Abnormality (behavior)
Abnormality in behavior refers to actions or patterns that deviate significantly from societal norms and accepted conduct. This concept is inherently subjective, as what is considered abnormal can vary greatly across different cultures and contexts. Generally, behaviors deemed abnormal may lead to distress—either for the individual or those around them—result in dysfunction that hinders daily responsibilities, or pose risks to safety. Examples of such behaviors can range from mild, like a person being overly cautious, to severe, such as reckless or addictive actions that endanger oneself or others.
The classification of abnormal behavior often involves determining if it is atypical or maladaptive. Distinguishing whether behavior stems from a mental health issue typically requires careful observation of the degree to which it causes distress, dysfunction, or danger. Assessments are frequently conducted by mental health professionals, who may employ various methods to help individuals modify these behaviors and learn healthier alternatives. Interestingly, abnormal behaviors are not limited to humans; animals can also exhibit signs of stress or abnormality, often linked to their environment or psychological state. Understanding this complex topic encourages a nuanced appreciation of behavioral diversity and the challenges some individuals face.
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Abnormality (behavior)
An abnormality is any behavior that differs from society's accepted manner of conduct. This vague definition can be difficult to apply, however, because it is somewhat subjective and presupposes that there is agreement about what behavior is considered normal. In general, abnormal behavior deviates or differs from what is considered acceptable in society, causes distress to others or to the person who exhibits it, causes dysfunction or prevents the person from completing tasks and meeting responsibilities, or places the person or others in danger. Abnormal behavior may be a characteristic of mental illness.
Background
Pinning down an exact definition of abnormalities of behavior is very difficult because it requires consideration of multiple factors. What is abnormal in one culture might be very acceptable in another; for instance, parents who insist on choosing their child's spouse might be seen as controlling and unacceptable in Western culture, but it is the norm in other cultures. Sometimes these behaviors can be examples of mental illness, while other times they are simply a form of self-expression. Some examples of behavior that may be deviant from the norm but not necessarily related to mental illness include someone who is vegetarian in a community of meat eaters and an atheist who comes from a family of devout churchgoers.
Abnormal behavior can also be a matter of degree and frequency. For example, someone who occasionally goes back to check that the door is locked when leaving the house might just be cautious, while someone who must go back and check the door each trip away from home may be exhibiting abnormal behavior. It is also often the case that a person will exhibit more than one abnormal behavior at a time, such as ignoring both personal hygiene and home cleanliness, or yelling out random statements in public and claiming to be someone famous. In some cases, these behaviors interfere with the person's ability to perform his or her usual functions, such as when a person spends so much time double checking door locks that appointments are missed, or when hygiene issues interfere with employment.
Reckless behavior that puts the person or others in danger is another example of abnormal behavior. Addictive behaviors related to alcohol and drugs can fall into this class, as can someone who repeatedly speeds or drag races in a car even when it is apparent the act involves great danger. Frequency and degree are also factors; a person who drives too fast may be exhibiting foolish behavior if it is done occasionally on a large open highway, or self-destructive abnormal behavior if he or she intentionally and regularly speeds in heavy traffic.
Overview
Abnormal behaviors are generally classified as being atypical—different from the way the majority of people in a particular society function—or maladaptive—posing a risk of physical or emotional harm to the person or others. In some cases, abnormal behavior is both atypical and maladaptive; for example, riding a motorcycle the wrong way down a busy highway while not wearing clothing.
The most important factors in differentiating abnormal behavior that affects mental health from those that might differ from the norm but are not evidence of a mental health issue are the degree to which they cause distress, dysfunction, and danger. An example would be someone who is embarking on a diet. A person who continues to eat but controls the amount and type of food being consumed so that weight comes off at a rate of about one to two pounds a week on average is engaging in normal behavior. However, if that person all but stops eating, or becomes so upset after eating that there is a compulsion to exercise excessively or to purge to get rid of the food, the dieting behavior has become abnormal because it is causing distress and placing the person in danger of malnutrition.
Determining whether a person's behavior is abnormal requires several steps. These include noting the behavior and determining whether it is causing distress, dysfunction, and/or danger. It can be difficult for the average person to determine if a behavior is truly abnormal because that person will be seeing it through his or her own experience. For instance, if the observer is a very organized person, he or she will have a different perception of the behavior of someone whose living quarters are a mess than another observer who tends to be messy and less organized. Mental health professionals such as psychiatrists and psychologists are trained to look for patterns of behavior and to assess the levels of distress, dysfunction, and/or danger they present in analyzing whether a person's behavior is a symptom of mental illness.
Once abnormal behaviors are identified and diagnosed, the mental health professional will attempt to help the person modify the behaviors. The object of this modification will be to help the person unlearn the abnormal behavior, substituting normal behavior instead. This will often require learning new skills or relearning skills that were abandoned when the abnormal behavior was adopted. In some cases, medications will be used to help the patient through the time of transition from the abnormal behavior to the new behavior.
Sometimes animals engage in abnormal behavior, too. An animal mother may abandon or harm her offspring, a caged monkey may play with its feces, or an animal may lick or bite itself to the point where the fur is removed and skin is rubbed raw. These behaviors are generally displayed when the animal feels threatened or unable to control its situation, and occur most often in wild animals held in captivity. Sometimes pets may exhibit abnormal behavior as well, such as a cat refusing to use a litter box. While they can be signs of physical illness, these behaviors can also be signs of mental stress. They can often be alleviated by making corrections or changes to the animal's environment.
Bibliography
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