In many fields of psychology we have physiatrists, therapists, counselors, and different types of doctors in fields of psychology; such as clinical, cognitive, and criminal. These themes in psychology have pathology involved which includes the definite meaning of the related topic of the study of mental health issues. Psychopathology can be found in books or written by writers, they may have a certain level of degree from a university; Also used by psychologists or neuropsychologists. Individuals who major in pathology or become a pathologist may have many arguments and insightful views on the diagnostic material, terminologies, technologies, and the interpretation of the results. Stigmatation comes along after a diagnosis, which is consulted with the doctor and client. Stigma meaning this can affect the person who may have objections to the diagnosis or have interpersonal feelings towards this diagnosis, ranging from the DSM-5. They are most likely going to have negative stereotypical ideas or even may have an inner feeling of discrimination with the mental health condition. Wondering if Psychopathology is abnormal adhering or normal functioning, not to medicalize everything in such a broad understanding of research.
By then introducing one of my sources from a few authors from the introduction named Patrick Luyten, he and the rest of his colleagues talk about “Theoretical and Empirical Foundations of Contemporary Psychodynamic Approaches.” This quotation: “Given this increasing integration, we use the terms psychoanalytic and psychodynamic interchangeably in this volume, as it has become impossible to distinguish neatly between psychoanalysis and psychodynamic either theoretically or with regard to treatment.” With normality you see everyday in individuals who function well, are secure, healthy, and stable. Other individuals can have the opposing side of things.With trying to reach a normal state of mind with mental illness, you then seek for stability and the fight for a secure life, lifestyle that fits you adequately. Psychologists talk everyday to help individuals with the mental process of reaching that stability and humanistic approach to therapy; by this understanding that humanistic therapy is increasing the well-being of your self talk, consciousness, positive behaviors and emotional regulation. As psychologists cohere through the basis of their evaluation, some have suggested that their work experience with clients will be tested and attuned for when speaking to the client about their mental health related issues; by this point pathology itself can be difficult to understand the normality verse the abnormalities, in a way of debating whether how mental illness can be determined based off a series of questions. At the same point in time you also have criteria, but then an individual’s situation, culture, and historical context will be taken into consideration. Stated by the author Katie Zankel, who is a psychology graduate. Stated that “The concern here is that many millions of people with normal grief, gluttony, distractabilities, worries.. will soon be mislabeled as psychiatrically sick.” Knowing this can raise concern.
By stating that the argumentative viewpoint would be above that psychological disorders are proven to be mistaken in the psychology field. As symptoms overlap and become more distrain to see. Especially as we age our biological brain chemistry changes such as our prefrontal cortex isn’t developed until twenty-four years old, which is responsible for our cognitive thinking and decision making. Knowing this can put a pressure on the individual trying to see normality and abnormality. With the information above can cause stigmatization towards the person suffering from the disorder. Most likely the argumentative point of view would be of how to describe and diagnose normality from abnormality. When diagnosed many individuals feel depressed or in shock, even confused on how the symptoms can correlate with them. Stigma directed inwards can be very challenging for that person, feelings of depression or anxiety can surface. Doubts and struggles with their personal lives will show, overcoming challenges and utilizing therapy can help minimize the symptoms and make them more manageable. You then have prejudice and discrimination which can lead the individual who is diagnosed to significant negative thinking and outcomes. According to the American Psychiatric Association they state in the article that “stigma and discrimination can contribute to worsening symptoms and reduced likelihood of getting treatment.” To the understanding that stability can be achieved throughout a long-term treatment with the right proper medications, therapy, self-care, or as I would say a mental health checklist; meaning the checklist can range from different areas of your life cohering to work, education, and family. Psychopathology is a wide range of disorders from the DSM-5 guidelines, using such a term can refer to conditions that we may not be equipped to manage in the beginning. Furthermore the ideology would be how genetics play a role in the field of pathology. Explaining this into further detail would be DNA transfers such as genomes, we each have a specific gene that can increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with the particular disorder. As an example when the parent has bipolar the likelihood of the child receiving that disorder is about 50%.
Therefore there is a social and cultural construct of conditioning to the mind of your life. This construct is solely focused on the basis of behaviors, actions, social and non-social cues in a stereotypical social world of individuals. Some individuals may argue that the basis of conditioning is needed or is the sole base of foundation to our life. By the foundation we notice that this is a normativity of social and cultural conditioning between friends and family. Stated from the article by Lifestyle Sustainability Directory, “social-cultural conditioning is the systematic unseen process through which collective norms and values shape our personal perceptions of what constitutes a normal and good life.” As human beings we are sociable and have a need for connection, acceptance, and understanding. Systematicly we have conflict when it comes to our values being tested, sometimes the odds can be against us in such a way of seeing someone else’s views, values, or beliefs. Normality of life such as behaviors like unspoken social norms isn’t constricted but yet notable to the eye of complexities; psychologists often see in individuals trying to define the word normality versus abnormality, eccentric versus ordinary. According to Michael Ruth he states from the article that, “social norms are the informal rules that guide societal expectations for behavior, and adhering to these norms typically signifies what is considered “normal.” Conversely, behaviors that deviate from these norms are often labeled as deviant.” To my understanding from a psychological perspective, certain disorders may signify a different aspect such as autism. Someone on the neurotypical spectrum can view things differently, such from a psychologist viewpoint that their social normalities may differ from people who are not on the spectrum. Making a voice to autistic individuals who may see the social and culture conditioning differently especially people who are high-functioning.
Bringing back the attention to psychopathology, notably having the awareness to notice certain illnesses and disorders; people such as psychologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists. Getting an education and starting a practice can help many people who struggle with mental illnesses. Psychologists such as Mary Ainsworth, who created the theory of attachment; there are four different types of attachment, anxious, avoidant, disorganized, and of course secure. While we all strive for a secure attachment to our significant other. I wouldn’t say this is an abnormality but yet an obstacle within ourselves such as inner turmoil. Bringing this to attention from a psychologist viewpoint such as Ainsworth, she notices that this stems from childhood experiences; a fear of abandonment, lack of trust, and difficulty with closeness. Knowing that this is a sensitive conversation and concept to understand or having the knowledge in your own life that this attachment theory can affect your personal relationship. Moving on to the next theoretical viewpoint of the discussion on psychopathology and clinical psychology; normality versus abnormalities in neuroscience is next for discussion. Showcasing that disorders or disease in that point of case that are differentiated. Disease is neurological, something that degenerates the brain such as neurons and cells. Parkinson’s disease as an example which starts neurologically then moves to physical impairment such as uncontrollable movements. Having treatment with medications can reduce the symptoms but will stay chronic and the symptoms will worsen with age. Disorder is psychological, mental illness as a psychologist would say. Disorder is a biochemical that affects the mind, it can be genetic or environmental. In such a case where disease is more common with aging and genetic factors that are overcome as you age.
With these issues occurring in your life, you have resilience to certain changes in your personal life. Meaning that resilience is upholding your emotional state after going through something difficult. I think being able to stand back up and to keep going in your life after the heartaches of what you’ve been going through such as, relationship issues, transitioning to a different town, starting something new, and aging as well. New changes is what resilience means to me, something is challenging you to overcome a problem.
Hailey Hileman
Sources
https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/health-and-medicine/normality-behavior
https://lifestyle.sustainability-directory.com/term/socio-cultural-conditioning/
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination
Hailey Hileman Mind Palace 