Understanding Psychopathology South African Perspectives

Understanding Psychopathology: South African Perspectives 3e provides a solid introduction to the study of mental disorders that incorporates socio-cultural, psychological and biomedical dimensions. It refers to criteria from both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the International Classifications of Diseases (ICD-10) to describe and define mental disorders. It also looks at the ICD-11, and how this new version has been harmonised with the DSM-5.

The third edition of this book, previously published as Abnormal Psychology revised second edition, presents South African debates and data to ensure that it is relevant to the local context. In addition, research from the rest of Africa has been integrated into the book to show how other countries in our region are grappling with topical issues.

This book is aimed at second- and third-year students following courses in Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology as part of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Sciences degree at Universities. It has been written by academics and practitioners from across South Africa.

Part 1: The big picture
Chapter 1: Origins and causes of psychopathology
Chapter 2: Describing and classifying abnormal behaviour
Chapter 3: Psychological assessment and psycho-diagnostics
Chapter 4: Abnormal psychology from a wellness perspective
Chapter 5: Legal and ethical issues in mental disorders
Part 2: A closer look
Chapter 6: Anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders
Chapter 7: Mood disorders
Chapter 8: Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
Chapter 9: Neurocognitive disorders
Chapter 10: Dissociative, somatoform, and related disorders
Chapter 11: Conditions related to sexual health and paraphilic disorders
Chapter 12: Substance-related and addictive disorders
Chapter 13: Eating and feeding disorders
Chapter 14: Personality disorders
Chapter 15: Neurodevelopmental and other childhood disorders