Definition of disorder in psychology
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Definition of Disorder in Psychology: Key Concepts and Criteria
Core Features of Psychological or Mental Disorders
A psychological or mental disorder is generally understood as a significant disruption in a person's behavior, thinking, or emotional regulation, often leading to distress or problems in daily functioning. These disruptions can affect how a person feels, thinks, or acts, and are typically associated with distress or impairment in important areas of life such as work, relationships, or self-care Tariq20228. Common examples include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and eating disorders .
Harmful Dysfunction and Value Judgments
One influential approach to defining mental disorder is the "harmful dysfunction" model. This model states that a disorder involves both a failure of a mental mechanism to perform its natural function (dysfunction) and that this failure causes harm, where "harm" is judged by social or cultural standards Wakefield1992Wakefield1992Brinkmann2024. This means that defining a disorder is not just about biological or psychological malfunction, but also about whether the condition is considered harmful or undesirable in a given society Wakefield1992Brinkmann2024.
Pluralistic and Flexible Definitions
Modern definitions of mental disorder are pluralistic, meaning they include several components such as harm, dysfunction, impairment, statistical rarity, social values, and treatability. Not every disorder must meet all these criteria; different disorders may involve different combinations of these elements Peterson2015Stein2021. Because social values and scientific understanding change over time, the definition of disorder is flexible and can evolve with society Peterson2015Stein2021Waterman2022.
Distinguishing Disorders from Other Conditions
Mental disorders are distinguished from other conditions like substance abuse, intellectual disability, or personality traits unless these are accompanied by significant emotional, cognitive, or behavioral disturbances that cause distress or impairment . The distinction between what is considered a disorder and what is not can be complex and sometimes controversial, as it often depends on both scientific evidence and cultural or social norms Stein2021Waterman2022.
Lay and Professional Perspectives
Research shows that laypeople often define mental disorders based on whether a condition causes emotional distress, impairment, and is seen as rare or abnormal. However, there can be differences between how professionals and the public understand what counts as a disorder, with lay definitions sometimes being broader or more inclusive .
Conclusion
In summary, a disorder in psychology is typically defined as a significant disturbance in mental functioning that leads to harm or distress, often involving both scientific and value-based judgments. The definition is not fixed, but rather shaped by evolving scientific knowledge and cultural values, making it a complex and sometimes debated concept in both professional and public contexts Telles-Correia2018Peterson2015Wakefield1992+5 MORE.
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