Neuroses and Psychoses PDF

ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR NEUROSES Neuroses or Psychoneuroses are behavioral disorders that are brought about by emotional tension resulting from conflicts, repression, frustration, or insecurity. Neurotic individuals compromise with reality by developing imaginary ailments, obses...

ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR NEUROSES Neuroses or Psychoneuroses are behavioral disorders that are brought about by emotional tension resulting from conflicts, repression, frustration, or insecurity. Neurotic individuals compromise with reality by developing imaginary ailments, obsessions, phobias, compulsion, depression or anxiety. Behavioral Characteristics of Individuals Displaying Neurotic Reactions 1. Inability to function at the normal capacity level 2. Presence of anxiety 3. Rigid or repetitive behavior 4. Somatic complaints 5. Immaturity 6. Hypersensitivity 7. Egocentricity 8. Unhappiness 9. A great deal of unconsciously motivated behavior Understanding the Causes of Neuroses As we have learned earlier, human behaviors are influenced by different factors. The following factors may be considered important considerations when evaluating an individual suffering from neurosis. 1. Predisposing or constitutional factors 2. One’s immediate life situation 3. Childhood development patterns 4. Important cultural factors Classification of Neuroses According to the Most Striking Symptoms 1. Anxiety Reactions – these are mainly manifested in consciously experienced feelings of anxiety and apprehension, for which there are no specific bases in actual life. Anxiety Reactions Hysteria This disorder is a type of anxiety reaction, in which the individual manifests one or more symptoms that are often associated with organic disease. Disabilities that may develop from this disorder include paralysis of limbs, deafness, blindness, intense aches and pains, continuous vomiting, loss of voice, and head or hand tremors. Anxiety Reactions Forms of Hysteria A. Amnesia – this is a disorder wherein the individual cannot recall his or her name and remembers little or nothing about the past in varying levels of intensity. a) Anterograde – the inability to retain information which ahs just been seen or read. b) Retrograde – the inability to recall any event (and details thereof) that took place during a certain period. c) Localized – the inability to recall events and details that are related to a particular situation. Anxiety Reactions Forms of Hysteria B. Fugue – A type of amnesia wherein one wanders away from his or her home or usual surroundings; often, the person has no recollection as to how he/she came to be there when awareness sets in. C. Multiple Personality – a dramatic form of hysteria in which the patient develops two or more separated and very distinct personalities. D. Somnambulism – this is a dreamlike state in which the person walks about and carries on certain activities that he eventually fails to remember when he wakes up. Psychastenia A.Phobia – this refers to an irrational or exaggerated fear of an object, person, act or situation. This is characterized by the following: ▪ Reasons for the fear do not make sense. ▪ One’s fear paralyzes instead of enhances one’s ability to deal with the problem ▪ The fear seems to be caused by the threat of self-destructive aggressions that may take place. Some Examples of Phobias Arachnophobia – spiders Ophidiophobia – snakes Acrophobia – heights Agoraphobia – open spaces Cynophobia – dogs Astraphobia – thunder and lightning Claustrophobia – small spaces Mysophobia – germs Aerophobia – flying Trypophobia - holes Psychastenia B. Obsession – this refers to an idea or series of ideas that recur very frequently that they interfere with the ability of an individual to think and/or function normally. C. Compulsion – this is an irresistible tendency to perform an act or ritual, which an individual feels compelled to carry out although it is recognized as irrational; a person must perform an act and give in to the urge in order to reduce the tension. Some Examples of Compulsion Suicidal mania – the impulse to take one’s life Homicidal mania – the impulse to kill Dipsomania – the impulse to drink liquor Megalomania – the impulse to amass great fame or power Kleptomania – the impulse to steal Pyromania – the impulse to set things on fire Arithmomania – the impulse to count everything Traumatic Neuroses these are manifested in situations, in which the individual fears for his/her safety. Operational Fatigue otherwise known as war neurosis, this is manifested in response to a battle environment. PSYCHOSES Psychoses are serious mental illness that are characterized by unpredictable behavior. Psychotic persons have largely unrealistic interpretation of the self and the life around them. In this case, their ego has lost control over their personality. In addition, people with psychoses have great mood swings that range from extreme exaltation to extreme depression. They are also quiet and docile at one moment and hyperactive the next. Owing to such an imbalance, they are often socially inept and unable to fit in with the normal society. Classification of Psychoses 1.Organic/Somatogenic these are due to a wide variety of causes; however, damage or injury to the brain or other parts of the central nervous system is always involved. Symptoms of Organic Psychoses Emotional instability, which is manifested by general irritability or violent mood swings without a clear cause. Impairment of normal, intellectual functions. Inappropriate behavior and changes in general behaviors, including neglect of responsibilities, lack of interest in personal appearance, and an anti-social tendency. Types of Organic Psychoses Psychoses associated with toxins Psychoses associated with infectious disease Psychoses associated with old age Psychoses associated with head injuries Classification of Psychoses 2. Functional Psychosis refers to a serious mental disorder involving the total personality with no observable tissue damage. Hence, with no organic basis, these ailments are believed to result from years of living under emotional stress. As a severe emotional disorder, functional psychosis is characterized by personality derangement and complete loss of the ability to function in reality, “but without evidence that the disorder is related to the physical processes of the brain”. It can also relate to an obsolete term “once used to denote schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders