Lesson 1: Abnormal Behavior in Historical Context

Attention

disorder

Warning! This class can be hazardous for your health. You will learn enough to become highly obnoxious to those around you. It is highly likely that you will identify someone with a given disorder as the semester unfolds. Let me caution you that, while you may be correct, most people don’t like to be called “disordered” even when they come in for treatment. If your grandmother really is bipolar, you will find out when you ask her! You may also think that you have one or two diagnoses you read about. While this may very well be the case, please leave the final assessment to a professional. If you do find that you are concerned, please ask me for a referral. As your professor, it would be unethical for me to work with you or your family. Please don’t take this personally. I would, however, be more than happy to help you find access to someone who could!

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Discuss various definitions of psychopathology
  • Use a fictional case to correctly identify the presenting problem, clinical description (diagnosis), prevalence, incidence, course, prognosis, etiology, and treatment plan. (I have a case that needs to be uploaded)
  • Identify the various historical etiological traditions: Supernatural, Biological and Psychological.

Teaching

Chapter 1-Abnormal Behavior in Historical Context

This chapters introduces you to the various definitions of abnormality, clinical terminology and historical etiological (study of causes) explanations for psychopathology. I expect that you will get a fundamental idea of these issues in this chapter. More detail on the biological and psychological etiological explanations will come in future chapters. My hope is that you come to appreciate the lack of a black and white definition for abnormality and how it is very much understood in terms of culture. In addition, you will be exposed to your first case study with which to begin understanding how psychopathology affects people and their families. One very important philosophy that I adhere to is that people are not disorders, they simply have them. When I practiced, I insisted that my colleagues not use terms like Schizophrenics or Anorectics in my presence. I found it incredibly demeaning and impersonal to refer to people this way. Most physicians don’t schedule a cancer at three and a heart disease at five! Why should we speak of our patients like they are diseases? We will discuss the issues of social stigma and labeling in subsequent chapters. For now, let’s get our feet wet in the field of abnormal psychology. We will wade in further and even do a few fancy dives as the semester progresses.

Assessment

Lesson 1 Assignment - Case Study

Review the case study by clicking HERE. Write a brief paper answering the questions listed below. (The questions are also on the handout.)

1. What clinical description(s) were applied to Stella (diagnosis(es))?
2. According to the case, what is the prevalence of clinical depression in women?
3. According to the case, what is the incidence of clinical depression in women?
4. Describe her prognosis.
5. Describe the course that clinical depression often takes.
6. What is the etiological understanding of Stella’s case?
7. Describe the treatment plan offered in the case

Submit the paper, with title page, into the Lesson 1 Assignment Drop Box.

Lesson 1 Discussion

  1. Reread the section on the Supernatural Tradition. How you have seen or experienced this way of thinking in your life? How do you understand the causes of mental disorders at this point in your education?
  2. Go online and find a source that discusses the causes (etiology) of clinical depression (called Major Depressive Disorder in the DSM). Are they trying to sell something? Do you think that they information is accurate? Why or why not? If you were suffering from clinical depression, how would this information help you (or not)?

For full credit in the graded discussions you need to post at least ONE response to the prompt in the Lesson and reply to at least TWO other students' posts. Your reply posts must be substantive. Please see the grading rubric in the Syllabus for this course for more details.

These instructions apply to all the graded discussions in this course and will not be repeated.