Evaluation

• Represents a threshold for help


  One strength of the failure to function criterion is that it represents a sensible threshold for when professional help is needed:

  • According to Mind, 25% of people in the UK will experience a mental health problem at some point, but most press on
  • It's at the point that we cease to function properly that people seek professional help
  • Therefore, treatment and services can be directed to those who need them
• Discrimination and social control


  One limitation of the failure to function criterion is that it is easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal:

  • It can be hard to tell whether someone is failing to function or is simply deviating from social norms e.g. spiritualists or base jumpers
  • Therefore, people who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice may be restricted