Page 2 - psychological disorders
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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
I. Ancient times:
1. Supernatural:
These disorders were attributed to operation of Supernatural, magical forces
(evil spirits, devil). Exorcism, counter magic, prayers were practised to cure.
2. Biological approach:
People behave abnormal because their bodies and brains are not functioning
normally.
3. Psychological approach:
Psychological problems are caused by inadequacies in the way individual
feels, thinks, perceives the world.
4. Organismic approach:
It views disturbed behaviour as arising out of conflicts between emotion and
reason. Galen elaborated on the role of the four humours in personal character
and temperament. According to him, imbalance among the four body fluids i.e
blood, black bile, yellow bile, phlegm cause various disorders.
II. Middle Ages:
Demonology & superstitions gained renewed importance. During the early
Middle Ages, the Christian spirit of charity prevailed and St. Augustine wrote
extensively about feelings, mental anguish and conflict. This laid the groundwork
for modern psychodynamic theories of abnormal behaviour.
III. Renaissance Period (15th century):
Johann Weyer emphasised psychological conflict and disturbed interpersonal
relationships as causes of psychological disorders.
