There are many definitions of abnormality. Abnormality is something deviating from typical accepted behavior. Current practitioners agree that there are four areas that help define abnormality. These four areas are referred to as the four D’s. The four D’s would include deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger.
Deviance is behavior that is different from tradition, and custom. Every society of people has social norms which are rules for proper conduct. Norms are developed from history, values, institutions, habits, skills, technology, and arts.
Deviant behavior could be exhibited by a minor child leaving an abusive home. When such a decision is made it sets in motion a set of circumstances the child is now totally dependent on an outside environment with no resources to meet their needs. Considering the consequences a child will be forced to steal to survive. Theft in most cultures is considered a criminal deviant behavior. Even though culturally we recognize this deviant behavior as criminal the child many times receives empathy and others reach out and attempt to rescue the child from such circumstances.
Distress could be defined as people subjecting themselves to physical pain or discomfort which could cause them to become disconnected from others. Extreme body building causes both physical pain and discomfort. The body builder makes a conscious decision to extremely alter their lifestyle to reach an optimum goal. They grossly restrict their food intake, exercise extensively and are even willing to take steroids. Body building is extremely completive and in American culture this is considered normal behavior but clearly could be classified as an act of distress.
A dysfunction is a disturbance in a person’s daily socially accepted activities or behaviors. For example missionaries are people who travel to third world, underdeveloped, countries. By living in these countries these people make a conscious decision to deal with substandard living, poor quality food and water, lack of transportation and sometimes even chronic illnesses. Even though they experience deprivation they’re not considered dysfunctional and many times are highly admired and respected.
Danger is the action by a person of potentially harming themselves or others. For example self cutting is a form of superficial carving that is self contained. The person many times struggles with depression and exposes themselves to a dangerous act of self cutting. Even though many people view this action as disturbing, it can be recognized as a way for the person to express a need for help. This topic is controversial but is not considered unusual.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Treatment for Severely Disturbed Individuals
Currently in the United States there are many treatments available for severely disturbed individuals. The approach in their care has shifted to a community mental health approach. These individuals have been removed from institutional care and placed in the community which is commonly called deinstitutionalization. Once placed in the community these individuals participate in a combination of treatments accomplished on an outpatient basis. The use of psychotropic medications in combination with therapy has been widely utilized and accepted. During periods of crisis these individuals receive short term hospitalization and then are released back into the community. They continue with therapy and medications offered through community programs and residential care. Unfortunately because of the high demand in the American culture of care for severely disturbed individuals services offered are inadequate. Consequently many times these people end up abandoned in their mental health care. Many fill the jails, wander aimlessly, are homeless, and dysfunctional.
In contract the current treatment for severely disturbed individuals includes many additional treatment modalities. Less disturbed individuals also participate in community out patient care that has been expanded. Mental health care is more accessible to these more functional individuals many times due to the availability of health care plans that will pay for services. Their mental health care continues in the community by the use of mental health centers, crisis intervention, family service centers, and social services. It has been noted that the majority of these individuals experience and are treated for anxiety and depression. These individuals are afforded, specialized programs that address their mental health issues. These programs could include out patient mental health support for issues such as phobias, eating disorders, suicide crisis intervention, and sexual dysfunction. Even though working with a variety of disturbed individuals can be challenging the community mental health approach is attempting to address mental health needs through expanding programs that address issues through prevention.
In contract the current treatment for severely disturbed individuals includes many additional treatment modalities. Less disturbed individuals also participate in community out patient care that has been expanded. Mental health care is more accessible to these more functional individuals many times due to the availability of health care plans that will pay for services. Their mental health care continues in the community by the use of mental health centers, crisis intervention, family service centers, and social services. It has been noted that the majority of these individuals experience and are treated for anxiety and depression. These individuals are afforded, specialized programs that address their mental health issues. These programs could include out patient mental health support for issues such as phobias, eating disorders, suicide crisis intervention, and sexual dysfunction. Even though working with a variety of disturbed individuals can be challenging the community mental health approach is attempting to address mental health needs through expanding programs that address issues through prevention.
