Resultados de la Búsqueda

Before delving into this specialty of psychology, it is quite convenient to understand what neurosciences are, since neuropsychology is exactly that, a science that focuses on the nervous system (Macias, n.d.). Neuroscience is a discipline that encompasses different sciences that are responsible for studying the nervous system from different perspectives, thus contributing to a better understanding and comprehension (Macias, n.d.). In short, according to the International University of Valencia (2017), neurosciences focus on the study of the human brain. What is Neuropsychology? Neuropsychology has traditionally been defined, in a broad sense, as the science that studies the relationship between the brain and behavior (Bombín & Caracuel, 2008). In this definition, when talking about the brain, it refers to the central nervous system as a whole and from a neurobiological point of view: as an organ that is subject to physical laws and, therefore, susceptible to alterations due to morphological and biochemical changes, which can cause its functional alteration. On the other hand, according to Bombín & Caracuel (2008), behavior is understood in a broad sense, with special emphasis on cognitive processes, but also on observable behavior, mainly propositional, and emotions. Then, neuropsychology focuses on higher mental functions, such as attention, learning, memory, language, emotions, thinking, reasoning, among others (de la Rosa, 2018). In the same way, it studies the executive functions, which are those complex mental activities, fundamental to plan, organize, orient, analyze, regulate and evaluate the behaviors necessary to effectively adapt to the surrounding environment and achieve goals (de la Rosa, 2018). In short, in correspondence with the International University of Valencia (2017), neuropsychology studies the brain function of behavior. Therefore, the object of neuropsychology research is the lesions, damage or abnormal functioning of the structures of the central nervous system, which, leads to difficulties in cognition, psychology, emotion and behavior of people (Pérez & Gardey, 2008). According to Pérez & Gardey (2008), these consequences can be caused by cranial trauma, cerebrovascular accidents, brain tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, e.g., Alzheimer's disease or multiple sclerosis, ischemia, developmental diseases, such as the onset of epilepsy, cerebral palsy, among others. In short, the great challenge of neuropsychology and where it focuses its research efforts lies in the knowledge of the nature and functioning of cognitive processes, their interrelation and connection with behavior, emotions and, in general, with the functional performance of people in their surrounding environment (Bombín & Caracuel, 2008). According to Bombín & Caracuel (2008), it is the search for this knowledge that characterizes the practice of neuropsychology, and not the sometimes indiscriminate application of its methodology without a theoretical background to support it. Characteristics of Neuropsychology Neuropsychology uses scientific methods to study the brain and its relationship with human behavior (Universidad Internacional de Valencia, 2017; de la Rosa, 2018; Macías, n.d.). Generally, two methods are used, the first is the hypothetical - deductive method, which is based on hypothetical propositions, conducting experiments and the acceptance or rejection of these hypotheses (Universidad Internacional de Valencia, 2017; de la Rosa, 2018; Macías, n.d.). According to the International University of Valencia (2017), de la Rosa (2018) and Macías (n.d.), the second is the analytical - deductive, where several experiments are carried out to order and analyze the relationship between certain facts. In the same vein, neuropsychology is based on other sciences, such as, for example, neurology, biology, pharmacology, psychology or medicine (Universidad Internacional de Valencia, 2017; de la Rosa, 2018; Macías, n.d.). This means that in the exercise of this discipline, professionals from many fields will collaborate to provide comprehensive treatment to patients (Universidad Internacional de Valencia, 2017; de la Rosa, 2018). In short, according to de la Rosa (2018) and Macias (n.d.), all neuropsychological rehabilitation work is done through a multidisciplinary team. Finally, it is interested in the associative cerebral cortex, which is the most external and visible part of the brain, which, is directed to all higher cognitive processes and is the part that, commonly, is most affected (International University of Valencia, 2017; de la Rosa, 2018). The areas of the associative cerebral cortex allow people to be aware of the things around them (de la Rosa, 2018). Because of this, one can interpret reality and react to it adaptively (de la Rosa, 2018). According to Macias (n.d.), although it is not the only area that causes this phenomenon, the effects on the corpus callosum, basal ganglia, hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus and cerebellum can also trigger cognitive and emotional impairment. References Bombín, I., & Caracuel, A. (2008). LA ESPECIALIZACIÓN EN NEUROPSICOLOGÍA: DESDE LA NECESIDAD CLÍNICA HASTA LA CONVENIENCIA ESTRATÉGICA. Papelesdelpsicologo.es. Recuperado 16 September 2021, a partir de http://www.papelesdelpsicologo.es/pdf/1611.pdf de la Rosa, M. (2018). Qué es la Neuropsicología. El papel del Neuropsicólogo en la actualidad.. Canal Educación y Sociedad. Recuperado 14 January 2021, a partir de https://revistadigital.inesem.es/educacion-sociedad/la-neuropsicologia-el-papel-del-neuropsicologo/ Macías, A. Neuropsicología: ¿qué es y cuál es su objeto de estudio?. Psicologiaymente.com. Recuperado 14 January 2021, a partir de https://psicologiaymente.com/neurociencias/neuropsicologia Pérez, J., & Gardey, A. (2008). Definición de neuropsicología — Definicion.de. Definición.de. Recuperado 14 January 2021, a partir de https://definicion.de/neuropsicologia/ Universidad Internacional de Valencia. (2017). ¿Qué es la neuropsicología y qué hace un neuropsicólogo?. Universidadviu.com. Recuperado 14 January 2021, a partir de https://www.universidadviu.com/co/actualidad/nuestros-expertos/que-es-la-neuropsicologia-y-que-hace-un-neuropsicologo Ustárroz, J. (2011). Neuropsicología: neurociencia y las ciencias "Psi". Pepsic.bvsalud.org. Recuperado 14 January 2021, a partir de http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-41232011000100002

It is necessary to ask questions such as: is there a line that distinguishes "normal" from "abnormal"? and how do people know when it has been crossed? According to Orozco (2014), many persons with severe mental problems can make the most of certain aspects of their lives, while other individuals, who are considered normal, show maladaptive behaviors that disturb others. Faced with this situation, how should health services, especially mental health professionals, deal with it? Although, according to Orozco (2014), it is not easy to establish what is "normal" and what is "abnormal", part of the work of clinical psychologists is based on the belief that people can modify their behaviors, thoughts and emotions to improve their quality of life. What Aspects Constitute a Psychopathology? No single behavior can make a person "normal" or "abnormal" (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). This constitutes a problem in determining the existence of mental disorders. However, there are certain elements that may indicate the manifestation of a pathology. According to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), the more elements a person accumulates, the more likely he or she is to develop some type of mental disorder. Suffering If an individual experiences psychological suffering, people are generally inclined to consider that suffering as an indicator of some pathology (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). People with depression suffer, as do people with anxiety disorders, but what about people with mania? According to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), they may not be suffering; in fact, many of these patients do not want to take medication because they do not want to lose the manic phase. However, it is possible that when examined, this person is suffering, nevertheless, it is strange to consider this suffering as something "abnormal" (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). Although pain is a pathological factor in many cases, it is never a sufficient or even necessary condition to consider something pathological (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). In short, Carvalho (2017) states that, although it is a criterion of great value, it should be recognized that this does not imply that the information obtained by a person is reliable, and may not identify their problems or discomfort and even feel well in appearance. Maladaptation Maladaptive behavior impedes a person's overall development, i.e., it renders an individual unable to feel good and is seen by others as inconsistent and uncomfortable (Orozco, 2014). Therefore, in accordance with Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), maladaptive behavior is also often an indicator of pathology. Most people with mental illness manifest themselves through maladaptive behavior, however, this does not necessarily represent a transgression of social norms (Orozco, 2014). For example, people with anorexia nervosa may decrease their food intake to levels that require hospitalization (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). Similarly, consistent with Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), people with depressive disorders may stop seeing family and friends and may lack the motivation to work for weeks or months. Maladaptive behavior can affect well-being and the ability to enjoy work and social relationships; however, not all illnesses involve maladaptive behaviors (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). For example, a con artist or a hired killer may have antisocial personality disorder. The former may be an expert at getting people to give him information about their finances, while the latter may be quite capable of killing someone for money. Is this maladaptive behavior? Of course not for them, since that is their way of life. However, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), these people are believed to be "abnormal" because they are socially maladaptive and unbalanced in society. Deviance The word "abnormal" literally means out of the ordinary. However, resting to consider a statistically rare behavior as abnormal does not provide