Abnormal Behavior- Ramon, a case study of Antisocial Personality Disorder and Violence.
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32.
Introduction.
What is considered truth as many see it today is self-serving. This is a struggle that mankind has continued to skirt around for its own convenience. The truth is that we must understand if mankind was able to save themselves from chaos and pain in their lives there would be no need for intervention. Truth as Father God sees our lives is much different then how we see our lives. His truth is absolute, not relative. His truth ultimately will bring about wholeness in every area of our lives if we surrender.
This will be a teaching on how hurting people continue and will hurt others until that pain is recognized by them, released, forgiven and healed. Pain that people experience is not understood by them so they strike out at others. But we must understand that there is a definite evil architect behind the scenes causing and manipulating our very existence to chaos. The actors in this chaos are the ones themselves who have been hurt and continue to hurt others.
The problem that I have as a Christian psychologist is that modern day psychological interventions leave out the spiritual realm. We fail to realize anything and everything physically, emotionally, and psychologically has its roots in the spirit. The topic of our discussion will take us into the journey into darkness of a person’s life who lives in utter destruction.
This is an exact problem with coming up with a definition of what is considered abnormal behavior. What is considered by one group as normal maybe will be consider by another group as abnormal. In a traditional sense methodology of defining abnormal behavior has been using statistical norms. But this really does not address the lack of dimensionality when evaluating impairment, that may be considered abnormal what is psychopathological and what is not. We live in a time where what some would consider normal such as drunk driving, drug use, anger, resentment are considered normal anxieties and quite common, and therefore harder to evaluate or consider as abnormal behavior.
Defining abnormality, as the absence of optimal or ideal characteristics is another possibility. However, most normal individuals are not that close to ideal. In general, abnormal behavior is behavior that significantly differs from consensually agreed upon norms that in some way harmful to the differently behaving person and to others.
They’re basically four categories of what is considered, abnormal or abnormality.
1. Deviant – deviant refers to behavior that differs from socially accepted standards of conduct, and in many cases, the word has a negative connotation.
2. Different-different also suggests behavior that very scientifically, at least, statistically, from accepted norms, but it does not usually have negative connotations.
3. Disorders – disorders imply the lack of integration and behaviors; the result may be impairment of one’s ability to cope with various situations.
4. Bizarre – bizarre behavior that differs extremely socially accepted norms, in addition, demonstrates in adequate coping patterns and disintegration of behavioral patterns.
DSM’s-Diagnostic Terminology.
Most psychologist agree with the DSM’s in accessing. The first DSM was published in 1952 and revise in 1968, 1980 and 1987. There were numerous changes and the criticisms of the DSM’s are very valid by many professionals within psychology. It appears also from this writer’s perspective that the DSM has become a very much a political tool to incorporate groups and behaviors that at one time considered abnormal and deviant. In my assessment from not only a psychological perspective but also from a theological evaluation I see many things that from a Christian point of view I reject.
Perceptions of Abnormality.
As previously indicated perceptions of abnormality have a wide range of definitions from sociopolitical to psychosocial perspectives, and even cultural influences. They term that I embrace regarding the differences of perspectives, is called the psychosocial construction of one’s reality. What does really mean is that how a person grows up and mature-can differ greatly not only from one culture to another, but from one’s experience of phenomena to another. Also, Life-span development theory plays a role by measuring how an individual moves from one developmental stage to another or remains stagnant in one stage or another.
An example could be that if a person grows up in a more affluent environment, may not understand the reality of a person growing up in an oppressive and economically depressed environment. To one culture domestic violence can be an act of machismo, and is not necessarily accepted in another culture that is more democratically inclined regarding equality of the genders. In some cultures, males have more freedom than females within the same family. This inequality breeds a clash within families that embrace these differences.
Guidelines for Judging Abnormal Behavior.
There are guidelines that are general in nature that have all throughout history, modern research studies, and across most cultures that are consistently relevant to a judgment of ab mortality, these criteria can be summarized as follows.
• Some recurring behaviors that seem indicative of potential, developing, or existent mental disorders are 1. inability to inhibit, self-destructive behaviors, 2. seeing or hearing things that others in the culture that are not there, 3. sporadic and random outburst of violence, 4. consistent, inability to relate, interpersonally in effective manner, 5. persistent, academic or vocational failure, 6. anxiety or depression and 7. inability to conform to codes of behavior, whether one verbalizes a desire to do so or not.
• The most consistent criteria, for deciding whether any specific individual is abnormal are 1, the deviance or bizarreness of behavior from the norms of society, 2. the continuity, or persistence of disordered behavior, overtime, and 3., the resulting degree of disruption in interpersonal and interpersonal functioning.
• The continuum of behavior ranges from clearly normal adjustment to abnormal adjustment. Most people’s behaviors are in the middle range and are more difficult to assess as abnormal. But most researcher and practitioners agree that abnormal behavior patterns are seldom inherited genetically but genetics can play a part in making one more predisposed to abnormality of one sort or another.
• The causes of any one abnormal behavior pattern are usually multiple.
• Indicators of abnormality are not necessarily obvious or flagrant. In many cases, the signs are uncommon and/or subtle.
• Both long-term and transient social value systems, affect judgments as to whether a person is abnormal.
• A psychological handicap often has more negative effect on interpersonal relationships than does a physical handicap.
• The label of psychological abnormality often remains with a person, even after the disorder no longer exist. Such a label, and people’s expectations and responses, may prolong, psychological disorders.
• In most societies, this substantial overlap between judgments of mental abnormality and criminal behavior. Such examples are that specific behaviors may receive either label or depending on who is doing the labeling.
Meyer & Weaver, 2007.