Proposal for a New Leash Law
Darden Clark proposed, last night at the city council meeting, to strengthen the cities Leash Law. The law would state that it would be a misdemeanor to own a dog that has bitten someone. The person could be fined up to $500 dollars and spend five nights in jail. About 200 people were in the room. Out of these people about half of them support the changes to the law and half do not support the changes. Clarke said “We got to do something to stop this plague of dog bites in this city. Over the past month I’ve had complaints from at least five people in my district who have complained about being bitten or threatened by a dog. This is a problem of irresponsible ownership. I believe that we need this law to get the attention of dog owners and tell them we expect them to act responsibly”. The debate lasted over an hour during this the people were able to speak about the issue. Lots of debate and argument went on. Most of the council members spoke on the issue as well. The law was unfortunately defeated by a five too two vote and nobody abstained.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic theorists believe that a person’s behavior is determined by the psychological forces that the people are not aware of. These forces are called dynamic. The forces react with each other causing behavior, emotions, and thoughts to happen. This therapy is a one on one experience with a therapist. The therapist encourages the person to express their emotions, thoughts and feelings in an open manner. The therapist guides the patient to make positive changes in their life. A benefit to this type of therapy is that it’s long term. This therapy helps to find the root cause of a problem, and equip them with the knowledge and suggestions to enable them to cope with further difficulties. Psychodynamic therapy helps to uncover the unconscious content in the client’s mind to alleviate tension. Psychodynamic therapy helps with depression, anxiety, panic, and stress. This therapy is good for people who have long term issues in their past.
Cognitive therapy helps people to recognize and change faulty thinking processes. Therapists believe that the client can overcome their problems if they develop a new way of thinking. Therapist’s help clients recognize negative thoughts and guide them to try out new interpretations. One advantage is that cognitive therapy is very instructive. They help the patient understand how to counsel themselves. This therapy is short term. This focuses on client goals and it’s structured. The cognitive model helps treat depression, panic disorders, social phobias, and sexual dysfunctions.
I would recommend psychodynamic therapy if my friend needed long term help and cognitive if they needed short term help. Either use of each therapy ultimately is the person entering into the therapies preference. Other factors that would help decide which type of therapy would be better is the amount of time commitment the person is willing to contract to and the cause of the depression. Choices in therapy could also be selected by the cause of the depression. Cognitive therapy would be good for treatment of a short term issue such as a sudden loss of their home. Psychodynamic therapy would be good if the depression was caused by deep seated issues that were formulated early on in childhood.
Cognitive therapy helps people to recognize and change faulty thinking processes. Therapists believe that the client can overcome their problems if they develop a new way of thinking. Therapist’s help clients recognize negative thoughts and guide them to try out new interpretations. One advantage is that cognitive therapy is very instructive. They help the patient understand how to counsel themselves. This therapy is short term. This focuses on client goals and it’s structured. The cognitive model helps treat depression, panic disorders, social phobias, and sexual dysfunctions.
I would recommend psychodynamic therapy if my friend needed long term help and cognitive if they needed short term help. Either use of each therapy ultimately is the person entering into the therapies preference. Other factors that would help decide which type of therapy would be better is the amount of time commitment the person is willing to contract to and the cause of the depression. Choices in therapy could also be selected by the cause of the depression. Cognitive therapy would be good for treatment of a short term issue such as a sudden loss of their home. Psychodynamic therapy would be good if the depression was caused by deep seated issues that were formulated early on in childhood.
Verna
Verna Anne Moshier died November 30th, 2008 from a short illness. She was born on August 10th, 1920 in Joesport. She was in the Women’s Army Corps from 1942 – 1945. She attended Carson College where she received a B. A. (bachelors in arts). She attended Riverdale University where she received a M.Ed. (masters in education) She was an English and History teacher. She taught 7th through 9th grade. For many years she conducted summer tours of Europe for school students. She was also the advisor for the Ilksford School yearbook. She was in the Booster Club and a library volunteer. The Ilksford Middle School Auditorium was named after her in her honor upon her retirement from the school in 1985. She survives by her sister, Lois Ellen Moshier, and Irma May Moshier, four nieces and two nephews. The service is going to be held in the Verna Moshier Auditorium at Ilksford Middle School Dec. 4th at 1:00. The burial will take place in the National Cemetery following memorial service.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Abnormal
Abnormal behavior is defined as behavior that is not within the norm. The first way to describe abnormal behavior is to use the statistical definition. Frequently occurring behavior would be considered normal and behavior that is rare would be abnormal in a particular population. For example a person in America may collect erasers. Statistically this would be so unusual in number of participates it would not be measured within the norms for the U.S. However, collecting erasers would not be considered an abnormal activity.
