This essential introduction to abnormal and clinical psychology explores the key areas, controversies and debates in the field and encourages students to think critically.Key features of this textbook include:

Chapter 1: The Big Issues in classification, diagnosis, and research into psychological disorders What is Abnormal? How are Psychological Disorders Classified? What are the Problems with the Diagnostic Approach? How do we Conduct Research into Psychological Disorders? What are the Main Approaches to Understanding Psychological Disorders?Chapter 2: How are psychological disorders treated? Medication versus Psychological Approaches Researching and Evaluating Treatments for Psychological Disorders The Range and Scope of the Psychologist's Work How CBT Works The Ethics of Psychological TherapyChapter 3: Childhood disorders Anxiety Disorders of Childhood Childhood Depression Childhood Behaviour ProblemsChapter 4: Schizophrenia What is schizophrenia? How does schizophrenia develop? Brain and cognitive mechanisms in schizophrenia How is schizophrenia treated?Chapter 5: Mood disorders What are depression and mania? How do mood disorders develop? Brain and cognitive mechanisms in mood disorders How are mood disorders treated?Chapter 6: Generalized anxiety disorder What is generalized anxiety disorder? How does GAD develop? Brain and cognitive mechanisms in GAD How is GAD treated?Chapter 7: Specific phobias What is a specific phobia? How do we acquire phobias? Do we think ourselves into being scared? How are specific phobias treated?Chapter 8: Panic disorder and social anxiety disorder How are panic disorder and social anxiety disorder diagnosed and how do they differ from each other? Can we explain panic disorder? Can we explain social anxiety disorder? How are panic disorder and social anxiety disorder treated?Chapter 9: Substance use disorders What is substance use disorder? How does substance use disorder develop? Brain and cognitive mechanisms in SUD How are substance use disorders treated?Chapter 10: Eating disorders What are eating disorders? How do eating disorders develop? Brain and cognitive mechanisms in eating disorders How are eating disorders treated?Chapter 11: Personality disorders What are personality disorders? How do personality disorders develop? Brain and cognitive mechanisms in personality disorders How are personality disorders managed and treated?