Distinguishing Psychiatric Illnesses from Character Flaws: An Integrative Analysis of Biological, Environmental, And Social Factors

Zirui Zheng

doi:10.54097/9rngnn63

Authors

Zirui Zheng

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/9rngnn63

Keywords:

psychiatric illness, character flaws, nature vs nurture, personality psychology, mental health, environmental influences, biological factors.

Abstract

This paper considers the fine line dividing psychiatric illnesses from character flaws: an integrative multidisciplinary perspective. Biological predisposition, and environmental and social factors are analyzed to show how these aspects contribute to the formation and manifestations of mental health issues as opposed to personality characteristics. The study challenges simplistic classifications by showing that what is behind human behavior and psychological states results from an intricate interplay of genetic inheritance with environmental influences. Our position is that while psychiatric illnesses are more biological in origin, based on specific diagnostic criteria, character flaws are more dependent on environmental factors and social constructs. This nuanced conceptualization has significant diagnostic, treatment, and societal implications regarding mental health and personality.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] First M B, Gaebel W, Maj M, et al. An organization‐and category‐level comparison of diagnostic requirements for mental disorders in ICD‐11 and DSM‐5. World Psychiatry, 2021, 20(1): 34-51.

[2] Biedermann F, Fleischhacker W W. Psychotic disorders in DSM-5 and ICD-11. CNS spectrums, 2016, 21(4): 349-354.

[3] Bowirrat A, JH Chen T, Blum K, et al. Neuro-psychopharmacogenetics and neurological antecedents of posttraumatic stress disorder: unlocking the mysteries of resilience and vulnerability. Current Neuropharmacology, 2010, 8(4): 335-358.

[4] Sullivan P F, Geschwind D H. Defining the genetic, genomic, cellular, and diagnostic architectures of psychiatric disorders. Cell, 2019, 177(1): 162-183.

[5] Kieseppä T, Partonen T, Haukka J, et al. High concordance of bipolar I disorder in a nationwide sample of twins. American Journal of Psychiatry, 2004, 161(10): 1814-1821.

[6] Ecker C, Bookheimer S Y, Murphy D G. Neuroimaging in autism spectrum disorder: brain structure and function across the lifespan. The Lancet Neurology, 2015, 14(11): 1121-1134.

[7] Fraley R C, Roisman G I. Do early caregiving experiences leave an enduring or transient mark on developmental adaptation. Current Opinion in Psychology, 2015, 1: 101-106.

[8] Allan J. An analysis of Albert Bandura's aggression: A social learning analysis. Macat Library, 2017.

[9] Mazzio E A, Soliman K F. Basic concepts of epigenetics: impact of environmental signals on gene expression. Epigenetics, 2012, 7(2): 119-130.

[10] Murphy J M. Psychiatric Labeling in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Similar kinds of disturbed behavior appear to be labeled abnormal in diverse cultures. Science, 1976, 191(4231): 1019-1028.

[11] Millon T. Disorders of personality: Introducing a DSM/ICD spectrum from normal to abnormal (Vol. 208). John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

[12] Tandon R, Gaebel W, Barch D M, et al. Definition and description of schizophrenia in the DSM-5. Schizophrenia research, 2013, 150(1): 3-10.

[13] Frick P J, Ray J V, Thornton L C, et al. Can callous-unemotional traits enhance the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of serious conduct problems in children and adolescents? A comprehensive review. Psychological bulletin, 2014, 140(1): 1.

[14] Horwitz A V, Wakefield J C. The loss of sadness: How psychiatry transformed normal sorrow into depressive disorder. Oxford University Press, 2007.

[15] Ogundare T. Culture and mental health: Towards cultural competence in mental health delivery. Journal of Health and Social Sciences, 2020, 5(1): 023-034.

[16] Rutter M, Moffitt T E, Caspi A. Gene–environment interplay and psychopathology: Multiple varieties but real effects. Journal of child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2006, 47(3‐4): 226-261.

[17] Fonagy P, Target M, Gergely G, et al. The developmental roots of borderline personality disorder in early attachment relationships: A theory and some evidence. Psychoanalytic inquiry, 2003, 23(3): 412-459.

[18] Pratt T C, Cullen F T, Sellers C S, et al. The empirical status of social learning theory: A meta‐analysis. Justice Quarterly, 2010, 27(6): 765-802.

[19] Marzani G, Neff A P. Bipolar disorders: evaluation and treatment. American family physician, 2021, 103(4): 227-239.

[20] Rickels K, Rynn M. Overview and clinical presentation of generalized anxiety disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 2001, 24(1): 1-17.

[21] Reichenberg L W, Seligman L. Selecting effective treatments: A comprehensive, systematic guide to treating mental disorders. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.

[22] Corrigan P W, Druss B G, Perlick D A. The impact of mental illness stigma on seeking and participating in mental health care. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 2014, 15(2): 37-70.