any solution to the definitional issue (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). For example, geniuses are statistically rare, but this does not necessarily make them "abnormal". Conversely, intellectual disability is also statistically very rare, yet this condition is considered a pathology. This indicates that defining what is a pathology requires a value judgment. According to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), if something is statistically rare and undesirable, it is considered more pathological than that which is statistically rare but highly desirable. Violation of Societal Norms This criterion refers to social regulation (Carvalho, 2017). This approach is actually not so different from the previous one, although, instead of applying a quantitative component, it does so qualitatively, which, traditionally, has led to value judgments. That is, the risks of this criterion lie in who or what (Carvalho, 2017). This is because the boundaries between normality and pathology for certain types of behaviors vary from one culture to another (American Psychological Association, 2013), since, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), all cultures have different norms, of which, some of them are expressed in law, while others are less explicit. While many of the social rules are relatively arbitrary, it is often assumed that when a person violates them they are behaving abnormally (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). Of course, this depends largely on the severity of the offense and the prevalence of rule violations in society. For example, most people have double-parked, yet violation of this rule is so common that it is not considered to be abnormal behavior. However, if the mother drowns her child in the bathtub, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), it is immediately thought of as abnormal behavior. Social Awkwardness When a person violates social rules, those around him or her may become uncomfortable (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). For example, suppose you are taking a bus home and the driver is the only occupant besides yourself. At a stop, the bus stops for another passenger to get on, even if there are many empty seats, he or she will sit next to you. how would you feel? Similarly, if a person you've known for only a few minutes starts telling you about his or her suicide plan, how would you feel? According to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), unless you are a psychologist working in a crisis intervention center, you might think this is abnormal behavior. Irrationality and Unpredictability People expect others to behave in certain ways (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). While a little nonconformity can add some sparkle to life, sometimes excessively unorthodox behavior is considered abnormal. For example, if the person sitting next to you suddenly starts shouting loud obscenities without addressing anyone in particular, you may think you are engaging in unusual behavior. According to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), this is unpredictable and meaningless. The disordered speech and disorganized behavior of patients with schizophrenia is often unreasonable (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). However, these behaviors are also the hallmark of the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Indeed, if a person begins to recite an excerpt from Fuente Ovejuna, one may not panic if one knows that he or she participated in the play. However, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), if a person is found rolling on the floor while reciting Shakespeare, he or she may be advised to seek help. References Butcher, J., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. (2007). Psicología clínica (12a. ed.). Distrito Federal: Pearson Educación. Carvalho, C. (2017). Psicopatología Clínica: definición y objeto de estudio. Hablemos de Neurociencia. Recuperado 15 September 2021, a partir de https://hablemosdeneurociencia.com/psicopatologia-clinica-definicion-concepto-objeto-estudio/ Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5®). (2013). Washington, D.C. Orozco, S. (2014). Normalidad y anormalidad psicológica y niveles de prevención. studylib.es. Recuperado 12 January 2021, a partir de https://studylib.es/doc/5504790/normalidad-y-anormalidad-psicol%C3%B3gica-y-niveles-de-prevenci%C3%B3n

Currently, many people who face different obstacles in their daily life, decide to seek a psychologist to overcome these problems and grow personally (Ortiz, 2019). However, according to Lozano (2018), there are still many individuals who continue to have wrong ideas about "what is psychology?", "what does the psychologist do?" and "what is psychotherapy?". Thus, many people who could benefit from psychologists, do not do so (Lozano, 2018; Acuña, 2017), even, if they feel obvious emotional discomfort due to personal problems (Ortiz, 2019). In correspondence with Lozano (2018), this, linked with the bad behavior, meddling and images given to psychologists and psychotherapy, one already has all the elements to have a completely wrong understanding about psychology, psychotherapy and the image of psychologists. Therefore, this entry aims to clarify the main myths of psychology and, at the same time, to provide evidence about them, as well as about the work and value of psychologists, in order to provide a more realistic and positive view, thus reducing the misunderstandings in psychology and the fear people have towards psychotherapy. "The Psychologist is for Crazy People" This is one of the main erroneous beliefs that are maintained around the image of psychologists and psychotherapy (Ortiz, 2019). However, no one believes that by going to the doctor one has a serious illness (Lozano, 2018). This is because one can go to a doctor's office for allergies, for some pain or to have some tests done. In the case of dentists, even if you do not have a toothache, you attend only for fillings or teeth cleaning. In accordance with Lozano (2018), in the case of gynecologists, even if the person does not have uterine cancer, she only goes to choose the most appropriate contraceptive. In other words, participating in these consultations is to prevent diseases and monitor physical health (Lozano, 2018). However, mental health is not taken into account. When people feel anxious, depressed or distressed, why do they not go to a psychologist? According to Lozano (2018), a person's emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and attitude towards life are things that individuals do not pay much attention to, since, they are not as cautious with mental health as they are with physical health. On the other hand, most people think that psychologists are only in charge of intervening serious mental problems, however, this is far from reality (Ortiz, 2019; Belda, 2017). Although, in correspondence with Acuña (2017), in the face of certain psychological disorders or in the resolution of certain crises, psychotherapy is indeed necessary, the purpose of treatment is not to give a specific cure for something. The reasons for consulting a psychology professional can be many, as well as the levels of severity (Ortiz, 2019). Thus, people may need psychotherapy for problems in a relationship, at work, in the family or with friends, as well as for symptoms of anxiety, demotivation, depression, among others. Similarly, the person may need to attend therapy because he/she is going through a bad time or simply to improve well-being, change habits and attitudes and promote personal growth. In short, starting a psychological treatment means that the person is interested in progressing, and is looking for tools, self-knowledge or opportunities, which will be of great help for him/her to improve when there is a problem or a special situation (Acuña, 2017; Regader, 2019). In fact, in correspondence with Lozano (2018), mental health is fundamental to have a certain sense of happiness and quality of life. "Going to the Psychologist is for the Weak, I Can Do It Alone" Following the previous point, it can be considered not weak to go to the dentist to fill teeth (Lozano, 2018). Nor is it considered weak to go to a lawyer for legal advice or to go to a manager to solve financial problems. Instead, the person is considered responsible and intelligent. According to Lozano (2018), seeking help from a professional in psychology to prevent, fully confront and solve various problems that may arise in life is also. In fact, the person who decides to start the treatment process does not have to face specific things at that time (Acuña, 2017). It is clear that much of the first consultation is motivated by certain situations that the person may be experiencing, however, the implications of beginning treatment go beyond simply resolving the problem or situation encountered at that moment. In correspondence with Acuña (2017), attending psychotherapy is a process of self-knowledge, of taking responsibility, and therefore, it requires a lot of strength and responsibility. Therefore, the ultimate goal of treatment is not to solve the problem, nor to avoid feeling sadness, pain or negative emotions (Acuña, 2017). Its purpose is especially to provide the person with tools that help him or her to recognize his or her strengths and learn to develop his or her potential. According to Acuña (2017), the initiation of treatment demonstrates that the person is interested in a deeper understanding of him/herself, which requires great courage. "I Already Have my Friends and Family to Chat and Vent to" Undoubtedly, the support of friends and family is critical to emotional well-being (Rodriguez, 2019). In fact, talking with a friend or family member sometimes helps people to unburden themselves and reduce the discomfort they feel during certain difficult moments (Rodriguez, 2019). However, in many cases it is not enough to talk about problems, even if they are restorative through relief and emotional venting (Lozano, 2018; Ortiz, 2019). Corresponding with Lozano (2018), sometimes people realize that no matter who you talk to, the problem cannot be solved. In the same vein, the advice given by loved ones, which is usually well-intentioned, may not be the most appropriate for the situation, and may even add to the discomfort (Ortiz, 2019). Conversely, according to Ortiz (2019), a psychologist is a trained professional with experience in the study of behavior, who can comprehensively assess what factors may be favoring the problem and its perpetuation, and what intervention strategies are most appropriate for the