What Is Abnormal Behavior?
Perhaps you have heard the term abnormal behavior before and thought that it refers to any human behavior that seems strange or eccentric. This might be a reasonable assumption in everyday life, but abnormal behavior refers to something more specific in a psychological context.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), abnormal behavior may be characterized by one or more of the following four criteria: maladaptive behavior, personal distress, statistical rarity, and violation of social norms.
Maladaptive behavior
One of the first indications of abnormality may be maladaptive behavior. An individual might develop maladaptive behavior to cope with challenging emotions and circumstances. However, these behaviors can be unhelpful and cause further challenges to an individual’s well-being and relationships. Examples of maladaptive behavior might include acting out of uncontrolled anger, avoiding uncomfortable situations, or engaging in substance use or self-harm. Once individuals identify their maladaptive behavior, they may be able to adopt healthier ways of coping that will not harm themselves or others.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Personal distress
Personal distress often occurs when an individual engages in abnormal behavior due to some type of difficulty that they are experiencing. A common example of this might be obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Individuals with OCD typically experience intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that trigger anxiety. Feelings of discomfort may lead them to engage in behaviors to neutralize the anxiety. These behaviors (called compulsions) may include re-checking things, cleaning excessively, engaging in repetitive body movements, or seeking reassurance from others. Compulsions can also be mental, such as excessive rumination. The amount of time and energy spent carrying out compulsions can significantly impact an individual’s daily life and cause distress.
Personal distress can be difficult to recognize. Some people may experience it without being aware of it. For instance, if someone lives with a mental illness, they might accurately be classified as being in distress at times, but they may not be able to understand or acknowledge it.
Statistical rarity
Statistical rarity refers to someone who is considered atypical in some way. This can have both negative and positive repercussions. For instance, an individual who has a developmental disorder or a low IQ might be considered to demonstrate statistical rarity.
However, individuals who have extremely high IQs might also be considered statistical rarities. Someone like Albert Einstein might be considered a statistical rarity. Therefore, he might be thought of as abnormal, despite the negative connotation that sometimes accompanies this term.
Violation of social norms
Another criterion of abnormal behavior is a violation of social norms. For example, a person who removes all their clothing and runs down the street is likely to be seen as behaving in an abnormal manner. However, a three-year-old child who does the same thing might not be. In this way, a person’s age may have just as much to do with what’s considered a social norm violation as the activity itself.
What causes abnormal behavior?
Because many different behaviors could be considered abnormal and fall into one of the described categories above, there are many potential causes of abnormal behavior. Abnormal behaviors might be related to a psychological disorder, the situation a person finds themselves in, or other factors. Below are some examples.
Mental/physical health and abnormal behavior
Abnormal behavior can sometimes be the product of a mental or physical health condition. For example, let’s suppose someone enters a grocery store, takes a candy bar off a shelf, peels off the wrapper, and starts eating it. They start to walk out of the store, and one of the employees stops them and demands that they pay for it. They express surprise and seem to not understand why their behavior is objectionable.
There are several possible explanations for this behavior, which may be classified as abnormal. In this case, a doctor may determine that there is a tumor in a part of the person’s brain that has to do with impulse control. The same thing might happen in the case of a stroke. A partial recovery might occur, but a part of the brain that manages impulse control might be permanently affected.
One might also observe abnormal behavior in someone who has schizophrenia and is not taking their medication as prescribed. Thus, abnormal behavior might be related to what is happening in a person’s body or mind.
Situational abnormal behavior
Abnormal behavior may also occur in specific circumstances. For example, in extreme circumstances, human beings have been known to engage in behaviors that they would normally consider unthinkable. For example, in some cases where individuals were stranded in the wilderness without food, they resorted to eating the flesh of those who died.
Most cultures would agree that cannibalism is abnormal behavior. If you are well-fed and content, then it’s something that you would never think of doing. In this example, it is the extreme situation that led to this occurrence.
There are plenty of other less extreme examples. The festival known as Burning Man, which takes place in the Nevada desert, attracts all kinds of free thinkers and creative individuals. It’s a place where outlandish activity is often expected and encouraged. When you go there, you might see people walking around in animal costumes or completely naked. The abnormal behavior is, once again, situational.
Can you control abnormal behavior?
