Essay on "Abnormal Psychology -- Disorders People"

Essay 3 pages (1071 words) Sources: 3 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

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).… READ MORE

How to Reference "Abnormal Psychology -- Disorders People" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

Abnormal Psychology: Theories, Issues, Diagnosis Thesis

Abnormal Psychology: Theories, Issues, Diagnosis

Abnormal psychology: Definitions of abnormality

What is abnormal psychology? The concept of abnormal psychology implies a controversial question: what is normalcy? On the face of… read more

Thesis 8 pages (2437 words) Sources: 3 Style: APA Topic: Psychology / Behavior / Psychiatry

---

Abnormal Psychology Psychopathology Term Paper

Abnormal Psychology

Psychopathology

Discuss the criteria for abnormality and the meanings of psychological disorders, psychological dysfunction and "culturally expected" behaviors.

Abnormal psychology is the area devoted to the study of… read more

Term Paper 9 pages (2962 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Psychology / Behavior / Psychiatry

---

Abnormal Psychology I Chose to Write Term Paper

Abnormal Psychology

I chose to write about Attention Deficit Disorder because an uncle of mine (I will call him "Uncle Bill") was recently diagnosed with it. Uncle Bill is about… read more

Term Paper 6 pages (1939 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Child Development / Youth / Teens

---

Psychology Definitions Psychosis = Loss of Contact Research Paper

Psychology Definitions

Psychosis = Loss of contact with reality.

Downward drift = Lower achievement than parents or family members in terms of social class, employment, and financial stability.

Positive vs.… read more

Research Paper 2 pages (580 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Psychology / Behavior / Psychiatry

---

History of Abnormal Psychology Essay

Human behavior has long been studied in order to understand how people generally interact with one another. Ideas about what is considered "normal" versus "abnormal" have changed since ancient times,… read more

Essay 3 pages (859 words) Sources: 3 Style: APA Topic: Psychology / Behavior / Psychiatry

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>