Abnormal Behaviors

Abnormal Behaviors

Introduction

Every human being in this world depicts a certain kind of behavior. The behavior can either be normal, or abnormal. An abnormal behavior is the one which deviates from statistical, social or cultural norms. These behaviors are related to individuals, and are subjective. People show abnormal behavior due to many reasons, most of them personal.

Discussion

Historical Views of Abnormal Behavior

Abnormal behavior is not something new. The historical view of abnormal behavior dates back to many hundred years. The Chinese, Hebrews, Greeks and Egyptians used to attribute abnormal behavior to god or a demon who had possessed the soul of the affected person. The type of "possession"- good or bad, was decided by the behavior of the person. If he became religious, he was said to have been taken over by a good spirit, and if the behavior was against the norms, a bad or evil spirit was blamed for it. The treatment of abnormal behavior was exorcism. Magic, incantation, noise making and prayers were used to cast the evil spirit out of the abnormal person.

The Greek physician, Hippocrates, denied the involvement of demons in the abnormal behavior of man. Instead, he pointed out the natural reasons behind these abnormalities in the behavior. He laid emphasis on clinical observations and brain pathology. He believed that such behaviors have a natural cause and such behaviors can be rectified through proper treatments.

The early Greek physicians like Galen, believed that these abnormal behaviors are due to head injuries, shock, adolescence, excessive use of alcohol, economic reversals, fear, menstrual changes and disappointment in love. The treatments were usually pleasant therapies like warm bath. The principle of contrariis contrarius was also widely used.

Even during the very early ages, the Chinese believed in natural causes of these abnormal behaviors, rather than the supernatural ones. They ...