Mental disorder Meaning and Definition
Mental disorder
Pronunciation
/ˈmen(təl diˈzɔrdər/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A mental or behavioral pattern that causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, as manifested by symptoms such as cognitive, emotional, or behavioral dysfunctions.
Etymology
The term “mental disorder” originates from the early 20th century and is derived from the combination of “mental” and “disorder”, emphasizing the idea that mental functioning is dysfunctional or abnormal.
Usage Notes
When using the term “mental disorder”, it is essential to distinguish it from mental illness, which is a broader term encompassing a range of mental health issues. Mental disorder specifically refers to the manifestation of symptoms in various contexts, such as social, professional, or emotional situations.
Cultural References
Mental disorders have been depicted in various forms of media, including films like “A Beautiful Mind” (2001) and “The Silver Linings Playbook” (2012), as well as TV shows like “The Sopranos” and “Breaking Bad”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Going off the deep end” and “losing one’s marbles” are idioms that refer to the idea of being overwhelmed or showing erratic behavior, which can be indicative of a mental disorder.
Related Words or Phrases
Anxiety disorder, depression, personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are some of the many mental disorders that are part of the broader mental health spectrum.
Collocations
Mental disorder often collocates with words like “symptom”, “treatment”, “medication”, “therapy”, and “recovery”.
Frequency of Use
The term “mental disorder” is commonly used in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and mental health, but its usage is not as widespread in everyday language.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings include “menatal disorder” and “mentally disorder”.