Psychopathology

Psychopathology is a discipline that applies systematic methods to study abnormal functioning of psychic activity, with the intent to elaborate subdivisions, classifications, and theories, to identify the causes of mental illnesses. Psychopathology relies on the direct observation of the clinical manifestations of mental illnesses with the goal of being used in diagnostic systems (e.g., Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5) which specify which signs, symptoms, and features are required to establish a diagnosis. Psychopathology can be broadly divided into two main subgroups: Descriptive psychopathology, which involves the careful description and denomination of mental states and abnormal behaviors of the patient, avoiding theoretical assumptions and personal interpretations. Interpretative psychopathology, which involves the description and understanding of human subjective experiences, but aims at explaining these phenomena through recourse to theoretical models. The ability to carefully assess and precisely describe signs and symptoms in a qualified manner is a core attribute of mental health professionals and the basis of the diagnostic process in psychiatry.