En almenpsykologisk behandling af diagnosticering i dagens samfund

Abstract

This theoretical study examines how we can understand and interpret the rise of diagnoses in the recent years in the Danish society. The study question that the thesis aims to answer is: “How can we understand the rise of diagnosis in the contemporary period?”. The thesis takes a fundamentally pragmatic standpoint, in which it aims to provide a multi-faceted understanding of the phenomenon of increased diagnoses. It integrates various theoretical perspectives, each offering different viewpoints that, when combined, contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. The study explores these perspectives through the lenses of societal, structural, normative, and individual factors, thereby shedding light on the complex nature of the rising diagnostic rates without claiming a single, definitive explanation. One of the key theories included in the thesis is Zygmunt Bauman's concept of Liquid Modernity, which in the thesis is considered as the comtemporary period. The theory provides insights into the societal shifts that in general seem to have an impact on mental health. Furthermore, the study includes key structural perspectives that trace the evolution of psychiatry and relevant legislative changes. The thesis takes a fundamental standpoint in exploring the role of normativity in relation to understanding the increase in diagnoses. Normality is examined through different perspectives to highlight how the different aspects contribute to a greater understanding of how deviation is condsidered by society today. The thesis explores normality as utopia, addressing how societal ideals shape perceptions of what is viewed as normal behavior. It explores the idea that societal norms create unattainable standards of what is considered "normal" or "ideal," leading individuals to strive for these perfect states. This striving can result in increased psychopathology, contributing to higher rates of psychiatric diagnoses when individuals inevitably fall short of these ideals. It also looks at normality as a transactional process, in which the role of social interactions and processes in constructing what is deemed normal, is being emphasized. Normality, in this view, is not a fixed state but a dynamic construct influenced by ongoing social exchanges. Due to the societal changes and expectations, this perspective highlights how the 3 individual biological mechanisms seem to fail their inherent goal, which thereby lead to psychopathology. The perspective of normality as health analyzes the psychiatric way of diagnostic assessment and the diagnostic manuals. This perspective highlights how adequate functional ability presumably has changed in the light of the societal changes resulting in greater psychopathology. Additionally, the extensions of the diagnostic manuals give rise to further diagnostic opportunities. Furthermore, the thesis delves into the concept of normality as a statistical average, discussing how statistical norms influence the classification and diagnosis of mental health conditions. Normality is seen as a statistical construct, where what is considered "normal" is based on the average or typical characteristics within a population. However, the theory proves that the rise in diagnoses does not align with the rise in the population, hence why the explanation of increased diagnoses must be found elsewhere. The thesis also dives into individual psychological factors, based by theories from humanistic psychology, particularly Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, to understand how these needs impact diagnostic trends. The thesis explores how modern societal pressures can hinder the fulfillment of these needs, contributing to increased mental health issues. Each theoretical perspective is critically examined for its applicability and relevance in explaining the rise in psychiatric diagnoses. The study underlines the importance of understanding the interplay between societal norms, structural changes, and individual psychological factors in shaping the current diagnostic understanding. By integrating these different perspectives, the thesis aims to provide a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the factors that lead to the increase in psychiatric diagnoses. The thesis aims to underline whether the increase in psychiatric diagnoses signifies a true rise in mental health issues or reflects broader societal and cultural dynamics. It questions whether modern society's demands and ideals exceed our human capacities, leading to greater psychological distress and therefore more frequent diagnoses. Ultimately the thesis concludes that it is considered increasingly difficult to be normal in recent times.

A master thesis from Aalborg University

En almenpsykologisk behandling af diagnosticering i dagens samfund

[A general psychological discussion of diagnostics in modern society]