PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER
UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGICAL
DISORDER
QUESTION
Describe how you can use various approaches to explain
onyango’s behavior, thoughts and feeling in understanding various
approaches of abnormal behavior for example biological view,
psychoanalytical, behavioral view ,cognitive behavioral view,
humanistic-existentialistic view and family system models view, in each of your
respective argument towards the approach ,suggest the therapeutic measures that
can be applied to help onyango.
Abnormal
psychology is a branch
of psychology that deals with psychopathology and
abnormal behavior. Abnormal psychology is focused on the identification,
treatment and understanding of abnormal behavior and psychopathology. The term
covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsession-compulsion to
sexual deviation. Counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists often
work directly in this field. (Arcinega.M
1981)
(i) Psychoanalysis view of Onyango’s problem
Psychoanalysis
is based on the principle that our childhood experience has created our current
behavior patterns and thinking process. These thoughts and feelings can become
repressed and may manifest themselves as depression or other negative
syndromes. (Freud, 1902)
Freud
further postulated that our behavior and feelings are powerfully affected by
unconscious motives which also are rooted in our early childhood experiences.
He believed that all behavior has a cause (usually unconscious) and that all
behaviors are determinate by three different parts of our personality; the
tripartite.
The
tripartite consist in the ego that is the conscious part of our mind and that
is always in constant conflict with the other two unconscious parts; the id and
the superego. The id stands for the instinctual drives all human beings possess
and the superego is our conscious represented by the demands of our parents and
the society.
The
two drives of the id are: eros (sex drive and life instinct) and Thanatos (the
aggressive drive and death instinct) Freud concluded by saying that personality
is shaped as the drives are modified by different conflicts at different times
of the childhood.
Based
on the psychoanalysis view we can say that Onyangos problem is deeply rooted in
his early childhood experience when his father constantly bullied, ridiculed
and criticized him. This resulted in Onyango´s poor self-esteem and that he is
always afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing.
The basic therapeutic measures of psychoanalysis is the interpretation of onyango’s
unconscious conflicts that interfere with his daily functioning and gives him
depression and compulsion. (Wood, S.2005)Another
measure is free association. This is possible for the clients who made
mistakes, forgot or showed other peculiarities regarding time; the analyst can
usually find various unconscious resistances to the flow of thoughts. Onyango´s masturbation fantasies can also
be important. The psychotherapist can try to examine this fantasy to understand
how the patients react to them and how he can avoid them. (Bernal, G.1982)
Classical technique this
is applied by asking the client to try to say what´s on their mind including
interference, exploration (asking questions) and clarification (rephrasing and
describing what the client has been saying.).Lastly is transference technique/interpretation. This is to show
the patient ways old conflicts arise in current relationship and causes
problems in daily life.
Transference
measure; The unconscious influence of past learning of traumatic interpersonal
relationship and present emotional response, behavior and relationships. This
mal-adaptive learning stems; From childhood experience and interferes with
normal relationships and decision-making.
(ii) Biological view of Onyango problem
This
approach believes that we become ill medically and psychologically because of
psychological or genetic damage, disease or accident. We evolved both
physically and psychologically in response to our environment. Our genetics
accounts for our shared physique and emotion. Our genetics also influence our
individual development physically and psychologically. The approach has been
very influential in the use of physical therapies and chemotherapies as the
treatment of various mental disorders.
From
biological view, what happened in
Onyangos previous life is not relevant. According to this perspective, Onyango’s
diseases and problems are caused by his genetics. For example, Onyango’s
schizophrenia is caused by an overproduction of the neuro-transmitter dopamine,
and his depression comes from the psychological changes to neurons that dull
them to serotonin.
Another
problem is that Onyango failed to have intercourse. Even erectile dysfunction
has a physical cause which may be caused by life-styles diseases, diabetes mellitus,
high blood pleasure and obesity
According
to biological approach the case of Onyango has to be treated using somatic
therapy. Although many somatic therapies have been abandoned but there are still
used and maybe be applicable. Both of these disorders are
treated with chemotherapy, for example an anti-depressants like Prozac.
So
according to biological view, Onyangos’ case has been caused by the psychological
or genetical damage which causes him a depression. The biological treatment for
the erectile dysfunction is the use of erectile stimulator like Viagra.
