Subjective experience recognised On the positive side, this definition of abnormality does recognise the subjective experience of the patient.
It allows us to view mental disorder from the point of view of the person experiencing it. In addition,'failure to function'is also relatively easy to judge objectively because we can list behaviours (can dress self, can prepare meals - as in WHODAS) and thus judge abnormality objectively.
This definition of abnormality therefore has a certain
sensitivity and practicality.