A second way to describe abnormal behavior is the social norm deviance. This is a behavior that goes against the norms and standards of society in which the individual lives. This type of definition for abnormal versus normal behavior hinges on the geographical area in which the behavior is being considered. It can be measured as a situational context or a subjective discomfort. An example of situational context could be the Baptist religion within the U.S. In the Northern states there is an expectation that a person demonstrates quite and controlled behavior during the religious ceremony. If a person is loud or yells out they are considered out of the norm. However the Baptist religion in the Southern part of the U.S., loud singing and movement, including clapping of hands, is considered a norm. If a person were to sit quietly they would be considered to be abnormal in behavior. One other way to describe abnormal behavior is by the subjective discomfort. Subjective discomfort is when a person feels extreme distress while engaging in a particular situation. For example Mary has distress when around the water and she feels great anxiety. This would be considered abnormal behavior because most people enjoy the water and consider it a fun activity.
The final way that behavior is considered to be abnormal is the inability to function normally. This kind of behavior is called maladaptive in which the person finds it hard to adapt to the demands of day to day living. Their behavior is maladaptive and for example they are unable to go to work or pay their bills. This maladaptive behavior may be due to the use of drugs or alcohol making them not normal because their activities surrounding the use of the drug causing them to not be able to function with daily expectations.
A second way to describe abnormal behavior is the social norm deviance. This is a behavior that goes against the norms and standards of society in which the individual lives. This type of definition for abnormal versus normal behavior hinges on the geographical area in which the behavior is being considered. It can be measured as a situational context or a subjective discomfort. An example of situational context could be the Baptist religion within the U.S. In the Northern states there is an expectation that a person demonstrates quite and controlled behavior during the religious ceremony. If a person is loud or yells out they are considered out of the norm. However the Baptist religion in the Southern part of the U.S., loud singing and movement, including clapping of hands, is considered a norm. If a person were to sit quietly they would be considered to be abnormal in behavior. One other way to describe abnormal behavior is by the subjective discomfort. Subjective discomfort is when a person feels extreme distress while engaging in a particular situation. For example Mary has distress when around the water and she feels great anxiety. This would be considered abnormal behavior because most people enjoy the water and consider it a fun activity.
The final way that behavior is considered to be abnormal is the inability to function normally. This kind of behavior is called maladaptive in which the person finds it hard to adapt to the demands of day to day living. Their behavior is maladaptive and for example they are unable to go to work or pay their bills. This maladaptive behavior may be due to the use of drugs or alcohol making them not normal because their activities surrounding the use of the drug causing them to not be able to function with daily expectations.
Therapy
Carl Rogers is known as one of founding people in cognitive therapy. His practice was founded in the 1950’s. He proposed that everyone has an ideal self, how the client feels they really should be, and a real self, how the client see their traits and abilities. The closer the selves match up the happier the client will feel. In order to have the two selves match up the client must receive unconditional regard, which is love, warmth, respect, and affection.
Rogers proposed a therapy where the therapist’s job was to provide a positive regard for the client and to help the client realize the differences between their actual self and their ideal self. The client would work out their problems on their own under the direction of the therapist. This is why this therapy was called client-centered therapy but became later known as person-centered therapy and was acknowledged as being non-directive.
There are four basic concepts of this therapy. The first one is reflection. Reflection is when the therapist allows the person to talk without interruptions. This step is known as reflection because the therapist lets the person talk, uninterrupted and simply reflects back to the person what they have said. The therapist does not add any comments.
The second one is unconditional positive regard which is the warmth, acceptance, and an uncritical atmosphere. The therapist must show respect for theperson’s feelings, values, and goals. The therapist must show to the person that regardless of what is expressed the therapist has unconditional acceptance of anything that the person shares.