Ramon, a case study of anti-personality disorder and violence.
I met Ramon in the mid-80s as I was serving as a volunteer chaplain in one of our local county jails. I served as a volunteer chaplain for about two years and it was during this time that Ramon was released from custody. Ramon was in his early 20s. He’s a very thin young man probably couldn’t have weighed more than 120 pounds and his height was approximately 5’7”. He had brown hair and green eyes. He had a strange look about him which I attributed this to his collective trauma and lack of spiritual foundation.
He stated to me that he was from Honduras and his life was terrible. When he was growing up, he stated his mother worked her entire life as a prostitute at different bars. She would beat him continuously and even bring home men and women to sexually abuse him. He made it very clear that he hated women and men, and that when he went into the Roman church to vandalize it, he was getting back at it. He never really wanted to detail what he meant by that.
He stated he had several cases for under the influence of alcohol, some violent behavior due to fights that he claims was in self-defense, domestic violence in past relationships, and that his conviction at that time for being in custody was a drunken disorderly, and he was arrested in a Roman Catholic Church for knocking down statues and defacing church property. He stated most of his life growing up was surrounded by violence and extreme sexual, mental, psychological, and physiological abuse.
During this time, I had completed two master’s degrees one was in Applied Clinical Sociology, and the second one was a Masters of Divinity. I had these graduate degrees and was exposed to psycho-social therapy and some expertise and psychological disorders.
It appeared to me that Ramon was suffering from anti-personality disorder, and as he grew up, supported my diagnosis of psychopathology. He verbalized many times that if he could, he would’ve killed his mother. He stated he fantasize out of young age of how he would kill her. His violent outburst would be accompanied by alcoholism and marijuana. I worked with Ramon for approximately eight months during, and after his release from custody. Towards the end of this time, he went into a mortuary defacing property, and knocking over coffins. After this arrest, I lost contact with him and he disappeared.
I go back to say what I indicated earlier about the emphasis of psychosocial construction of one’s reality. Had a terrible childhood, in which he was physically, sexually, and physiologically abused. He said many times that he would drink and use drugs to try to forget the unending pictures of violence that he saw his mind constantly. His psychosis was accompanied by depression. There was a lack of attachment and bonding in his life by his caretakers which led to feelings of abandonment. He said many times, and he trusted no one and that he was he would just die and disappear. He never presented a plan for taking his life, but he made it clear, he wished that he was never born.
I’ve had many cases like Ramon in my private practice, searching for healing and restoration. I even conducted a healing of memories that I learned from a former colleague named Agnes Sanford, which did help him to some degree. I think if he would’ve not disappeared, and we could’ve continued with counseling, he would have experienced more advancement.
Social Psychological Theories
Social psychology views behavior as resulting from interactions between the person and his or her environment. One explanation for Ramon’s tendencies towards crime and violence what he learned and experienced from his mother when he was a child, and the other people that abused him. I know he was suffering from a lack of attachment and bonding because he did not feel that his mother loved him. Cognitive dissonance theory maintains that a person with two conflicting believes, believes the tension or stress, and is motivated to find ways to remove the conflict as a child. He realizes that not only his mother, but the people that she surrounded him with were very cruel and inflicted much punishment upon him. He stated that every time if got into a fight especially with women he was beating his mother by proxy.
The influence of stress and behavior as a related theory. Stress theory of behavior is that everybody has weaknesses and strengths, and when the stress increases, a person, weak area it triggers are more likely to surface. It appears that when Ramon confronted conflict with women in his life stress increased, and so did his actions of violence, and self-medication.
Conclusion
It is much as the series that we covered could possibly explain what Ramon was suffering from. We did not spend enough time to see much progression in his life. There are many causes for potential violent behavior in one’s life. Along with the causes of this dysfunctional occurrences, that he experienced, there is somewhat a consensus of intervention that therapy could afford. As a Christian Psychologist I also believe when one experiences devastating collective trauma that increases over the years if this is not healed. People can be healed through the process of time to deal with resentment, unforgiveness, using the healing of memories, and prayer for the client by the practitioner. I have seen many instances when a person commits the time and effort towards healing it comes about through dedication to the process. However, we are always in a hurry; Father God is not.
Interventions
1. Violence is seen as an inherent part of human behavior and individual psychotherapy is used to modify, personality, behaviors, and patterns, and of course medication to dismiss anxiety.
2. Violence is this consequence of social learning. It would’ve been great if family therapy could have been started to help him with social situations building social skills for self-assertion without violence.
3. Violence is a consequence of frustration and other situational factors traditional psychotherapy could be used to help change coping patterns, reinforcing, positive experiences, and extinguishing violent behavior.
4. Violence is mean of communication has seen as an expressive therapy to substitute alternate means of expression of feelings, without violently acting out.
5. Violence and aggression is interpreted as a protection of territorial, integrity, and body space. This has to do with a sort of training to improve the sense of self and self-esteem.
Prediction of Violent Behavior.
As a Christian psychologist with my PhD as a researcher/practitioner with 20 years of academic training and 50 years in working with people both in the fields of Human Services and Law Enforcement there is little that I have not seen in my journey. I have extensive training in both psychological disorders and behavioral profiling. I have counseled hundreds of people both in our communities as well as in our prisons systems. And in this on-going endeavor It has been long journey in the same direction leading people to the Cross of Calvery.
There is no easy way to predict violent behavior because it cannot be consistently accurate. However, I know that I have seen many people make dramatic changes in their lives as they surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ for healing. I am convinced there are no loss causes for God and people can be healed and become all that God intends them to be. I dedicate this teaching to all those who seek the absolute truth of the Lord Jesus Christ so they may be set free. John 8:31-32, “Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”.
