Introduction

The following essay aims to define and differentiate between normal and abnormal behaviour and provide a historical overview of the development of understanding said behaviours in a South African context. I will go on to discussing the roles and implications of culture in determining normal and abnormal behaviour and I will use an example to demonstrate this. Lastly, the essay will discuss the state of mental health in South Africa and access to the mental health treatment.

Defining Normal and Abnormal behaviour

Whose standard of normal do we adopt? Who decides if these standards are appropriately met? The definition of normal and abnormal behaviour is a broad one. There have been multiple debates in defining abnormal and normal behaviour, but we tend to agree that normal behaviours are actions that are in line with some form of norm - Normal behaviour according to [ CITATION Bar172 \l 7177 ] can be defined as behaviour that is accepted by the majority of people and people within the culture to be normal and common. Nearly all definitions about abnormal and normal behaviour use statistical deviance. According to Nolen-Hoeksema, (2013) normal behaviour is thoughts, feelings and behaviours that do not harm an individual or others, it is when behaviours are not interfering with everyday life and is typically accepted within a social context. Abnormal behaviour as mentioned by Nolen-Hoeksema, (2013) are behaviours that are highly unusual in social situations and can pose a dangerous threat to themselves or others around them. Abnormal behaviour according to Barlow, Durand & du Plessis (2017) within the psychological spectrum can be defined as a psychological dysfunction that an individual possesses that in turn causes distress or functioning that is impaired that does not seem normal or expected within the immediate culture There is no test which can prove a person’s normality or abnormality. There are also numerous different criteria for normality and abnormality. Barlow et al., (2017) has suggested that the ways in which people around the world think, feel, and behave in reaction to relevant issues are structured and that the causes of “mental hardwiring” are grounded within a social environment in which a person grows up. This is referred to as ‘culture’ (Barlow et al., 2017).

We have come a long way in understanding abnormal behaviour and its developments in South Africa. Diagnosis and treatment have significantly development over the centuries. The development is noticed in three traditions. The first tradition was named the supernatural tradition where all mental disorders were thought to be the work of the devil. Treatments during this era were mostly torture and exorcisms. This was believed to release the evil spirits that were causing the abnormal behaviour [ CITATION Bar172 \l 7177 ]. In South Africa today, witchcraft is still rich[ CITATION Bar172 \l 7177 ]. In south African cultures it is often believed that witchcraft is the cause for illness due to angry ancestors or notfollowing a certain set of cultural rules that has made gods angry. The biological tradition is where a more scientific approach emerged, with Hippocrates and Galen suggesting that illnesses were caused by an imbalance in bodily fluids. It was suggested that the disorders were both psychological and biological[ CITATION Bar172 \l 7177 ]. Thereafter, the psychological tradition developed and humane treatments were carried out and mentally ill patients were better cared for[ CITATION Bar172 \l 7177 ]. The psychological tradition is what lead to Freuds psychoanalytical therapies [ CITATION Bar172 \l 7177 ]

The psychological tradition is what lead to Freuds psychoanalytical therapies

Cultural differences are always a problem when defining abnormality. What one would consider completely normal in one culture would be considered abnormal in another Throughout history, cultural influences have played significant roles in determining abnormal and normal behaviour. Cultures have strong norms for what is considered acceptable behaviour.[ CITATION Bar172 \l 7177 ]

Roles and implications of culture in determining and differentiating between normal and abnormal behaviour.

A deviation from social norms might be used as a definition for abnormal behaviour, however, this definition of abnormality is clearly dependent on the culture in which the behaviour occurs. The social norms across societies are not the same and therefore what is abnormal in one culture is not defined as abnormal in another. It is important to consider how deep-rooted that norm is implanted within the culture and also how culturally important it is. Slight deviations from a norm may not be seen as abnormal if the social norm is not thought of as important by the society[ CITATION Nol13 \l 7177 ]

An example of how culture plays a role and implicates abnormal and normal behaviour would be an example of how once a year, every September in Kwa-Zulu-natal, hundreds of people travel to witness young Zulu women take part in a cultural festival where the Zulu women, who have to be virgins, carry reed-sticks and take part in the reed-dance ceremony. The reeds they carry are cut by the riverbed and it symbolizes the power that is bestowed upon by nature. The reeds reflect a dep mythical connection to the Zulu people because is it believed that an ancestor had emerged from the riverbed. It is said that if a woman who is not a virgin takes part in the ceremony, that her reed will break, and she will embarrass herself in front of the public. The festival is called “Umkhosi woMhlanga” in the Zulu language. In many cultures this festival may be thought of as abnormal but in this zulu culture however, it is a proud moment to take part in this ceremony.

Mental health in South Africa and access to it.

Mental health issues are made aware of all over the world, mental illnesses are less frowned upon than the earlier eras of beginning to understand mental illness[ CITATION Bar172 \l 7177 ]

There are a lot of improvements that need to be made to the mental health care system in South Africa[ CITATION Bez12 \l 7177 ], but it is a global issue that is seen in all countries and cultures[ CITATION Bez12 \l 7177 ]

The state of our countries mental health is extremely poor, with people who are suffering with illnesses such as post-natal depression, dementia, bipolar, and being less fortunate with inadequate services increases the risk of deaths[ CITATION Bur12 \l 7177 ]

Mental health and issues related to mental health are not being prioritized in South Africa. Health care in South Africa is underfunded and in essence understaffed as well as under- resourced (Bezuidenhout, 2016). This explain the access to treatment. According to Bezuidenhout (2016), there are not enough trained mental health professionals. In 2010, South Africa had 1.58 psychosocial providers for every 100,000 people (Bezuidenhout, 2016). In comparison during the same time, Argentina had 13.19 psychosocial providers for every 100,000 people (Bezuidenhout, 2016). The World Health Organisation recommends that South Africa increase its psychosocial professionals by 2937.

As mentioned by Bezuidenhout, (2016) another problem that persists within a South African context regarding mental health is that above the psychological models that are used have their roots in a western culture and in essence do not represent the South African culture or population. that South Africa has a large number of patients with HIV or TB and the country needs more specialized individuals to assist with this. The South African stigma that mental health is not a real illness is one of the leading factors why even today it is not receiving its full attention as it should (Bezuidenhout, 2016).In South Africa, physical illnesses are seen as being more serious, with higher mortality rates than mental illnesses, they get first choice in terms of resources and spending (Independent online, 2017). fortunately, there is a gradual and much needed change within our society that realize that mental health has a huge effect on community’s and individuals and a larger investment for mental health resources are on- going (Independent online, 2017).

Conclusion

Understanding and defining certain behaviours has proven to be difficult over the centuries. From humans believing that drilling holes through skulls allows for demonic possessions to exit the body to current trial and tested treatments which include psychodynamic therapies now. Normal and abnormal behaviour may always be debated, in every country, all around the world. The preconceived idea of mental health in a country like South Africa puts us in a negative light (Bezuidenhout, 2016). This discrimination leads to many individuals not getting the most accurate and effective help and sometimes when they do acquire mental services the quality of those services is not sufficient (Bezuidenhout, 2016). However, better days are luckily coming.

References