The mind in its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven. By-John Milton, Poet
Our minds can be unpredictable which can lead to us taking dangerous actions, that are unethical, scary and inhuman. But why does this happen? Human behaviour at the same time is captivating as well as a complex art comprising social, biological and psychological factors. But the most frightening of these behaviours are the risky acts that lead to grave danger not only for them but also for those around them.
You might have this question when you see a person behaving highly abnormal and scary, why do they behave in this way? Why doesn’t he/she know it’s wrong? The brain is a complex structure that is responsible for most of our acts, and to prevent it from happening, one needs to understand the psychology behind risky behaviours.
What Drives Hazardous Actions?
Emotional dysregulation
- Emotional Dysregulation is a hallmark of conditions like bipolar disorders where the emotional level drives dangerous behavior.
- Picture someone going to through emotional turmoil, the feeling of not being able to control your intense emotions is what emotional dysregulation is. To cope with this intense feeling, one takes hazardous actions like self-harm or violent outbursts.
Impulsivity
- Imagine that split-second decision that you make suddenly, chances everything. That’s Impulsivity- to act without thinking about the consequences. This behaviour is linked with the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s part where decision-making takes place.
- If the prefrontal cortex is underdeveloped or impaired, it results in an increase in impulsivity leading to reckless behaviours like self-harm, and the use of substances.
Influences done by Social and Environment
- Think of the power that society has, the societal norms, and peer pressure. Our social environment is majorly responsible for shaping us. Our morals and ethics play a vital role in our development. When it comes to Adolescents, peer pressure is the most common factor where they get influenced by their peers, indulging in Substance use.
Mental Health Disorders
Mental disorders are quite unpredictable volcanic eruptions for hazardous behaviour, Conditions like Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), substance use disorders, and severe depression push individuals towards hazardous actions. That’s why it’s important to address the underlying issues.
Examples of Real-life incidents
- Natural Disasters and Panic Responses: Due to global warming, climate changes are happening quite frequently, resulting in the occurrence of natural calamities. This results in overwhelming of HPA stress axis, as it manages our stress level, which leads to impulsive decisions like impulsive excavation or dangerous attempts to rescue someone’s life.
- Submarine Implosion Incident: The Titan submarine’s implosion during its Titanic expedition illustrates the neuropsychological aspects of thrill-seeking and risk-taking. Individuals involved in extreme exploration often exhibit heightened activity in the brain’s reward system, driving them to pursue dangerous ventures despite known risks.
- Mass Shootings and Violent Extremism: Recent incidents of mass shootings and terrorism are often linked to neuropsychological factors like amygdala overactivity and DMN disruptions. These individuals may have impaired emotional regulation and social cognition, driving them to commit violent acts.
- Opioid Crisis: The ongoing opioid epidemic, exacerbated by substances like fentanyl, highlights the role of the brain’s reward system and dopamine in addiction. The powerful reinforcement from opioids overrides the brain’s natural risk assessment, leading to continued use despite life-threatening consequences.
Preventive measures
- Psychoeducation: Education and Awareness I have interned in a mental asylum, rehab centres and also in the psych ward of a private hospital, and met various kinds of patients. Everyone had their own stories, but one thing that was common in each patient or client was:
- lack of awareness and in clinical terms: its lack of psychoeducation.
- Psychoeducation: It is very important, that is to educate your client on the logical or scientific reason why it is happening, and what are going through.
- Mental Health Support: It’s important to realize that at a point you need professional support, taking measures at an early stage can prevent you from escalating towards depression, substance use disorders or personality disorders. Getting help from communities, schools, psychologists, and support systems will ensure that are within your reach.
- Stress Reduction Techniques: Practising Mindfulness, Meditation, physical exercise also relaxation techniques, can help in controlling the stress hormone level. This technique helps in improving your cognitive abilities, and your decision-making abilities, which results in the reduction of indulging in risky behaviours.
John Milton once wrote, “The mind in its place, and in itself can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven.” This quotation perfectly captures the immense and frequently dangerous power of the human intellect. Our mysterious and intricate brains can persuade us to do things that are not only risky but also immoral and inhumane. It is crucial to comprehend the causes of this to prevent and address it.
A fascinating and complex fabric of social, biological, and psychological elements makes up human behaviour. The dangerous acts that put the person and everyone around them in danger are the most terrifying of these behaviours. When we see someone acting in a very strange or unsettling way, we can ask ourselves, “Why do they act this way? Why do they not see that it is incorrect? The complex mechanisms of the brain hold the key to the solution.
References +
Meurisse, T. (2019). Master Your Emotions.
Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. M. (2017). Abnormal Psychology. Pearson Education India.
Tresca, A. J. (2022, June 9). What Is the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis? Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-hpa-axis-5222557
