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Abnormal 1

Bonnie Wise・35 minutes read

Societal definitions of abnormal behavior change over time, influenced by cultural values and scientific knowledge. Various theories attribute abnormal behavior to biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, and cognitive causes, with different disorders like schizophrenia, narcissistic personality, antisocial personality, and borderline personality having distinct characteristics and treatment approaches.

Insights

  • Cultural values and scientific knowledge heavily influence what is considered abnormal behavior in different societies, with past norms evolving over time, such as homosexuality no longer being classified as a diagnosis. Abnormality can be defined by criteria like causing distress, impairing daily functioning, rarity, danger to self or others, and being out of touch with reality.
  • Schizophrenia, a disorder characterized by being out of touch with reality, presents symptoms like confusion, incoherent speech, emotional disturbances, hallucinations, and delusions. This condition has a strong genetic component, with about 40% of individuals in mental institutions diagnosed with schizophrenia, highlighting the complexity of mental disorders and the need for comprehensive understanding and treatment approaches.

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Recent questions

  • What are the criteria for abnormal behavior?

    Distress, impairment, rarity, danger, and reality detachment.

  • What is the DSM used for?

    Diagnosing mental disorders based on symptoms.

  • What are the biological theories of abnormal behavior?

    Biological causes like brain tumors and genetics.

  • What are cognitive theories of abnormal behavior?

    Irrational thoughts leading to distorted thinking patterns.

  • What is schizophrenia characterized by?

    Being out of touch with reality, hallucinations, delusions.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Understanding Abnormal Behavior in Different Societies

  • Different societies have varying definitions of what is considered abnormal behavior, influenced by cultural values and scientific knowledge.
  • Abnormality changes over time within cultures, with past norms no longer being viewed as abnormal today, such as homosexuality not being classified as a diagnosis anymore.
  • Criteria for abnormal behavior include causing distress, impairing day-to-day functioning, being rare or uncommon, posing danger to self or others, and being out of touch with reality.
  • The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is used for diagnosing mental disorders, with the latest edition being DSM-5, providing a list of symptoms for each diagnosis.
  • The DSM is not based on any specific theory but focuses on symptoms to determine diagnoses, relying on self-reported information from patients or their loved ones.
  • Biological theories attribute abnormal behavior to biological causes like brain tumors, thyroid conditions, genetics, and chemical imbalances affecting neurotransmitters.
  • Psychodynamic theories, associated with Freud, suggest that unconscious conflicts, often stemming from childhood, lead to abnormal behavior.
  • Behavioral theories propose that abnormal behaviors are learned through associations and consequences, with treatment focusing on unlearning and relearning behaviors.
  • Humanistic theories, like Rogers and Maslow, believe that societal factors hinder personal growth and self-actualization, leading to abnormal behavior.
  • Cognitive theories attribute abnormal behavior to irrational thoughts, with therapy aiming to change distorted thinking patterns.

18:16

"Schizophrenia: A Journey into Delusion"

  • A 19-year-old college student began exhibiting suspicious behavior towards friends and classmates, believing they were communicating in a secret language to harm him.
  • During summer, he wore multiple sweaters to shield himself from what he perceived as harmful sun rays.
  • He avoided eating for a week, convinced that the food was poisoned by his friends who he blamed for his grandmother's death.
  • His behavior escalated to yelling at passersby from his window and claiming his neighbors had powers over him.
  • He wrote a letter to the President of the United States with solutions to global issues but was eventually hospitalized due to his nonsensical behavior.
  • In the hospital, he requested to be flushed down the toilet and believed he was in a meeting with George Washington, God, and IBM.
  • The patient was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a disorder characterized by being out of touch with reality.
  • Schizophrenia symptoms include confusion about time, location, and current events, incoherent speech, emotional disturbances, hallucinations, and delusions.
  • Hallucinations involve perceiving stimuli without actual sensory input, while delusions involve misinterpreting actual stimuli.
  • Schizophrenia has a strong genetic component, and about 40% of individuals in mental institutions have this disorder.

33:55

Understanding Narcissism and Antisocial Personality Disorders

  • Narcissists are often males who receive constant praise for their looks, seeking reassurance due to low self-esteem, expecting special treatment and attention from others.
  • Individuals with antisocial personality disorder show no regard for others, lack remorse, act impulsively for self-pleasure, and disregard rules, with a focus solely on their own desires.
  • Borderline personality disorder encompasses traits from various disorders, with individuals experiencing intense emotions, a lack of self-identity, and a tendency to idolize and then turn on others who emotionally wound them.
  • Borderline individuals may exhibit suicidal behavior as a cry for attention and proof of care from others, often struggling with a sense of emptiness and difficulty in forming their own identity.
  • Borderline personalities can be challenging to interact with, as they oscillate between extreme admiration and disdain for others, making it hard to predict their reactions or maintain stable relationships.
  • Borderline personality disorder is believed to stem from childhood abuse in most cases, with some research suggesting a genetic or biological basis, making treatment complex and often resistant to medication.
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