failure to function adequately

• someone is considered abnormal if they have an incapability to cope with the demands of everyday life. Their behaviour typically causes distress to the individual and others.
• the WHODAS (world health organisation disability assessment schedule) suggest signs for failure to function adequately are: not conforming to communication rules, unpredictability & irrationality, erratic mood swings, unreasonable thoughts about their self worth.
• • limitation that some apparently dysfunctional behaviour can be beneficial for the individual. eg. some mental disorders like eating disorders or depression, may lead to extra attention for the individual which is rewarding and thus quite functional.
• • behaviour that looks like failure to function may be normal, depending on the context. eg. some could be failing to eat properly due to their financial situation or hunger strike.
• • benefit of this definition is that we view the disorder from the POV of the person experiencing it. We can also use the WHODAS criteria to measure the ability of the individual to function and so measure abnormality objectively.