[The contribution of developmental psychopathology to the better understanding of mental disorders]

Developmental psychopathology is a relatively new discipline which aims to synthetize theories and empirical results of multiple disciplines focusing on development or psychopathology developmental psychology, psychopathology, neuroscience, genetics, personality psychology, volutionary psychopathology, etc.), in order to uncover mechanisms responsible for normative development and its alterations (psychopathology). We aim to give an introduction into three main themes of developmental psychopathology: models of evolutionary psychopathology mechanisms of the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors contributing normal and abnormal development, and the age-specific characteristics of mental disorders, as well as their continuities and discontinuities across the lifespan. The perspective of developmental psychopathology adds to our deeper understanding of the aetiology and course of mental disorders, and their recognition and treatment.