What is Psychopathology?

Both words ‘‘psycho‘‘ and ‘‘pathology‘’ are derived from ancient Greek in which psycho is relating to mind, soul, or psychology and pathology is consistent of ‘’páthos’’which stands for disease and ‘’logía’’ is study of. Which originally stood for “Study of the soul pathology” or “Study of the mind pathology” is now defined as the scientific study of psychological disorders. It studies, describes and classifies pathological processes of the mind (in their cognitive, biological, behavioral, emotional and social dimensions), abnormal, deviant and pathological behavior as well as mental disorders and their treatment. The patient’s symptoms, behavior, and personality are studied and described in order to make a diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Psychopathology is straight connected to clinical psychology and psychiatry and assesses and makes sense of abnormal human subjectivity.

The two main diagnostic system, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). However, the DSM is widely recognized as the primary source for diagnostic criteria. Because it is currently possible to have symptoms of mental illness yet no meet the criteria for an official diagnosis. So, in addition to constant research toward more accurate diagnosis, psychopathologist researchers are concerned with the long-standing question about what is normal and abnormal.