person. "The Psychologist Seeks Solution to my Problems" It is generally believed that going to therapy is going to talk to the therapist for about an hour, and at the last minute, the patient will leave with some suggestions by the psychologist (Acuña, 2017). However, the treatment process is not like that (Acuña, 2017). Rather, it is about helping people find the right strategies to solve problems or achieve personal goals (Lozano, 2018). Moreover, the person is not limited to talking, but can also actively participate in the process, can listen and perform tasks to achieve the purpose of the treatment (Regader, 2019). In short, in correspondence with Ranz (2017), the psychologist serves as a guide from which the person himself finds the resources to help him cope with his difficulties. "Just going to Psychotherapy is Enough to Get Better" This is partly true, since, the person feels listened to in the session and talking about what is bothering him or her has a "venting" function (Ranz, 2017). However, psychology is not magic and psychologists are not magicians either. Psychotherapy is a process that requires the active participation of both the psychologist and the patient himself, who must be willing to evaluate his behavior more objectively and be open to changes and habit modifications (Ortiz, 2019). According to Ortiz (2019), it is therefore a reciprocal work that requires time and commitment, in which both parties contribute to change, with active and dedicated participation being fundamental. "The Psychologist Will Judge my way of Life and my Behavior" According to the code of ethics that regulates the profession of psychologist, a psychologist must accompany the person in their therapeutic process, always show unconditional support and acceptance and at all times, avoid the use of judgments and avoid giving personal opinions about the life and health of the user (Ortiz, 2019). In short, the psychologist may give his or her professional opinion on clinical aspects, but may never judge the way each patient chooses to live his or her life (Matos, 2021). Thus, according to Ortiz (2019), if during therapy the person feels that his or her decisions and behaviors are being evaluated, it is important to discuss this with the psychologist in order to evaluate the therapeutic relationship and take the necessary actions. "Treatment Lasts a Lifetime" The idea of years of therapy is another cliché from movies and television. In fact, some people may benefit from ongoing treatment, especially those with severe chronic mental illness (Belda, 2017). However, according to Belda (2017), many mental health and quality of life issues can be resolved in a few weeks or months. It only takes a few meetings, approximately one to four, to be able to observe significant changes in the person's life (Belda, 2017). However, the benefits are not only for reducing stress or anxiety. According to Belda (2017), short-term treatment can help improve relationships and refresh skills such as better sleep, weight control, promoting healthy habits and more effective goals. "The Therapist Just Listens" This has become a conventional bias (Belda, 2017). People think that the therapist only knows how to listen and comment on things like, "How does that make you feel?". While listening is the basic task of a psychotherapist's job, a good therapist also talks during sessions. This includes asking key questions, helping to set personal goals, and teaching strategies and skills that help the person reach his or her goals. Corresponding with Belda (2017), the therapist may also ask the person to do a task in a way that helps the person practice new skills. References Acuña, P. (2017). Derribando mitos (o prejuicios) sobre ir al psicólogo. Cepfami. Recuperado 22 December 2020, a partir de https://www.cepfami.com/blog/derribando-mitos-o-prejuicios-sobre-ir-al-psicologo/ Belda, C. (2017). Mitos y realidades sobre la atención psicológica - Plenum. Plenum. Recuperado 22 December 2020, a partir de https://centroplenum.es/mitos-y-realidades-sobre-la-atencion-psicologica/ Lozano, A. (2018). Mitos sobre ir al psicólogo. Antonialozano.com. Recuperado 22 December 2020, a partir de https://antonialozano.com/mitos-ir-al-psicologo/ Matos, J. (2021). Los 12 mitos sobre la psicología que debes desterrar para ser más feliz. ABC Bienestar. Recuperado 11 September 2021, a partir de https://www.abc.es/bienestar/psicologia-sexo/psicologia/abci-12-mitos-sobre-psicologia-debes-desterrar-para-mas-feliz-202107260241_video.html Ortiz, S. (2019). Psicólogo: Mitos Y Realidades De La Psicología - GrupoVOLMAE. grupoVOLMAE. Recuperado 22 December 2020, a partir de https://volmae.es/mitos-y-realidades-de-la-psicologia/ Ranz, A. (2017). Desmontando 9 mitos de ir al psicólogo. Alejandra Ranz Psicologia. Recuperado 11 September 2021, a partir de https://www.alejandraranzpsicologia.com/desmontar-los-mitos-de-ir-al-psicologo/ Regader, B. (2019). 10 falsos mitos sobre la Psicología y la Psicoterapia. Avance Psicólogos Madrid. Recuperado 22 December 2020, a partir de https://www.avancepsicologos.com/falsos-mitos-sobre-la-psicologia-psicoterapia/ Rodríguez, S. (2019). Los falsos mitos de ir al psicólogo. Psicotransformación - Psicólogo Online. Recuperado 11 September 2021, a partir de https://www.psicotransformacion.com.co/l/los-falsos-mitos-de-ir-al-psicologo/

Mental and behavioral disorders are one of the major public mental health problems (Gutiérrez et al., n. d.). They are common in different societies and cultures; they cause high levels of disability and suffering to those who suffer from them, and considerable distress at the level of friends and family. While, according to Gutiérrez et al. (n.d.), most societies show compassion and a certain level of support for people with physical disabilities, attitudes towards people with mental illnesses too often involve stigma and rejection. Discretion in relation to mental and behavioral disorders defines the size of the problem (Gutierrez et al., n. d.). In correspondence with Gutiérrez et al. (n.d.), one must be honest enough to be able to deal with mental illness, have the necessary information to recognize it and the openness to involve family members and the community in treatments. The concern of the WHO and psychiatric societies in terms of improving the diagnosis and classification of mental disorders has led to the conceptual basis of current classifications to evolve considerably compared to previous ones (Gutiérrez et al., n. d.). When the first classifications of mental illnesses were developed, they were only used to manage and obtain data for statistical purposes. However, according to Gutierrez at al. (n.d.), the current classifications are intended to contribute to clinical, epidemiological and service utilization research according to uniform criteria, as well as to provide recommendations in clinical practice regarding the semiological elements to be taken into account in the diagnosis. Benefits One of the arguments why it is essential to classify mental disorders is that most sciences require a classification, for example, the periodic table of chemical elements, or the classification made by biology that divides living beings into kingdoms, phylums, classes, among others (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). But perhaps the most important reason, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), is that the classification system enables people to use a nomenclature or naming system to promote the structure of the information so that it can be used correctly. In the specific case of psychology, the classification of mental disorders can be used in an integrated way to compare health information internationally and nationally, which helps to develop various reliable statistical systems for people locally, nationally and internationally (Gomez, 2015). In other words, according to Reed, Anaya & Evans (2012), the classification of mental disorders serves as a health information tool to be able to assess and monitor mortality, morbidity, global burden of disease and other important health-related parameters. In the same vein, the organization of information in a classification system contributes to its research (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). In other words, research can only progress when you know what to learn. In correspondence with Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), it should not be forgotten that the classification system, in addition, provides relevant information about the treatment. Another consequence of having a classification system, although somewhat trivial, can be mentioned (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). As some authors have pointed out, the classification of mental disorders also has a social and political significance. Indeed, it identifies a number of issues that mental health professionals must confront. According to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), from a purely pragmatic perspective, the classification of mental disorders defines the types of illnesses to be covered by social security. Disadvantages Of course, the classification system has some disadvantages (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). In essence, classification means a loss of information. For example, if a person says the neighbor's pet is a mammal, then they are sending some information, however, if they say the neighbor has a huge white Persian cat named Fluffy, more information is obtained. Similarly, reading the patient's medical history may yield more information than simply "schizophrenia." Therefore, in correspondence with Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), classification allows information to be simplified and organized, but, inevitably causes many details to be lost. Although the situation is changing, some stigmas related to psychiatric diagnosis may also be discovered (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). There is no doubt that people who say they have diabetes and other illnesses may be even more reluctant to admit that they have a mental illness. To some extent, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), this is due to concerns that psychological problems will lead people to bad social or professional consequences. Another disadvantage is stereotyping (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). According to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), considering that almost everyone has heard that some behaviors are related to certain mental illnesses, it is automatically and erroneously concluded that this behavior is characteristic of anyone