Pages: 19

Clinical Psychology, as an applied branch of the subject of Psychology, provides the scientific study of the behavior of individuals in clinical situations or setups. This introductory chapter begins by providing a definition of the term clinical psychology. In the second section, efforts have been made to throw light on the subject of clinical psychology by arguing that its nature may be considered sufficiently scientific. In the third section, useful efforts have been made to throw light on the relationship existing between clinical psychology with other related disciplines such as Psychiatry, Counseling psychology, School Psychology, and Social Work. A fourth section follows, discussing what is generally included in the study of the subject of clinical psychology (including the specializations available for the students in clinical psychology), and then pointing out its uses and applications (the applied aspects of the subject clinical psychology) in our day-to-day life.

Pages: 18

In its applied aspect, clinical psychology trains and prepares a sufficient number of professionals as clinical psychologists capable of helping individuals overcome their mental health problems. Who are these clinical professionals, referred to as clinical psychologists, what they do and where do they work, and how does their work differ from that of other mental health professionals such as Psychiatrists, Counseling Psychologists, School Psychologists and Social workers? The discussion of such aspects has been carried out in the earlier section of this chapter. In the second section, the discussion focuses on the ways and means of providing education and training to prospective clinical psychologists, particularly in reference to what happens in the United States and United Kingdom for preparing them professionally as licensed clinical psychologists. In the last section, the focus centers on how to become a licensed clinical psychologist in India, including the role of RCI in licensing clinical psychologists.

Pages: 28

To study a subject in a meaningful way, it is essential to examine its origin and history. The present chapter examines the historical development of the subject of clinical psychology. It first throws light on the birth of clinical psychology followed by the development of events occurring in the first half of the 20th century. Subsequently, it discusses the field’s continual development worldwide in the second half of the 20th century and to the present stage. It then throws light on the subject’s progress and development in India during various time periods, such as Ancient India, British-ruled and Independent India. A discusses proceeds about what needs to be done for the development of clinical psychology in India. In its last section, the chapter describes Clinical Psychology Journals (published in India and Abroad) and Clinical Psychology Associations (working in India and abroad).

Pages: 28

Clinical psychology professionals in the capacity of research scholars or practitioners are required to carry on the task of research and investigation for answering pertinent questions raised in the field of clinical psychology. What is this research or investigation, what are its goals, and what types of research is usually undertaken by researchers in clinical psychology? Discussion on these aspects has been carried out in the beginning section of this chapter. The discussion carried out in the second section throws light on the nature and procedure carried out in the use of a variety of research methods on the part of clinical psychology researchers in the name of the Experimental Method (involving a variety of experimental designs), the Systematic or Naturalistic Observation Method, the Survey Method, the Correlational Method, and Meta-Analysis. In the end, it reflects on the ethical considerations in clinical psychological research necessary for conducting research studies with utmost sincerity and honesty, without affecting the subjects of the study in a harmful way.

Pages: 15

The activities of clinical psychologists are very much concerned with the preservation and maintenance of mental health and hygiene for people with mental illness and disorders. For getting acquainted with the essentials of mental health and hygiene, this chapter’s beginning throws light on the meaning of the term mental hygiene, and the aims and purposes served through it. In the second section, the discussion focuses on clarifying the meaning and concept of the term mental health and describing the characteristics of mentally healthy and unhealthy individuals (indicative of the symptoms of good and poor mental health). In its third and last section, light has been thrown on aspects such as the importance of mental health, principles governing one’s mental health, and the role of clinical psychologists in helping people for the maintenance of their mental health.

Pages: 16

The present chapter aims to acquaint the reader with the concepts of normality and abnormality of peoples’ behavior. For this purpose, in its first half, it provides a detailed description of the concept of abnormal behavior, along with a variety of criteria deciding the normality or abnormality of one’s behavior in the names of Statistical criterion, Ethical or moral criterion, Criterion of social conformity, Criterion of ideal or perfection, Legal criterion, Pathological or medical criterion, and Psychological criterion. In its second half, this chapter throws light on the various causes or factors leading to an abnormality in behavior, such as Hereditary factors, Physiological or Biological factors, Psychological factors, and Sociological factors.

Pages: 28

There is a significant need for a well-defined classification of mental disorders for the purpose of their proper identification, and for devising means for their prevention and treatment. With the aim of acquainting the readers with the systems of such classification, the chapter begins with a broad discussion about the systems of classification prevalent in the old era, followed by a detailed description of the classification systems published from time to time in the modern era by two well-recognized agencies—the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO)—in the names of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), including their latest editions available in the form of DSM-5-TR and ICD-11. The later section of this discussion throws light on the necessity and purposes served through the classification of mental disorders, exemplified through a number of case studies.

