1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Depression

Abnormal Behavior

By , About.com Guide

Updated January 16, 2004

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: To understand what "abnormal" means, first consider "normal". Normal simply means average. People who behave normally are those who act and behave in an average, typical way. Statistically speaking, normal behavior is that which we would expect from the majority of people. Abnormal, therefore, refers to any behavior that is not typical. In the practice of psychology it has further come to mean mental illness.
Explore Depression
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Depression
  4. Glossary
  5. Glossary - A
  6. Abnormal Behavior>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.