Biopsychosocial Origins and Challenges of Abnormal Behavior

Possible Biological Origins of Selected Disorder

Task:

You will discuss the biopsychosocial origins of abnormal behavior, as well as challenges that clinicians face when addressing symptoms shared among psychological disorders. Scenario As Jamal researched the factors that cause atypical patterns of human thought, emotion, and behavior, he had a revelation:

Abnormal behavior is more complicated than many of us realize. For example, Jamal discovered that abnormalities in behavior can be caused by biological factors (e.g., genetics, neurophysiology, biochemistry). Also, abnormal behavior can be caused by psychological factors (e.g., severe emotional distress, grief, trauma). Finally, Jamal discovered that abnormalities in behavior can be caused by sociocultural factors (e.g., social norms, familial values). Of the many valuable takeaways of his research, Jamal found that abnormal behavior is a complex phenomenon that can have biological, psychological, and sociocultural origins. In many cases, it is not the result of one causal factor, but of several co-occurring, interdependent factors. Given the dynamic interplay between biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, the symptoms of various disorders often overlap, making the accurate diagnosis of psychological disorders a challenge for clinical professionals. Disorder List Anxiety:

A psychological response to a stimulus that is perceived as threatening Example: An introvert who must engage in social interaction at a party Depression: A persistent feeling of sadness and despair that can result in a loss of interest in various life activities Example: The loss of a family member, which results in feelings of grief and bereavement Dissociation: A psychological detachment and separation from self and environment Examples: Daydreaming, highway hypnosis Mania: A period of intense energy expenditure that may involve delusions and engagement in high-risk behavior Examples: Excessive spending, reckless driving Obsessive thoughts/compulsive behaviors: Persistent and undesirable thoughts or urges and ritualistic behaviors often driven by preoccupation with a negative outcome Example: Frequent hand washing that is motivated by a fear of being contaminated by germs Panic: An intense period of fear combined with physiological symptoms (e.g., rapid speech, sweating, nausea) Example: Public speaking Phobia: A fear of a specific, often nonthreatening stimulus Examples: Agoraphobia (fear of crowded spaces), hydrophobia (fear of water) Psychosis: A psychological state in which one experiences hallucinations, delusions, and/or a persistent and unchangeable belief in something that is obviously false Example: Suspicion that food is being poisoned Prompt The following resources support your work on this activity: Module Three Activity Template: You may use this template to complete the Module Three Activity assignment. Psychology Research Guide: This resource was created to help you find psychology related content. Purdue OWL: This resource is provided to assist you with referencing resources according to APA standards. For this journal activity, use your template to address the following rubric criteria with a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences per bullet. Support your answers with a credible source when necessary. Part One First, select one disorder from the list in the Overview and address the following:

Describe the possible biological origins of the selected disorder. Describe the possible psychological origins of the selected disorder. Describe the possible social or cultural origins of the selected disorder. Describe the relationship between the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors of the selected disorder. Part Two Next, from the list in the Overview, select two disorders that are known to share symptomatology. Explain the ways in which the symptoms overlap and discuss the potential diagnostic challenges presented by the overlap.