Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal Psychology Classification of Psychological Disorders Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that deals with unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought, which may or may not be understood as precipitating a mental disorder. One of its key goals is to understand, classify, and treat psychological disorders. 1. What is a Psychological Disorder? A psychological disorder, also known as a mental disorder, is a condition characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are distressing, dysfunctional, deviant, and/or dangerous. The 4 Ds are commonly used to define abnormality: Deviance : Behavior that significantly differs from societal norms. Distress : Suffering caused to the person or others. Dysfunction : Interference with daily functioning. Danger : Risk of harm to self or others. 2. Classification Systems The classification of psychological disorders is primarily based on two major diagnostic manuals: a. DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) Published by the American Psychiatric Association. Widely used in the U.S. and internationally. Organizes disorders into categories based on symptom patterns. Includes diagnostic criteria, prevalence, risk factors, and comorbidity. b. ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Edition) Published by the World Health Organization. Used globally for clinical and research purposes. Mental

Updated July 15, 2026