Abnormal Psychology: Mental Disorders, Diagnosis & Treatment

Abnormal Psychology: Learn Mental Disorders, Diagnosis, Therapy, and Future Treatments in Mental Health & Human Behavior

What you'll learn

Students will understand how abnormal psychology differs from general psychology, exploring definitions of abnormality, cultural relativity, and diagnoses.

Students will explore depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, and related conditions, learning their symptoms, biological and cognitive explanations.

They will also examine major research findings and real-world case studies to understand how mood disorders impact individuals across different societies.

Students will gain insights into generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, PTSD, and acute stress disorder, focusing on symptom patterns.

Students will learn about OCD, hoarding, and body dysmorphic disorder, exploring brain-behavior connections, compulsions, and evidence-based treatments.

Students will examine borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorders, along with clusters A, B, and C.

Students will understand hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder, analyzing both positive and negative symptoms.

Students will discover how cultural-bound syndromes shape experiences of mental illness and how global disparities limit access to care.

Students will review evidence-based treatments including CBT, DBT, psychopharmacology, and emerging therapies.

Requirements

Foundational Knowledge of Psychology – Students are expected to have a basic familiarity with general psychology concepts such as cognition, behavior, and emotion. This background will allow them to better understand advanced discussions of mental disorders and integrate new theories with previously acquired knowledge.

Engagement with Case Studies and Research – Learners should be ready to interact with real-world case studies, psychological experiments, and peer-reviewed research. This course emphasizes critical engagement with evidence and requires the ability to reflect on practical scenarios alongside theoretical models.

Ability to Analyze Diagnostic Frameworks – Students must have the capacity to critically evaluate diagnostic systems such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases). This includes understanding criteria, limitations, controversies, and applications in real clinical and cultural contexts.

Basic Understanding of Neuroscience – Since the course covers brain-behavior relationships, students should be comfortable with concepts like neurotransmitter systems, brain regions involved in cognition and emotion, and how neurobiology relates to mental illness and treatment approaches.

Comfort with Legal and Ethical Discussions – The course explores sensitive issues like the insanity defense, involuntary treatment, and patient confidentiality. Students must be willing to examine these topics objectively, balancing ethical principles with psychological practice and legal systems.

Interest in Evidence-Based Interventions – Learners should be curious about modern therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and psychopharmacology. The ability to evaluate scientific evidence for effectiveness is highly encouraged.

Cross-Cultural Awareness – Students are expected to appreciate how culture shapes the expression and interpretation of psychological disorders. A willingness to connect global and cultural perspectives with mental health research will enrich their learning experience.

Critical and Reflective Engagement – Finally, students should be prepared to think deeply about sensitive topics, including trauma, stigma, and ethical dilemmas. This requires not just academic curiosity, but also reflective skills to connect theory with empathy and human experience.

Description

Abnormal Psychology is one of the most fascinating and essential areas of psychology, because it explores the human mind at its most vulnerable. This comprehensive course on abnormal psychology takes you inside the world of mental disorders, diagnosis, and treatment, blending science, research, and real-world examples to help you truly understand the complexities of mental illness.In this course, you will learn about the foundations of abnormal psychology, including how we define “abnormal,” cultural relativity, and diagnostic frameworks like the DSM-5 and ICD-11. From there, we dive into specific conditions—depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, personality disorders, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders—giving you a detailed overview of symptoms, causes, and treatment challenges.This course isn’t about memorizing definitions. It’s about connecting theory to practice. Through case studies, historical examples, and research findings, you’ll discover why depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, why schizophrenia is misunderstood in the media, and how cultural syndromes like taijin kyofusho or koro shape mental illness differently around the world.We also cover the most evidence-based therapeutic approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychopharmacology, and emerging fields like telepsychology and AI-driven interventions. You’ll see how therapy works in practice, how medications are used, and why integrative and preventative models are shaping the future of mental health care.But abnormal psychology is not just about disorders—it’s about people. It’s about the lived experience of individuals who face stigma, discrimination, and misunderstanding. That’s why this course also addresses myths, media portrayals, and global mental health disparities. We’ll explore not only how disorders develop but also how societies respond to them, and why destigmatization efforts are essential for a healthier future.By the end of this course, you’ll walk away with a clear, research-driven understanding of mental illness and human behavior. You’ll be able to recognize the difference between normal variation and clinical concern, understand diagnostic challenges, and appreciate the cultural and ethical contexts in which abnormal psychology operates.Whether you’re a psychology student, a mental health professional, or simply curious about the human mind, this course will give you valuable knowledge and practical insights.We’ve condensed this material into just two hours—short, clear, and efficient—so you can learn quickly without sacrificing depth. While we could have expanded it into a five-hour course, we chose quality over quantity.Finally, in the spirit of full transparency, parts of this course were prepared using modern educational tools, including AI assistance, but carefully edited, refined, and delivered by human instructors with professional expertise.Enroll today in Abnormal Psychology, and begin your journey into the science, complexity, and humanity of mental disorders.