The third is empathy. The therapist must acknowledge what the person is feeling and experiencing. They will listen carefully and closely to what the person is saying and try to empathize or feel what the person feels.
The fourth concept is authenticity. The therapist must be real, open, and honest. They must be able to tolerate the person’s differences without being judgmental. The person must be able to interpret the therapist’s attitudes as being authentic in nature in order to have the therapy be successful.
Some advantages to this therapy is that the person works out their problems and the therapist helps to provide the unconditional positive regard that everyone needs. This style of therapy has been criticized by behaviorists for lacking structure and by psychoanalysts for actually providing a conditional relationship but it has been indicated over time as being vastly effective and popular. I don’t really see any disadvantages.
Rogers proposed a therapy where the therapist’s job was to provide a positive regard for the client and to help the client realize the differences between their actual self and their ideal self. The client would work out their problems on their own under the direction of the therapist. This is why this therapy was called client-centered therapy but became later known as person-centered therapy and was acknowledged as being non-directive.
There are four basic concepts of this therapy. The first one is reflection. Reflection is when the therapist allows the person to talk without interruptions. This step is known as reflection because the therapist lets the person talk, uninterrupted and simply reflects back to the person what they have said. The therapist does not add any comments.
The second one is unconditional positive regard which is the warmth, acceptance, and an uncritical atmosphere. The therapist must show respect for theperson’s feelings, values, and goals. The therapist must show to the person that regardless of what is expressed the therapist has unconditional acceptance of anything that the person shares.
The third is empathy. The therapist must acknowledge what the person is feeling and experiencing. They will listen carefully and closely to what the person is saying and try to empathize or feel what the person feels.
The fourth concept is authenticity. The therapist must be real, open, and honest. They must be able to tolerate the person’s differences without being judgmental. The person must be able to interpret the therapist’s attitudes as being authentic in nature in order to have the therapy be successful.
Some advantages to this therapy is that the person works out their problems and the therapist helps to provide the unconditional positive regard that everyone needs. This style of therapy has been criticized by behaviorists for lacking structure and by psychoanalysts for actually providing a conditional relationship but it has been indicated over time as being vastly effective and popular. I don’t really see any disadvantages.
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis came to be during the 19th & 20th century. It is an insight therapy based on the theory of Freud. He was known as the father of psychoanalysis and emphasized the revealing of unconscious conflicts, urges, and desires that cause disordered emotions, and behavior. He felt that if these unconscious thoughts could be brought to the surface of consciousness it would be therapeutic for the person.
Psychoanalysis addresses unconscious conflicts within the person. Freud included in his therapy on the four concepts surrounding the stages of oral. anal, oedipal, and genital in a person’s development. He analyzed individual case studies by application of dream interpretation, free association and fantasies.
One of the key concepts is dream interpretation. Dream interpretation helps us to evaluate symbols and apply them to our lives. Freud believed that repressed material often surfaced in our dreams in symbolic form.
The second concept in psychoanalysis is free association which is freely saying whatever comes into the patient’s mind without fear or criticism. As the patient begins to talk they reveal things, which are loosely associated with the flow of ideas. This leads the patient to reveal hidden, unconscious concerns.
Fantasy is a wish or desire that usually is not possible or will never exist. Many fantasies can be sexual in nature, but not necessarily. The fantasies are found in the conscious and unconscious mind of the person. Freud examined client’s fantasies to help psychoanalyze their psychological needs.
Freud is famous for his theory of treatment, but also has been very criticized over time. Many think that Freud was too sexually fixated and viewed that most people’s disorders were sexual in basis. He based his theory and treatment by case studies that contained no scientific basis and eliminated people in his works that did not comply with his view points and his method could take years for treatment to occur.
Psychoanalysis addresses unconscious conflicts within the person. Freud included in his therapy on the four concepts surrounding the stages of oral. anal, oedipal, and genital in a person’s development. He analyzed individual case studies by application of dream interpretation, free association and fantasies.
One of the key concepts is dream interpretation. Dream interpretation helps us to evaluate symbols and apply them to our lives. Freud believed that repressed material often surfaced in our dreams in symbolic form.
