Developmental Psychopathology

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Week 12- Ch. 15 Developmental Psychopathology

Psychopathology is the scientific exploration of abnormal mental states. This exploration has helped us explain and understand psychiatric disorders and guided clinical work. Still, diagnoses and pathologizing have their pros and cons. Some people find it very helpful to understand what is going on for them and have a name for it. Diagnoses can also help varying professionals have an understood baseline for how we discuss and quantify behaviors and feelings. It can also help us research treatments more effectively. Conversely, and diagnoses can be very subjective. While the DSM lays out criteria that are designed to move some subjectivity, nonetheless, the diagnoses of mental health issues will never be entirely objective. Additionally, in spite of increasing social acceptance of mental health issues, diagnoses can be incredibly stigmatizing. Ultimately, we should, wherever we can, take our lead from our clients about diagnoses and where they fit in. Unfortunately, managed-care and taking insurance requires we diagnose and substantiate why a person needs treatment.

Week 12- Ch. 15 Developmental Psychopathology

1)Define developmental psychopathology and contrast the developmental-psychopathology perspective to the medical model of psychopathology.

2)Select one DSM-5 disorder, give a basic explanation, list the criteria for it and give an example of how you might approach it if a client came in with similar symptoms.