Emotions and psychopathology

Emotional disturbances are central to diverse psychopathologies. In this ar ticle, we argue that the functions of emotion are comparable for persons wi th and without psychopathology. However, impairment in one or more componen ts of emotional processing disrupts the achievement of adaptive emotion fun ctions. Adopting a theoretical conceptualisation of emotional processes tha t stresses activity in centrally mediated approach and withdrawal systems, we discuss the role of emotion in several forms of psychopathology, includi ng major depression, some of the anxiety disorders, psychopathy, and schizo phrenia. In doing so, we highlight the nature of emotion disturbance and at tendant behavioural and cognitive deficits. Finally, we discuss the merits of this approach for conceptualising emotional disturbance in psychopatholo gy.