Abnormal Psychology Essay

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Recommended: Abnormal psychology Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Saud Amin
ID: 5139
Section D7
Psychology 10200: Psychology in Modern World
Prof. Brett Silverstein
April 25, 2014

Paper 3 - Psychology 102 Abnormal/Clinical Psychology

Abnormal/ clinical psychology is a subsection of psychology that deals heavily with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. Three such ways in which abnormal psychology can be defined is behavioral, medical and cognitive. The behavioral approach to abnormal psychology concentrates on observable behaviors; the medical approach focuses on the biological causes on mental illness and the third, cognitive approach, emphases on how internal thoughts and reasoning contribute to psychological disorders. Psychologists in this field diagnose such disorders and aim to find a treatment in the process. In the case of 37 year old, Tamara, major depression, repression and client-centered therapy can all be classified under abnormal psychology in order to diagnose and treat Tamara’s disorder, hoping to meet healthy measures.
Tamara is recently going through some tough times. It’s been more than three months since her husband has left her and divorce papers are under processing. She feels sad, angry and betrayal. She is deeply in concern with her two children. She needs help, and she needs it now. The psychological disorder that Tamara is suffering from is major depression. Major depression is an illness; it is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, and/or frustration interfere with daily life. Symptoms of major depression that are found from Tamara’s case include restlessness, anger, isolated, fatigue, lack of energy, powerless, feelings of hopelessness, guilt, self-hate, change in appetite, weight loss, thoughts of suicide, and (but not limited to) trouble ...

... middle of paper ...

...n the brain. Though this may not be the most effective form, client-centered therapy would bring to greater results.
In conclusion, branches of abnormal/ clinical psychology such as major depression, repression, and client-centered therapy are all factors adding up to curing and treating Tamara. Even if the therapy process take longer than expectation, it will continue its hope in getting Tamara well and back on her feet as a strong, single, mother of two. The most important thing to remember, however, is slow and steady. With the current advances in abnormal/ clinical psychology, psychologists are trying to do exactly that, to cure one client at a time and seeing the difference it brings to the world and the world of psychology.

Title: Major Depressive Disorder
Author: Jesse Russell, Ronald Cohn
Publisher: Book on Demand
Publication date: 4/10/2012

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