or perspectives that frame the field of abnormal psychology. You may recognize that many of them have been covered in earlier Posts.

The sociocultural model of abnormality takes into account the effect of culture on behavior and suggests that psychological disorders should be assessed within the realm of cultural relativity. Culture-bound syndromes are certain psychological disorders that are only found in particular cultures. The biological model of psychopathology proposes that psychological disorders arise from a physical or biological cause. 

The psychoanalytical model asserts that disorders are the result of repressed thoughts in the unconscious mind, and grounded in our past experiences. The behaviorist model explains disorders as a set of learned behaviors influenced by the environment. Cognitive psychologists have outlined the cognitive model which describes psychological disorders as resulting from errant patterns of thought. The biopsychosocial model is multi-faceted and asserts that abnormal behavior is the result of biological, psychological, cultural and social factors.

Studies of abnormal behavior, or psychopathology have considerable historic roots.  For example, archaeological evidence (3000 B.C.) of a practice called "trepanning", or drilling holes in the skull-this  showed concern for aberrant behavior with a radical intervention.

States Of Dissociation

An instructor at Mission college, robert Fettgather hassd taught Human Development, abnormal Psychology and other courses. Robert fettgather has also taught courses in psychology and education at San Jose State University and National University. 

Most of us have had the experience of "spacing out' as a kind of absent minded moment or even a pleasant day dream. On the other hand, dissociative disorders involve a break, or dissociation, in a person’s sense of identity. In dissociative amnesia, an individual cannot remember information contained in long-term memory such as her own name or where she lives. A dissociative fugue occurs when a person suddenly travels away from his home and afterwards cannot remember the trip or even his own identity. In dissociative identity disorder, formerly referred to as multiple personality disorder, a person seems to experience at least two or more distinct personalities.

For example, a woman called Hilary Stanton had considerable blanks in her memories of childhood. She recalled her "safe place" behind the barn, and how her "alters" began to protect her mind. Dr. Allan Schore has noted the physiological impact of dissociation in response to early trauma, and its effect on suicidality.

According to the psychoanalytical model, dissociation is a defense mechanism and is associated with emotional or physical trauma. Behaviorists believe that “not thinking” about certain events can be negatively reinforced by reducing anxiety and unpleasant feelings, while cognitive psychologists focus on the feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety that may be avoided through “thought avoidance.” Biological reasoning for dissociative disorders is found in the scientific literature as well. For example, researchers have discovered that people with depersonalization disorder also have diminished brain activity in brain areas responsible for our experience of body sensations.