Explanations and Treatments of Abnormal Behavior

When using this approach to define abnormality you would first have to consider what is normal behaviour for that particular culture otherwise a person could be incorrectly diagnosed as abnormal. Cultural differences are also a problem for the 'Failure to Function Adequately' definition of abnormality. This classification of abnormality involves a person who conforms to their 7 characteristics of the abnormal as having ill mental health. Examples of these characteristics are vividness, unconventionality and observer discomfort.

The term ‘abnormal’ means deviating from the average. Therefore, if we were to adopt a literal approach to defining abnormality, we would conclude that any rare behaviour or ability was abnormal. This, however, is not a useful way of defining abnormality as it doesn’t take into account whether or not the behaviour is desirable. There are three ways of defining abnormality; deviation from

Client stated that she was anger because she did not see her dad this weekend like he promised.

Bipolar is a mental disorder which is known for a brain disorder that causes constant changing of moods, activity levels, and the ability to carry out every day activities, relationships with family and friends and possibly workplace functioning. The areas that the brain is affected by bipolar is the frontal and temporal lobes of the forebrain, the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and parts of the limbic system (Bressert, 2007). The hippocampus may also play a role in bipolar disorder, as structural changes to this area of the brain have been associated with this disorder in some individuals. It is also known by its older name “manic depression” (Bressert, 2007). A manic episode is described to be like feelings of intensified energy levels, creativity, and euphoria are common. People that experience a manic episodes talk a mile a minute, hardly sleeps, and are hyperactive; they may also feel that they’re all-powerful, invincible, or destined for the best (Bressert, 2007). Bipolar is described as an emotional roller coaster. A person that is diagnosed with bipolar will experience highs that are known as manic episodes and lows that are known as depression (Bressert, 2007). These periods have different lengths of time, they can last for a few hours or ranging days or possibly even longer; they can last up to a few weeks up to months at one given time. This disorder is a long term and chronic condition with a variety of treatments.

Jeffrey was arrested in the same year, 1988, for sexually fondling and drugging a young teenage boy (age thirteen); for this, he was put on probation for five years and for one year he was assigned to a work release camp where he was registered as a sex offender from the incident with the thirteen year old boy. Due to good behavior and a built up trust with the authorities, Dahmer was paroled from his work release camp two months early.

To formulate an accurate evaluation and differential diagnosis for this case, it is important to first consider the cause, nature and manifestation of symptoms that indicated genuine concern, and how it meets criteria for comorbid disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – 5 (DSM-5). Combined with current research to theory, treatment and prevention of mental illness, the aforementioned will then be outlined by the psychodynamic and socio-cultural models of abnormality. Wherein, each theoretical model will examine directly, previous research on abnormal functioning, presenting clinical concerns and suggested treatment modalities for the specific set of symptoms. In addition, I will take into account the legal and ethical considerations,

Two of the possible diagnoses for Ruth are generalised anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder which is also known as dysthymia.

Abnormality may be defined as behavior that causes distress, loss of freedom, physical or emotional pain, and increased risk of death or injury to self or something that causes a disability of some sort. Abnormal behaviour is however difficult to diagnose because it is, to a large extent, based on the symptoms people exhibit. Psychiatrists and psychologists use a standardized system called a diagnostic manual to help them but this system isn’t without faults. Since there is no clear definition of normality or abnormality – and symptoms of the same psychological disorders may vary not only between individuals but also between social and cultural groups, it is clear that a

Abnormality can be defined in several different aspects... According to the English Oxford living dictionary (2017) abnormality as ‘’ Deviating from what is normal or usual, typically in a way that is undesirable or worrying. However, there are several ways of defining abnormality including: failing to function adequately, deviation from social norms; statistical infrequency; deviation of ideal mental health.

As humans we like to place labels on everything. In order to define, describe, or just to pin point something out. The majority of us humans are guilty of using words such as “normal”, “abnormal”, “crazy”, “psychotic”, and “dysfunctional” to describe people we see behaving in a certain manner. Behavior of an individual usually tends to be the main source from which these labels derive. While placing these labels on various behaviors we forget some factors, which are culture, values, and personal perspective. As a society we are so quick to judge, especially the American society.

Chapter 3 During the Middle Ages some “authorities” classified abnormal behaviors into two groups, those that resulted from demonic possession and those due to natural causes. The 19th-century German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin was the first modern theorist to develop a comprehensive model of classification based on the distinctive features, or symptoms, associated with abnormal behavior patterns (see Chapter 1). The most commonly used classification system today is largely an outgrowth and extension of Kraepelin’s work: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association. Why is it important to classify abnormal behavior? For one thing, classification is the core of science. Without labeling and organizing patterns of abnormal behavior, researchers could not communicate their findings to one another, and progress toward understanding these disorders would come to a halt. Moreover, important decisions are made on the basis of classification. Certain psychological disorders respond better to one therapy than another or to one drug than another.

For many years scientists, including doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, have been interested in trying to understand human behaviour, in particular behaviour that is described as being ‘abnormal’. It is difficult to define ‘abnormal’ in terms of behaviour because there are many differing descriptions which have radically changed over the years. ‘Abnormal’ behaviour is widely categorised as being persistent and in a serious degree contrary to the continued wellbeing of the individual and/or the surrounding community. Cultural beliefs and expectations determine which behaviour patterns are deemed as being ‘abnormal’.

Abnormal behavior is defined as a psychological dysfunction within an individual associated with distress or impairment in functioning and response that is not typical or culturally expected (Durand, 2005). There are

William Shakespeare had the uncanny ability to read people then put into words how individuals reacted with one another. His most known playwright is “Hamlet”. Hamlet leads the opening of the play with grandeur; but, when his father’s ghost of comes to visit him telling of Hamlet’s uncle Claudius killed him. Hamlet schemes a plan pursuing revenge. Hamlet demonstrates depression exceptionally, in the presence of his mother and Uncle Claudius. Shakespeare’s character likely labeled a “mad man” when the playwright first drew in crowds. Today, the bipolar diagnosis would fit Hamlet’s characteristics. On page one hundred sixty-seven of Susan Krauss Whitbourne and Richard P. Halgin’s book “Abnormal Psychology: Clinical Perspectives on Psychological Disorders” bipolar is termed as, “A mood disorder involving manic episodes-intense and very disruptive experience of heightened mood, possibly alternating with major depressive episodes (Witbourn & Halgin, 2014)”. Through the lens of humanity, the last fifty years, mental health clients find respect. Although, there is not much information on Bipolar, we are able not understand more on its prevalence. Bipolar Disorder is manageable by medication and/or lifestyle changes.

Before I truly understood Bipolar disorder, it was still a fairly common word in my vocabulary. Anytime I thought someone was being moody or fluctuating between emotions, I joked by claiming that person to be bipolar. Several incidents of this involved one of my roommates who seemed to be happy one day, and quite the polar opposite the next. However, it was not until my clinical experience on the psychiatric unit that I realized what true bipolar disorder was, and that she did not fit the criteria. Even though I always thought my roommate was bipolar, I quickly found after being exposed to a diagnosed bipolar patient that my roommate was instead just moody. I decided to write this paper on bipolar disorder, not because I have struggle with it or know a friend or family member with this disease, but because I had several misconceptions about what it entailed.