Describe the three criteria that help psychologists distinguish normal behavior from abnormal behavior with suitable examples for each.

The three characteristics of abnormal behavior are:
Abnormal behavior is deviant.Abnormal behavior is certainly atypical or statistically unusual.We do often consider atypical behavior abnormal, though, when it deviates from what is acceptable in a culture.A woman who washes her hands three or four times an hour and takes seven showers a day is abnormal because her behavior deviates from culturally acceptable norms.
Abnormal behavior is maladaptive.Maladaptive behavior interferes with one's ability to function effectively in the world.A man who believes that he can endanger others through his breathing may go to great lengths to isolate himself from people for what he believes is their own good.His belief negatively affects his everyday functioning; thus, his behavior is maladaptive.Behavior that presents a danger to the person or those around him or her is also considered maladaptive (and abnormal).
Abnormal behavior is personally distressful over a long period of time.The person engaging in the behavior finds it troubling.A woman who secretly makes herself vomit after every meal may never be seen by others as deviant (because they do not know about it), but this pattern of behavior may cause her to feel intense shame, guilt, and despair.