Exceptional Development: Mental Disorders

Some people show behaviors nga murag unusual or dili typical compared sa normal expectations
sa society. Plotnik (1999) gives three ways to measure if behavior is abnormal:

1. Statistically Abnormal – Behavior nga rare or uncommon, like having an extremely

high IQ.
Example: Bata nga makasolve ug college-level math problems bisan bata pa.
2. Socially Abnormal – Behavior nga supak sa gi-accept sa society, like shouting loudly in
a quiet library.
Example: Pagkatawa ug kusog during sa usa ka serious funeral.
3. Maladaptive Behavior – Mga actions nga makadaot or makapalisod sa usa ka tao nga
magkinabuhi ug normal, like refusing to eat for days.
Example: Tao nga mag-isolate sa ilang sarili ug dili na maka-trabaho.

Pero, ingon ni Plotnik, dili ni tanan ka-measure accurate para masulti kung abnormal ang
behavior. Pwede nga ang tao naa aning mga signs, pero dili pasabot nga naa silay mental
disorder.

Key Insight: Ang pag-judge kung abnormal ba ang behavior kinahanglan ug careful nga
pagsabot, dili lang magsalig aning tuloka paagi.

Gauge in Assessing Abnormal Behavior

There are three main approaches to identifying abnormal behavior, but each has its own limits.
Here’s an explanation with examples and some Bisaya for clarity:

1. Statistical Frequency
This approach considers behavior abnormal if it is rare or unusual compared to most
people.
Example: A farmer nga mag-araro sa gabii. Dili na common kay kasagaran sa farmers
magtrabaho sa buntag. Another example is a lawyer building a house sa tunga sa
cemetery—rare kaayo.
However, dili pasabot nga kung rare ang behavior, naa na dayon mental disorder. Mao ni
reason nganong limited ang usefulness ani nga approach.
2. Social Approach
Behavior is abnormal if it violates social norms or standards.
Example: Sa una, dili natural makita ang lalaki nga nagsul-ob ug earrings, pero karon,
fashionable na. Similarly, kaniadto, unnatural tan-awon ang mga babae nga nagsul-ob ug
shorts, pero karon, normal ra kaayo.
The challenge is that norms change over time, so risky siya nga basehan kay unsa
abnormal karon, pwede ra mahimong normal ugma.
3. Maladaptive Behavior
This approach focuses on behavior that harms or prevents a person from living normally.
 Example: Kanang makadungog ug tingog nga mosugo sa usa ka tao nga maghimo ug
dangerous acts, or kanang tao nga mopatay ug mokaon sa flesh sa victim—klaro nga
maladaptive and abnormal kini.
According to Plotnik, this is the most useful way to define abnormal behavior because it
looks at the effects of the behavior on the individual and society.

Key Insight: Each approach helps assess abnormal behavior, pero ang maladaptive behavior
approach is the most practical and effective kay focus siya sa damage nga mahimo sa tao ug sa
iyang surroundings.

Treatment of Abnormal Behavior

There are three major approaches to understanding and treating mental disorders: the Medical
Model, the Cognitive-Behavioral Approach, and the Psychoanalytic Approach.

1. Medical Model Approach

This approach views mental disorders like physical diseases. They have symptoms that
can be diagnosed and treated. Doctors use medicines for physical illnesses, and
psychiatrists use similar drugs to treat mental disorders.
Example: Ang doktor magreseta og tambal sa usa ka tawo nga adunay depresyon, sama
sa paghatag og tambal sa usa ka tawo nga adunay sakit sa lawas.

Advantage: It focuses on the brain’s nervous system, genetic makeup, and chemical
balance. Research shows that mental disorders can run in families and that there are brain
differences in people with these disorders.
Example: Ang mga pagtuon nagpakita nga ang mga mental disorder, sama sa
schizophrenia, mahimong ipasa sa pamilya.

