The Concepts of Normality and Abnormality in Mental Health - Essay Example

?Limitations of the Definitions of Abnormality The concepts of normality and abnormality differ in different cultures, societies and with time. This can be evidenced from the daily events or from different age groups in a society. Consider the case of child selfishness; in every society this is normal but abnormal if it is in an adult. The concepts of normality and abnormality also change with change in cultures, consider the case of two men holding hands, this case is normal in some societies, while it is different in other societies which consider it an abnormal procedure. Based on the above examples, it is clear that normality and abnormality differ with different perspectives. This shows that the definitions of abnormality and normality are differs hence making it difficult to define. The definition of abnormality can be evaluated using four concepts including statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, deviation from ideal mental health and dysfunctional behavior. Sharma (2004) explains that normality and abnormality traits in a person are related making it hard for one to define. However, the author points out that there are some characteristics in a person which are quite visible and can show the state of a person whether he or she is normal or abnormal. Symptoms and signs like mental illness, unsocial behaviour and mental conflict are considered abnormal but to certain an extent in some cultures. Abnormality is different in diverse cultures as pointed out above, which brings the need to use different concepts to define abnormality, hence the concepts mentioned above. Abnormality as a Statistical Infrequency The definition of abnormality using statistical approach shows that abnormality is a conduct which in reality happens. The method uses the mean or average of personal traits to evaluate the characteristics of a person. The use of this method shows that normality and abnormality changes on average. Sharma (2004) explains that the normality of a person falls and the abnormality increases as the average level moves to a higher or lower level. Explanation on this method shows that a person’s abnormality changes as the average deviates. This shows that the abnormality of a person depends on the degree of deviation from the average. The more the person’s trait deviates from average, the more the rate of abnormality increases and normality decreases. The author further argues that an abnormal person has fewer values of personality traits as compared to normal person who has more personality traits. In addition, Burgess et al (2005), explain that abnormality and normality vary because of their familiarity. The authors considered normal behaviour as an ordinary event and abnormality as uncommon behaviour. The authors’ use of statistical methods to define abnormality explains that any behaviour above 5% or below 2.5% is considered abnormal. But this method presented by the authors has some controversy since it uses a 5% cut off but not a 1% cut off. Furthermore, this method does not clearly define abnormality due to changes in the values of persons with time. This can be evidenced from the current events happening in United States including the acceptance of homosexuality habits. This event at first is considered abnormal, but as time changes the percentage of abnormality changes. Abnormality as a Deviation from Social Norms Abnormality is also defined by use of deviation from social norms criteria. Norms exist in every society and every person in a society is expected to stand by those norms. For example, a person’s way of dressing and language one has to use when speaking or when spoken to are some of the few norms which exist in a society. The norms stated exist and people value them despite the fact that they are not written down. The norms to which a person has stick vary in every society and with time. For example, in an Islamic society, women wearing short skirts are considered abnormal because they do not behave according to Islamic norms. The norms also vary with time, some behaviour is considered normal today while previously they were considered abnormal. For example, smoking cigarette today in public is considered normal according to the norms of society but previously, it was considered as a deviation from the norms (Priyanto, 2009). Abnormality as Failure to Function Adequately In this method, the definition of abnormality is based on the psychological state of negative feelings or being emotionally depressed, this causes a person to behave abnormally as expected. For example, having negative feelings on food makes a person to eat less. This may be because people think that eating much can increase body weight, hence an avoidance of food. This can cause mental disturbances hence it is considered abnormal. However, it is not always that distress causes functionality can be considered abnormal. Some practices cause distress, but this does not mean a person experiencing distress because of certain events is considered abnormal. For example, families experience emotional disturbances when a member of the family dies. The distress caused to the family does not mean they are abnormal (Barlow and Durand 2010). IQ and Mental Retardation Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is the ratio of person’s mental age and chronological age. Average intelligence is considered as 100 when the ratios of the two age values, mental and chronological, are equal. Mental retardation is evaluated using IQ tests. A person is considered mentally retarded when the average IQ falls below 70. However, there are other external factors which determine mental retardation such as environmental changes like mental sickness or insufficient nutrition at a young age. The definition of mental retardation based on DSM-IV uses three criteria, IQ tests of 70 or less, deficiency in normal functioning of a person in accordance to his or her age as compared to age mates and the start of disability before 18 years (Barlow and Durand, 2010). An IQ test of 70 and below shows clearly the number of people with mental retardation. Additionally, the number of people stated is characterized by failure to perform normal activities such as self-care or cleaning, communication and social skills. This explains the fact that a person scoring 70 or below cannot be said to experience mental retardation. The problems mentioned above must be clearly seen. The authors gave an example of James who scored high in terms of IQ test but lowly in normal activities which normal people do like cleaning. In this case, James is suspected to experience mental retardation. The last criterion is age of onset according to different authors. Barlow and Durand (2010) explain that the diagnosis of mental retardation of adults above 18 years with mental disabilities like trauma do not fall on this category, which explains the significance of the onset age which is below 18 years. This is because at the young age, the brain is