with a diagnosis of mental illness. Finally, there is a problem with labels (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). Once a set of symptoms is named and identified in the diagnosis, it is difficult to remove the "diagnostic label," even if the person has fully recovered (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). In short, the detrimental effects of labeling generates expectations about a person's behavior that can be self-confirming (Alvarez, 2007). Therefore, in correspondence with Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), it is very important to remember that the diagnostic classification system is not about classifying people, but about classifying the diseases that one suffers from. In other words, it is essential not to ignore the fact that there will always be people behind an illness (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2007). Therefore, the role of language is very important. In the past, mental health experts often described their patients as "schizophrenia" or "manic depression". Today, in correspondence with Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), it is clearly recognized that the use of expressions such as "a person with schizophrenia" or "a person suffering from depression" is more accurate and more respected. Relationship Between the ICD and the DSM According to Gutiérrez et al. (n. d.), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in its first version, as well as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), arose from the need to establish a consensus classification of mental disorders due to the lack of consistency both in the content to be covered and in the method of conformation by psychiatrists and psychologists. Some of the causes that influenced the establishment of the DSM include the need to collect statistical data on mental disorders and the need for an acceptable nomenclature for patients with severe psychiatric and neurological conditions (Gutierrez et al., n.d.). In its sixth edition, the ICD contains for the first time a section on mental disorders (Gutierrez et al., n.d.). According to Reed, Anaya & Evans (2012), this was how the first edition of the DSM (American Psychiatric Association, 1952) was created, as an adapted version of the ICD - 6 (World Health Organization, 1949) for use by American psychiatrists. Similarly, the DSM - II (American Psychiatric Association, 1968) was published as an adaptation of ICD - 8 (World Health Organization, 1967). In fact, the American Psychiatric Association was heavily involved in the development of ICD - 8, but the other guidelines included in the DSM - II are specifically designed to be more useful in the application of psychiatry in the United States. At that time, according to Reed, Anaya & Evans (2012), the classification was a background professional support rather than a defining element of psychiatric identity. This may be too big a conceptual shift to undertake on an international scale, mainly because the psychoanalytic model was still dominant in Europe, and the model that participated in the development of the DSM - III has gone through a very controversial process (Reed, Anaya & Evans, 2012). The DSM - III has little or no international involvement and no direct involvement of the WHO. According to Reed, Anaya & Evans (2012), the DSM - III has had great professional influence and achieved commercial success, so the DSM - III and its subsequent products have gained enormous international influence. Since then, the developers involved in DSM - IV and ICD - 10 have maintained intense cooperation, which has led to an increase in the dominance of the psychopathological classification model established by DSM - III (Reed, Anaya & Evans, 2012). Therefore, DSM - IV and ICD - 10 are quite similar. However, according to Reed, Anaya & Evans (2012), the similarity between the two categories was never intended, since, they have different objectives and were developed in completely different organizational settings. The ICD is a classification developed by the United Nations International Agency, which is a free public resource that can be used as a public health tool (Reed, Anaya & Evans, 2012). However, the DSM is a system produced by a single-discipline professional association from a single country in which the association has strong commercial interests. On the other hand, according to Reed, Anaya & Evans (2012), the development of ICD is done in a global and interdisciplinary process, and is done in different languages and taking into account global multiculturalism, while DSM is produced from the perspective of the United States and English as a representative. In the same vein, ICD is designed to be used by WHO member states and frontline medical services, while DSM is primarily aimed at the field of psychiatry (Reed, Anaya & Evans, 2012). According to Reed, Anaya & Evans (2012), in the debate on the coexistence of these two classifications of mental disorders, the World Health Organization believes that it is necessary to make substantial changes in the categories of mental disorders and their definitions through a transparent, international, multidisciplinary and multilingual process, including the direct participation of all relevant parties, and to try to avoid conflicts of interest. References Álvarez, A. (2007). Valoración crítica de las actuales clasificaciones de los trastornos mentales.. Psiquiatria.com. Recuperado 8 September 2021, a partir de https://psiquiatria.com/article.php?ar=todas&wurl=valoracion-critica-de-las-actuales-clasificaciones-de-los-trastornos-mentales Butcher, J., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. (2007). Psicología clínica (12a. ed.). Distrito Federal: Pearson Educación. Gómez, A. (2015). Minsalud.gov.co. Recuperado 13 December 2020, a partir de https://www.minsalud.gov.co/sites/rid/Lists/BibliotecaDigital/RIDE/IA/SSA/cie10-cie11.pdf Gutiérrez, M., Peña, L., Santiuste, M., García, D., Ochotorena, M., San Eustaquio, F., & Cánovas, M. Comparación de los sistemas de clasificación de los trastornos mentales: CIE-10 y DSM-IV. Atlasvpm.org. Recuperado 8 September 2021, a partir de https://www.atlasvpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Comparación-de-los-sistemas-de-clasificación-de-los-trastornos-mentales-CIE-10-y-DSM-IV.pdf Reed, G., Anaya, C., & Evans, S. (2012). ¿Qué es la CIE y por qué es importante en la psicología?. Dialnet. Recuperado 9 December 2020, a partir de https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=4009821

Ironically, although the mind turns people into conscious and intelligent beings, it remains one of the greatest mysteries of science (Bertran, n.d.). Although more and more is known about its nature, research on mental health remains basic, since many of the diseases and disorders related to it continue to have a very high incidence in today's society. In correspondence with Bertran (n.d.), this is where psychology and psychiatry come in, two professions that deal with the knowledge and study of mental health that, despite their differences, are often confused. Etymological Differences If the etymology of the words that make up these two races is carefully analyzed, clues are found about what the work of each one is (Clemente, 2019). On the one hand, the prefix "psy" is derived from the Latin word "mind" and "iatry" originated in Greece and refers to the concept of cure or medicine (Rosado, n.d.). By combining the two affixes, according to Clemente (2019), psychiatry will lead to the medicine of the mind. On the other hand, the prefix "psy" is derived from the Latin word "mind", and "logy" means "theory" or "science" (Rosado, n.d.). So, psychology can be defined as the science of the mind (Rosado, n.d.). Specifically, clinical psychology is the branch of psychology in charge of the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness (Clemente, 2019). Given the complexity of the human brain and the number of factors involved in mental health, it is necessary to treat each patient appropriately. To do this, according to Clemente (2019), it must be possible to determine which area is responsible for each area. Differences in Academic Training The most significant difference between psychologists and psychiatrists are the studies carried out (González, 2015; Rodríguez, 2019). On the one hand, the psychologist carried out a university study in the career of psychology, which lasts approximately 4 years (Prieto, n.d.). There, psychology students learn about psychological difficulties through an understanding of human behavior. In correspondence with Clemente (2019), once the psychology degree is finished, these professionals will have multiple opportunities, such as clinical psychology, neuropsychology, human resources, criminology, among others. On the contrary, the psychiatrist completed a university degree in medicine, which lasts approximately 6 years, and specialized in mental illnesses (González, 2015; Céspedes, 2017; Triglia, n.d .; Prieto, n.d.). According to González (2015), his research is generally focused on medicine and emphasizes its importance in the organic aspects of mental disorders. Differences in Treatment On the one hand, psychologists conduct evaluations and treatments for psychotherapy, give importance to the dimensions of thought, emotion, and behavior, help people understand and resolve current psychological difficulties, and help them build relationships so that they can obtain necessary mental health (González, 2015; Céspedes, 2017). According to Rodríguez (2019), some of the reasons why people visit a psychologist are behavior problems, learning problems, depression or anxiety. When visiting a psychologist for the first time, a lot is worked with the therapeutic alliance so that the person feels in a safe environment, gains confidence in this person and can really open up and expose their complaints, pains and living conditions (Rodríguez, 2019). Similarly, in correspondence with Rodríguez (2019), in the first visit all ethical and legal aspects of the profession should be discussed so that patients understand that the main thing is to safeguard their well-being and find ways to help them improve their motivation to appointments, but that confidentiality always has limitations, especially when the patient thinks of harming himself or others. Regarding the psychiatrist, it focuses on the use of pharmacology through the prescription of drugs to improve the symptoms of a certain disability in people's lives due to mental illness (González, 2015; Céspedes, 2017; Prieto, n.d.). In the same way, there are psychiatrists who, in addition to medications, include