Psychological disorder

Psychological disorder

1. Introduction

According to the American Psychological Association, psychology is defined as the scientific study of the human mind, behaviors. The field of psychology is multidisciplinary, seeking to focus on sport, health, human developments, cognitive processes, clinical domains, and social development. The modern science of psychology tries to explain dimensions such as free will versus determinism, memory, and nature versus nurture (Fernandez & Johnson, 2016). Failure to facilitates harmonious coordination of these aspects results in psychological disorders. According to the DSM-IV, a mental disorder is inadequate consistency of operational definition that covers all situations. The disease leads to a psychological disorder, which is defined as dysfunctions such as distress and impairments, and strange reactions that are unintentional. The actions undertaken by psychologically impaired can be fatal, and this calls for earlier diagnostics and treatment procedures for such people. Using the case study of Adam Lanza, this research paper is going to scrutinize the borderline personality disorder and highlight the usefulness of it as diagnostic criteria as well as discuss the modes of treatments for the borderline patients.

2. A brief overview of Adams Lanza

The notable subject to well illustrates psychological disorder is Adam Lanza. He was born of Nancy Lanza and Peter Lanza on April 22, 1992, in Exeter, New Hampshire. His parents separated in 2002, ending their marriage union with divorce in 2009 when Lanza was 16 years (News, 2014). The early life of Adam Lanza was associated with fidgety traits, sensory and communication difficulties, and social interaction disorders. His family transferred him to a special school when he was in the fourth grade, where he had a single friend whom they interacted once or twice a month for a movie or video game. His friendship later fell apart in June 2012 over an argument concerning a film. Lanza would later on December 14, 2012, retort to a mass shooting, killing a total of 27 people (News, 2014). He first shot his mother on the head and proceed to Sandy Hook Elementary School, where he massacred twenty children and six teachers before killing himself, the occurrence that leads to vast investigations and campaigns against gun policing.

3. Analysis and diagnosis of Adam Lanza’s condition.
4. Origin and identification of the mental disorder

The occurrence triggered need for professional psychological analysis of the past life of Adam Lanza as a tool to get to the baseline of the massacre investigations.

Adam’s mother was a gun enthusiast who was more outgoing and devoted stock market broker. She would take Adam to accompany her at the gun stores where she was cautious and responsible with guns. Adam, to the contrary, was quiet and awkward in matters of social interactions. According to reports compiled by Connecticut’s Office of the Child Advocate and reported by ABC News in 2014, it presents a distorted development in Lanza’s psychological capability. The strange obsession of Adam with graphic materials was beyond the supervision of his teachers. This resulted in him being referred to a special education preschool at the age of an intervention program in New Hampshire called ‘Birth to Three.’ He manifested challenges in the developmental process, communication and sensory difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and delays in his socializing perception (“Adam Lanza,” 2016). In the fourth grade, he left a special school upon achieving speech goals, but the problem escalated further.

His parents separated in 2002, and this escalated his psychological health concern. By the moment he was in fifth grade, he had written and submitted a violent rich book called The Big Book of Granny. Other behavioral anomalies depicted included continuous hand washing, being abnormally fearful of most things, and avoiding social contact with fellow students. This was despite his involvement in school activities and being smiley and happy.

His anger management and social distancing earned him a single friend whom he would fall apart with shortly. The massive obsession with horror movies, violence, mass killings, battles, destructions, and war materials were symptoms of mental disorder. His teachers in 7^th grade at catholic school didn’t report his creative work as the content was disturbing. His trait was as well termed as ‘different and unique’ from that of other pupils. Discussions with his friends on the strenuous relationship with his mother was a red flag for the mental disorientation he was suffering from. Amongst the topic they discussed with his friend was mental health and depression. He, however, didn’t disclose the diagnostic results from the psychologists. The cognitive abilities of Adam Lanza were re-evaluated by a district school psychologist and identified as average. Family members indeed indicate that Adam was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

1. DSM-5 diagnostic criteria used

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, DSM, is a manual diagnostic system that is used by psychiatrists to categorize mental disorders and provide a homogeneous diagnostics principle. The new manual was developed in 2013 (Peris & Schneider, 2017). Based on these symptoms depicted by AL, he indeed suffered displayed several psychological disorders.

Firstly, it is evident he had obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD. The DSM-5 stipulates OCD as a mental illness that results in continuous unwanted thoughts or sensational (obsessions to do something over and over again (compulsion. While in seventh grade, the reports by the Connecticut Office of Child Advocate discovered that Lanza had these symptoms. His thoughts from an early stage were contaminated with violent thoughts. His creatives were graphics illustrations of war, violence, and destruction, a testimonial given by his teacher while he was in a catholic school. The report as well indicates that Lanza and his acquaintance had a mutual interest at mass killing discussions and murderous horror movies (“Adam Lanza,” 2016). These symptoms fall in line with OCD symptoms of ruminations and intrusive thoughts, thoughts that are disturbing and violent.

