Abnormal Psychology - Case Study Example

? Abnormal Psychology Declaimer This study seeks to highlight Ludwig Van Beethoven’s psychological condition via using varied credible sources with an intention of creating an informative literature. Mainly, this entails utter evaluation of key sources’ content against the conventional argument presented by numerous and varied authors. Since, some authors owing to the Ludwig Van Beethoven’s incredible success in his career while experiencing systematic illness, may end up exaggerating their content to appear more reliable compared to their counterparts’ sources (Burroughs, 2009). Therefore, this study’s content comprises of crystallized information from varied sources but not a physical diagnosis of Ludwig Van Beethoven (Pucarin-Cvetkovi et al, 2011). Introduction To date, Ludwig Van Beethoven’s medical biography remains one of the most unexplored aspects of his life by numerous authors who have equated his expertise beyond that of a genius. Studies contend Beethoven experienced myriad of medical predicaments besides deafness and chronic liver illness (Pucarin-Cvetkovi et al, 2011). For instance, these comprised of diarrhea anorexia, dehydration, and abdominal pain. Some historians contend Beethoven’s deafness resulted from neurosyphilis disease before succumbing to utter depression that tormented him almost his entire life (Pucarin-Cvetkovi et al, 2011). Scientists cite his condition could have descended from lead poisoning that characterized his immediate settings. Conversely, other authors claim his state of depression resulted from the demise of his mother who had succumbed to a prolonged state of illness. Therefore, the absence of clear information concerning Beethoven’s medical biography prompts numerous authors evade this aspect while expounding more about his unequaled expertise and contribution in the field of music as a composer (Lerner & Straus, 2012). Hence, result to speculations concerning what might have led to his deafness state besides other illnesses like madness and diarrhea, which some studies contend to have experienced (Lerner & Straus, 2012). Background information Undeniably, to date, there is no study or report having tangible information concerning Ludwig Van Beethoven’s medical biography. This is evident from numerous scholarly works that prefer highlighting his unique talents as both a pianist and a renowned composer, which the world has ever had during his time. Hence, ignoring significant information concerning health setbacks, which almost paralyzed his dreams or aspirations though he managed to overcome them and become what currently diverse biographers successfully report about him (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). However, diverse biographers have tried to report Ludwig Van Beethoven’s medical history though scantly in certain areas of their arguments. This is due to the absence of adequate information that would have proved by medical tests regarding myriad of health predicaments, which Beethoven kept on complaining about almost his entire life (Pucarin-Cvetkovi et al, 2011). According to varied sources regarding Beethoven’s biography, he experienced myriad of health predicaments though the most reported one was his inability to hear. Deafness started during the climax of his career though this did not hinder him from doing what he loved most, and excelling in the field where there was no one to equal him. Undeniably, it is not clear what exactly led to Beethoven’s psychological problem (Pucarin-Cvetkovi et al, 2011). However, based on his scanty medical biography, probably this condition worsened because of continuing state of deafness. Hence, stressing him to the extent of experiencing depression besides other health setbacks, which he had almost since childhood. Mainly, these other health setbacks comprised of diarrhea and recurrent severe abdominal pains (Pucarin-Cvetkovi et al, 2011). Beethoven besides hard work coupled with passion for what he did diverse people whom he interacted with from childhood profoundly continued to influence him (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). The first person was his alcoholic father, though the mode of his training and insistence proved too much for the young Beethoven (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). Probably, his father’s intention was to ensure music career ran in his family generations where he acted as Beethoven’s model. This is similar to Beethoven’s grandfather who was also a singer in the archbishop-elector choir (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). Another person whom he interacted with was Mozart though for a very short time (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). This is because Beethoven after his arrival in Vienna, learnt of his mother’s death, which prompted him to return to Bonn where he spent a number of quiet years but still busy with his music career. Classic genre of his time also significantly influenced Beethoven’s career. According to numerous varied sources, Beethoven emerged the first person to earn living via music career with no other obligations other than being a composer (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). Beethoven’s early influence during the onset of his career was the settings he found himself in that esteemed sonata genre with rhythm quirks and occasional wordless recitative sections (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). This evoked a readier response not only to him but also to the intellectual community that comprised his settings where he grew before knowing that his talent was in music (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). In addition, diverse people whom Beethoven encountered in his career influenced him via training and even offering encouragement. For instance, Johann Georg Albrechtsberger who trained Beethoven piano thus equipping him with the necessary skills he needed to create a remarkable input in the global music, which existed to date (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). Beethoven’s tendency of surrounding himself with varied and experienced personalities in his career shaped him to the person history currently reports (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). Hence, making him excel despite challenged by numerous health predicaments that almost paralyzed his endeavors. Diagnostic information The mystery surrounding the exact cause of Beethoven’s deafness predicament, to date, has prompted numerous scholars and authors publish extremely varying works (Bento, 2009). This is due to the absence of definitive or official diagnosis information concerning what exactly led to the Beethoven’s progressive deafness (Bento, 2009). According to numerous conventional scholarly works, his deafness state was a progressive predicament, whereby initially he managed to conceal it from those who were extremely close to him for three years (Bento, 2009). However, this did not take long before revealing