psychological interventions (González, 2015). In correspondence with González (2015), it should be noted that, although the psychologist has received training in psychopharmacology, they cannot prescribe medications, since this is the exclusive field of the psychiatrist. However, the experience with the psychiatrist will depend on the level of care the patient receives (Rodríguez, 2019). For example, if it is an outpatient service, in the first visit the reason for the consultation is identified, the initial symptoms are determined and the initial diagnosis is made, however, the most important thing is to request laboratory tests or images to rule out that the the patient's problem is not caused by something physical. Differences in Hospitalizations Another significant difference between psychologists and psychiatrists is that in the presence of a mental health crisis, a psychiatrist can make admissions to hospitalizations (Rodríguez, 2019). Instead, psychologists can refer patients to the psychiatrist and work with an interdisciplinary team to treat the inpatient. In correspondence with Rodríguez (2019), this is because the only person who can admit another person to a hospital is the doctor, which, in this case, the doctor is the psychiatrist. Differences in the Duration of the Sessions Another difference between psychology and psychiatry is the time of consultations (Bertran, n.d.). Since psychology deals with psychological problems from a social perspective, it must have a detailed understanding of all aspects of human life, including the present and the past (Bertran, n.d.). In correspondence with Prieto (n.d.), this allows the meeting to last approximately one hour, since psychologists must have enough time to explore the conflict in the person's mind and provide the necessary guidance. On the contrary, going to a psychiatrist is like going to any other doctor's office (Prieto, n.d.). Instead of carrying out a detailed psychological evaluation, they limit themselves to analyzing the patient's symptoms and prescribing one or another medication based on the symptoms (Bertran, n.d.). According to Prieto (n.d..), the course of treatment is shorter because it does not delve into the cause, since, from a medical point of view, this is enough to solve the problem. References Bertran, P. Las 5 diferencias entre Psicología y Psiquiatría. Medicoplus.com. Recuperado 6 September 2021, a partir de https://medicoplus.com/psiquiatria/diferencias-psicologia-psiquiatria Céspedes, F. (2017). Diferencias entre psicología y psiquiatría. psicologia-online.com. Recuperado 6 December 2020, a partir de https://www.psicologia-online.com/diferencias-entre-psicologia-y-psiquiatria-39.html Clemente, S. (2019). Psiquiatra y psicólogo clínico: las 7 diferencias. La Mente es Maravillosa. Recuperado 2 December 2020, a partir de https://lamenteesmaravillosa.com/psiquiatra-y-psicologo-las-7-diferencias/ González, B. (2015). ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre un psicólogo y un psiquiatra?. Somos Psicología y Formación. Recuperado 2 December 2020, a partir de https://www.somospsicologos.es/blog/cual-es-la-diferencia-entre-un-psicologo-y-un-psiquiatra/ Prieto, B. (s.f.). Las 5 diferencias entre Psicología y Psiquiatría. Medicoplus.com. Recuperado 6 December 2020, a partir de https://medicoplus.com/psiquiatria/diferencias-psicologia-psiquiatria Rodríguez, D. (2019). Las diferencias entre el psicólogo y el psiquiatra. es mental. Recuperado 6 December 2020, a partir de https://www.esmental.com/las-diferencias-entre-el-psicologo-y-el-psiquiatra/ Rosado, C. Diferencia entre psicólogos y psiquiatras. Centro de Psicología Usera. Recuperado 6 September 2021, a partir de https://psicologiausera.com/psicologia/terapia-psicologica/diferencia-entre-psicologos-y-psiquiatras/ Triglia, A. (s.f). ​¿Cuál es la diferencia entre un psicólogo y un psiquiatra?. Psicologiaymente.com. Recuperado 6 December 2020, a partir de https://psicologiaymente.com/psicologia/diferencias-psicologo-psiquiatra

The concept "normal" is used frequently and indiscriminately in today's society (Sanfeliciano, 2018). On many occasions, people hear that certain things or behaviors are or are not normal. Now, when trying to define the idea of normality, the matter becomes more complicated, since, it is difficult to define what is normal and what is abnormal. Sanfeliciano (2018) mentions that, faced with this issue, it is necessary to question, if there is a line that separates normality from abnormality, how can one know when it has been crossed? Normality and Abnormality in Culture In a first approximation, it can be said that normality is a construct that is produced through cultural and social dynamics, through the acceptance of values and beliefs of a group, i.e., it is modeled as transformations or processes occur in society and its participants, therefore, there is no general or unifying normality for different communities, societies, social groups, among others (Huenchucona, 2021). That is, according to Sanfeliciano (2018), it is not going to be possible to speak of normality in general, but of normality within a specific society. For this reason, it is difficult to consider the concepts of normality and abnormality without reference to culture (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley 2007). In a given culture, there are many common beliefs and widely accepted behaviors that are part of the mores. For example, many people in Christian countries think that the 13th is unlucky and many take special care on that day. For this reason, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), some hotels, buildings and hospitals do not have a 13th floor; on the other hand, the Japanese, for example, have no problem with this number, although they are very careful not to use the number 4, since the Japanese word four resembles the word death. Likewise, the words used to describe psychological distress vary greatly depending on the culture (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley 2007). Verbigraciatively, in correspondence with Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), there is no expression "depressed" in the languages of certain Native American or Southeast Asian groups. Of course, this is not to say that members of these cultures do not suffer from psychological depression. However, the way in which certain mental disorders appear may depend, to a large extent, on the cultural way in which pain is described. For example, in China, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), people with depression often complain of the physical aspects of the disorder, such as fatigue, dizziness, and headache, but there are no consistent complaints of the sadness that accompanies depression. Although cultural factors influence the clinical manifestations of the illness, it is also possible to find that certain forms of psychopathology appear to be very specific to certain cultures (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley 2007). An example might be koro, which is an anxiety disorder that often occurs in young Asian men. Corresponding to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), it is characterized by an enormous preoccupation with certain body parts that protrude, often the penis, and begin to shrink or even disappear in the body, thus causing death. What is "Normal" and what is Abnormal? In correspondence with Orozco (2014), normality is what is considered natural, what flows and happens spontaneously and, for that reason, it is simply accepted, it is what is common, what does not affect or discomfort the individual himself or other people, therefore, no one seems to be uneasy or concerned about what is known as normality. Taking into account this meaning and that in certain circumstances they influence or aggravate each other, according to Huenchucona (2021), abnormality would be the opposite condition, diminished or far from what is considered normal, that is, a "deviant" and "maladjusted" behavior from the cultural norm, but just like normality it adjusts to the sociocultural parameters through acceptance, beliefs and reproduction of the same. Corresponding to Orozco (2014), such deviations or "abnormalities" appear in two directions: the first, in a positive direction, as for example, giftedness, maximum endowments in a rational or artistic sphere, special intuitive endowments, among others; and the second are anomalies in the negative sense, as for example, those behaviors that deviate from the usual norm in a negative sense. History of Normality and Abnormality To begin the historical journey, it is necessary to refer to four moments that illustrate different interpretations of abnormal behavior (Rivera, 2020). The first moment occurred in prehistoric times, where there is a supernatural explanation for the disturbed behavior, since it is seen as a punishment or as a consequence of the devil or witches. Later, this behavior was understood as a sign of stress and depression. Later, in correspondence with Rivera (2020), it was thought that the anomaly was the result of the moon and the stars. In the second moment, in antiquity, this behavior that was believed to be unusual, was considered a result of biology, and for Hippocrates and Galen, these behaviors were the cause of excess body fluids, so the theory of the four basic temperaments is developed (Rivera, 2020). In the 19th century, according to Rivera (2020), people believed that these behaviors were the cause of dementia caused by brain infections. Then, in the modern era, due to the treatment and solutions given to abnormal behaviors that violate the integrity and morality of people, and with the psychological movement at that time, various care centers were established (Rivera, 2020). In the same way, in correspondence with Rivera (2020), due to the contribution of different psychological trends, it is possible to establish appropriate treatment methods and a classification or an explanation for "abnormal" behaviors. Finally, at present, there are scientific methods and comprehensive methods for these behaviors that are unusual, and there is a growth of tools based on criteria that indicate what are the indications of these behaviors (Rivera, 2020). Current psychology has established that psychological disorder is an illness characterized by the existence of abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Maristany, 2019). However, according to Maristany (2019), here we fall into the same thing: what is abnormal? To answer this question, the science of the human mind has developed manuals such as the DSM-5 or ICD - 11 (Maristany, 2019). Both writings consist