Diagnosis of Mental Disorders
Deviance:
Behaviour that is unusual, undesirable or Dysfunction:
bizarre. Symptoms which distract, confuse or interfere
An understanding of statistical and social with a person’s ability to carry out their usual
norms is necessary to determine how unusual roles and responsibilities.
the behaviour is and the desirability for it. WHODAS II questionnaire which looks at
The social norm depends on the historical, factors such as a persons understanding of
culture, age, and the individual. what is going on around them,
Failure to conform to social norms may result communication and deterioration of self-care.
in negative attention from others and social Dysfunction can manifest through not being
exclusion. able to get up in the morning, completing
Norm-breaking is seen as an indictor of tasks and participating in activities.
psychological abnormality.
Distress: Danger:
When symptoms cause emotional pain or Carless, hostile or hazardous behaviour which
anxiety. jeopardizes the safety of the individual and
Psychological distress can manifest into others.
physical. Predicting violent behaviour is difficult but a
It can be considered normal in certain history of aggression makes another incident
situations, like someone losing their job or more likely.
bereavement. Mental Health Act - people can be detained if
Intensity and duration should be considered they are perceived as a dangerous but 3
when diagnosing. professionals need to sign off on it.
Quantative data can be collected using the Clients can be detained without their consent
Kessier Psychological Distress Scale (K10). to a mental institution.
Evaluation
Strength:
Helps avoid erroneous diagnosis
If deviance from statistical or social norms were the only consideration when making a diagnosis,
then those who are eccentric yet harmless may be seen as abnormal.
A valid system should be neither over or under inclusive.
Weakness:
Lack of objectivity - they do not lend themselves to objective measurements.
Ratings are being made on feelings and so effects reliability.
Deviance:
Behaviour that is unusual, undesirable or Dysfunction:
bizarre. Symptoms which distract, confuse or interfere
An understanding of statistical and social with a person’s ability to carry out their usual
norms is necessary to determine how unusual roles and responsibilities.
the behaviour is and the desirability for it. WHODAS II questionnaire which looks at
The social norm depends on the historical, factors such as a persons understanding of
culture, age, and the individual. what is going on around them,
Failure to conform to social norms may result communication and deterioration of self-care.
in negative attention from others and social Dysfunction can manifest through not being
exclusion. able to get up in the morning, completing
Norm-breaking is seen as an indictor of tasks and participating in activities.
psychological abnormality.
Distress: Danger:
When symptoms cause emotional pain or Carless, hostile or hazardous behaviour which
anxiety. jeopardizes the safety of the individual and
Psychological distress can manifest into others.
physical. Predicting violent behaviour is difficult but a
It can be considered normal in certain history of aggression makes another incident
situations, like someone losing their job or more likely.
bereavement. Mental Health Act - people can be detained if
Intensity and duration should be considered they are perceived as a dangerous but 3
when diagnosing. professionals need to sign off on it.
Quantative data can be collected using the Clients can be detained without their consent
Kessier Psychological Distress Scale (K10). to a mental institution.
Evaluation
Strength:
Helps avoid erroneous diagnosis
If deviance from statistical or social norms were the only consideration when making a diagnosis,
then those who are eccentric yet harmless may be seen as abnormal.
A valid system should be neither over or under inclusive.
Weakness:
Lack of objectivity - they do not lend themselves to objective measurements.
Ratings are being made on feelings and so effects reliability.
