Abnormal Psychology -- Disorders People

Abnormal Psychology -- Disorders

People are often distrustful of those that are different. People who exhibit abnormal human behavior are labeled "weird" or "eccentric." They are feared, discriminated and often misunderstood simply because it is easier to judge and to not deal with them than to take the time to understand where such behavior stems from. However, before delving into the discussion, it is important to define what constitutes or what is considered abnormal behavior. As cited in Kring, Davison, Neale, Johnson, 2007: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), defines mental disorder as "[a] clinically significant behavior or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual and that is associated with present distress… or disability… or with a significantly increased risk of suffering, death, pain, disability or and important loss of freedom."

Disability or "the impairment of some important area of life (e.g., work or personal relationships)" is also characteristic of a person with abnormal behavior (Kring et al., 2007, 5). Abnormal behavior is also said to violate social norms or what is considered acceptable by a certain society. It is defined as harmful dysfunction or when an internal mechanism is unable to function properly or normally (Kring et al., 2007). Thus, with a clearer idea of abnormal behavior or mental disorder this paper shall now describe eating and substance abuse and personality and gender disorders.

Eating Disorders. Eating disorders usually begin in childhood or adolescence often after a dieting episode or a stressful life experience (Kring et al., 2007). Eating disorders are also more frequent in women than in men (Kring et al., 2007). Eating disorders are classified into the following: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia meaning "loss of appetite" and nervosa or loss due to emotional reasons (Kring et al., 2007, 271) is misleading in the sense that anorexics do not really lose their appetite while they starve themselves (Kring et al., 2007). On the contrary, they become obsessed with food, like perpetually reading cookbooks and preparing meals for their family and friends (Kring et al., 2007). However, with their distorted body image one can bet that they wouldn't dare touch the meal they prepared. The DSM-IV-TR has distinguished two types of anorexia nervosa: the restricting type wherein losing weight is achieved via severe restriction of food intake and the binge-eating-purging type wherein weight is maintained through eating massive amounts of food then purging it out after (Kring et al., 2007, 271). Eating disorders can be associated with the excessive need for control, in this case, control over body weight.

Substance Abuse. Substances like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, or even coffee or soft drinks are used in everyday life. People depend on these substances to make it through the day and to make life a little easier. However, these substances can be abused and used for all the wrong reasons. The DSM-IV-TR associates substance dependence with tolerance and withdrawal (as cited in Kring et al., 2007, 297). Those with substance dependence develop a tolerance for a certain substance and need higher dose to achieve desired effects or the substance taken has a markedly lessened effect when taken in a normal dosage (Kring et al., 2007). Withdrawal symptoms or negative physical and psychological effects occur when an individual decides to lessen amount of substance taken or stop taking the substance altogether (Kring et al., 2007). Substance abuse is a serious problem and is linked most often to individuals with personality disorders, which are named in the next section.

Personality Disorders. Personality disorders, as defined in Kring et al., are a "heterogeneous group of disorders defined by long-standing, pervasive and inflexible patterns of behavior and inner experience that deviate from the expectations of a person's culture (Kring et al., 2007, 387). The DSM-IV-TR classifies 10 personality disorders, which it groups into 3 major clusters (Kring et al., 2007, 391). Cluster a is the odd / eccentric cluster; cluster B is the Dramatic / Erratic Cluster; and cluster C is the Anxious / Fearful Cluster (Kring et al., 2007).

Cluster a or the odd / eccentric cluster includes the paranoid personality disorder, the schizoid personality disorder and the schizotypal personality disorder (Kring et al., 2007). Individuals with paranoid personality disorder are highly suspicious of others and expect to be mistreated, tricked or abused by them (Kring et al., 2007). Due to their high level of distrust, they may react with violence to perceived insults (Kring et al., 2007). Cluster B or the dramatic / erratic cluster includes borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder (Kring et al., 2007). Borderline personality disorder is often marked with reactivity in mood (Sass & Junemann, 2003, 38). Cluster C or the anxious / fearful cluster includes avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. These individuals are generally prone to extreme worry and distress (Kring et al., 2007, 403). People with avoidant personality disorder overly fear criticism, rejection and disappointment and in order to shield themselves from such negativity will avoid jobs and relationships with others (Ibid). Most people with this disorder also suffer from depression, anxiety and low self-esteem (Sass & Junemann, 2003, 38).