(iii) Cognitive-behavioral view of Onyango’s problems
Cognitive
Behavioral view combines cognitive and behavioral perspectives. The approach
focuses on thoughts, emotions, physical feelings and actions, and teaches
clients how each one can have an effect on the other Cognitive-behavioral perspectives.
Is useful for dealing with a number of issues, including depression, anxiety and
phobias. Behavioral
views is effective for individuals who require treatment for some sort of behavior
change, such as addictions, phobias and anxiety disorders. Based on the
principle that behavior is learnt, and can therefore be unlearnt, or reconditioned.
Cognitive Therapy is based on the principle that the way we perceive situations
influences how we feel about them.
Cognitive Behavioral view can be useful for
dealing with issues such as anger, anxiety, depression, drug or alcohol
problems, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder ,phobias ,post-traumatic
stress disorder, Sexual and relationship problems .Cognitive therapists believe
that it's dysfunctional thinking that leads to dysfunctional emotions or
behaviors. By changing their thoughts, people can change how they feel and what
they do. (Milrod, B.2007)
Basing on cognitive –behavioral perspective, Onyango’s problems can be
explained looking on the way Onyango sees ,think, and the way he relate the
circumstances that face him with the reality. This can be seen when onyango was
believing that he was possessed by the devil .More over the habit of onyango
watching violent movies made him create heroic-fantasies. This later made him
to be in deep psychological problems and stress, for example when he lost in a
fight, when he was picked on by his roommate or the situation when his
girlfriend broke up with him.
Also,
when Onyango was 12 years old, Onyango´s mother created another unforgettable
memory to Onyango when she prohibit Onyango to sleep in her bed after finding
him masturbating at her side one night. Unconsciously Onyango interpret his
mother’s reaction as a punishment to his masturbation, and associate this with
something bad. So when Onyango is about to have intercourse with his
girlfriend, he don’t understand why he is not able to perform, and he blames
his girlfriend. This may be another root cause of Onyangos severe depression.
On the other side the root causes of Onyango’s
problem can be discussed by looking at the behaviors that Onyango was developing
and several event that faced him including the type of environment that Onyango
grew. The little time Onyango spent with his father was characterized by
ridicule and criticism, moreover Onyango
had little time to spend with his age mate most of his time spend with his
mother (full-maid) .The criticism and the ridicule behavior of his father and
his relationship problems may be the root causes of Onyango’s behavioral problems
The appropriate therapeutic measures of Onyango’s
problems basing on cognitive –behavioral views can include a number of
activities, such as Assessment training ,Relaxation ,Challenging certain thoughts,
Homework projects, Training how to communication with others . The other therapeutic
measures that can be applied are positive attitude toward oneself, self-actualizing,
integration, autonomy, helping him to control accurate perception of reality
and environmental mastery.
(iv) Humanistic-existentialistic view of Onyango’s
problem
Humanistic therapies focus on the
client's present rather than past experiences, and on conscious feelings rather
than unconscious thoughts. While existentialist deals with important
life themes. These themes include living and dying, freedom, responsibility to
self and others, finding meaning in life, and dealing with a sense of
meaninglessness. More than other kinds of therapists, existentialist examine
individuals' awareness of themselves and their ability to look beyond their
immediate problems and daily events to problems of human existence. Existential
therapists help their clients confront and explore anxiety, loneliness,
despair, fear of death, and the feeling that life is meaningless. The main
goals of humanist are to find out how individuals perceive themselves here and
now and to recognize growth, self-direction and responsibilities. This method
is optimistic and attempts to help individuals recognize their strengths by
offering a non-judgmental, understanding experience.( Bruno F.1974)
Back to onyango’s case
in relation to humanistic view as they argue that the child who does not
receive uncondition positive regard from significant other become overly
critical of themselves and develop conditions of worthless and harsh self
standard they feel they must meet in order to be acceptable ,this is absolutely
seen to onyango’s case when his father was always insulting, criticize,and
showing redecule behaviour to him ,onyango had un-condition positive regard for
his father.On the other side humanistic and existentialist like Anne Roe
believe that the child over protection, over demanding and the child neglecting
may cause a problem or led to unusual
behavior to the child .Focusing on onyango case, he received much over protection
from his mother and rejetion from his father. Otherwise Onyango lost a sense of
meaning and awereness just because of the way his parent treated him. All these
may be the over riding causes of Onyango’s problems like depression and maniac-depressive
psychosis (bipolar mood disorder ),anger, schizoid personality and he sometimes became flamboyant
There
are some few techniques specifically to existentialist and humanistic therapist
toward Onyango’s problems as a counselor it can be effective normally to draw
on techniques from a variety of techniques like logotherapy, and creating a caring, supportive atmosphere, by helping him
achieving self-actualization
and guiding Onyango toward personal realizations and insights. We can then
encourage him to take responsibility for his lives, to accept himself, and
recognize his own potential for growth and change.
