Eating, Substance Abuse, Sex/Gender/Sexual, and Personality Disorders
Every disorder has a biological, emotional, cognitive and behavioral component. This essay will examine these components in the categories of eating, substance abuse, sexual and personality disorders. In western countries eating seems to have evolved from subsistence to an obsession.
Eating Disorders
Hansell and Damour (2005) explain that the biological components of eating disorders center on genetics. In the cases of anorexia and bulimia a good example is the fact that identical twins have a higher incidence rate than fraternal twins. In addition eating disorders sometimes occur with other disorders like depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders both of which are known to have a genetic link. Hormone secretion levels and neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin have also been associated with eating disorders. The cognitive functions of the mind are impaired when the body is in a state of hunger. In anorexia and bulimia sufferers this impairment becomes extreme. The perception of self-image that comes from family and peers has an emotional affect on individuals especially so in young women during adolescent growth stage when extra weight is put on.
Substance Abuse
According to Hansell and Damour (2005) biological components are important to understanding substance abuse and dependence because of the effects of substances on n the body. Each substance has an affect on the body both during use and in stages of withdrawal. In addition to the physical effects researchers are looking at genes and those who are easily fall into substance dependence and abuse. Since the discovery of endorphins researchers are looking at the possibility that some people have deficient levels of these naturally occurring pain killers. Evidence has also been shown in family studies that shows alcoholism runs in families. However, this evidence is not conclusive since families also share environments. One the environmental side exists the emotional effect from family as well as social stature.
Sexual Disorders
Hansell and Damour (2005) give an in-depth explanation of sexual disorders which are extremely complex in the factors that cause their behavior. A major component are the emotions like humiliation, shame, anger and moral conflict. These emotions are a psychodynamic factor that occurs in developmental stages and in adult behavior. The cognitive-behavioral components in the sexual disorders in the category of paraphilias are classical conditioning and social learning. Conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus couples with an emotional reflex. These two form a tight connection that is lasting. In children social learning is a key factor. Observation of sexually deviant behavior has a very negative influence on immature minds. In addition to the emotional and social factors are the biological effects of illnesses or injuries that release inhibitions like brain tumors or temporal lobe epilepsy.
Personality Disorders
Hansell and Damour (2005) explain in this statement the cognitive-behavioral component involved in a personality disorder:
people with personality disorders impose rigid preexisting beliefs on almost every situation, have difficulty questioning their beliefs, and will continue to act on their beliefs even when such behavior is self-defeating (Beck & Freeman, 1990).
In example Hansell and Damour (2005) report that a person taught by his or her parents to distrust whoever they meet might develop a paranoid personality disorder. Children who have been criticized, suffered humiliation, or verbal abuse may develop personality disorders. Researchers are also looking at genetic and biological causes like brain abnormalities as components that cause disorders.
Conclusion
Disorders are complex in their diagnosis because of the difficulty in defining abnormality in the vast range of acceptable behavior. The differences in cultural acceptance make this especially true. However, the biological components become evident in studies of twins and families. In addition, the psychodynamic factors become increasingly evident through the abundance of statistical evidence of patients who have suffered as abuse as children. The biological components of genetic and physical abnormalities may influence the onset of a disorder. In addition, deficiencies in hormonal secretions may influence behavioral disorders.
Perhaps the incredible potential of the human brain is the reason for disorders. The sensitivity of the brain emotionally and physically may be essential to continued development of the human race and to the further understanding of why disorders occur.
References
Hansell, J. & Damour, L. (2005). Abnormal psychology. ISBN 0-471-38982-X, WIE ISBN 0471-65821-9, [Electronic Edition]