still developing and in case of any difficulty, it is easy to identify (Barlow and Durand 2010). Barlow and Durand (2010) explain that there are four categories of people on DSM-IV. They are classified according to the performance of their IQ. The first is mild having IQs of between 50-55 and 70; the second is moderate showing IQs of 35-40 to 50-55. The third category is severe and has an IQ range of 20-25 to 35-40. The last category has an IQ range of 0 to 20-25, and is regarded as profound. Jahoda (1958) presented six characteristics of a mentally healthy person. The author stated that the first characteristic is self-acceptance; a person who is mentally fit is capable of explaining herself or himself. An individual must also have personal growth; one must have the characteristics of a fully grown person and move to actualise herself or himself to show potentialities which symbolise best human development. The third characteristic is autonomy, where a person must depend or trust herself or himself when evaluating things surrounding him instead of relying on others. Perception of reality explains that an individual should show sense of empathy, affection, love and friendship towards others. Another characteristic is environmental proficiency, where an individual should be able to choose or make an environment which best is suited for survival. Performance of work, problem solving and good relation with others is also identified on these characteristic, and finally, positive interpersonal skills is a characteristic that shows that good mental health is characterized by warm relation with others, love towards others and good relationships (Tengland 2001). Jahoda (1958) suggested that people look for physical signs to suggest the state of health of an individual. She went on to say that physical health used by the doctors to evaluate the state of health of an individual can also be used when identifying the state of mental illness. This led to presentation of the six features stated above. The report presented by Jahoda (1958) showed that there is a difference between mental health and mental illness. With this idea she presented six categories mentioned above which happen in absences of mental illness (Flanagan 2008). The six features presented by Jahoda(1958) saw number of strengths and weakness when evaluated by other psychologists (Flanagan 2008). The main strength of the definition presented by Jahoda(1958) on abnormality does deviate from mental health as it is the case of required and accepted definition. The main weakness is that some of the characteristics such as autonomy identified by Jahoda (1958) are not common when evaluated in general. A clear analysis of the list presented by Jahoda (1958) shows that some of the characteristics are not achievable. The makes the list quite unrealistic. Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) presented a number of features to define abnormality. The psychologists suggested that such features when they all occur at ones causes a mental problem. In addition, the psychologists suggested that an occurrence of one of the seven features causes no harm and an individual is still regarded as normal. The first feature is suffering; abnormal persons explains themselves that they are suffering, this view is quite different from the normal individual because when they have problems they do not see themselves being on them humiliating side. Maladaptiveness is a feature that makes a person not to take on his or her daily chores which would have made an individual achieve goals in life. The third feature is vividness and unconventionality, where the person who is considered abnormal has some characteristics that are quite different from others in an environment where they are supposed to have similar behaviours. Unpredictability and loss of control is a feature that shows comparison of abnormal and normal person in terms of their outcome in things they are doing of their behaviours. Abnormal people are seen as unpredictable or they can lose control. The other feature is irrationality and incomprehensibility, and based on this characteristic, other persons do not have any idea about behaviours shown by an abnormal person. The sixth feature is observer discomfort where most of the individuals seeing the behaviours of abnormal person experience a sense of discomfort. Finally, violation of moral and ideal standards shows evidence that a case of abnormality has taken over (Vyse 2000). Maladaptiveness being of the features presented by the psychologist according to their view is negative and seen as abnormal. According to my view, this feature is positive because some behaviour, despites being harmful, is viewed by other people as normal. For example, cigarette smoking is a harmful behaviour but we see it as normal. The DSM Classification of Mental Disorder The DSM classification provides a view of different types of mental disorders and it is one of the most important classifications to health professionals in U.S.A. The document is used by a wide variety of professionals for research purposes relating to mental and clinical health. Some of the professionals using the document include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and the other professionals in rehabilitation centres such as rehabilitation therapists. Research and clinicians teams using the document apply it in fields like biological, behavioural, cognitive and mental health related fields. DSM classification document ranges from DSM-I to DSM-V, but the current and updated document is DSM-V. This document (DSM-V) is made to be used in different clinical related areas like inpatient and outpatient. In addition, other clinical related fields like private practice, consultations and primary care use the document. The document is also best applied in reports availed to public health because they provide accurate statistics (DSM 2012). References Barker, P., Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2nd Edition: The craft of caring (USA: CRC Press, 2008). Barlow, D.H. & Durant, V.M., Essentials of Abnormal Psychology (Canada: Cengage Learning, 2010) Burgess, R. L., Burgess, R. G. & MacDonald, K., Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Development (Canada: Sage, 2005) DSM, (2012). American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved from < http://www.psych.org/practice/dsm> Flanagan, C., AQA Psychology (USA: Letts and Lonsdale, 2008) Grohol, J. (2006). Types of Mental Health Professionals. Psych Central. Retrieved on November 22, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/types-of-mental-health-professionals/00013 Priyanto, E. (2008), Psychiatric Nursing: Normality and Abnormality. Retrieved from http://psychologicalmedicine.blogspot.com/2008/05/normality-and-abnormality.html Sharma. R., Abnormal Psychology (India: Atlantic Publishers & Dist, 2004). Tengland, P.A., Mental Health: A Philosophical Analysis (Netherlands: Springer, 2001) Vyse, S. A., Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000). Read More