1. What is Abnormal Behavior?

2. “Social Constructionist” View of Mental Health

3. the “hikikomori” or “shut-ins” in Japan

4. What is a Valid Mental Disorder?

5. Mental Disorders are Internal Dysfunctions that a Particular Culture Defines as Inappropriate

6. Distinction between Disease & Illness and the Role of Culture

7. When are Distinct/Categorical Diagnoses Useful?
(1) Very useful when there are clear dysfunctions of cognitive mechanisms that are socially inappropriate AND the formal structure of their symptoms are same across time, place and history (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychoses).
(2) Moderately useful when there are clear dysfunctions of cognitive mechanisms that are socially inappropriate, yet the symptoms are not specific indicators of unique/individual/separate underlying diseases. Instead the symptoms vary from time to time, place to place, and in history.
(3) Minimally to not useful (and even sometimes misleading) when the conditions arise primarily, if not exclusively, from stressful situations. Depression or anxiety, in these instances, is a normal reaction.

8. Milton (“Office Space”)
Examples
Milton (“Office Space”)