Pages: 12

This chapter aims to acquaint its readers with the types of mental disorders classified and named as Psycho-physiological or psychosomatic disorders. For this purpose, in its beginning section it discusses the meaning and concept of the term psycho-physiological disorders. It is, then, followed by a necessary description about the main disorders: Respiratory disorders, Cardiovascular disorders, Gastrointestinal disorders, Genito-urinary disorders, Skin disorders, Endocrine disorders, Hemic and Lymphatic disorders, and Musculoskeletal disorders. In its third section, it throws light on some other psychosomatic related disorders appearing for the first time in the DSM-5 such as Somatic Symptom Disorder, Illness Anxiety Disorder, Conversion Disorder, and Factitious Disorder. In its last section, it discusses the underlying causes and means of prevention and treatment of psycho-physiological disorders.

Pages: 24

This chapter aims to provide a useful description of the nature, types, causation, symptoms, identification, and treatment of the mental disorders known as Neuroses or Psychoneurotic disorders. For this purpose, its first section throws light on distinguishing the meaning of psychoses or psychotic disorders. It then has a useful discussion about the disorders classified as Anxiety Disorders (i.e., Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Phobic Disorders), Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders (i.e., Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, and Prolonged Grief Disorder), Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (including Hoarding Disorder, Hair-Pulling Disorder, Skin-Picking Disorder, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder), Depressive Disorders, Conversion Disorders, and Dissociative Disorders (i.e., Dissociative Identity Disorder, Dissociative Amnesia, and Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder). In its last section, the chapter throws light on the causation and treatment of these psycho-neurotic disorders.

Pages: 12

This chapter aims to provide a useful description of the nature, types, causation, symptoms, identification, and treatment of the mental disorders known as Psychoses or Psychotic disorders. For this purpose, in its beginning section, it throws light on the meaning and concept of the term psychoses or psychotic disorders. Then, it discusses the nature, etiology, and treatment measures for the Schizophrenia Spectrum and other Related Disorders in the names of Simple schizophrenia, Hebephrenic schizophrenia, Catatonic schizophrenia, and Paranoid schizophrenia. Afterwards, it throws light on the nature, causation, and treatment measures carried out for the different types of Bipolar and Related Disorders (Mood or Affective disorders) classified as manic disorder, depressive disorder and manic-depressive disorder.

Pages: 33

This chapter focuses on the discussion of the various types of Neurodevelopmental disorders faced by individuals during the developmental age or period of their life. In this concern, the beginning throws light on the concept of neurodevelopmental disorders. In the sections to follow, attempts have been made to describe in detail the nature, types, causes, and treatment measures adopted for various types of neurodevelopmental disorders. In this sequence, section two of the chapter throws light on the disorder known as Mental retardation or mental deficiency by classifying mental retardation in terms of Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Profound retardation, telling about its common clinical types and discussing its underlying causes and treatment measures. In the subsequent sections, the discussion is focused on the meaning, nature, diagnosis, causes, and treatment of the disorders known as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism. In the last section, a useful discussion has been carried out for knowing about the disorder known as learning disorder or disability, such as its meaning and concept, the common learning disabilities found in children in the names of dyslexia and dyscalculia, and the measures adopted for treating them.

Pages: 14

This chapter is aimed to acquaint readers with the types of mental disorders classified and named as disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. For this purpose, in the first section of the chapter, a necessary description has been carried out for throwing light on the disorders classified and known as Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Later, subsequent sections throw light on the two important types of major conduct disorders (also termed antisocial behavior) in the names of Delinquency and Crime, discussing in detail their concepts and meanings, causes, and measures adopted for their prevention and treatment.

Pages: 19

The discussion carried out in this chapter aims to throw light on the disorders known as Substance-related and addictive disorders. The beginning in this concern has been made by first defining the term substance-related and addictive disorders and then examining the criteria for the diagnosis and identification of these disorders. Then, in the second section, attempts have been made to develop an understanding of the types and effects of psychoactive substances, the addiction of which is responsible for generating substance-related addictive disorders, in the types of depressants or sedatives (i.e., alcohol, opioids and sedative-hypnotic drugs), stimulant drugs and deliriant or mind-blowing drugs (i.e., hallucinogens and Cannabis). In its last section, it describes the causes, prevention, and treatment of substance-related addictive disorders.