of standardized levels of diagnostic criteria. The purpose is to distinguish normal behaviors and symptoms from abnormal behaviors or symptoms, preferably "pathological" behaviors. Although the task of defining these two terms is cumbersome, according to Maristany (2019), it is important that certain parameters exist in order to identify and help people who may be suffering from mental illness. However, in the DSM-5, there is no definition of normality and abnormality (Maristany, 2019). The function of the manual is to specify the type of mental disorder in order to identify "abnormal" symptoms or behaviors that may indicate a certain type of disorder. According to Maristany (2019), it is important to realize that the definitions of these two terms have changed over time and should continue to do so, since society and concepts continue to evolve, and the parameters must take this into account. References Butcher, J., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. (2007). Psicología clínica (12a. ed.). Distrito Federal: Pearson Educación. Huenchucona, Y. (2021). Contacto a los conceptos: normalidad- anormalidad. Al Poniente. Recuperado 4 September 2021, a partir de https://alponiente.com/contacto-a-los-conceptos-normalidad-anormalidad/ Maristany, A. (2019). ¿Qué es lo “normal” y “anormal” para la Psicología?. Psicólogos Córdoba. Recuperado 26 November 2020, a partir de https://psicologoscordoba.org/normal-anormal-psicologia/ Orozco, S. (2014). Vista de Normalidad y anormalidad psicológica y niveles de prevención. Revistas.udea.edu.co. Recuperado 4 September 2021, a partir de https://revistas.udea.edu.co/index.php/Psyconex/article/view/22445/18579 Rivera, A. (2020). Conceptos de anormalidad y normalidad en el ejercicio de la psicología clínica. Recuperado 26 November 2020, a partir de https://cdn.goconqr.com/uploads/media/pdf_media/21074063/7f6fe581-7a83-405d-9950-7746a7bef6e3.pdf Sanfeliciano, A. (2018). ¿Qué significa la normalidad?. La Mente es Maravillosa. Recuperado 4 September 2021, a partir de https://lamenteesmaravillosa.com/que-significa-la-normalidad/

All people are different, since they perform different actions, live in different environments and have different experiences that shape the way they live and see things (Cadena, 2019). However, human beings often have one thing in common: they need to anticipate events and predict what is going to happen in order to achieve stability that will keep them calm. According to Cadena (2019), when an unforeseen event occurs, this stability is destroyed, therefore, it is necessary to face this situation, and this is where individual differences appear. Many times, people do not stop to think about the importance of maintaining a good mental health, this means that they do not care about it or take proper care of it (Ramos, 2020). Although people do not realize it, mental health directly affects many aspects of daily life, in addition, it helps people to enjoy various benefits (Ramos, 2020). According to Delgadillo (2018), it is worth mentioning that mental health is not only at the psychological level, but also represents and supports the physical and social levels. Why is Mental Health Important? Emotional, psychological and social well-being are synonymous with good mental health, and it is very important for human beings, since it affects people's thinking, feelings, behavior and reaction to various situations (Rodríguez, 2020). Likewise, according to Ramos (2020), good mental health can be transformed into a state of balance both with oneself and with others. In fact, by feeling comfortable with themselves, people can better handle the difficulties of daily life and perform tasks better (Ramos, 2020). In other words, when a person has good mental health, they can easily and effectively perform activities (Delgadillo, 2018). In addition, maintaining good mental health can ensure that people maintain a healthy and rich relationship with the environment (Ramos, 2020). Likewise, good mental health indicates that people are capable of facing the problems that arise in daily life (Delgadillo, 2018). Likewise, according to Delgadillo (2018), people with good mental health have the ability to express, know how to give and know how to get affection. In the same way, maintaining good mental health helps people gain perspective, therefore, it can prevent certain past situations or circumstances from continuing to torture them in the present (Ramos, 2020). Similarly, a good mental health can help people cope with stress, have good self-esteem, and bulletproof dignity. In this way, according to Ramos (2020), no external agent can limit decisions or happiness. In the same vein, people with good mental health have the power to refuse to do what they do not want and are able to value themselves with the respect they deserve (Ramos, 2020). In short, according to Espinosa, Zavaleta & Mendoza (2018), mental health is considered to be a fundamental part of people, since it not only affects feelings of anguish, but also affects specific aspects of school, work and personal life. On the contrary, when people do not have a good mental health, they feel overwhelmed, stressed and anxious (Ramos, 2020). If people feel emotionally uncomfortable, the ability to get along with others will suffer, since feeling isolated from others inevitably makes people feel alone and unable to cope with daily situations. It is important to know that insulation is not a solution, it is just a patch that will temporarily reduce the load (Ramos, 2020). In short, according to Escudero (2021), the importance of mental health lies in the fact that, in the absence of it, the person is unable to function adequately in society. In the same way, its absence usually compromises the physical health of the person, thus generating pathologies and diseases that can become chronic (Escudero, 2021). Therefore, the performance of subjects who do not have good mental health is not as good as that of those individuals who do (Delgadillo, 2018). For example, some mental disorders are reflected by a change in appetite, which can decrease or increase considerably (Escudero, 2021). According to Escudero (2021), this causes a decrease or increase in body weight, which ends up impacting the person's metabolism and generating complications in physical health. Referencias Cadena, C. (2019). La importancia de la salud mental. Naciones Unidas para Europa Occidental - España. Recuperado 24 Noviembre 2020, a partir de https://unric.org/es/la-importancia-de-la-salud-mental/ Delgadillo, A. (2018). ¿​Por qué es tan importante la salud mental?. Psico.mx. Recuperado 23 Noviembre 2020, a partir de https://www.psico.mx/articulos/por-que-es-tan-importante-la-salud-mental Escudero, M. (2021). La importancia de la salud mental. Psicólogos en Madrid. Recuperado 2 September 2021, a partir de https://www.manuelescudero.com/la-importancia-de-la-salud-mental/ Espinosa, M., Zavaleta, J., & Mendoza, D. (2018). La importancia de la salud mental. Gaceta UNAM. Recuperado 24 November 2020, a partir de https://www.gaceta.unam.mx/la-importancia-de-la-salud-mental/ Ramos, N. (2020). La importancia de tener una buena salud mental. Mejor con Salud. Recuperado 23 Noviembre 2020, a partir de https://mejorconsalud.as.com/la-importancia-de-tener-una-buena-salud-mental/ Rodríguez, M. (2020). La importancia de la salud mental. Weekend. Recuperado 24 November 2020, a partir de https://weekend.mx/la-importancia-de-la-salud-mental/

People with mental and psychosocial disorders represent a large proportion of the world's population (United Nations, n.d.). Millions of people in the world suffer from a mental illness and it is estimated that one in four people will experience a mental disorder in their lifetime (United Nations, n.d.). However, according to the World Health Organization (2019), the prevalence of mental disorders continues to increase, which has had a great impact on people's health in all countries and has caused serious socioeconomic consequences. What are Mental Disorders? Mental illness or disorder is a continuous change in mood, in cognition and/or in the type of behavior, in which basic mental processes such as emotion, motivation, cognition, consciousness, behavior, perception, feeling, learning, language, among others, are affected (Morer et al, 2019). According to the World Health Organization (2019), there are many types of mental disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, intellectual disability, and autism, yet each has different manifestations. According to the World Health Organization (2019), the determinants of mental health and mental disorders include not only personal characteristics, such as the ability to manage thoughts, emotions, behavior and interaction with others, but also social, cultural, economic, political and environmental factors, such as politics, national standards, social protection, quality of life, working conditions and community social support. In addition, people may face other risk factors, such as low socioeconomic levels, unstable jobs, possible suffering from unemployment, the need to adapt to changes caused by new technologies, and uprooting caused by immigration. (Carrasco et al, 2015). Therefore, according to Carrasco et al (2015), throughout life the establishment of bonds is essential and isolation, shortness of breath or stress caused by events such as an illness or the death of a loved one, can cause depression or other mental illnesses. Similarly, other factors that can cause mental disorders include stress, diet, perinatal infections, and exposure to environmental risks (World Health Organization, 2019). Likewise, according to Carrasco et al (2015), the consumption and abuse of addictive substances has the ability to significantly promote and accelerate aging, and can be an important trigger for mental illnesses. In the same vein, genetics have been shown to play an important role in many mental illnesses (First, 2020). Mental illness usually occurs in people whose genetic makeup makes them susceptible to illness. This vulnerability, along with life pressures, such as family or work difficulties, can lead to the development of mental disorders. Furthermore, according to First (2020), many experts believe that altering the regulation of various chemical mediators in the brain, called neurotransmitters, can lead to mental disorders. On the other hand, it is important to highlight that mental health disorders can increase the risk of other diseases and contribute to accidental and intentional injuries (Pan American Health Organization, 2020). Poor mental health is both the cause and the consequence of poverty, low education, gender inequality, poor health, violence and other global problems (United Nations, n.d.). In addition, in correspondence with the United Nations (n.d.), it limits the patient's ability to perform productive work, reach their potential and contribute to the community. However, mental disorders and problems can be cured, recovered, or controlled through proper treatment; drugs and psychological interventions are increasingly selective and specific (Integrated Management Group for Mental Health, 2014). According to the Integrated Management Group for Mental Health (2014), treatment is usually defined specifically for each situation, combining medical treatment with social and occupational rehabilitation measures, psychotherapy and family support. Through early detection and timely care, most people with mental disorders will recover quickly, even without hospitalization (Integrated Management Group for Mental Health, 2014). However, according to the Integrated Management Group for Mental Health (2014), other people need to be hospitalized briefly for treatment, and very few patients with mental illness require long-term hospitalization. Referencias Carrasco, E., et al. (2015). Voluntariado en Salud Mental. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.uma.es/media/tinyimages/file/Voluntariado_en_Salud_Mental.pdf First, M. (2020). Introducción a las enfermedades mentales - Trastornos de la salud mental - Manual MSD versión para público general. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.msdmanuals.com/es/hogar/trastornos-de-la-salud-mental/introducción-al-cuidado-de-la-salud-mental/introducción-a-las-enfermedades-mentales Grupo de Gestión Integrada para la Salud Mental. (2014). Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.minsalud.gov.co/sites/rid/Lists/BibliotecaDigital/RIDE/VS/PP/abc-salud-mental.pdf Naciones Unidas. (s.f.). Salud mental y desarrollo | Disabilities ES. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities-es/salud-mental-y-desarrollo.html Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2019). Trastornos mentales. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders Organización Panamericana de la Salud. (2020). Salud Mental - OPS/OMS | Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.paho.org/es/temas/salud-mental

It is difficult to find a concept as diffuse and as widely used at the same time as that of mental health (Hiriart, 2018). This concept is used to refer to the state or condition of an individual, to a conceptual and practical field in public health, to a series of psychiatric pathologies and psychosocial problems, and even to a series of political, health and social activities (Hiriart, 2018 ). Therefore, in correspondence with Pradas (2018), defining this concept is very important in order to correctly treat psychological disorders, mental illnesses and to be able to maintain a correct state of health in general. What is Mental Health? Mental health is an integral fragment of health; so much so that there is no health without mental health, this is because the World Health Organization defines health as a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being, and not only the absence of diseases or illnesses. In other words, according to the World Health Organization (2018), mental health is a state of well-being in which people can exercise their capacities and cope with the normal pressures of life, perform productive work and contribute to the community. That is, mental health is the result of all aspects of daily life, since it depends not only on physical factors, but also on psychological, environmental and socioeconomic factors (Carrasco et al, 2015). In this sense, according to the World Health Organization (2018), mental health is the basis of well-being and the effective functioning of the community. Therefore, mental health and happiness are the basis of the capacities to think collectively and personally, express emotions, interact with others, and enjoy life (World Health Organization, 2018). Consequently, in correspondence with Carrasco et al. (2015), the affective bond is essential and isolation, lack of courage or stress, caused by events such as an illness or the death of a loved one, can cause depression or other illnesses. In the same vein, people may face other risk factors, such as lower socioeconomic levels, the torment that can cause job instability and unemployment, the need to adapt to changes brought about by new technologies and uprooting caused by immigration (Carrasco et al, 2015). Similarly, according to Carrasco et al (2015), the consumption and abuse of psychoactive substances has the ability to significantly promote and accelerate aging and represent a high proportion of serious mental illnesses. On this basis, it can be considered that, in correspondence with the World Health Organization (2018), the promotion of well-being, the prevention of mental illnesses, the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by these disorders, are one of the main concerns of people, communities and societies around the world. History of Mental Health From the end of the Second World War to the present time, mental health has played a fundamental role at the academic and political levels, as well as in the daily life of Western society (Hiriart, 2018). According to Hiriart (2018), in 1946, the Mental Health Association was established in London, and two years later, the first International Conference on Mental Health was held in the same city. In 1948, the World Health Organization established a department dedicated solely to mental health (Hiriart, 2018). Later, in 1949, the National Institute of Mental Health was established in the United States. In correspondence with Hiriart (2018), this reflects decades of interest in the subject by world powers, an interest that is far from diminishing, since it grows exponentially every day. In 1950, the WHO Expert Committee presented the first definition of mental health, which was influenced by dynamic psychiatry (Hiriart, 2018). According to Hiriart (2018), the three criteria proposed to define a mentally healthy person are: they satisfactorily synthesize their own instincts, potentially conflictive; establishes and maintains a harmonious relationship with other people, and has the possibility of modifying the physical and social environment. In 1958, the social psychologist Marie Jahoda published a report on the systematization of mental health in the United States, created at the request of the Joint Committee on Mental Illness and Health, which has been widely disseminated and simplified, and which undoubtedly constitutes the most obvious reference in all subsequent definitions (Hiriart, 2018). Jahoda's criteria, cited by Hiriart (2018), are: realistic self-concept, identity and self-esteem; the search for growth and self-realization; the integration of himself and the different experiences; the autonomy; objective knowledge of reality and mastery of the environment: adaptation and successful achievement of goals. Referencias Carrasco, E., et al. (2015). Voluntariado en Salud Mental. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.uma.es/media/tinyimages/file/Voluntariado_en_Salud_Mental.pdf Hiriart, G. (2018). De qué hablamos cuando hablamos de salud mental?. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.redalyc.org/jatsRepo/279/27957772009/html/index.html Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2020). Salud mental. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.who.int/topics/mental_health/es/ Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2018). Salud mental: fortalecer nuestra respuesta. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response Pradas, C. (2018). Salud mental: definición según la psicología. psicologia-online.com. Recuperado 26 August 2021, a partir de https://www.psicologia-online.com/salud-mental-definicion-segun-la-psicologia-4196.html Pregúntale a Norby. [Pregúntale a Norby]. (2020, Octubre 17). COMO SE SI NECESITO TERAPIA? [Descubre que es la terapia y cual es su SECRETO] [Archivo de video]. Recuperado de https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_CVMh6Hz1k

Social problems are increasing and require specific knowledge to understand how psychological processes occur in interpersonal relationships (Rodriguez, 2012). According to Rodriguez (2012), social psychology is one of the fields of psychology that requires arduous and extensive research, prevention and treatment, in order to address situations where interaction, both interpersonal and intrapersonal, is essential to achieve optimal personal development. Similarly, in correspondence with Marcial (2021), social psychology encompasses many research opportunities; conceiving that social aspects, interactions, grouping, collectivity, processes related to communication, decision-making, personality and social groups are topics of interest in this discipline, considering that human relations are fundamental for the formation of the individual, since they work in the way of understanding, modifying and adapting to a society. It is important to emphasize that without cooperation between individuals, society is doomed to failure (Vega, 2018), therefore, the object of study of social psychology is social problems such as, for example, what is the mechanism that unites people, what makes them share a space and why different ideologies arise, likewise, social psychology tries to understand how the way of living in a certain place affects the authenticity of what the subjects see and how they are able to transmit it to others, thus building diverse personal relationships. In short, according to Muñoz (2018), thanks to social psychologists, people can realize the influence that society has on individuals. In the same way, it is necessary to understand how various activities are carried out in society and in the country, as well as, for example, how different political parties, different organizations and different cultural associations are formed. Likewise, according to Muñoz (2018), one of the functions of social psychologists is to study group dynamics, and thanks to this research, conflicts or problems can be prevented in the future. Another issue related to social psychology is the influence of external stimuli that have nothing to do with the interactions between subjects. Within this range, there are aspects such as the territory, the city, the countryside, the industry, the gastronomy, the climate, among others. Similarly, social psychology is fundamental for the analysis of various elements found in society, such as organized crime, corruption, the impact of technology on the social dynamics of young people, immigration and xenophobia, among others (Ticlla, 2020). In short, according to Rodriguez (2012), the importance of social psychology lies in the fact that there is no human being if he is not immersed in a society that names him, that grants him ranks, position, status and restrictions. By way of closing, an example of the importance of the application of social psychology in society is presented. 