Mental Illness: Arguing/Fighting - Is There a Disorder?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the inquiry into whether there is a mental illness or disorder characterized by persistent arguing or fighting, particularly in adults. Participants explore various psychological conditions, including personality disorders and bipolar disorder, while considering the implications of labeling such behaviors.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that persistent arguing could be classified as a personality disorder.
  • Others mention that irritability is often associated with bipolar disorder, especially during manic episodes.
  • One participant introduces the idea of personality types (Type A, B, and C) as a framework for understanding argumentative behavior.
  • There is a concern raised about the appropriateness of diagnosing individuals based on symptoms discussed in the forum.
  • Some participants argue that the DSM requires extensive symptom matching and question the relevance of having a specific label for argumentative behavior.
  • Another viewpoint emphasizes the need for significant distress and interference with life to qualify as a mental illness, citing the subjective nature of DSM diagnoses.
  • A participant advises seeking qualified professionals for mental health inquiries rather than relying on online discussions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the classification of argumentative behavior, with no consensus on whether it constitutes a disorder. There is also disagreement regarding the appropriateness of diagnosing individuals based on forum discussions.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the absence of a clear definition of the behaviors discussed, the subjective nature of mental health diagnoses, and the varying interpretations of what constitutes a disorder.

neuro.akn
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I am seeking information regarding mental health. I am wondering if there is a mental illness, disorder, syndrome, etc. that is characterized by persistent arguing/fighting? Is there an adult version or form of the oppositional defiant disorder? Almost as if the individual is addicted to arguing and gets off on it; as if they get a high while they are arguing and simply continues to persist.
Thanks in advance.
 
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It can be a part of a a personality disorder or bipolar disorder especially when the individual is undergoing manic episode. However, you should also consider their personality type as we can categorize personalities such as Type A (hardworkers, argumentative, etc. which relates to serious types), Type B (casual, balanced, social, and etc. which relates to individuals who are, well you know balanced, something between Type A and Type C), and lastly Type C (those who are passive, pessimistic, etc. which relates to those who are usually having difficulties with interpersonal relationships)

Sorry my source is only what I learned back in the university.
 
R136a1 said:
What happened to the rule that we wouldn't diagnoze people on this forum?

Hi. I'd just like to ask what might be wrong for putting possible diagnosis? :redface:
 
R136a1 said:
What happened to the rule that we wouldn't diagnoze people on this forum?

This isn't a diagnosis, someone is asking if there exists a condition that causes a symptom.
 
Who knows when it's just based off a simple symptom of arguing. The DSM generally requires extensive symptom matching.

When it comes to opposition defiance disorder (ODD) it is commonly a precursor to conduct disorder (CD) [1] which is often a precursor to anti-social personality disorder (ASPD) [2]. This course of illnesses is also often comorbid with ADHD, anxiety, and mood disorders [3].

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8408986
[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1488492
[3] http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families...nal_Defiant_Disorder_Resource_Center/FAQ.aspx
 
Does it matter whether there's a DSM label for this behaviour? What exactly is the explanatory difference between saying that a person gets off on arguing and that they suffer from, say, Argumentative Personality Disorder? Would the absence of a label for this particular form of behaviour make it any less dysfunctional?
 
  • #10
Truth be told, without expertise, you have no place diagnosing people even if they do follow DSM guidelines.

And people can demonstrate obsessive compulsive traits without having obsessive compulsive disorder. Diagnosing something as a mental illness requires they meet the three criteria (1 - symptoms cause significant distress, 2 - interference with work/personal life/etc, 3 - not culturally normal behavior).

Furthermore, even the DSM has been withdrawn from support by NIMH:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/side-effects/201305/the-nimh-withdraws-support-dsm-5

because of the highly subjective aspects of it even when wielded by experts.

"The weakness” of the manual, he explained in a sharply worded statement, “is its lack of validity.” “Unlike our definitions of ischemic heart disease, lymphoma, or AIDS, the DSM diagnoses are based on a consensus about clusters of clinical symptoms, not any objective laboratory measure."
 
  • #11
From the information given it the original post of this thread, a diagnosis can not be made.
As seen the answers to even the basic question had different answers.

Since this statement was made "I am seeking information regarding mental health."

I would advise seeking a qualified individual to ask your questions to, not the internet.
 

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