Pages: 11

The discussion carried out in this chapter aims to acquaint the readers with the essentials of sex behavior-related disorders categorized as sexual deviations and sexual disorders. In this concern, the beginning has been made by throwing light on the meaning and nature of the term sexual deviations by differentiating it from the similar terms sexual offenses and sexual disorders. Then, a useful discussion has been carried out throwing light on the nature of the sexual deviations visible among human beings, followed by a discussion of their possible causes and means of treatment. In the subsequent sections, the focus has been shifted toward a discussion of the meaning, nature, causation, prevention, and treatment of two well-known sexual disorders found in males and females known as impotence and frigidity.

Pages: 24

This chapter aims to acquaint the readers with the disorders named as elimination and eating disorders. For this purpose, the beginning discusses the meaning, nature, and types of eliminations disorders commonly visible among developing children. It is then followed by the identification, diagnosis, underlying causes, and treatment of the elimination disorders known as enuresis and encopresis. The second half of the chapter focuses on the various aspects related to the meaning, nature, diagnosis, identification, causation, and treatment of the eating disorders known as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder.

Pages: 22

The discussion in this chapter has been focused on the description of aspects related to the disorders classified as Sleep disorders. The beginning provides a useful discussion about sleeping behavior and the types and stages of sleep known as Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and Non-REM sleep. Afterward in the subsequent sections, an essential discussion has been carried out for explaining the concept, nature, underlying causes, and treatment of sleep disorders classified as Dyssomnias (such as Primary Insomnia, Primary Hypersomnia, Narcolepsy, Breathing-Related Sleep Disorders, and Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders) and Parasomnias (such as Nightmares, Night sleep terrors, and Sleepwalking or Somnambulism disorder).

Pages: 19

People may suffer from one or the other age-specific disorders while passing through the lifespan of old age. The present chapter aims to acquaint the readers with all such disorders popularly known as old age or degenerative disorders. In this concern, in the beginning section, a discussion has been carried out throwing light on the meaning, nature, identification, diagnosis, causation, and treatment of the disorder named as delirium. Then, the focus of the discussion is centered on dementia—the other most common old age disorder—with the objective of telling about its nature (including its distinction from delirium), and the prevalent types, along with their identification, diagnosis, and underlying causes. In the third section, an attempt has been made to throw light on the nature, identification and diagnosis, causation, and treatment of another old age disorder named Alzheimer’s disease. In the last section, a discussion has been carried out regarding a few other old age disorders known as Vascular dementia, Pick’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.

Pages: 15

Assessment of the seriousness of a particular disorder affecting the mental health of an individual is quite necessary and obligatory for planning about his or her treatment. This assessment may be carried out by the mental health professionals in two different ways—by making use of non-testing devices such as observation, interview, and case study, and by making use of psychological or neurological testing. In the present chapter it is the use of the non-testing devices that has been made the central object of discussion. However, prior to such a discussion, an attempt has been made to throw light on the concept of clinical assessment, along with the needs and purposes served through it in the interests of the affected clients. In the subsequent sections of the chapter, then, attempts have been made to have a necessary detailed discussion about the use of a few important non-testing devices known as observation, case history, and interview as methods of clinical assessment.

Pages: 29

As a matter of following up on the methods of clinical assessment discussed in the previous chapter, here an attempt has been made to throw necessary light on the use of psychological and neurological testing as methods of clinical assessment. In this concern, the beginning has been made with a detailed discussion about the presently available popular achievement tests, intelligence tests, and personality tests (including inventories) as methods of clinical assessment. Afterwards, useful discussion has been carried out regarding the use of various measures for the assessment of specific personality attributes of the clients in the name of adjustment inventories, depression measures, anxiety scales, and self-esteem measures. In the last section, the discussion focuses on the use of Neuropsychological testing as a method of clinical assessment.

Pages: 25

The present chapter deals with an essential aspect of the work of clinical psychologists in the name of providing needed clinical intervention and therapeutic treatment to their clients. In doing so, it begins with a discussion of the use of somatic or medical therapies in the name of drugs, chemotherapy, shock therapy, and psychosurgery. In the subsequent section, attempts have been made to throw light on the use of a number of prevalent psychotherapies in the name of Psychoanalytical or Psychodynamic Therapy, Client-centered psychotherapy, Humanistic-Existential Therapy, Behavior therapies (such as counter-conditioning, systematic desensitization, flooding or implosive therapy, aversive conditioning, modeling, and the method of positive reinforcement), and Cognitive therapies (such as Rational emotive behavior therapy, Beck’s cognitive therapy, and Cognitive-behavioral therapy). Then, discussion focuses on telling about the use of other socio-psychological group and individual therapies in the names of Group therapy, Family therapy, Dramatic therapy, and Meditation Therapy. In the end, a necessary brief discussion has been carried out regarding the measures adopted for the rehabilitation of the mentally ill.