Perceptions and Causes of Psycho-Pathology Linda Jones Dr. Harold Beaman PSYCH/650-Psychopathology March 2, 2015 Introduction In principle, psychopathology is the scientific study of mental disorders and their origin; in addition, this field of study examines the causes, development, and possible treatment for the disorders. Essentially, psychopathology encompasses three aspects that are considered as directly related to the mental disorders. These facets include the biological considerations, social issues, and psychological aspects of any mental condition. In fact, the initial perception of mental illness was associated with religious issues such …show more content…
Observably, the disorder mostly treated and cured by the traditional medicine in the culture. Cultural bound syndromes can either cause somatic complains, or can be simply behavioral with no connection to any effect on the body parts. On the other hand, researchers may choose to suggest that cultural based syndromes represent behaviors that may be acceptable in certain regions (Wilkinson 2000). Conversely, this disorders maybe highly disregarded in other areas. Ataque De Nervios Ataque De Nervios is an example of cultural bound syndrome among the Hispanics. Illustratively, the disorder is characterized by crying hysterically, rickety, out of control shouting, physical and verbal violence, and an extreme high temperature in the chest. Ostensibly, the disorder is said to be as result of attacks by evil spirits and demonic visitations. In essence, the symptoms are associated with stressful events such as the death of a loved one, a traumatic experience involving a loved one, divorce, or separation of in a marriage union. In this regard, this syndrome is only unique among the Hispanics, in other regions it may be viewed as a normal way of venting out anger. The Diathesis Stress Model In principle, this theory seeks to explain behavior as a predisposition vulnerability that is coupled up by experiences that are stresses in life. The model takes consideration of the psychological, biological, and situational aspects in life that cause inherent
Mental illness is a condition characterized by emotions, thoughts, or behavior that are substantially abnormal for a given time and place in history (p. 514). Historically, it has been broadly been defined by self-harm, unrealistic thoughts and perceptions (delusions, hallucinations, magical thinking, etc.), inappropriate emotions, and rapid shifts in moods or beliefs. All these criteria compare the
He begins to act out by skipping school and, like his father, reflects on happier times shared with his mother on warm, sandy beaches. For the three of them, their saving grace is the metaphor of the “canvas,” as the mother paints on canvas to relieve her psychotic symptoms, the father wishes to fill the canvas sail with the wind of change, and the son sews patches on the ripped and tattered sail, just as their lives are in so much need of healing. Psychopathology can be defined as the scientific study and classification of mental disorders, including their biological, psychological and social causes. The classification and treatment of mental disorders varies across several professional physical and mental health disciplines including doctors, psychiatrists, chiropractors, psychologists, nurses, counselors, social workers and ministers.
Anne Fadiman’s novel The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down depicts the colliding worlds of the Western and Hmong culture in an effort to save the life of a little girl, who is diagnosed with epilepsy. The novel tells two different, but interwoven, stories in which one from the point of view of Lia’s parents, and another from the point of view of health care providers. Both Lia’s parents and health care providers want the best for Lia Lee, but due to a lack of understanding and cultural barriers, result in the tragedy of Lia. This article explains how anthropological concepts are applied into the novel, and how themes of culture and cultural misunderstanding impacted Lia’s parents and the health care providers resulting in a tragedy.
According to Community and Public Health Nursing: Promoting the Public’s Health by Judith Allender, culture shock is a "state of anxiety that results from cross-cultural misunderstanding and an inability to interact appropriately in the next context." When Lia started seizures, her parent recognized it was the resulting symptoms of "qaug dab peg." From Hmong translation, it means
1. The client system, in this case the Lee family, defines Lia’s seizures as both a spiritual and physical ailment. According to Fadiman (1997), “…the noise of the door had been so profoundly frightening that her soul had fled her body and become lost. They recognized the resulting symptoms as qaug dab peg, which means ‘the spirit catches you and you fall down’”(p.20). To the Lee family, Lia’s condition was as revered as it was frightening. While a person with qaug dab peg was traditionally held in high esteem in the Hmong culture, it was also terrifying enough that the Lee’s rushed Lia to the emergency room more than once in the first few months
In the Mexican culture treats physical and mental illnesses as one. They consider emotional, spiritual, social and physical factors are contributors to disease (Santana & Santa, 2005). These illness measures as a social crisis affect the entire group.