Adam Lanza had a persistent shift of emotions, interaction and contact issues, perseverative washing of hands, and increasing fear for most things and scenarios (“Adam Lanza,” 2016). Fellow pupils at school responded that he would be at the time happy and smiling, and other moments he would be fidgety. The traits depicted are similar thoughts reflected by the descriptions of OCD. He had these compulsive habits, such as playing the video game always with his friend and fear for shaking hands shown by constant hand washing.

1. Theories supporting OCD causes.

The causes of OCD are generalized under these three main theories. They help the psychologist to determine the original causes of the disorder (Kelly, 2019). They include psychodynamic theories, cognitive-behavioral theories, and biological theories.

Biological causal theory

These theories explain the origin of OCD from the brain aspect that regulates balance in human behaviors such as bodily excretions, sexuality, and aggression. The activation of the circuit commences from orbitofrontal to thalamus and later to basal ganglia relying on impulses that determine how and what human response to build back. For instance, before eating, one is prompted to wash the hands to remove any contaminant that may have gathered. When one is thoroughly clean, the brain sends a signal to the brain, and the handwashing process terminated (Health, 2019). People suffering from this disorder have difficulties turning off impulses of repetitive behaviors, compulsions, and uncontrollable thoughts, obsessions. Focusing on the Lanza case, his OCD condition’s symptoms indicate a hitch in brain coordination. The report shows that he was smiling and happy throughout while in seventh grade. He would as well have a perseverative handwashing habit. To address the condition of this nature, psychiatric infuse the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI with behavioral therapy or nonpharmacologic biological approaches, among other methods. If these measures were employed earlier, the massacre wouldn’t have happened.

Psychodynamic theories

This theory acts to support and explain the origin of OCD. The theory explains that these obsessions and compulsions are a result of an unconscious conflict that the victims try to suppress, adjust, resolve, or cope with their life. The antisocial behavior arises when the unconscious actions are not at par with socially acceptable practices. To fit in the social arena, if possible, they redirect the repulsiveness and distress to manageable deeds such as gaming, movie watching, or hand washing (Health, 2019). Adam Lanza’s depressions and antisocial energy were redirected to similar activities. His teacher at seventh grade reports that AL had a habit of perseverating hand washing. The testimony given by his acquaintance on the little time they spend together was for horror movies alone. The report of the office of Child Advocate revealed that AL was an ardent enthusiast of video games, which he spends the most time playing. The conflicts and anxieties that were accompanying AL maybe family issues such as the divorce of his parents, and failure of his father Peter Lanza to finance the college education cause of his ‘inadequacy’ top handle such level of education (“Adam Lanza,” 2016). When he couldn’t manage the anxiety any longer, he retorted to killing his mother, rampage in the Sandy Elementary school and murdering himself. The psychologist suggests that making the victims aware of their behaviors may reduce these symptoms of OCD.

Cognitive-behavioral theories

The theory stipulates that people suffering from OCD are exposed to uncontrollable thoughts that can’t be ignored. The feeling drives them to believe that they should have control over these dangerous thoughts. Possessing the thoughts further makes the victim conceptualize the truth of his craziness and potentiality to cause bodily harm to others (Health, 2019). To divert these dangerous thoughts, they retort to the cycle of rigorous routines leading to obsession. The case of Adam Lanza is a perfect illustrator of this theory (“Adam Lanza,” 2016). His father, Peter Lanza, in an interview with ABC news, indeed confirms that if Lanza had a chance, he would have killed him long ago.

The baseline treatment of this disorder may be effectively done through medications with a combination of therapies depending on the intensity of the disease. Cognitive-behavioral therapies are essential treatment. It helps is curbing obsessions from thoughts and deed that are unconditional. Deep Brain stimulation, DBS, restores the impulse system to normal  (Health, 2019). Consultation with the doctors is vital to determine the best treatment method to be advocated.

In conclusion, mental health requires equal attention to other illnesses. Adam Lanza was mentally challenged. The anxiety and depression lead him to commit mass murder in Sandy school. The origin of his disorder has been explained, underlying causal theories, symptoms, and possible treatments. The repercussions that arise from failed medical attention to mental health can be fatal. Could have Adam Lanza received the right health attention, then his mother, elementary pupils, teachers, and his own life could have been saved.

References

News, A. (2014). 5 Disturbing Things We Learned Today About Sandy Hook Shooter Adam Lanza. Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://abcnews.go.com/US/disturbing-things-learned-today-sandy-hook-shooter-adam/story?id=27087140

Adam Lanza. (2016). Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/adam-lanza

Fernandez, E., & Johnson, S. L. (2016). Anger in psychological disorders: Prevalence, presentation, etiology, and prognostic implications. Clinical Psychology Review, 46, 124-135.

Peris, T. S., & Schneider, B. N. (2017). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Clinical Handbook of Psychological Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Step-by-Step Treatment Manual.

Kelly, O. (2019). Do They Know What Causes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?. Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://www.verywellmind.com/causes-of-ocd-2510476

Health, M. (2019). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder#2