Psychopathology

The term psychopathology (of ψυχή psyché "breath ," " soul ", " mind " and πάθος, páthos "suffering [ community ], addiction, emotionalism " and logos " word, reason, sense, teaching" ) means: the study of the mental illness. The term was coined in the 19th century by the Freiburg psychiatrist Hermann Emminghaus.

Psychopathology is a part of psychiatry and clinical psychology. It deals with the forms of a pathologically altered states of consciousness, memory ability and emotional and mental life. It describes symptoms of mental disorders, which are then named in their complexity as manifestations of mental illness.

Psychopathology is taught as a branch of psychiatry at medical schools and in some universities as part of field of clinical psychology.

Health, disease and disorder

For primary understanding of health, the definition of the World Health Organization approach can be drawn. "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (WHO, 1948) In modern psychiatry and psychotherapy at the site of disease of disorder ( subdivided into Mental disorder and conduct disorder ) spoken, as the word may stigmatize the disease. The word would be correct only if symptom patterns, course, treatment, etc. were known and clearly. To approach a definition of the following points are considered: statistical rarity, inadequate reactions, distress, violation of social norms, etc. Are some of these criteria are met, a mental disorder or a behavioral disorder can be accepted. For diagnosis, however, requires a detailed medical history (the study of medical history ) and differential diagnosis ( as distinct from other fault or diseases). Following precise exploration ( further exploration ) of possible symptoms (ICD -10 or DSM -IV) is created, the appropriate diagnosis with the aid of a classification system. A diagnosis is used for selection of treatment methods.

Definition of psychopathology and pathology

While Pathology ( Pathological Anatomy ) examines the physical aspects of illness and disease, the psychopathology is concerned with their mental conditions. Since psychopathology also includes the physical effects on mental state, one of its main problems is the psychophysical correlation, ie the context of physical and mental abnormality. It still exists today in medicine a competition between different theories, the results from the dialectic for over 2000 years unresolved mind-body problem. The most historically important context is that of psychopathology and neurology. From this developed the historically significant locations of somaticist.

From the knowledge of neurological laws to significant progress of psychopathology have shown, for example, in the field of psychology, the basis capacity of the reflex arc. Therapeutically, these ideas could prove as a learning theoretical basis of behavior therapy ( Pavlov ). Conversely, the results psychopatholgischer studies the development of the traditional ( physical ) Medical favors ( Psychosomatic Medicine ). Methodological differences such as in the contrasting perspectives of the up -and-down effect for the development of diseases. Upward effect means the causation of disease by physical changes, downward effect is called disease development of mental disorders. This concept represents the principle of interaction between body and soul, what is now considered the most likely applies ( Schischkoff 1982). Pathology and psychopathology could provide both significant contributions to nosology ( pathology ). The distinction between the two areas thus yielded significant benefits for both.

The disadvantage the overvaluation is a regarded by both disciplines. This would on the one hand the standpoint of materialism that has become conceptually in disease apprenticeship as a mechanical paradigm known, on the other hand, the attitude of psychologism, which emerged mainly during the Romantic period. Medical History and the points of view than that of psychics and somaticist have become significant in this time. However, the psychic should not be confused with the psychologizing theorists of psychologism. They represented a more educational approach. As Neurologisierung the overemphasis neurological aspects of psychopathology would be mentioned, such as those was represented by Wilhelm Griesinger (1817-1868) with his conclusion: " mental illnesses are brain diseases " (Peters 1984). His point of view would therefore be described as that of a Somatikers.

History of psychopathology

The history of psychopathology is closely connected with the history of psychiatry. The origins of psychopathology can be estimated even in ancient times, for example in Aristotle work de anima. The newer psychopathology has its beginning in the 19th century. Systematically, the psychopathology of Karl Jaspers was prepared. A study of Sigmund Freud treats the " Psychopathology of Everyday Life." The academically sound development of the disease classification systems ICD ( International Classification of Diseases WHO ) and DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association) is the mirror image of the latest developments in the psychopathology insofar as it concerns the disease diagnoses.

Psychopathological symptoms and syndromes

The psychopathological symptoms ( symptoms ) and syndromes ( complex of clinical signs ) constitute an important instrument for the psychiatric / psychological assessment.

Through the AMDP system, a systematization of this large number of fault symptoms is performed. This gave the following breakdown was:

• Disorders of consciousness
• Disorientation
• Attention and memory disorders
• Formal thought disorder
• Fears and compulsions
• Delusion
• Hallucinations
• I disorders
• Disturbances of affectivity
• Drive and psychomotor disturbances
• Other disorders

Each of these symptom groups contains several, more specified symptoms.