Abnormal Behavior Prepared by: ROSANA F. RODRIGUEZ, RN, MAN Learning Outcomes: 01 Understand the concept of human development, abnormal and criminal behaviors, and mental disorder. What is Abnormal Behavior? Abnormal behavior is something deviating from normal or differing from the typical behavior. Behavior that is defiant, maladaptive, or personally distressful over a long period of time. The American Psychiatric Association defines abnormal behavior in medical term as a mental illness that affect or is manifested in a person’s brain and can affect the way a person thinks, behaves, and interacts with people. What is Psychopathology? Psychopathology is the scientific study of mental disorders, including efforts to understand their generic biological, psychological, and social causes, classification, manifestations and treatment, It is also defined as the origin of mental disorders, how do they develop, and the symptoms they might produce in a person. The Four D’s of Mental Disorder Deviance Dysfunction This term describes the idea that a specific thoughts, behaviors, and emotions are considered deviant when they are unacceptable or not common in society. The term involves maladaptive behavior that impairs the individual’s ability to perform normal daily functions, such as getting ready for a work in the morning or driving a car, Distress Danger This terms accounts for negative feelings by the individual with the disorder. He or she may feel deeply troubled and affected by their illness. The term involves dangerous or violent behavior directed at the individual , or others in the environment. Models of Abnormality 1. Behaviorists Behaviorists believe that our actions are determined largely by the experiences we have in life, rather than by underlying pathology of unconscious forces. Abnormality is therefore seen as the development of behavior patterns that are maladaptive for the individual. Behaviorism states that all behavior is learned from from the environment and all that has been learnt can also be “unlearnt”. Models of Abnormality 2. Cognitive Cognitive approach assumes that a person thoughts are responsible for their behavior. This model deals with how information processed in the brain and impact of this on behavior. The basic assumption are: a. b. c. d. Maladaptive behavior is caused by faulty and irrational behavior. It is the way you think about a problem, rather than the problem itself that causes mental disorders. Individuals can overcome mental disorders by learning to use more appropriate cognitions. The individual is an active processor of information. How a person perceives, anticipates and evaluate events rather than the event themselves which will have an impact with the behavior. Models of Abnormality 3. Medical/ Biological Believes that disorders have organic or physical cause The focus of neurotransmitters, biochemistry etc, this approach is on genetic, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, This approach argues that the mental disoder are related to the physical structure and functioning of the brain. Models of Abnormality 4. Psychodyanamic The main assumptions includes Freud belief that abnormality came from the psychological causes rather than the physical caused that unresolved conflicts between the id, ego, and superego can contribute to abnormality. a. b. c. Weak ego- if the ego is weak, either the id or superego, or whichever is strongest , may dominate the personality. Unchecked Id impulses- If Id impulses are unchecked this may be expressed in self- destructive behavior. Too powerful superego- A superego that is too powerful, and therefore too harsh and inflexible in its moral values, will restrict the Id to such an extent that the person will be deprived of even socially acceptable pleasures. Identification of Abnormal Behavior Deviation from Statistical Norm Maldadaptive Behavior Failure to Function Adequately 01 02 Deviation Social Norm from Personal Distress 03 05 04 06 Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Identification of Abnormal Behavior Deviation from Statistical Norm Denotes the percent of deviation that a score deviates from the statistical norms a. Intelligence- It is statistically abnormal for a person to a score about 145 on an IQ test or to get a score below 55, but only the lowest score is considered abnormal. b. Anxiety- A person who is anxious at all time or has a high level of anxiety and someone who almost never feels anxiety are all considered to be abnormal. Identification of Abnormal Behavior Deviation from Social Norm Every culture has a certain standards for acceptable behavior, behavior that derives from that standard is considered to be abnormal behavior. But those standards can change with time and vary from one society to another. Identification of Abnormal Behavior Maldaptive Behavior This is how behavior affects the well- being of an individual and/ or social norms. a. Maladaptive to oneself- It refers to the inability of a person to reach goals or to adapt the demands of life b. Maladaptive to Society- it refers to a person’s obstruction or disruption to social group functioning. Identification of Abnormal Behavior Personal Distress It considers abnormality in terms of the individual’s subjective feelings, personal distress rather than his behavior. Most people commonly diagnosed as “mentally ill” feels miserable, anxious, depressed and may suffer from insomnia. Identification of Abnormal Behavior Failure to Function Adequately A person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope up with demands of everyday life. The following characteristics that define failure to function adequately: a. Suffering b. maladaptiveness( (danger to self) c. vividness and unconventionality d. Unpredictably and loss of control e. Irrationality/ incomprehensibility f. Causes observer discomfort g. Violates moral/ social standards Identification of Abnormal Behavior Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Under this definition rather than defining what is abnormal, we define what is normal/ ideal and is anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal. a. b. c. d. e. f. Positive view of the self; Capability of growth and development; Autonomy and independence Accurately perception of reality Positive friendship and relationship and; Environmental mastery (able to meet the varying demands of day – to day situations) Symptoms of Abnormal Behavior 01 02 Long periods of discomforts Impaired functioning When distressing feeling persist for an extended period of time and seems to be unrelated to events surrounding the person A distinction between simply eneffecciency enefficiency unexplainable. 03 Bizarre behavior Bizarre behavior that has no rational basis seems to indicate that the individual is confused. must be made passing period of and prolonged which seems 04 Disruptive Behavior Disruptive behavior means impulsive, apparently uncontrollable behavior that disrupts the lives of others or deprives them of their human rights on a regular basis. What is Mental Disorder? Mental disorders refers to the significant impairment in psychological functioning. This is also called mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Crime and Mental Disorders Misconceptions Mentally ill patient that do not abuse drugs or alcohol are no more likely to commit violent act than people without mental illness. Mentally ill people that abuse substances are typically more likely to commit crime. Patients with schizophrenia are less likely to exhibit violence that patients with other disorders Mentally ill people typically only act violently at home toward family members than strangers Studies show that mentally ill people are greater threats to themselves than other people, especially those suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar, major depression and alcoholism About 10- 15% of people with major depression die by their own hands What is Mental Retardation (MR) MR is a condition of limited ability in which an individual has a low Intelligence Quotient (IQ), usually below 70 in a traditional intelligence test, and has a difficulty adapting to everyday life; he/ she first exhibited these characteristics during the so called developmental period- by age 18. Levels of Mental Retardation Mild Mental Retardation Approximately 85% of the mentally retarded person belongs in this category Their IQ score ranges from 50 -70 and they can often acquire academic skills up to about sixth- grade level. They can become fairly self- sufficient and in some cases, live independently, with community and social support. Levels of Mental Retardation Moderate Mental Retardation About 10% of the mentally retarded population is considered moderately retarded Their IQ is ranging from 35- 55. They can carry out work and self- care tasks with moderate supervision. They typically acquire communication skills in childhood and are able to live within the community in such supervised environment and group homes. Levels of Mental Retardation Severe Mental Retardation About 3-4 % of the mentally retarded population is severely retarded. They have IQ scores of 20- 40. They may master very- basic self care skills and some communication skills. Many severely retarded individuals are able to live in a group home. Levels of Mental Retardation Profound Mental Retardation Only 1-2 % of the mentally retarded population is classified as profoundly retarded. They have IQ scores under 20- 25. They may able to develop basic self- care and communication skills with appropriate support and training. Their retardation is often caused by accompanying neurological disorder. They need a high level of structure and supervision. Causes and Symptoms of Mental Retardation Genetic Factors About 30% of cases mental retardation is caused by hereditary factors Fragile X Syndrome A genetic condition that causes a range of developmental problems including learning abilities and cognitive impairment. Usually males are more severe than females. Affected individuals usually have delayed development of speech and language by the age of 2. Causes and Symptoms of Mental Retardation Prenatal Illness and Issues An intellectual disability can result when the baby does not develop inside the mother properly. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. It is caused by the mother heavy drinking during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Maternal infections, Hypertension during pregnancy, and birth defects that causes deformities of the brain. Causes and Symptoms of Mental Retardation Childhood Illness and Injuries Traumatic brain injury cause by a blow to the head or by violent shaking of the upper body may cause brain damage and mental retardation Hyperthyroidism, measles chickenpox, Meningitis and encephalitis can cause swelling that in turn may cause brain damage and mental retardation Prevention of Mental Retardation Immunization 01 Immunization against measles and influenza prevent many of the illness that can cause mental retardation. DevelopmentaL Screening 02 03 Newborn screening and immediate treatment for PKU (Phenylketonuria) and hyperthyroidism usually catch those disorders early enough to prevent retardation. Good Prenatal Care Pregnant women should be educated about the risks of alcohol consumption and the need to maintain good nutrition during pregnancy. Individual Activity ● Watch the short speech of Helen Pearson entitled “Lessons from the Longest Study on Human Development” uploaded by TED at – www.ted.com/talks and answer the following questions in your activity sheets.