The biological model draws on traditional medicine and attempts to identify the presence of a ‘stable’ phenomenon called mental illness through scientific objectivity. One of the consequences of viewing
Not to mention, Hispanics also believe that illness and disease are caused by the paranormal and psychological disorders (Edelman, Kudzma, & Mandle, 2014). Mal de ojo (evil eye) is believed to be caused by the look of animosity by a person (Edelman, Kudzma, & Mandle, 2014; Jarvis, 2012). Susto (fright) and ataque de nervios (hysteria) are provoked by traumatic incidents, crises, and powerful emotions (Edelman, Kudzma, & Mandle, 2014). Folk healers such as curandero, spiritualist, yerbero, and sabador are still used, including home remedies (Edelman, Kudzma, & Mandle, 2014). Curanderos use prayers, herbs, rituals, and laying of the hands as a form of health promotion (Edelman, Kudzma, & Mandle, 2014). The
Mexican culture is encompassed very closely as a family. When a family member is ill the whole family comes together to care for the individual. The mother of the family traditionally makes healthcare decisions. Health risks commonly associated within the Mexican heritage are alcohol consumption, smoking, disinclined to practice seat belts or helmets and common safe sex condom practices (Purnell, p.295. 2009). Genetic health conditions connected to the Mexican culture pertain to lactase deficiency, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and hypertension (Purnell, p.294. 2009). Four accompanied Mexican cultural illnesses involve, “Empacho (blocked intestines), Mal de ojo (evil eye), Caida de mollera (fallen fontanel), and Susto (magical
Jameson appears to be suffering from a number of medical issues and complications. Her medical issues have presented themselves in great severity and can most likely be attributed to a combination of cultural facets. After reading Mrs. Jameson’s brief, yet informative case study, it can be deduced that aspects of her culture, ethnic background, and a possible prevalence of structural violence have created a cascade of effects that has left her dealing with a life threatening, chronic condition. Mrs. Jameson also has several concurrent diseases that seems to be increasing her susceptibility and risk factors. It seems that some of the primary causes for the condition of Mrs. Jameson could be attributed to her genetic susceptibility associated with her ethnic background and her
Today, mental illness has been the scapegoat for most crimes today. From mass shootings to bombings, most people have blamed mental illness for the cause of these crimes. Moreover, even some defense attorneys have even had cases in which they claimed their client had a mental illness in order to receive a lesser sentence. However, in order to truly understand mental illness, we must first look at the history of people studying the brain. The history of the study of the brain, psychology, dates back to ancient Greece. By using the scientific reasoning, Hippocrates speculated that human temperament can vary by a person's physical qualities, such as yellow bile or too much blood (Smith). Many philosophers during this time period might have only
Psychopathology is a term, which refers to either the study of mental illness, mental distress or the manifestation of behaviors and experiences, which may be indicators to mental illness, or psychological impairment (Psychopathology, n.d.) Within clinical counseling, the use tends to be in the treatment of mental disorders, the origins or the development of mental disorder. Technologies are being used, as well as have been, developed that require an accurate model, which is always being advanced within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, or the DSM. (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). For example, recent technology includes molecular genetics and mature statistical models. Which will in term assist in attempts to better understand where psychological disorders originate form. Currently, most psychopathology research follows the guidelines based in the fourth edition of the DSM, which assumes that mental disorders
Psychological disorders are stated to be abnormalities of the mind, known as mental disorders (Klasco, 2011). Abnormalities of the mind cause persistent behaviors that affect an individual’s daily function and life (Klasco, 2011). The different types of psychological disorders include mood disorders, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders (Klasco, 2011). The causes of these disorders are unknown, but factors that contribute to these disorders include childhood experiences, chemical imbalances in the brain, illnesses, heredity, stress, and prenatal exposures (Klasco, 2011). Psychological disorders can be serious and can be life-threatening
A psychological disorder, also known as a mental disorder, is a pattern of behavioral or psychological symptoms that impact multiple life areas and create distress for the person experiencing these symptoms. These symptoms are characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual 's cognitive, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental process underlying mental functioning. Mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress in social, occupational, or other important activities. Approximately 26 percent of American adults over the age of 18 suffer from some diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. (Cherry)
The movie A Beautiful Mind is one that offers psychologists with a lot of fodder to think about and its storyline brings out various aspects of psychology that can be analyzed to bring a more conclusive close to this debate. The thesis statement of this essay is that psychological disorders need to be understood independently of various factors such as biological and environmental factors. This is because the world of psychology has always tried to attach the above factors to various psychological disorders but I strongly feel that psychological disorders need to be understood and analyzed independently so as a true and deeper understanding of these disorders comes to the fore. The movie A Beautiful Mind is about a genius mathematician Nash who has a psychological disorder, which is later diagnosed to be paranoid schizophrenia. The effects of this disorder are evident in the movie and the essay tries to see how the need to study psychological disorders independently could be helpful in helping various examples of cases such as that of John Forbes Nash.