2. Cognitive-Behavioral Approach
This approach believes mental disorders are caused by problems with thinking (like
beliefs and thoughts) and behavior (like lacking skills). The goal is to change these
negative thoughts and behaviors to improve mental health.
Example: Ang tawo nga adunay kahadlok (anxiety) matudluan nga usbon ang mga
negatibo nga panghunahuna ug magpraktis og mga teknik aron mag-relax.
3. Psychoanalytic Approach
According to this approach, mental disorders are caused by unconscious conflicts or
unresolved problems in early childhood, particularly during different psychosexual
stages. Freud suggested that conflicts between the id (pleasure), ego (peacekeeper), and
superego (conscience) create anxiety.
Example: Kung ang bata nakasinati og trauma sa pagkabata, mahimo kini magresulta og
problema sa pagkahuman, sama sa kahadlok o kasuko.

These three approaches offer different ways to understand and treat mental disorders, focusing
on the mind, behavior, and biological factors.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Explanation:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a condition where a person experiences excessive and
unrealistic worry about various things, even when there is no immediate danger. This worry
persists for at least six months and affects their daily life.

Symptoms:

 Psychological:
o Constant worry or fear about different situations.
o Difficulty in concentrating because of overwhelming anxiety.
o Feeling irritable or unable to control the worry, even when the situation doesn’t
justify it.
 Physical:
o Restlessness or feeling on edge.
o Easily tired or fatigued, even after little effort.
o Sweating, pounding heart, muscle tension, headaches, and difficulty sleeping
(insomnia).

Treatment:
GAD is commonly treated through psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT), and sometimes medication such as tranquilizers or antidepressants. Studies show that
around 40-50% of people treated for GAD with therapy or medication report significant
improvement after a year of treatment.
Treatment in Bisaya:
Ang GAD kasagaran ginatambalan pinaagi sa psychotherapy o cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT), ug usahay gamiton ang medisina sama sa tranquilizers o antidepressants. Ang mga
pagtuon nagpakita nga mga 40-50% sa mga tawo nga gitambalan para sa GAD gamit ang
therapy o medisina makasinati og dakong kaayohan human sa usa ka tuig nga pagtambal.

Example in Bisaya:
Ang tawo nga adunay GAD magpuyo sa kahadlok nga walay klarong rason. Pananglitan, mag-
worry siya bisan kung maglakaw-lakaw lang sa kalsada, nga wala man gani’y risgo. Kini nga
kahimtang magpadayon sa dugay nga panahon.

Panic Disorder

Explanation:
Panic Disorder is marked by unexpected and recurrent panic attacks. These attacks are sudden
and intense feelings of fear or discomfort. The person is often afraid of having another panic
attack, and this fear can disrupt their everyday life.
Symptoms:
A panic attack can include at least four of the following:

 Pounding heart or racing heartbeat.

 Trembling or shaking.
 Shortness of breath or feeling like choking.
 Chest pain or discomfort.
 Dizziness or feeling lightheaded.
 Nausea or stomach discomfort.
 Fear of losing control or even dying.

Treatment:
Panic Disorder is treated with a combination of psychotherapy (such as CBT) and medication
like antidepressants or tranquilizers. Treatment usually lasts for 3 to 8 months, but some
individuals may relapse after stopping the medication.
Treatment in Bisaya:
Ang Panic Disorder ginatambalan gamit ang kombinasyon sa psychotherapy (sama sa CBT) ug
medisina sama sa antidepressants o tranquilizers. Kasagaran, ang pagtambal magdugay og 3
hangtod 8 ka buwan, apan ang uban magbalik-balik ang sintomas human undangon ang
medisina.

Example in Bisaya:
Ang tawo nga adunay panic disorder magka-panic attack sa kalit, sama sa maglisod siya'g
ginhawa, maghagit ang kasingkasing, ug magbati nga magakurog. Human niini, magkahadlok
siya nga magbalik ang sama nga sitwasyon.

Phobia

Explanation:
Phobia is an anxiety disorder where a person has an intense, irrational fear of something that
poses little or no real danger. The fear is so overwhelming that it causes the person to avoid the
feared object or situation altogether. If they cannot avoid it, they experience severe anxiety.

