Case Study-Abnormal Behavior - Essay Example

Case Study – Abnormal Behavior Abnormal behavior has been defined by the DSM – IV as any behavior that is associated with a behavioral or psychological syndrome that significantly inhibits the functioning of an individual or is manifested in a dysfunction (APA, 2000). Such behavior may be deviant and is associated with distress or disability and can increase the chance of future distress, disability or loss of freedom. Such behavior should also not be a manifestation of social or cultural norms, and should not be deviant due to conflict faced by the individual with society (APA, 2000).

This definition is comprehensive in that it covers all aspects of behavior that are indicative of mental disorders; but it is often seen as a vague definition. Given the wide spectrum of mental disorders and the range of their manifestations and severity, it is difficult to have one definition that provides a precise understanding of the behaviors that are associated with each of these disorders (Trull, 2007). While classification criteria like the DSM provides clear and explicit norms to diagnose and treat disorders and allows for statistical understanding of a disorder; it allows for stigmatizing.

Even though a diagnosis is communicable as per the classification and thus allows for better treatment and aftercare; there are instances of overlap due to intra-category heterogeneity and los of data (Trull, 2007).In order to evaluate if a person has a disorder, it is possible to use 6 parameters to ascertain whether a behavior is maladaptive, and if it satisfies the criteria for a disorder (NIMH, 2008). These parameters are:1. Suffering: An individual is experiencing distress and experiences suffering that he/she is unable to alleviate easily.2. Maladaptiveness: The individual’s behavior does not help him/her interact easily with other individuals and the environment or to develop healthy relationships; but inhibits the chances of this occurring.3. Deviancy: The person exhibits behaviors that are deviant without adequate reason or the presence of a triggering event.4. Violation of the Standards of Society: the individual behaves in ways that contradict the social and moral conventions without justification from any preceding events.5. Social Discomfort: The individual is unable to interact with others in a healthy and fruitful manner, and interactions cause discomfort to self or others.6. Irrationality and Unpredictability: Behaviors are not predictable from preceding events and are based on an inadequate or inappropriate analysis of the situation.

Of these parameters, Suffering, maladaptiveness, unjustified deviancy and violation of social standards and norms are directly incorporated into the definition provided by the DSM – IV and the other two are implied in the caveats laid down that limits the scope of the definition (NIMH, 2008).On the basis of these six parameters, it is possible to say that Jim may be suffering from a mild form of mental illness – if at all – that is not severe enough to demand treatment; but is prominent enough to affect his social interactions.

Jim is definitely not experiencing any obvious suffering, nor is he unpredictable. If anything, his behavior and choices seem highly predictable. His choices and preferences are not normative; but are not particularly deviant or in violation of the social norms; nor is his behavior particularly irrational based on these preferences. His social interactions are limited in frequency, and seem maladaptive in nature since they do not give either him or others satisfaction. He is also unable to read social cues which leads to social discomfort.

Diagnosing Jim is also difficult since he seems to be meeting all his life’s goals in an acceptable manner and seems unlikely to cause himself or others any harm. From the case study, he seems to prefer solitude, and is not particularly distressed by his lack of social companions. The intensity of the maladaptive behavior seems to be moderate so that Jim is certainly socially awkward; but not very dysfunctional in defined settings. He shows an inability to ‘read social cues’; and does not have or attempt to form healthy lasting relationships.

Thus, he shows a deficiency in the social aspects of human functioning. If further analysis shows that these situations occur in different settings, it is likely that Jim may be suspected of a disorder that inhibits social interactions. ReferencesA.P.A. (2000).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (4th ed.), American Psychiatric Association.Trull, T.J. (2005). Clinical psychology (7th ed.). Belmont: Cengage Learning.National Institute of Mental Health. (2008). The numbers count: Mental disorders in America.

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