Psychology Mental illness Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Psychology Mental illness - Assignment Example It has been the endeavour of all nations and societies to get rid of all kinds of abnormalities. Why they exist nobody knows. It has also been observed that some kind of abnormalities tend to be restricted to a particular region of the world. Abnormalities are normally associated with a kind of behaviour that is out of ordinary though not necessarily dysfunctional. Its causes are generally attributed to an out-of-ordinary working of certain areas of the brain. It still hasn’t been ascertained as to what leads to dysfunctional behaviour of certain areas of the brain. Sometimes it could be because of brain damage which usually happens when the person meets with an accident or something like that and at other times affliction of certain regions of the brain could be the result of some other medical condition that the person may be suffering from. There are some cultures that attribute a certain abnormality to the handiwork of the ‘devil’ within that person. Such supe rstitious beliefs have even led to the incarceration of many abnormal people! It’s important that society be considerate and encourage such individuals to consult a medical practitioner. There is no general consensus as to what abnormality actually constitutes. Perceptions vary depending upon the nation or culture under consideration. Abnormal people tend to display odd behaviour. There is cause for concern when this kind of odd behaviour is socially unacceptable; but at the same time, â€Å"new research in individuals with schizotypal personalities - people characterized by odd behavior and language but who are not psychotic or schizophrenic - offers the first neurological evidence these individuals are more creative than normal or fully schizophrenic people, and rely more heavily on the right sides of their brains than the general population to access their creativity.† This was stated on the basis of a study conducted by two Vanderbilt psychologists Brad Folley and Sohee Park. (â€Å"Odd behavior and creativity may go hand-in-hand†, Machine Design, pg 77) ). The latter kind of abnormality is usually considered by society as an inherent trait of individuals who are high-performing and highly creative. It’s the former kind that usually warrants treatment and medication. For example, a child who refuses to mix up with people, instead choosing to shut himself in his room would be considered abnormal. There is a high probability of him getting castigated by society which in turn can lead to depression and other complications as well. Yet another example of abnormal behaviour is one where a teenaged boy indulges in explicit talk about his sexual fantasies and tending to neglect his studies altogether. Surely these kind of individuals need to be counselled. In most cases abnormal behaviour can be the result of some kind of inner turmoil that an individual might be facing. One problem with the diagnosis of mental disorders is â€Å"the prevalence of diagnoses by gender, sex bias in diagnosis, the problematic impact of particular diagnoses on women, and the relationship of diagnosis to socialization and social conditions.† (Gender and Diagnosis: Struggles and Suggestions for Counselors, JCD, pg 12) Feminists have stated that â€Å"diagnoses like nymphomania, hysteria, neurasthenia, erotomania, kleptomania, and masochism have served to enforce conformity to norms of female domesticity, subordination, and subservience to men’