20 years ago, Iceland ranked first among European countries in the use of alcohol and other drugs by adolescents (Vega, 2018). Currently, it is one of the leading countries for young people with a healthy lifestyle. How did they get it? Social psychologists realized that the main problem is not the substances consumed, but the social environment of the minors, so they applied the knowledge acquired in research in social psychology and cooperated with parents, schools and communities in all the levels. In this way, according to Vega (2018), they managed to fundamentally change the attitude of young people. References Marcial, J. (2021). Importancia de la psicología social. La Ventana Ciudadana. Recuperado 24 August 2021, a partir de https://laventanaciudadana.cl/importancia-de-la-psicologia-social/ Muñoz, E. (2018). Psicólogo social: ¿cuál es su trabajo? - MundoPsicologos.com. Obtenido 8 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.mundopsicologos.com/articulos/psicologo-social-cual-es-su-trabajo Rodriguez, C. (2012). Psicología Social. Retrieved 9 November 2020, from http://fundacionortizavila.com/descargar/340/bc67b32d67716a4ee6dcfbc77e0ef173 Ticlla, E. (2020). Importancia de la psicología social en la sociedad. Retrieved 10 November 2020, from https://medium.com/@eticlla.c/importancia-de-la-psicolog%C3%ADa-social-en-la-sociedad-9fb28b7ac582 Vega, L. (2018). ¿Cómo afecta la Psicología Social a nuestras vidas?. Obtenido 9 Noviembre 2020, from https://revistadigital.inesem.es/educacion-sociedad/psicologia-social/

There are group activities everywhere, such as in education, in justice, in sports, in municipal organizations or even in neighborhood organizations (Rodríguez, n.d.). In correspondence with Rodríguez (n.d.), more and more organizations ask social psychologists to integrate interdisciplinary teams to solve their specific activities or to solve disadvantaged areas, but even so, it is difficult to establish a recognition of the specific tasks of the social psychologist in society. In general terms, social psychologists work at the research level of the group and are based on three basic principles (Muñoz, 2018). The first is with regard to thoughts, since people are constantly thinking and that thought is conscious. Now, there is a more primitive part of thinking that is unconscious, that is, it is done automatically and helps people to make room for conscious ideas. In short, according to Muñoz (2018), social psychologists focus on finding the unconscious thoughts that are common in human beings and that cause similar behaviors. The second principle is about personal traits, as the environment in which people live affects the way in which individuals behave when they are alone and when they are surrounded by other subjects (Muñoz, 2018). At the same time, according to Muñoz (2018), the way of being of each person also affects social behavior. The last principle, in correspondence with Muñoz (2018), is the influence on others, that is, social psychologists study how each person influences and affects other people, thus generating a conscience and a team feeling, in others words, a sense of belonging. In specific terms, within the functions of the social psychologist is the evaluation, planning and management of social programs, that is, thesocial psychologist is in charge of evaluating the environment in which they will intervene, including the people with whom they are going to intervene (Castro, 2019). For this, it is necessary to establish evaluation goals based on the group's needs, evaluate the group's capacities, estimate the prevention and promotion plan, consider what resources people have to work with and establish objectives based on those resources. Therefore, according to Castro (2019), the social psychologist can detect the needs of the group or individual needs and, from there, establish goals. In the same way, in correspondence with Castro (2019), the social psychologist is in charge of generating projects to address the needs that they find and conducting evaluations to evaluate the real changes that the interventions that are being implemented are producing. Likewise, social psychologists are responsible for training, that is, for carrying out training actions for groups and for professionals in social action (Eguzquiza, 2011). Through education, the social psychologist can provide different tools for communities or individuals to face the situation that is affecting them (Castro, 2019). Therefore, whether it is a community or an individual, people learn to manage their emotions, their thoughts and their behaviors for their well-being. In this way, according to Castro (2019), they can help improve the quality of life of the people they work with. Another function of social psychologists is to investigate (Castro, 2019), that is, to create new knowledge based on research and survey results (Eguzquiza, 2011). In other words, this professional acquires new knowledge from the analysis of social interactions between individuals and communities (Castro, 2019). To do this, they study the behaviors, thoughts and emotions of people (Castro, 2019). Research in social psychology is multiple, such as the Milgram experiment, the Bobo doll experiment, the Stanford prison experiment, the Asch experiment, the Sherif experiment, the Leon Festinger experiment, among others. In the same vein, social psychologists can intervene in different ways (Castro, 2019). Either individually or in a group, they will intervene in the target population when evaluating, positioning and solving their needs (Eguzquiza, 2011). On the one hand, they focus on group participation through self-help groups, the parents' school, the training class in specific skills, group psychotherapy, health promotion and prevention, among others (Castro, 2019). On the other hand, according to Castro (2019), social psychologists can help, through psychotherapy or psychoeducation. Finally, the social psychologist can intervene at the family level through psychotherapy or activities such as workshops or seminars (Castro, 2019). In the same way, it can help the parties to a conflict to reach a satisfactory agreement. Finally, the social psychologist can intervene in the environment, through the ecological model. For interventions, according to Castro (2019), social psychologists can conduct surveys, create structured groups, assess resources and needs, and use different tools and techniques to benefit the target group, that is, those groups affected by the intervention of one way or another. References Castro, M. (2019). Psicólogo social: roles y funciones - La Mente es Maravillosa. Obtenido 8 Noviembre 2020, de https://lamenteesmaravillosa.com/psicologo-social-roles-y-funciones/ Eguzquiza, I. (2011). Roles y Funciones del Psicologo Social - Octubre, 2011. Obtenido 8 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.academia.edu/7023781/Roles_y_Funciones_del_Psicologo_Social_Octubre_2011 Muñoz, E. (2018). Psicólogo social: ¿cuál es su trabajo? - MundoPsicologos.com. Obtenido 8 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.mundopsicologos.com/articulos/psicologo-social-cual-es-su-trabajo Rodríguez, F. (s.f.). Soy Psicóloga Social… y ahora qué?. Obtenido 8 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.educintercambio.com.ar/blog/soy-psicologa-social-y-ahora-que.htm

Social psychology is a discipline that uses different scientific methods to understand and explain how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of each individual are affected by the real, implied, or imagined existence of other people (Rodriguez, 2018). In short, according to Rodriguez (2018), this discipline seeks to understand how each person's behavior is modified by the surrounding environment. From here, in correspondence with Paez (2003), the more individualistic approaches argue that the social is reduced to the presence of an other, whereas, the more holistic approaches argue that what influences thought processes is the social structure, i.e., group power relations, status and ideology. Object of Study of Social Psychology The object of study of social psychology is the influence of social relationships on the behavior and psychological state of people (Regader, n.d.). Thus, social psychology seeks to establish theories about human behavior that serve to predict behaviors before they occur, and thus, to be able to intervene (Muelas, 2021). For example, in recent years, one of the most concerning areas of social psychology is to understand why adolescents start smoking or drinking despite being aware of the dangers of these behaviors (Rodriguez, 2018). Then, according to Muelas (2021), if it is known what factors promote certain behaviors, intervention on those factors could change the final behaviors. Therefore, to analyze the form, quality and scope of the links, it starts with the study of communication and learning (Rodriguez, et al. 2005). Similarly, it includes research on the influence of personal attitudes and social thoughts (Regader, n.d.). And, of course, in correspondence with Regader (n.d.), another factor that social psychology has to consider is the historical background of the occurrence of psychological events, since behavior always takes place on a series of material and symbolic precedents that affect the behavior of all human beings. References Muelas, R. (2021). ¿Sabes qué es la psicología social y por qué es tan importante?. La Mente es Maravillosa. Recuperado 19 August 2021, a partir de https://lamenteesmaravillosa.com/sabes-que-es-la-psicologia-social-y-por-que-es-importante/ Páez, D. (2003). Obtenido 4 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.ehu.eus/documents/1463215/1504276/Capitulo+I_Manual+Psic+Soc_2004.pdf Regader, B. (s.f.) ¿Qué es la Psicología Social?. Obtenido 1 Noviembre 2020, de https://psicologiaymente.com/social/psicologia-social Rodriguez, A. (2018). Psicología social: historia, objeto de estudio y áreas - Lifeder. Obtenido 1 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.lifeder.com/psicologia-social/ Rodriguez, C., et al. (2005). Psicología Social - Polimodal. Obtenido 1 Noviembre 2020, de https://bdigital.uncu.edu.ar/objetos_digitales/1373/psisocpolimodal.pdf