The question of whether you can control abnormal behavior may be related to what’s causing it. If someone is acting out of the ordinary because of something like a brain tumor, then there may not be much that an individual can do to behave more in line with what society expects. The same may be true if a mental health condition is involved.
Therefore, some kinds of abnormal behavior might be within a person’s scope of control, but others might not be. Taking behavior control for granted can be easy if one doesn’t experience a mental health condition. Individuals who live with a mental illness may not be able to help but act in compulsory ways, and this can cause challenges in everyday life. However, these individuals can sometimes find help through therapy or medication.
What can you do if someone you know is exhibiting abnormal behavior?
If someone you know seems to be displaying signs of abnormal behavior according to one of the four categories described above, it may lead you to feel concerned for them. If they continue to act in that way, it can adversely affect them and possibly you as well.
It may help to find a time to tactfully speak to them about the behavior and try to ascertain what it is that’s causing it. If they’re aware of the harm their actions are causing to themselves or others, they may be open to seeking treatment. They might be able to stop these behaviors independently, or therapy or medications (as prescribed by a doctor) might be an option. If they’re not able to recognize that what they are doing is harmful, then that could indicate that they are experiencing a mental health condition.
Talk to a counselor about abnormal behavior and abnormalities
If you have a friend or family member who is exhibiting abnormal behavior and you are not certain about what to do, it may be helpful to speak with a licensed mental health professional.
Speaking to someone in person about a sensitive topic like abnormal behavior can be challenging, even if you’re not the one exhibiting it. If this is the case, you may feel safer talking about your concerns with an online therapist. Research shows that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for several mental health concerns.
In online counseling, you can speak with a therapist from the comfort of your own home via audio or video chat. With BetterHelp, you can also contact your therapist at any time, day or night, via in-app messaging, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can.
Takeaway
If you’re concerned about abnormal behavior, whether your own or that of someone else, you don’t have to face it alone. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a licensed counselor who has experience identifying and addressing abnormal behavior in a nonjudgmental way. Take the first step to getting support and reach out to BetterHelp today.
What are examples of abnormal behavior in mental health?
It may be helpful to frame examples of abnormal behavior using the “Four Ds:” deviance, dysfunction, distress, and danger. Abnormal psychology uses the Four Ds to define what makes a behavior abnormal rather than simply unusual. Unusual behavior may seem strange or quirky but does not meet the criteria to be considered abnormal.
Deviant behavior
Deviant behavior violates fundamental social norms, like a person’s right to safety. Most criminal behavior is deviant. Dysfunctional behavior significantly impairs a person’s ability to function daily. An example might be hypersomnia - excessive sleep - associated with major depression. Depression prevents a person from leaving their bed and carrying out their day, reducing their function.
Distressful behavior
Distressful behaviors are related to dysfunctional behaviors; when a dysfunctional behavior becomes severe enough to cause a person distress, the behavior becomes distressful. For instance, if the person experiencing hypersomnia from the example above is unbothered by their circumstances, their actions would not be considered distressful.
Dangerous behavior
Dangerous behavior is any action that endangers someone or those around them. Any violent, aggressive behavior is likely an example of a dangerous behavior.
What are the causes of abnormal behavior related to mental illness?
Abnormal behavior is often related to psychological and mental disorders, although it is often difficult to adequately define normal behavior and predict what behaviors are due to a particular mental illness. Even if a specific behavior can be related to psychological disorders, that doesn’t mean that the behavior is abnormal. The influence of the mental condition generally needs to rise to a certain severity before the behavior becomes a concern.
A behavior is considered abnormal when it opposes social norms, interferes with daily function, induces significant distress, or endangers oneself and others. Mental conditions can cause behavior that fits into any of those four categories. For example, the compulsive behaviors characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder can interfere with a person’s ability to complete daily tasks. Another example might be depression and anxiety disorders, which can cause severe distress and unhappiness.
How do you classify abnormal behavior in psychology?
The psychological sciences have historically struggled to define abnormal behavior, leading to an abnormal behavior definition that has shifted considerably over time. It is important to note that researchers and clinicians differentiate between unusual and abnormal behavior. Unusual behavior may seem strange to an observer, but its impact does not amount to a clinically significant disturbance. Abnormal - or maladaptive - behavior does reach that threshold, indicating that the person displaying the behavior is adversely affected by it.
