Mental Illness

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What is Mental Illness?

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Abnormal Behaviour
It is critical to assert that abnormal behavior tends to dwell on psychological disorders
and how they impact human behavior, especially when they lead to psychopathology. From my
perspective, abnormal behavior denotes specific traits or actions relayed verbally or non-verbally
and does not conform to the set norms or values. Notably, the renaissance era was characterized
by individuals with mental disorders being treated at home. The local parishes strived to offer
financial aid to families that had individuals with mental illness. However, New Age reforms in
the 18th century fostered asylums. By the 19th century, the American Psychological Association
got crafted, leading to numerous theories about abnormal behavior (Ogundele, 2018). The turn of
the 20th century saw abnormal behaviors being a focus within psychology. It also saw research
concerning abnormal behavior get enhanced. Possessing an abnormal behavior would therefore
translate to an individual being extra-ordinary or one of a kind.
Experience with Mental Illness
Mental illness denotes the varying disorders concerning brain function, fostering
conditions in an individual's thinking or behavior. Mental illnesses have a wide array of causes
and could emanate from the interactions between an individual's environment and genes (Drake
et al., 2003). It, therefore, means that possessing a mental illness does not often translate into a
moral failing or choice. While they are typically misunderstood and feared by populations
worldwide, most can get treated. The experience I have with mental illnesses revolves around
university students. In this regard, the mental health of university students has been of rising
global concern. The reason is that students encompass society's future. The common disorders
prevalent among university students include eating and bipolar disorders.

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Bipolar disorder is also dubbed manic depression as it is characterized by a spectrum of
high and low moods and fluctuations in energy, behavior, thinking, and sleep patterns. The
disorder is typically caused by genetic factors and can be treated through medication. Another
common disorder I have observed students is the eating disorder. Geoffroy et al. (2013) define
eating disorders as irregular eating habits characterized by severe distress or constant body shape
or weight concerns. For instance, anorexia is linked to the obsessive fear of weight gain and
unrealistic body perceptions. At the same time, Bulimia Nervosa revolves around binge eating
followed by compensation through excessive exercise or vomiting. Medical care and monitoring
are recommended as well as psychotherapy.
My experiences depict that it is ideal to ensure that individuals, especially students,
should remain alert to detect the signs or symptoms of mental health issues. The reason is that
mental health issues are a major cause of disability today. If any signs get noticed, medical
treatment is recommended to prevent issues like bipolar form from becoming critical. Besides,
the issues can be avoided or addressed through rigid support from friends and family members.
Psychopathology through the lens of intersectionality
The intersectional perspective focuses on a society's problems and issues deeply while
researching a wide array of disciplines for solutions. Therefore, the intersectional lens can
encompass experiments, field researchers, demonstrations, and actual applications that target the
broad society and its facets (Lisa, 2016). Examining psychopathology through intersectionality is
essential as it allows individuals to dwell on a wide array of social issues or forces. It, therefore,
enables the analysis of mutually dependent matters effectively. By being a rigid analytic tool,
intersectionality is an increasingly adopted concept in research in recent times. The reason is that
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it fosters the comprehension of diversity and the subtle ways in which individuals hold power
(Lisa, 2016).
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References
Drake, R. E., Green, A. I., Mueser, K. T., & Goldman, H. H. (2003). The history of community
mental health treatment and rehabilitation for persons with severe mental
illness. Community mental health journal, 39(5), 427-440.
http://www.psychodyssey.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/The-history-of-community-
mental-health-treatment.pdf
Geoffroy, P. A., Bellivier, F., Scott, J., Boudebesse, C., Lajnef, M., Gard, S., ... & Etain, B.
(2013). Bipolar disorder with seasonal pattern: clinical characteristics and gender
influences. Chronobiology international, 30(9), 1101-1107.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5225270/
Lisa, R. (2016). Apa PsycNet. American Psychological Association. Retrieved October 16, 2021,
from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-41532-002
Ogundele, M. O. (2018). Behavioural and emotional disorders in childhood: A brief overview for
paediatricians. World journal of clinical pediatrics, 7(1), 9.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5803568/

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1

What is Mental Illness?

It is critical to assert that abnormal behavior tends to dwell on psychological disorders

translate to an individual being extra-ordinary or one of a kind.

Experience with Mental Illness

prevalent among university students include eating and bipolar disorders.

Bipolar disorder is also dubbed manic depression as it is characterized by a spectrum of

are recommended as well as psychotherapy.

My experiences depict that it is ideal to ensure that individuals, especially students,

Psychopathology through the lens of intersectionality

illness. Community mental health journal, 39(5), 427-440.

influences. Chronobiology international, 30(9), 1101-1107.

paediatricians. World journal of clinical pediatrics, 7(1), 9.

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