before modern science discovered a biological component to some aspects of each of the disorders” (Functional Psychosis n.d). Forms of Functional Psychosis A. Schizophrenic Disorder Schizophrenia is a psychotic condition that is characterized by one’s withdrawal from reality, indifference toward daily problems, and a tendency to live in a world of fantasy. The word “schizophrenia” comes from the Greek words “schizo” (split) and “phrene” (mind); hence, the term is used to describe the fragmented state of mind of people suffering from such a disorder. The disease was first identified in 1887 by Dr. Emile Kraepelin, who considered this disease as a discrete mental illness. Dr. Kraeplin was also the first to classify varied mental disorders into categories (History of Schizophrenia, n.d)  Initially, Dr. Kraeplin used the term “dementia praecox.” However, in 1911, the Swiss psychiatrist, Eugen Bleuler coined the term “schizophrenia” to describe the condition of individuals who showed symptoms of the disease. Bleuler was also the first to describe the symtoms as either “positive” or “negative” (History of Schizophrenia, nd.) Symptoms of Schizophrenia Disorganized patterns of feeling and thinking, where there is no logic or reason in thoughts and expressed feelings. Apathy or absence of feelings and emotions in situations that call for such reactions. Bizarre actions, including absurd and eccentric gestures, or such activities as hoarding, among others. Shunning others, reclusiveness, or narrowing of interests and social contacts. Disorganized speech patterns. Delusions and hallucinations (usually auditory) Deterioration of conduct and personal habits. Types of Schizophrenia Simple Schizophrenia – this manifests in a gradual decline of interest and ambition. The person withdraws from almost all social contacts and becomes increasingly irritable and inattentive. Hebephrenic Schizophrenia – it usually begins in early adolescence and develops gradually in time. The person may be prone to fits of laughter or childish giggling and grimacing for hours without apparent reasons. Types of Schizophrenia Catatonic Schizophrenia – this is marked by cycles of psychomotor reactions in stupor (partial or complete loss of consciousness) and excitement phases. Paranoid Schizophrenia – this is marked by hallucinations and delusions that are illogical and loosely organized, as well as grandiose and/or persecutory in nature. Forms of Functional Psychosis B. Affective Disorder Affective reactions of manic-depressive psychosis are often characterized by periods of depression or elation or both. Affective disorders refer to a set of psychiatric diseases, the symptoms for which may vary depending on each individual. Symptoms typically affect one’s mood, hence affective disorders are also called mood disorders that can be anywhere from mild to severe. An affective disorder can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist or other trained mental health professional, usually through a psychiatric evaluation. Although affective disorders can disrupt daily lives, there are effective medication and psychotherapy treatments for this (Ellis, 2013). Types of Affective Disorders The three main types of affective disorders are as follows: depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, and these vary from one another in terms of severity (Ellis, 2013). Types of Affective Disorders Depression – this is often characterized by feelings of extreme hopelessness and sadness. These episodes may last anywhere from several days or even weeks. Its symptoms include: Suicidal thoughts Irritability or anxiety Prolonged sadness Lack of interest in normal activities Lethargy and lack of energy Major changes in eating and sleeping habits Feelings of guilt Difficulty concentrating Aches and pains that have no physical explanation Types of Affective Disorders Bipolar Disorder – this refers to a state wherein the person experiences alternating periods of depression and periods of mania, which is the feeling of being extremely positive and active. A person may have bipolar disorder if he/she has the following symptoms: Chronic mood swings During depression, symptoms similar to those for major depressive disorder During mania, less sleep and feelings of exaggerated self- confidence Irritability or aggression Feeling of self-importance Impulsiveness and recklessness Delusions or halucinations Types of Affective Disorders Anxiety Disorders – the different types of anxiety disorders are all characterized by feelings of anxiety, fear, and nervousness. The symptoms of affective disorders include the following: Constant worrying Irritability Obsessive thoughts Restlessness and trouble concentrating Trembling, sweating, shortness of breath and rapid heart rate Difficulty sleeping Nausea Forms of Functional Psychosis C. Paranoia This is another type of psychotic reaction, the main symptom of which is characterized by suspicion. Types of Paranoia Persecutory Paranoia – this refers to having delusions of persecution. The person believes that some people are plotting to harm him/her in some way. Litigious Paranoia – this refers to having delusions of both persecution and grandeur; a person may go to great lengths to bring alleged persecutors to court. Erotic Paranoia – also called amorous paranoia, this refers to having delusions that a certain person is in love with him/her. Exalted Paranoia – having grandiose delusions and believes himself/herself as someone with great power or importance, usually a social reformer or religious crusader. Jealous Paranoia – the state of having extreme and irrational jealousy. Forms of Functional Psychosis D.Anti-Social Personality A person with an anti-social personality is a mentally-disturbed person who is opposed to the normal principles upon which a society is based. Characteristics of an Anti-Social Personality Sociopath – refers to a person who dislikes any sense of social or moral responsibility due to mental illness. Psychopath One of the major significant characteristics of a psychopath is the absence of conscience or any guilty feeling after committing grievous acts against others. This means that the person has not incorporated the moral values of society into his life. In addition, the psychopath is selfish and strives for physical pleasure. Hence, most of his pursuits revolve around manipulating people to acquire personal gains. A chronic liar, a psychopath is often impulsive and demands immediate satisfaction, thus unable to learn from past experiences.