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It’s quite normal to feel worried or sad, but sometimes these feelings can take over us and the normal can become abnormal…

We begin by introducing two case studies: Alison who has depression and Karen who has an anxiety disorder. We go on to explore the problematic idea of ‘abnormality’ and how mental disorders might be recognised and classified.

The major part of the programme is devoted to explaining, illustrating and analysing three psychological perspectives on mental disorders.

1: Mental Disorder as a Disease of the Body

This part begins with a brief history of mental disorder as bodily disease, looking at some of the more extreme ‘physical treatments’. We then identify the underlying assumptions of the contemporary biomedical model of mental disorder, illustrate the treatments it offers and consider some of its strengths and limitations.

2: Mental Disorder as a Disease of the Mind

This section begins with World War I; the recognition of shell shock and the development of the idea that the origins of some mental disorders may lie in people’s experiences. We explain the underlying assumptions of the psychological model, look at cognitive explanations and see Karen having cognitive behavioural therapy.

3: Mental Disorder as a Social Construction

The final section outlines the basis of the constructionist perspective and the idea that mental disorders are socially defined. We illustrate the increasing ‘medicalisation’ of behaviour, and consider some of its implications. The programme concludes by bringing the perspectives together and re-visiting our case studies.