The second concept in psychoanalysis is free association which is freely saying whatever comes into the patient’s mind without fear or criticism. As the patient begins to talk they reveal things, which are loosely associated with the flow of ideas. This leads the patient to reveal hidden, unconscious concerns.
Fantasy is a wish or desire that usually is not possible or will never exist. Many fantasies can be sexual in nature, but not necessarily. The fantasies are found in the conscious and unconscious mind of the person. Freud examined client’s fantasies to help psychoanalyze their psychological needs.
Freud is famous for his theory of treatment, but also has been very criticized over time. Many think that Freud was too sexually fixated and viewed that most people’s disorders were sexual in basis. He based his theory and treatment by case studies that contained no scientific basis and eliminated people in his works that did not comply with his view points and his method could take years for treatment to occur.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Multiple Personalties
There are several different types of dissociative disorders. A person’s conscious awareness separates (dissociates) from previous memories, thought or feelings. The person can not recall certain events in their life. Psychologists think that this disorder may be a result of some type of trauma. The dissociation is a coping mechanism that the person uses to be able to handle the traumatic experience because the person is unable to integrate the trauma into their conscious self.
There are four general classifications of dissociative disorders: amnesia, fugue, multiple personality disorder, and depersonalization disorder. Amnesia can be localized, selective, generalized and systematized in nature. Localized amnesia is when a person looses memory of time for a specific window of time. Selective amnesia the person remembers only small parts of an event. Generalized amnesia is where a person can not remember their entire life. Systematized specific is when a person can not remember a certain category of information such as a specific person or place.
A dissociative fugue is a rare occurrence. The person takes a physical leave of their normal surroundings and goes on a journey. They can travel long distances and not be aware of where they have come from and or why they have left. It is thought that the person could eventually take upon a new identity although this is believed to be very rare.
Multiple personality disorder is when a person experiences different personalities that surfaces from time to time and along with the different personalities the person has different memories because of the events that occur when the person is experiencing the different personalities.
Depersonalization disorder is when a person views the external world around them as being somehow unreal or distorted. They experience detachment or distance from their own experiences, their own body or their own self.
There has been much controversy about the diagnosis of dissociative disorders. Many don’t support the fact that it does exist and think that possibly some health care professional personnel suggested the disorder to the person and the person under treatment took this suggestion as part of their persona. Many people think that the old term hysteria, now defined as dissociative disorder, may be more extensively diagnosed in today’s mental health care system. They believe that examples of this disorder have always existed. It is an alarming thought that the highest percentage of the diagnosis is located in North America. That does give rise to a thought provoking question of why this is statistically indicated.
The disorder of amnesia makes sense to me that it can really occur. If a person experiences a very traumatic experience to them their psyche will use a protective mechanism to help the person though the experience. Many examples of amnesia have been communicated by a variety of people that has experienced a variety of trauma. Although there have been cases of people claiming to be accused of a crime and they state they don’t remember anything about the event. I really have a hard time believing that someone could really do something like murder but than not be aware of the event.
The fugue has been indicated as being a rare event. I really question if this could really occur. I have watched TV shows on crime where some people have experienced a fugue after a physical attack and then gone across country and not remembering who they are or where they are from. Still I really wonder if this is an actual event or just an example of amnesia that is a little prolonged and the person takes action in the form of mobility to cope with the loss of memories.
Multiple personalities have been indicated as the most prevalent of the dissociative disorders. I really believe that this diagnosis is real and does occur. I have experienced in the past class mates with this diagnosis and have experienced their different “people” and memories that go with each person. I am aware of the case study of Sybil and of course that has been indicated as a coping mechanism she used to survive extreme abuse. I have watched the famous movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock and have watched the story of Norman and his multiple personality issues. Although this was a fictional story of violence and murder done in an extreme I really can see how that could possibly happen.
As far as the depersonalization disorder where a person believes that their world is somehow unreal, I really don’t know anything about nor have I experienced it with anyone that I know of. Maybe in a mental ward you might find this type of disorder, but I am not really sure about that.
There are four general classifications of dissociative disorders: amnesia, fugue, multiple personality disorder, and depersonalization disorder. Amnesia can be localized, selective, generalized and systematized in nature. Localized amnesia is when a person looses memory of time for a specific window of time. Selective amnesia the person remembers only small parts of an event. Generalized amnesia is where a person can not remember their entire life. Systematized specific is when a person can not remember a certain category of information such as a specific person or place.