The most up-to-date classification of abnormal behavior is likely the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM). The DSM is a diagnostic guide that mental health professionals use to evaluate whether certain behaviors are attributable to a mental health condition. Classification of abnormal behavior tends to center around a person’s psychopathology, or their unique presentation of an emotional or mental illness.
What is abnormal behavior and psychopathology in relation to mental disorders?
Abnormal behavior is any behavior that has a significant adverse impact on a person’s life, usually by deviating from social norms, interfering with daily function, creating distress, or causing danger. Psychopathology is the scientific exploration of abnormal mental states. Abnormal behavior and psychopathology are often related.
A mental condition may cause behavior that significantly impacts a person’s life, which is likely abnormal. Studying the psychopathological presentation of certain behaviors can help clinicians and researchers identify treatments and interventions that could provide relief to someone with a mental disorder.
What are the four types of abnormal behavior?
Clinicians and researchers often evaluate abnormal behavior using the “Four Ds:” deviance, dysfunction, distress, and danger.
- Deviant behavior violates social norms and conventions, such as trespassing on another person’s property or stealing their possessions.
- Dysfunctional behavior significantly interferes with a person’s ability to function in their daily life. Examples include struggling to leave bed in cases of depression and the compulsive behaviors associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Distressful behavior is behavior that causes a person to feel significant psychological or physical pain. The worrying behaviors associated with anxiety disorders are likely good examples of distressful behavior.
- Dangerous behavior is any behavior that endangers someone or those around them, such as pointing a gun at a crowd or threatening another person with violence.
It is important to note that abnormal behavior does not need to be associated with mental health conditions to be considered abnormal. Similarly, bizarre or strange behavior may not be abnormal, merely unusual.
How do you know if your behavior, like anxiety attacks, is abnormal?
Likely, the best way to know if your behavior is abnormal is to consult with a qualified mental health practitioner. You can describe abnormal behavior without fear of judgment or ridicule, and they can provide insight into whether you are presenting maladaptive or normal behavior. They may also be able to determine if the behavior is due to a serious mental illness that requires evaluation. They may also be able to initiate drug and psychological treatments to provide relief if you find the behaviors burdensome.
What are some other words for abnormal behavior?
Abnormal behaviors are also commonly described as maladaptive behaviors, deviant behaviors, and psychopathological behaviors. It is important to note that words like “bizarre” or “strange” do not generally apply to abnormal behavior in the clinical sense. Behavior that seems strange to one person may be unusual, but unless it arises to a level where a person’s life is adversely affected, it is not likely to be described as abnormal.
Additional questions
How does anxiety contribute to the development of abnormal behavior?
Anxiety can cause abnormal behavior. Abundant or continual anxiety can lead to behaviors or emotions that disturb daily life. Some people avoid social situations, fail to focus at work or worry over little things. This behavior extends beyond occasional uneasiness and disrupts their functioning, making it abnormal.
What role does psychology play in diagnosing mental disorders linked to abnormal behavior?
Psychology underpins abnormal behavior diagnosis and understanding. Psychologists and other mental health experts utilize evaluations and therapy to determine if certain behaviors are caused by mental diseases. They assess how the behavior affects a person's life—whether it's distressing, disturbing their routine, or impacting their relationships—and then give advice or treatment.
How can mental health professionals identify abnormal behavior in individuals with mental illness?
By closely watching patterns over time, mental health practitioners can recognize abnormal behavior. They assess a person's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors for harm or discomfort. Depression and anxiety can cause abnormal behavior, such as not getting out of bed or being scared to leave the house. The point is if these activities interfere with daily life or cause mental distress.
What are the common mental disorders that result in abnormal behavior or behaviors?
Common mental conditions that might cause abnormal behavior include anxiety, sadness, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Extreme mood swings, social seclusion, and compulsive acts can result from these diseases. These behaviors typically go beyond occasional ups and downs and affect daily living.
How does abnormal behavior impact long-term mental health?
Untreated abnormal behavior can damage mental health. It can cause loneliness, low self-esteem, and relationship problems. Anxious people who avoid social situations may become lonely, worsening their mental health. Early detection and treatment of abnormal behaviors prevent more serious complications.
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