(v) Family system model’s view of Onyango’s problems
Family model, also known as Systemic Therapy, is
an approach that works with families and those in close relationships,
regardless of whether they are blood related or not, to foster change. Changes
are viewed in terms of the systems of interaction between each person in the family.
The aim of Family model is to help family members find ways to help each other,
whether the issue is believed to be an individual issue or whether it is
believed to be a family issue. Family relationships are considered to be an
important factor in the emotional health of each member within that family, and
this approach to counseling emphasizes that being actively involved in the
sessions, families’ can all participate in moving forward together, and a
family therapist can encourage the support of this system of interaction.
Although the sessions are usually with family groups, family therapists can
also work with members of the family on an individual basis if appropriate. (Gross.R.2002),
As family model suggest above, the role of
the family members in raising children and other family members, Onyango’s
family sometimes failed to provide an appropriate care and guidance to him .Several
times Onyango’s father showed negative
interaction and affection he also failed to build his sons self-esteem and self-worth
otherwise onyango’s mother had poor parenting system when she failed to guide
him over the kind of movies and games he mostly watched. All these was the root
cause of the onyango’s problem.
The possible therapeutic measure to be taken off
towards onyango’s problem is through psycho dynamic therapy, helping family
members be able to eliminate other family member’s bias and showing positive
affection and appropriate care to their family members.
Behavioral
views of Onyango problems
The behavioral approach
focuses on how individuals learn and how this can be changed. The approach
assume that, if a behavior can be learned, then it can also be unlearned
(reconditioned).This therapy is useful for individuals who require treatments
for some sort of behavioral change, such as addiction, anxiety, depression and
phobic disorder.
Based on the principle
that behavior is learned and therefore can be unlearned, behavioral therapy
concentrates on the “here and now” without focusing on the past to find a
reason for the behavior. This is much stressed from the work of Ivan Pavlov, a
classical conditioning and B.F Skinner in operant conditioning. The importance
of Pavlovian is that the conditioned response decrease in intensity the more
times the conditioned stimulus occurred without reinforcement. So Onyangos’
depression may have been associated with some behavior modifications to bring
insight. (Robertson,
D.2010).
Therapeutic measures to
be taken towards Onyango problems may include Diversion techniques; Behavior
therapy using the diversion used to diminish negative thinking and
emotions, activity scheduling to
increase positive emotions and mastery, “home and graded task assignment” which
entails incremental steps of increasing difficult to reach goals, role play and
rehearsal to try out and practice new behaviors and roles to be used in the
real world.
REFERENCES
Arcinega, M.Newlou.J (1981)"A Theoretical Rationale for Cross-Cultural
Family Counseling." the school
counselor
Bernal, G. Y. Flores-Ortiz(1982).
"Latino Families in Therapy:
Engagement and Evaluation." journal of marital and
family therapy
Bruno Forauk, (1974) Psychology: A life centred Aproach. U.S.A. press Behavioral
Bateman,
A.Holmes, J. (1995). Introduction to Psychoanalysis: Contemporary Theory and Practice. Routledge
Gross.R. and Mcllveen. R. (2002), Psychology a New
Introduction, Greengate Publisher UK.
Miller, D. Wampold, Varhely, K.
(2008). Direct comparisons of treatment
modalities for youth disorders: A
meta-analysis. Psychotherapy Research
Milrod, B. Rudden, M. (2007), A randomized controlled clinical trial of
psychoanalytic psychotherapy for panic
disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, pg164
Robertson,
D. (2010). The Philosophy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:
Stoicism as Rational and Cognitive Psychotherapy. London: Karnac
Wood, Samuel (2005) The world of Psy 4th edition. McGill University Toronto
Psychoanalisis
Prepared by Reward
Gerald Kihedu-Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counseling
Phone
+255757260116
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