Being Different doesn't mean being Weird

Social adaptation, adapting to our surroundings and acting like them, can cause some behaviors to become common, even "normal". This is why being different can sometimes make you look strange. However, being different does not mean being weird. Let's see what science has to say about this...

No one wants to be seen as weird or abnormal. But according to Yale University's Holmes, abnormal behavior is not necessarily weird, bad or a sign of mental illness, because there is no absolute definition of normal or one way to behave well.

Just because "everyone does it" or "everyone says it" doesn't make it better. In an article published in the 2018 issue of Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Holmes notes that there are many different kinds of human behavior, and each behavior can be positive or negative depending on the circumstances. The direction a behavior takes can vary depending on many factors. These factors include the environment or personal circumstances in which the behavior is exhibited.

Popular ways of thinking or behaving are not necessarily ethical, right or better than others. Just because "everyone is doing it" or "everyone is saying it" does not make it better. And not every behavior that is outside the norm is necessarily indicative of a mental illness or disorder. Holmes also builds on the diversity of people to argue that positive and negative behaviors serve an important purpose. For example, differences in the area of the brain that controls inhibitions can result in thrill-seeking, impulsive behavior. This can manifest itself as addiction, criminal behavior, hypersexuality. On the other hand, the same difference can also result in high motivation, high social success and productivity.

Holmes' research also provides examples of how a problem like anxiety, which many people struggle with today, can have positive or negative consequences depending on the circumstances. A person who is driven by anxiety may have more difficulty in personal relationships and social situations than many others. On the other hand, anxiety can be a motivator for greater success at work or school, or it can prevent serious accidents through a tendency to take precautions.

Instead of feeling strange or abnormal, focus on the fact that these behaviors can have positive outcomes depending on the circumstances. At this point, the question arises: In which cases are abnormal behaviors indicative of a psychological disorder?

The answer is actually quite complex. Holmes' research argues that there is no single model of good behavior, that we should not seek a uniform and homogenized behavior, and that there is no such thing as ideal behavior. Returning to the original question, Holmes argues that psychological, neurological, genetic and environmental conditions should be investigated in order for abnormal behavior to be an indicator of a psychological disorder.

In short, instead of feeling strange or abnormal, focus on the positive consequences of these behaviors and look for those positive consequences.

When individuals find themselves in situations that support their brain function, even abnormal behavior can open the door to success.