to his friends through writing (Bento, 2009). This is because most of the people whom he had confidence in did not reside within his locality. Therefore, those who were close to him came to know about the predicament when it was at its advanced stage, probably at the age of 31 years (Bento, 2009). According to Bento, his condition of deteriorating deafness started while Beethoven was at the age of 26 years though all this time he managed to hide it. This is via evading social interactions where people might mistook him to be absent minded, which they did on his revealing that he was a deaf person. This state not only deteriorated his condition but also had an adverse effect on his self-esteem, hence throwing him into utter depression and desperation (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). Consequently, this state prompted him to take even his life due to the utter humiliation, which by then he was experiencing besides being an orphan and no one turn to for consolation (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). The state even worsened further due to diverse health predicaments that tormented him to the extent of seeking solace in alcohol, which he thought would at least mild his pain (Bento, 2009). Hence, ending up being an alcoholic like his father to the extent of irredeemable state, which worsened by day prompting those who were close to him conclude he had lost his touch with reality. Contrary to the above diagnosis literature, numerous scholars, historians, biographers and even medical practitioners tried to come up with their definitive conclusions (Bento, 2009). This is via contacting varied researches meant to ascertain Beethoven worsening condition, which prompted to varied etiological assumptions and information. Some contended numerous predicaments, which Beethoven experienced especially severe abdominal pain could have led to his deafness and eventually depression (Lewis, 2010). This conclusion lacks adequate scholarly backing because of its reliance on speculations or assumptions (Lewis, 2010). Conversely, Lewis in this study contradicts himself when he states that the precise cause of Beethoven’s deafness is unknown (Lewis, 2010). Other authors especially the scientists presume Beethoven’s deafness might have resulted from lead poisoning, which has raised numerous debates (Verstraete, 2011). Since, those against the argument claim the conclusion has no statistical prove featuring affected people from the region that could have experienced the same (Verstraete, 2011). Therefore, there is no known etiological cause, which the scientific field can attest led to the Beethoven’s deafness (Bento, 2009). Comparison of empirical supports Beethoven's Deafness, the Defiance of a Genius by Bento, R and Beethoven, Ludwig van by Julian Medforth Budden & Raymond L. Knapp In this article “Beethoven's Deafness, the Defiance of a Genius” by Bento R, the author utilizes touching and emotional excerpts from Beethoven’s letters (Bento, 2009). This is to augment the source’s authority besides proving to the reader utter desperation coupled with depression, which Beethoven experienced (Bento, 2009). The source’s core focus encompasses highlighting the consequences of Beethoven’s deafness that prompted to depression and resulted to seeking solace in alcohol (Bento, 2009). The source also avails adequate and exact information concerning Beethoven’s queer behavior, which numerous scholarly works fail to expound its cause (Bento, 2009). Hence, result to stating his conduct was due to mere madness, which could have resulted from varied effects from his then immediate settings. According to Bento’s article, Beethoven’s depression emanated from his state of denial; brought by progressive deafness to the extent of planning to take his life. Therefore, the source offers adequate information meant for successful completion of this study besides having valid and supporting excerpts (Bento, 2009). Conversely, Medforth Budden and Raymond L. Knapp article content comprises of information from other sources though they have integrated some excerpts, which is similar to Bento’s work. Mainly, this is to relay emotional and psychological pain, which Beethoven experienced once he realized he was deaf (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). However, this source’s scope is wide contrary to the latter because of its inclusion of varied aspects pertaining to Beethoven’s career, for instance, works, early life influences and reputation besides others (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). In addition, the source is more exhaustive than Bento’s article, whereby the latter only focuses on the victim’s illness and not other aspects. Bento in his work apart from availing varied letter excerpts, he fails to give an exhaustive analysis or descriptions meant for easy understanding. This is contrary to both Medforth Budden and Raymond L. Knapp article where they have analyzed each aspect exhaustively besides including subtitles for easy understanding (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). Summary and conclusions Beethoven despite diagnosed with progressive deafness state that almost paralyzed his dreams, he contributed immensely to the world music (Knapp & Medforth, 2012). This is evident from the numerous sonata pieces, which are in existence to date. However, his state of progressive deafness until now remains unexplored mystery, which prompted him decide to take his life one time besides termed by close people being in a state of absent-minded (Bento, 2009). This is because after confessing that he was deaf, numerous people mistook him to have gone mad, hence prompting Beethoven to evade social interactions as possible (Bento, 2009). This study sought to highlight Beethoven’s deafness, which affected him psychologically besides scrutinizing key sources whose content were fundamental in backing diverse arguments relayed in this project. References Bento, R. (2009). Beethoven's deafness, the defiance of a genius. International Archives Of Otorhinolaryngology, (3), 317. Burroughs, A. (2009). Movies that tickle the keys; get in the spirit of the honens international piano competition with these piano movies. Calgary Herald. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/243926124?accountid=35812 Knapp, R. L. & Medforth, B. J. (2012). Beethoven, Ludwig van. Britannica Biographies, p1, 2p. Lerner, N. & Straus, J. (2012). Sounding Off: Theorizing Disability in Music. Routledge. Lewis, J. (2010). What Killed the Great and Not So Great Composers? United Kingdom: AuthorHouse. Pucarin-Cvetkovi, J., Eugenija Zuskin, E., Mustajbegovi, J., Janev-Holcer, N., Rudan, P. & Milosevic, M. (2011). Known Symptoms and Diseases of a Number of Classical European Composers during 17th and 20th Century in Relation with their Artistic Musical Expressions. Coll. Anthropology. (35)4: 1327–1331. Verstraete, L. (2011). Case files: 40 murders and mysteries solved by science. Toronto: Scholastic Canada. Read More