Abnormal psychology is a branch of psychology that studies the causes, symptoms, and treatment of mental disorders. It is a broad field that covers a wide range of disorders, from anxiety disorders to personality disorders.

Papers in abnormal psychology will typically cover the following topics:

• The definition of abnormal behaviour
• The classification of mental disorders
• The causes of mental disorders
• The symptoms of mental disorders
• The treatment of mental disorders
• The prevention of mental disorders
• The economic burden of mental disorders
• The impact of mental disorders on families and relationships
• The stigma associated with mental illness
• The role of culture in mental health

Papers in abnormal psychology may also discuss the ethical and legal issues related to mental health care.

If you are interested in learning more about abnormal psychology, we recommend that you read some of the following books:

• Abnormal Psychology by David Rosenhan and Robert Rosenthal
• Abnormal Psychology by David Barlow
• Abnormal Psychology by Sadock and Kaplan
• Abnormal Psychology by Thomas Insel

You can also find many articles on abnormal psychology in academic journals such as the Journal of Abnormal Psychology and the American Psychologist.

To get a degree in abnormal psychology in India, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

There are many colleges and universities in India that offer bachelor’s degrees in psychology, including the following:

• Delhi University
• Christ University
• Loyola College
• Mumbai University
• SNDT University 
• St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai

The undergraduate degree takes three to four years to complete, with the first few terms being devoted to introductory courses. As they advance, students will enrol in increasingly specialized courses. Usually, a term has six or seven courses. Depending on how thorough the program is, students are allowed to take electives in addition to their core courses.

Because it offers more lab and laboratory studies than a Bachelor of Arts, abnormal psychologists at the undergraduate level typically pursue a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Basic courses in abnormal psychology are always required for psychology bachelor’s degrees. Undergraduate courses offered include:

• Human sexuality
• Developmental psychology
• Pediatric psychology
• Social psychology
• Experimental psychology
• Biopsychology
• Psychometrics
• Psychopathology

After completing your bachelor’s degree, you can then go on to complete a master’s degree and then a doctoral degree in abnormal psychology. There are also many colleges and universities in India that offer master’s and doctoral degrees in abnormal psychology, including the following:

• National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS)
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
• University of Delhi
• Jamia Millia Islamia

Getting a Master of Science in experimental psychology, which prepares students for a career in psychological research, is the typical next step for abnormal psychologists. Students with this degree may be eligible for positions as research assistants, market analysts, science writers, or community college instructors. The PhD in experimental psychology, which will enable the student to obtain a license as a full-fledged psychological researcher or become a teacher, is the ultimate degree for the majority of abnormal psychologists. A Doctor of Education (EdD) is an alternative degree option for future educators.

Once you have completed your degree in abnormal psychology, you will have a number of career options available to you.  The most common one is:

• Research psychologist: Research psychologists conduct research in abnormal psychology. They work in universities, hospitals, and research institutes. Research psychologists typically have a doctorate in psychology (PhD or PsyD). They may focus on a variety of topics, such as the causes of mental disorders, the effectiveness of treatments, or the development of new assessment tools.

Clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists handle patient care; abnormal psychologists don’t. The majority of an abnormal psychologist’s time is spent conducting research and preparing research articles. The majority of abnormal psychologists are employed by universities, government research institutes, mental health facilities, or commercial research institutes. Research is frequently centered on a specific psychological illness. University-employed abnormal psychologists frequently spend a portion of their time teaching.

The salary for abnormal psychologists in India varies depending on their level of education, experience, and the type of work they do. However, in general, abnormal psychologists earn a good salary. The average salary for an abnormal psychologist in India is around INR 400,000 per year.

There are many different places where you can work with a degree in abnormal psychology. Here are some of the most common settings:

• Hospitals: Many hospitals have departments dedicated to mental health, where you can work as a clinical psychologist, counseling psychologist, or other type of mental health professional.
• Clinics: There are many private and public clinics that offer mental health services, where you can work as a clinical psychologist, counseling psychologist, or other type of mental health professional.
• Schools: School psychologists work in schools to help students with learning and behavioral problems.
• Correctional facilities: Forensic psychologists work in correctional facilities to assess and treat inmates with mental health problems.
• Research institutes: Research psychologists conduct research in abnormal psychology.
• Government agencies: Some government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, employ psychologists to provide mental health services to veterans.
• Private practice: You can also work in private practice as a clinical psychologist or counseling psychologist.
• Rehabilitation counselor: Rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities to live independently and participate in the community.
• Addiction counselor: Addiction counselors help people with substance abuse problems.
• Educator: Educators who teach abnormal psychology can work in colleges, universities, or high schools.

The specific setting where you work will depend on your interests, skills, and personality. If you are interested in a career in abnormal psychology, I encourage you to do some research and explore your options. It is a rewarding field that can make a real difference in the lives of others.

– Urveez Kakalia and Sakshi Merai.