Overview

Section 1: Foundations of Abnormal Psychology – History, Definitions & Scientific Approach

Lecture 1 Abnormal Psychology Explained – Defining the Boundaries of Normal and Abnormal

Lecture 2 From Demons to Diagnosis – Historical Shifts in Understanding Mental Illness

Lecture 3 DSM-5 and ICD-11 – Global Systems of Classifying Mental Disorders | Psychology

Lecture 4 Biological, Cognitive, Psychodynamic, and Sociocultural Perspectives & Models

Lecture 5 Research in Abnormal Psychology – Case Studies, Experiments, & Ethical Dilemmas

Section 2: Mood, Anxiety, and Trauma Disorders – Emotional and Stress-Related Conditions

Lecture 6 Depressive Disorders – Major Depression, Persistent Depression & Cognitive Expl.

Lecture 7 Bipolar Disorders – Mania, Hypomania & the Challenges of Diagnosis and Treatment

Lecture 8 Anxiety Disorders – Generalized Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Phobias, and More

Lecture 9 Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders – OCD, Hoarding, and Body Dysmorphia

Lecture 10 Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders – PTSD, Acute Stress Disorder & Resilience

Section 3: Disorders of Identity, Thought, and Perception – The Fragmented and Altered Mind

Lecture 11 Dissociative Disorders – Dissociative Identity, Amnesia, Depersonalization, More

Lecture 12 Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders – Hallucinations, Delusions, and Symptoms

Lecture 13 Personality Disorders – Borderline, Narcissistic, Antisocial, and More Frames

Lecture 14 Somatic Symptom and Conversion Disorders – Mind-Body Disconnection | Case Study

Lecture 15 Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders – Autism, ADHD, and Dementia

Section 4: Culture, Ethics, and Modern Treatment – Contexts, Stigma, and Future Directions

Lecture 16 Culture and Mental Illness – Cultural-Bound Syndromes and Global Mental Health

Lecture 17 Stigma and Myths of Mental Disorders – Media Portrayals, Self-Stigma, and More

Lecture 18 Therapy Routes – CBT, DBT, Psychopharmacology, & Evidence-Based Treatments

Lecture 19 Legal and Ethical Challenges – Insanity Defense, Involuntary Treatment, and More

Lecture 20 The Future of Abnormal Psychology – Neuroscience, AI, Telepsychology, and More

Undergraduate and Graduate Psychology Students – Learners aiming to gain a structured and academically rigorous foundation in abnormal psychology, preparing for advanced studies, exams, and professional applications.,Mental Health Practitioners – Psychologists, psychiatrists, and clinical social workers seeking to expand their knowledge of diagnostic frameworks (DSM-5, ICD-11) and integrate updated research into clinical decision-making.,Educators and Trainers – Teachers, professors, and curriculum developers who want to incorporate evidence-based mental health content into classrooms, training programs, or public education initiatives.,Organizational Leaders and HR Professionals – Managers, executives, and workplace leaders interested in understanding mental health challenges in professional environments to design policies, interventions, and wellness strategies.,Counselors and Therapists in Practice – Professionals in counseling and therapy looking to deepen their familiarity with therapeutic approaches such as CBT, DBT, ERP, and psychopharmacology within the context of abnormal psychology.,Medical and Nursing Students – Healthcare trainees who wish to complement their medical knowledge with advanced insights into psychological disorders, brain-behavior relationships, and integrated care.,Lifelong Learners and Advocates – Individuals passionate about mental health awareness, advocacy, and education, curious to explore mental illness, stigma, and treatment models in a structured academic framework.,Researchers and Academics – Scholars in psychology, psychiatry, or social sciences who require a comprehensive overview of abnormal psychology’s theories, research methods, cultural perspectives, and emerging trends.