Conceptualization of Psychopathology

Psychopathology, according to Freud, the founder of classical psychoanalysis, is based on the intrapsychic balance among the three constituents of mind, namely id, ego and super ego.  In his view, all non psychotic psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety are the results of underlying unconscious conflicts, and the implementation of ego defence mechanisms.

Under normal circumstances, conflicts that take place at the unconscious level could be adequately addressed by the defence mechanisms, which aim at reaching compromises among various faculties and reducing the anxiety aroused, marshaled and carried out by the ego.  Yet, this kind of mediation is not always successful and its success depends largely on the strength of the ego, which is named ego strength.

Abnormality develops when the ego is deficient in regulating such functions.  Weak ego strength is characterized by failure in delaying or controlling impulses, as well as applying appropriate defence mechanisms to strong internal conflicts.

In accordance with this conceptual framework, conflict is the keynote of the development of psychopathology.  Symptoms will not go away but only change in form or presentation (which is known as symptom substitution) if the conflict concerned is not properly dealt with.


References

Barlow, D. H., & Durand, V. M. (1999). Abnormal psychology :An integrative approach (2nd ed.). Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Pub. 

Engler, B. (2009). Personality theories :An introduction (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.