Abnormal Psychology Behavior
The field of psychology known as “abnormal psychology” focuses on behavior, ideas, and feelings that differ from what is normal or usual in a particular society.
This covers a broad spectrum of illnesses, including, among others, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders.
The numerous forms of abnormal behavior and the various methods used to understand and cure them will be discussed in this blog.
Understanding and explaining why certain people experience psychological discomfort or malfunction is the key objective of abnormal psychology.
Clinical interviews, psychological testing, and observation are just a few of the methods that experts use in this discipline to achieve this.
Additionally, they could make use of many theoretical frameworks, including cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytical, and biological theories, to interpret abnormal behavior.
Determining whether behavior qualifies as “normal” is one of the main difficulties in abnormal psychology. Varied cultures and people might have quite different ideas of what is abnormal or atypical.
For instance, while depression is frequently seen in Western societies as abnormal behavior, it is not necessarily seen in the same manner in other cultures.
The identification and treatment of people who may be going through psychological discomfort or dysfunction is a crucial element of abnormal psychology.
Talk therapy, medicine, and other psychotherapeutic methods including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, and family therapy are some of the treatment modalities that experts in this sector use. The diagnosis of the patient and their particular set of circumstances will determine the best course of action.
It is also important to note that abnormal psychology examines positive and adaptive behavior that might diverge from cultural norms, such as the pinnacle of creativity or extraordinary intelligence, in addition to studying bad or maladaptive conduct.
It is crucial to keep in mind that mental health is a complicated and diverse topic, and that in the study of abnormal psychology, many viewpoints on mental health should be taken into account.
Research developments in this area help us understand abnormal behavior better, which helps us identify and treat people who may be experiencing psychological discomfort or malfunction.
Few Common Types of Abnormal Psychological Behavior
Few abnormal behaviors that are frequently studied in abnormal psychology are listed below:
Anxiety Disorders
These include conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People with anxiety disorders experience excessive and persistent fear, worry, or anxiety in response to specific triggers or situations.
Anxiety disorders are a common mental health disease that affects millions of people. Around 25% of individuals at any given time have an anxiety disorder that has to be treated, while up to another 25% of people have less serious worries like a fear of spiders and snakes.
Mood Disorders
These illnesses entail chronic mood problems, such as depression and bipolar disorder, which are characterized by either an excessively happy or sad emotion.
The chance of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses can be raised by mood disorders. Medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two are all forms of treatment. Many patients with mood disorders have a normal and productive life with therapy.
Eating Disorders
These include conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. People with eating disorders have abnormal patterns of eating and may be preoccupied with food and body weight.
It typically results from a combination of several factors, situations, emotions, or stresses. Unknowingly, a person may use food to cope with unpleasant experiences and emotions.
Personality Disorders
These disorders involve a persistent pattern of behavior, thoughts, and feelings that deviate significantly from what is considered normal in a given culture, such as Borderline Personality disorder or Narcissistic Personality disorder.
The symptoms of personality disorders are often visible in late adolescence or early adulthood, however occasionally they appear sooner during childhood. The lifespan of traits and symptoms varies greatly; many go away over time.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A condition that can occur after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event.
PTSD take place when an incident causes you to feel excessive stress. Your nervous system is “stuck,” unable to return to its regular state of balance even after the threat has passed, and you are unable to move on from the incident.
Impulse Control Disorders
Impulse Control disorders, such as Intermittent explosive disorder, in which individuals have difficulty controlling their aggressive behavior or angry outbursts.
It is believed that many factors, such as biological, physical, or environmental factors, can play a role in person going through impulse control disorders.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
It is characterized by recurring and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions) that an individual cannot stop, leading to repetitive behaviors or mental acts, that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.