 Social Phobia: A fear of social situations where the person believes they will be judged
or humiliated.
 Specific Phobia: An intense fear of a specific object or situation, such as flying, heights,
spiders, water, or blood.

Symptoms:

 Social Phobia: Fear of public speaking, meeting new people, or attending social events,
driven by the fear of embarrassment or being negatively judged.
 Specific Phobias: Extreme fear when faced with the specific object or situation (e.g.,
seeing a spider or going on a plane), causing distress and avoidance behavior.
Treatment:
Phobias are treated through exposure therapy, which involves gradual, controlled exposure to
the feared object or situation to reduce anxiety. In some cases, medications like antidepressants
or benzodiazepines may be prescribed for short-term relief.
Treatment in Bisaya:
Ang phobia ginatambalan gamit ang exposure therapy, diin ang tawo hinay-hinay nga gipaila sa
butang o sitwasyon nga iyang kahadlukan aron mapakunhod ang kahadlok. Sa ubang kaso, ang
medisina sama sa antidepressants o benzodiazepines mahimong isugyot para sa mubo nga
panahon nga pagtabang.

Example in Bisaya:
Ang tawo nga adunay social phobia magpuyo sa kahadlok nga masayop sa usa ka social event,
sama sa klase o pagtambong sa usa ka party. Magsugod siya maghuna-huna nga mahimong
kataw-anan o magapahiubos sa uban. Ang specific phobia sama sa kahadlok sa height,
magpugos sa tawo nga likayan ang taas nga building o mga dalan.

Mood Disorders:

A mood disorder is when a person feels upset or disturbed for a long time, affecting their
thoughts and behavior.
Example: If someone is always sad and has no interest in anything for weeks, it could be a mood
disorder.

Major Depression: This happens when someone feels very sad for at least two weeks. They
may lose interest in everything and feel like nothing brings them joy. Other signs include trouble
eating, sleeping, focusing, and feeling tired. Some people might even think about suicide or feel
guilty.
Example: A person might stop enjoying their favorite activities, like playing basketball or
drawing.

Causes: The brain's chemicals, called neurotransmitters (like serotonin and norepinephrine),
can be unbalanced, leading to mood problems.
Example: If the brain has low serotonin, it might cause someone to feel sad for a long time.

Psychosocial factors (like personality traits and social support) also play a role in mood
disorders. For example, people who care too much about others’ opinions might get depressed
after a friendship ends.
Example: If someone relies on their friends for happiness, they might feel very sad if they lose
those friends.

Why some people get depressed: Both biological (brain chemicals) and psychological
(personality) factors work together to make someone more likely to get depressed.
Example: A person with low serotonin and a socially dependent personality may be at higher
risk of depression after a breakup.
Bipolar Disorder:

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder where people go through two opposite feelings: mania and
depression.
Example: A person might feel very energetic and happy for a while, but then suddenly become
very sad and irritable.

Mania (the “up” phase): During mania, people feel full of energy, talk a lot, and think they are
very creative and smart.
Example: Someone might stay awake for days and feel like they can do anything.

Depression (the “down” phase): After mania, people can feel very sad, tired, and sometimes
even think they are worthless.
Example: A person might sleep too much or feel very irritable and anxious.

Bipolar disorder can lead to dangerous behaviors like reckless actions or poor decisions.
Example: Someone in the manic phase might make hasty choices, like getting into an unwise
relationship.

Diagnosis and Treatment: Bipolar disorder is hard to diagnose because it can be confused with
other issues, like drug abuse. Medication helps control the symptoms but doesn't cure the
disorder. Common treatments include Lithium, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and
antidepressants. Therapy and support groups are also helpful.
Example: Taking medicine and attending therapy can help someone manage bipolar disorder.

Despite its challenges, people with bipolar disorder can still lead successful and creative lives.
Example: Some people with bipolar disorder use their creative energy to produce art or music.