Which of the following best describes psychological disorder?

Which of the following best describes psychological disorder?

• A. A typical response to distressing situations
• B. A dysfunction associated with distress or impairment
• C. A behavior that is consistently positive
• D. An expected reaction to life stressors

Answer: (B)

A psychological disorder is best characterized as a dysfunction that is associated with distress or impairment. This definition underscores the clinical understanding that psychological disorders are often marked by significant disruptions in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning. These impairments can lead to considerable distress for the individual experiencing them or for those around them. Dysfunction may manifest in various ways, such as an inability to cope with everyday life, challenges in social interactions, emotional disturbances, or cognitive impairments that prevent effective functioning. This definition is widely accepted in psychological and psychiatric fields and reflects criteria used in diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5. The other options do not capture the complexity of psychological disorders. A typical response to distressing situations would imply a normative reaction rather than a disorder. Similarly, a behavior that is consistently positive does not align with the challenges and dysfunction characteristic of psychological disorders. An expected reaction to life stressors suggests that the response falls within the range of normal human experience, again failing to capture the distress and dysfunction pointers that identify a psychological disorder.

A psychological disorder is best characterized as a dysfunction that is associated with distress or impairment. This definition underscores the clinical understanding that psychological disorders are often marked by significant disruptions in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning. These impairments can lead to considerable distress for the individual experiencing them or for those around them.

Dysfunction may manifest in various ways, such as an inability to cope with everyday life, challenges in social interactions, emotional disturbances, or cognitive impairments that prevent effective functioning. This definition is widely accepted in psychological and psychiatric fields and reflects criteria used in diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5.

The other options do not capture the complexity of psychological disorders. A typical response to distressing situations would imply a normative reaction rather than a disorder. Similarly, a behavior that is consistently positive does not align with the challenges and dysfunction characteristic of psychological disorders. An expected reaction to life stressors suggests that the response falls within the range of normal human experience, again failing to capture the distress and dysfunction pointers that identify a psychological disorder.