Abnormal behavior refers to actions and behaviors associated with psychological conditions, including antisocial behavior, delusions, and phobias. Causes can be organic or psychological, and therapy may involve identifying and changing behavior through group or one-on-one sessions and medication.
The term “abnormal behavior” can refer to any unusual action or behavior, but is more commonly used to describe actions and behaviors associated with psychological conditions. This includes a wide range of types of behavior that fall outside normal or acceptable behavior patterns. Behavior modification therapy is often used to fix behavior and convert inappropriate actions and interactions into appropriate actions.
Common types of abnormal behavior include antisocial behavior, such as breaking laws; failure to respect the needs and boundaries of others; and to hurt or abuse others, verbally or physically. Other common abnormal behaviors include talking to people who don’t exist, showing inappropriate attachments to strangers, an inability to form attachments with friends and family, and an inability to leave the house due to disabling fears. People who misbehave may also perform repeated and obsessive actions or may experience delusions, hallucinations, phobias, or paranoid episodes.
Psychologists and behavior therapists often focus on identifying the cause of the abnormal behavior. In some cases, these causes are organic, meaning they result from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain or another similar physical condition. These conditions are often controlled with prescription medications, such as antipsychotics and anti-anxiety drugs, but many see some improvement from long-term therapy and dietary and lifestyle changes.
Abnormal behavior can also result from psychological conditions. There is some evidence that some of these conditions are inherited genetically, but many are caused by environmental factors. These factors can be long-term or can be a single event and can cause behavioral repercussions in childhood or adulthood.
For example, a child raised with parents who exhibit antisocial behavior may learn to behave antisocially. If this behavior is not corrected, the child may one day teach their children to misbehave. Similarly, a woman who is the victim of an assault may develop a fear of being victimized again which results in a fear of the world at large. Such a woman may eventually be unable to leave her home because the fear of her is so intense.
Once the abnormal behaviors and their causes have been identified, the work of changing the behavior can begin. Therapy may involve group or one-on-one sessions that can take place in either a residential or outpatient setting. The work might include facing fears, finding ways to empower the self, and learning or relearning how to behave appropriately. Therapies may also be supplemented with short- or long-term medications as deemed necessary by a psychiatrist or physician.
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