failure to function adequately

• strengths 


  subjective experience of patient recognised
• subjective experience of patient recognised 


  allows us to view mental disorder from the point of view of the person experiencing it-> it captures the experience of many of the people who need help
• limitations

  • behaviour may be functional
  • subjective judgements
• behaviour may be functional 


  some mental disorders such as eating disorders or depression, may lead to extra attention for the individual. such attention is rewarding is rewarding and thus quite functional rather than dysfunctional
• subjective judgements 


  if a person is experiencing personal distress, such as unable to get to work or eat regular meals, they may recognise that this is undesirable and may feel distressed and seek help. on the other hand, the individual may be quite content with the situation and are unaware that they are not coping- it is others who judge behaviours as abnormal. e.g. some schizophrenics are potentially dangerous as in the case of Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper