Failure to function adequately

• What is a strength of failure to function adequately


  Subjective experience of patient recognised. Allows us to view mental disorders from the point of view of the individuals experiencing it first-hand --> it therefore captures the particular experience of many of the people who require help and acknowledges this is a common experience or symptom.
• What is a weakness of failure to function adequately


  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 (i.e. undergoing therapy or counselling to cope with, or overcome symptoms) and thus serves quite functional for the individual rather than dysfunctional.
• What is a weakness of failure to function adequately


  Subjective judgements. If a person is experiencing personal distress, such as being 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 their behaviour as abnormal. For example, some schizophrenics are potentially dangerous as in the case of Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper.