Psychological disorders and

treatments
Chapters 11 and 12
• Abnormality
• Phobia
• Depression
• Therapy
 What is abnormal behavior
Experts have struggled to devise a precise
definition of “abnormal behavior” due to the
difficulty in distinguishing normal from
abnormal.
The criteria used to assess normality of behavior
are;
1. Abnormality as deviation from average (the
usual norm of a society or culture)
 What is abnormal behavior
• Abnormality as deviation from the ideal(
behavior in relation to some kind of morally
appropriate standards)
• Abnormality as a sense of personal discomfort
• Abnormality as the inability to function
effectively
The DSM; (a system devised by the American
Psychiatric organization), is used to diagnose
and classify abnormal behavior.
 What is abnormal behavior
Abnormal Behavior:
Behavior that causes people to experience
distress and prevent them from functioning in
their daily life.
Feldman; 2008
 Phobia
Phobia is one kind of anxiety disorder, where there
are recurrent occurrences of anxiety without an
obvious external cause that affects daily
functioning.
Phobia is intense, irrational fear of specific objects or
situations.
Example: claustrophobia(fear of enclosed
place),acrophobia(fear of high place), xenophobia(
fear of strangers), social phobia (fear of being
judged or embarrassed), zoophobia (fear of
specific animals)
 Depression
Depression is a form of mood disorder that is
characterized by a disturbance in emotional
experience that is strong to intrude on
everyday life. A severe form of depression
interferes with the concentration, decision
making, and sociability.
The characterized state of emotional
disturbance will be considered a form of
depression if it constantly persists for 2 weeks.
 The diagnostic criteria for depression
1. Feels sad, anxious, or empty
2. Feels hopeless or pessimistic
3. Feel guilty, worthless, or helpless
4. Feels irritable or restless
5. Have lost interests in activities, hobbies or something that were
pleasurable
6. Feels tired or have appetite loss
7. Have difficulties in concentrating, remembering details, and making
decisions
8. Have insomnia, early morning wakefulness or sleep to much
9. Overeat or appetite loss
10. Have thoughts of suicide or have attempted suicide
11. Have. aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do
not ease even with treatment
If any 5 of these symptoms persist constantly for minimum 2 weeks then
professional assistance is strongly recommended.
 Therapy
Therapy is a verbal means of assisting people in need.
The most common form of psychological therapy in
Bangladesh is CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). It is a
treatment approach that incorporates the basic
principles of learning to change the way people think.

One of the popular technique used in CBT is systematic

desensitization. In this technique people got exposed
to anxiety producing situation and paired with deep
relaxation to extinguish the response of anxiety.