Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal Psychology is a complex and highly interesting field of study. It is also one of the most recognizable and intriguing subfields of study in psychology. Our course will introduce you to the dynamics and prevention of abnormal behavior, including neuroses, psychoses, character disorders, psychosomatic reactions, schizophrenia and other abnormal personality patterns. By taking this course, you will discover the many faces of abnormal psychology and will be challenged to define what is normal and abnormal.

Prerequisite(s): None

Abnormal Psychology Module 1
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

• How Do We Define Abnormal Behavior
• The Statistical Frequency Perspective
• The Social Norms Perspective
• Ancient Times
• Biological Models Views of Mental Illness
• Early Psychologists
• The Evolution of DSM
• Axis 1 and 2

Abnormal Psychology Module 2
Stress, Traumas, and Related Disorders

• Stress: Origins, Definitions, and Theories
• Psychosomatic Medicine
• Sources of Stress
• Important Life Events
• Direct Physiological Effects of Stress
• Illness of the Mind or the Body: A Dubious Distinction
• Factors That Modify the Effects of Stress
• Helping People Cope

Abnormal Psychology Module 3
Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

• The Anxiety Spectrum
• Etiology of Phobias
• Therapeutic Treatment for Specific and Social Phobias
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Panic Disorder With and Without Agoraphobia
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Other Stress Disorders

Abnormal Psychology Module 4
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

• Psychoactive Substances Are Ubiquitous
• Caffeine, Alcohol, Nicotine, and Cannabis
• Why are Psychoactive Substances So Popular?
• Potential Problems of Sustained Substance Use
• Chronic Use of Substances
• Overcoming Substance Dependence
• Prevention of Substance-Related Disorders
• Preventing Unhealthy Habits

Abnormal Psychology Module 5
Dissociative, Somatoform, and Related Disorders

• Dissociative Disorders
• Amnesia and Fugue
• Depersonalization Disorder
• Somatoform Disorders
• Conversion Disorder
• Factitious Disorders
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder
• Munchausen Syndrome

Abnormal Psychology Module 6
Depressive, Bipolar, and Related Disorders

• Emotions: Normal and Pathological
• Grieving
• Depressive Disorders
• Depressive Episodes
• Bipolar Disorders
• Etiology of Mood Disorders
• Treatment of Mood Disorders
• Suicide

Abnormal Psychology Module 7
Sleep-Wake, Feeding, and Eating Disorders

• Sleep Disorders
• Dyssomnias
• Parasomnias
• Etiologies of Sleep Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Binge-Eating Disorder
• Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa
• Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

Abnormal Psychology Module 8
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

• The Genesis of Schizophrenia
• Diagnosis
• Types and Phases of Schizophrenia
• Heredity
• Etiology of Schizophrenia: Genetics
• Etiology of Schizophrenia: Nongenetic Risk Factors
• Other Psychotic Disorders
• Treatment

Abnormal Psychology Module 9
Personality Disorders

• Categories Versus Dimensions
• Diagnosing Personality Disorders
• The Multiaxial Diagnostic System and Co-morbidity
• Evolution of a Personality Disorder
• Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Cluster A: Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal Personality Disorders
• Cluster B: Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders
• Cluster C: Avoidant, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Dependent Personality Disorders

Abnormal Psychology Module 10
Neurocognitive Disorders

• Diagnosing Dementia
• Dementia of the Alzheimer,s Type (DAT)
• Other Types of Dementia
• Delirium
• Amnestic Disorders
• Treatment of Cognitive Disorders
• Prevention of Cognitive Disorders
• Psychological Interventions

Abnormal Psychology Module 11
Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Understanding Developmental Psychopathology
• Temperament and Behavior
• Elimination Disorders
• Conduct Disorder
• Tourette,s
• Separation Anxiety Disorder
• Pervasive Developmental Disorders
• Feeding and Eating Disorders

Abnormal Psychology Module 12
Sexual Dysfunctions, Paraphilic Disorders, and Gender Dysphoria Disorders

• Paraphilias
• Exhibitionism
• Fetishism
• Frotteurism
• Etiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Paraphilias
• Sexual Dysfunctions
• Human Sexual Response
• Gender Identity Disorder

**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**