A dissociative fugue is a rare occurrence. The person takes a physical leave of their normal surroundings and goes on a journey. They can travel long distances and not be aware of where they have come from and or why they have left. It is thought that the person could eventually take upon a new identity although this is believed to be very rare.
Multiple personality disorder is when a person experiences different personalities that surfaces from time to time and along with the different personalities the person has different memories because of the events that occur when the person is experiencing the different personalities.
Depersonalization disorder is when a person views the external world around them as being somehow unreal or distorted. They experience detachment or distance from their own experiences, their own body or their own self.
There has been much controversy about the diagnosis of dissociative disorders. Many don’t support the fact that it does exist and think that possibly some health care professional personnel suggested the disorder to the person and the person under treatment took this suggestion as part of their persona. Many people think that the old term hysteria, now defined as dissociative disorder, may be more extensively diagnosed in today’s mental health care system. They believe that examples of this disorder have always existed. It is an alarming thought that the highest percentage of the diagnosis is located in North America. That does give rise to a thought provoking question of why this is statistically indicated.
The disorder of amnesia makes sense to me that it can really occur. If a person experiences a very traumatic experience to them their psyche will use a protective mechanism to help the person though the experience. Many examples of amnesia have been communicated by a variety of people that has experienced a variety of trauma. Although there have been cases of people claiming to be accused of a crime and they state they don’t remember anything about the event. I really have a hard time believing that someone could really do something like murder but than not be aware of the event.
The fugue has been indicated as being a rare event. I really question if this could really occur. I have watched TV shows on crime where some people have experienced a fugue after a physical attack and then gone across country and not remembering who they are or where they are from. Still I really wonder if this is an actual event or just an example of amnesia that is a little prolonged and the person takes action in the form of mobility to cope with the loss of memories.
Multiple personalities have been indicated as the most prevalent of the dissociative disorders. I really believe that this diagnosis is real and does occur. I have experienced in the past class mates with this diagnosis and have experienced their different “people” and memories that go with each person. I am aware of the case study of Sybil and of course that has been indicated as a coping mechanism she used to survive extreme abuse. I have watched the famous movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock and have watched the story of Norman and his multiple personality issues. Although this was a fictional story of violence and murder done in an extreme I really can see how that could possibly happen.
As far as the depersonalization disorder where a person believes that their world is somehow unreal, I really don’t know anything about nor have I experienced it with anyone that I know of. Maybe in a mental ward you might find this type of disorder, but I am not really sure about that.
Temple Grandin
The movie Temple Grandin is about a woman named Temple Grandin who was born with autism. She was different from most kids because she learned to talk. Most autistic kids never learn to talk. Her mother wanted her to interact with other children so that she wasn’t completely isolated from the world. She helped on her aunts farms every summer where she discovered that she liked working with cattle. She went to boarding school, and went on to college. She received masters too. People picked on her a lot because she was weird. While in college she developed a “squeeze machine”. This helped her relax by hugging their body. She used this in great times of stress to fell better because she didn’t like human contact. She went on to get masters in science. She discovered her passion in life which was animal husbandry. She redesigned and developed many animal slaughter houses. She believed that the cattle should be relaxed before they got slaughter, a slow not painful death. This movie taught the power of people with disabilities can overcome a lot. This is a very inspiring movie and I would recommend it to everyone.
Personalties
If I had to choose a personality assessment I would not choose projective tests. A famous projective test is the Rorschach ink blots. I would not want to take this test because I don’t feel comfortable and because I have problems seeing things from optical illusions. I wouldn’t like taking the interview assessment test. I don’t like getting interviewed. For an interview for a job the boss would ask a bunch of questions about different personality traits, strengths and weaknesses, and how the person used them in other job experiences. This would be good for people who have had job experience but if the person hasn’t had job experience it wouldn’t be good. I would prefer the inventory assessment the most because I would feel the most comfortable. People are asked to provide their answers on a scale from 0-4, and it is readable on a fourth grade level and I think I would have fun with it. I would not more than one approach taken.
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