Sarah Stapley 18-03-13
Psychological Abnormality
People have tried for thousands of years to understand and define abnormal behavior. In the past 100 years it has undergone `tremendous change, progress and controversy` (Hansell & Damour. 2009).
There is no clear precise definition for abnormal. Cultural, subcultural and personal preference can seemingly be abnormal to some but, these differences more often than not have no physically problematic impact upon others and thus are considered different not abnormal. Ex: A homosexual relationship, sub cultural music and dress code or a religious act of not eating certain foods. Abnormal Psychology is a scientific discipline, in which a medical professional acquires information on a person`s behavior and then measures the behavior to a hypothesize as a means to understand the cause and then how to treat. For a medical professional to diagnose a patient with having a mental abnormality He/She must first respectfully negotiate a deviation from the `norm` their patient has from that of the average population. Ex: Going against society`s accepted codes of behavior – Although this is not always so much a psychological abnormality in every case and would need further investigation. Ex: Stealing for fun or stealing because of an impulse or a felt need in which to do so. Psychological Abnormality is thus defined upon a person`s inability or failure to function adequately personally and or socially. Ex: An inability to hold down a job or maintain social relationships.
The Essay on Abnormality In Behavior Psychological Disorder
... the person has psychological disorder psychologists looks for some abnormalities in individual behavior. To be able to tell what is abnormal you have to ... the essence of abnormality. However we are not including the behaviors that are appropriate for the individual's culture. Many psychological disorders first diagnosed ...
Diagnostic criteria for mental disorders are essentially descriptions of symptoms that fall into four categories, Mood, Behavior, Cognitive and Somatic (Physical).
Ex: To be diagnosed with a major depressive Disorder, a patient`s mood symptoms would include depressed mood and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Behavioral symptoms would include social withdrawal and diminished interests in daily activities. Cognitive symptoms would include a lacking in concentration and difficulty in making decisions. Physical/Somatic symptoms would include Insomnia or contradictive hypersomnia (DSM-IV-TR – LEVEL 5 Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder).
The DSM-IV-TR is then a tool in which a primary care physician and a mental health professional would use as a guide and for communication regarding a patient`s mental health status. According to the DSM-IV, A person whom suffers from a major depressive disorder, such as Unipolar, Bipolar or Dysthymia (repetitive bouts of depression) must have the DSM and ICD recognized criteria of depressive symptoms. It is up to the medical professional to consult both the DSM-IV-TR and ICD in which to make a diagnosis. The DSM-IV-TR- LEVEL 5 Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder states, a patient must have at least a total of five symptoms in relation and, having had such symptoms for at least a two week period. The person`s mood must also express a change from the persons otherwise or former `normal` mood. Social, occupational, educational or other important functioning must also be negatively impaired by the change in mood and the symptoms must include number 1 of the criteria, `Depressed Mood` or number 2 of the criteria `Diminished Interest in daily activities` and the either must be in inclusion with at least three other of the following symptoms. Insomnia/Hypersomnia, Significant weight loss or gain, decrease/increase of appetite, Fatigue/loss of energy, Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, diminished concentration or indecisiveness, Psychomotor agitation or retardation.
The Essay on Bipolar Disorder Mood Blood Tests
Bipolar Disorder also known as Manic Depressive Illness involves outstanding mood swings. The individual has periods of depression, and periods when they feel either unusually good or pressured and irritable. It affects 1-2% of the population. Genetics plays a significant role. About 15% of children with one bipolar parent develop the disorder. Treatments include medication, supportive ...
Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder come with their own complications, Questions need be asked concerning the onset of the condition as there is a number of factors that may increase or initially be the cause of depression, Ex: Abuse (past / physical /sexual / emotional) or personal conflictions (disputes with family or friends), Death or loss of loved ones. A history of drug abuse (this includes medications).
Treatments favored to date for depressive disorders are based on the theory of a chemical imbalance and a corrupting of naturally occurring brain chemicals (Serotonin / Dopamine and Norepinephrine) as a means to either lower or raise these chemicals and balance an even mood. However, this is not a proven theory, `There is no evidence that there is anything wrong in the serotonergic system of depressed patients` (NIMH 1983).
`Once your brain has undergone a series of compensatory adaptations of serotonin, your brain operates in a manner that is both qualitatively and quantitatively different than normal` (Steve Hyman 1996).
Although it is often stated with great confidence that depressed people have a serotonin or norepinephrine deficiency, the evidence actually contradicts these claims`. (Eliot Valenstein 1998).
Conclusion
Abnormal Psychology is a scientific and therefore physiological discipline; both medication and the brain are physical but, the psyche and emotion are not. Ex: Love, like any emotion cannot be bottled, measured, weighed, seen, touched nor heard yet, we all know it exists and how strong the unseen force of it is, how damaging it can be at times and how wonderful it can be but, lost love, rejection from a loved one and so on is something everyone knows needs time in which to heal. Love, Anger, Frustration, despair, anxiety and other nonphysical traits of the psyche are not only delicate and personal to us all, they are natural human traits that we will all endure at some point within our lives. In a Psychological sense, such emotions need, care, understanding, talking through and rationalizing with such therapy as MBCT or Interpersonal psychotherapy. The increasing evidence of a chemical imbalance being a flawed theory expresses a need for both further research and education to those whom diagnose and prescribe medicinal therapy. `Recognition of adverse reactions and withdrawal from the offending drugs can prevent misdiagnosis and the worsening of potentially severe iatrogenic disorders` (Peter Breggin` 2004).
The Term Paper on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 3
... brain chemical that regulates the mood) and appears to fuel the fear response (National Mental Health Institute, 2014). Post-traumatic stress disorder ... a harmful event that happened to loved ones or strangers” (National Institute ... PTSD is an anxiety disorder, the DSM-V disagrees. The DSM-V classifies PTSD as ... and would either resume or intensify their drug behaviors (Hien, Cohen, Miele, Litt & ...
References
Hansell & Damour 2009
DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder www.adoc.us/providers/ADOC_depression.pdf[->0]
National Institute of Mental Health 1983
www.psychiatry.org/practice/dsm/dsm-iv-tr-coding-updates-since-2000[->1]
Psychopathology and Psychotherapy from DSM-IV Diagnosis to Treatment 2nd ed Marvin Wacklin 1998
Initiation & Adaptation: A Paradigm for Understanding Psychotropic Drugs p151-162 Steven Hyman 1996
Blaming the Brain Eliot Valenstein 1998
Medical Law and Ethics V16 (Number 1/2004) p31-49 Suicidality, Violence and Mania caused by SSRIs Peter Breggin
The Emperor`s New Drugs Irving Kirsh 2010
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[->1] – http://www.psychiatry.org/practice/dsm/dsm-iv-tr-coding-updates-since-2000
