Abnormal psychology is the scientific study of abnormal behaviors in human beings that affect the way people think, feel, and speak. In most cases, abnormal psychology is associated with mental disorders or retardation. Generally, this field studies people who have adaptation and functionality problems in their environments. The ability to adapt as well as function is determined by several factors including genetic composition, physical environment, individual reasoning capacity as well as socialization. (Durand & Barlow, 2005, p.701)
Social workers help people with various problems like relationships, personal problems, or family problems and try to make their lives better. People in this category include those with severe abnormal behaviors like mental problems. Social workers are trained to help such kinds of people. They research the kind of problems these people have and look for the best ways to help them. They collect data through such methods as personality and intelligence tests, experiments, and also case studies. These methods include studying the behavior and thought patterns of people suffering from mental disorders. These methods also identify the mental disorder, the causes as well as possible methods of treating them. (Popple & Leslie 2008, p.366)
The social workers use the intrapsychic method to identify the emotional basis of abnormal behavior. They suggest that conflicts that may have occurred during childhood may cause a person to worry and exhibit unpleasant feelings in their life. These patients believe in things that are not real commonly known as delusions. They could also believe in hallucinations such as claiming to hear voices or seeing images that they may feel are real. These kinds of disorders can be treated using therapy and counseling. The patient talks with the therapist about whatever feelings, images, or even thoughts come to mind. (Popple & Leslie 2008, p.367)
A psychiatrist on the other hand is a physician who is certified in treatment of mental, addictive and emotional disorders. Psychiatrists perform physical examinations, treat behavior disorders and help patients and their families cope with stressful situations and other crisis. Some of the methods of data collection they use include experiments, personality tests and case studies. (Reamer, 2006, p.241)
Biophysical is a method the psychiatrists use to observe the problems caused by psychological disturbances. These disturbances can be related to medical situations such as ailments or those related to abuse of drugs or medications. These drugs are believed to affect the brain part called the nervous system hence causing mental disorders. Psychiatrists often treat these disturbances with sleeping pills, antidepressants and other drugs. (Reamer, 2006, p.243) In other cases, they can perform surgery on the brain or the nervous system or use electrical shock to stimulate the brain.
They can also use the behavior method by studying the behavior of the disturbed person. They treat people by teaching those with these disorders the acceptable behavior and its importance. They try to reinforce this behavior to the patients by rewarding those that learn to accept the acceptable behavior patterns. (Reamer, 2006, p.244)
Abnormal psychology was not accepted in the society as it was considered to be a shame to the family and others regarded as dangerous and hence they were locked away or imprisoned. However, today research has shown that these disorders are ailments and people can be treated and lead normal lives in most cases. Those patients that receive help are able to deal with their shortcomings and gradually they are able to work and lead normal lives again.
Reference
Durand, M.V, & Barlow, H.D. (2005).Abnormal psychology: an integrative approach, (4th Ed), Wadworth, 1. (1). 697-704.
Popple, Philip R. & Leslie Leighninger. (2008). The Policy-Based Profession: An Introduction to Social Welfare Policy Analysis for Social Workers (4th Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.14 (2).365-398.
Reamer, Frederic G. (2006). Ethical Standards in Social Work: A Review of the NASW Code of Ethics (2nd Ed.). Washington, DC: NASW Press.1 (2).241-287.