What is abnormal? Mental Health

Deviation from statistical norms Deviant: Deviation from statistical norms Infrequent behavior is not abnormal in itself. Not usually sufficient for behavior to be labeled as abnormal, but it helps. What is abnormal? Deviance or Typicality - What’s wrong with this symptom? - The fact that a behavior is not typical of most people does not mean it is abnormal. The are many people out there that may not be perceived as normal because of their behavior, but they are.

Deviant: Disturbing behavior Deviation from social norms Unwritten social rule that governs behavior. Example: an elevator, homosexuality Changes over time & by culture. What is abnormal? Deviant: Socially Unacceptable behavior - What is considered normal behavior in one culture may be considered abnormal in another. Therefore, the cultural context of a behavior must be taken into account before deciding that the behavior indicates a psychological disorder

Distress: Suffering (anxiety, depression) Continues long after source of stress is removed or after most people would have adjusted. What is abnormal? V Emotional distress or discomfort- We all get depressed from time to time. We all have felt extreme sadness, worthlessness, helplessness, however if these feelings make us to lose interest in everything we once enjoyed and leads someone to consider suicide, then severe emotional discomfort may be a sign of a psychological disorder.

Dysfunctional: Maladaptive Affects well-being (behavior leads to misery, not happiness) Example: hand washing, alcohol abuse What is abnormal? Maladaptive - Behavior that causes misery and distress rather than happiness may be considered maladaptive. Alcohol abuse is one of these. Alcohol abuse often has strong negative effects on the drinker’s health, job and family life.

Dysfunctional: Irrational thoughts Interpretation of reality is faulty Dysfunctional: Irrational thoughts Interpretation of reality is faulty. Example: Schizophrenia Delusions Hallucinations What is abnormal?

Four Symptoms of a Psychological Disorder Typicality/Deviant Maladaptive Distress and/or Emotional Socially (abnormal) Discomfort Unacceptable Behavior II. Symptoms of Psych Disorders 3. Emotional discomfort - Does the person feel too much emotional distress? Review with the class how each of the four symptoms determines whether behavior is suggestive of a psychological disorder. Then have students(groups of 2) brainstorm examples of behaviors that would fall under each criterion. List these under the headings on their papers. After a few minutes, students share their answers with the class. 4. Socially Unacceptable Behavior - Does the behavior violate a society’s accepted norms?

Classifying abnormal behavior Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM) 5-Handbook that classifies mental disorders. Used by mental health professionals in making a diagnosis Medical model Classifying abnormal behavior Psychological Disorders are classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders AKA DSM-V. It’s updated every 15 years or so, and the DSM-V was just updated in 2015. Goals of Diagnostic Classification Describe a disorder Predict its future course Imply appropriate treatment Stimulate research into its cause