(January 9, 2016 at 4:59 pm)MTL Wrote: What is a "disorder" and what is merely a "condition"
Clinically, what differentiates the two is that a "disorder" causes the person distress and has a negative effect on how they live their lives. (that's my definition as a layperson, the DSM4 and DSM5 word it differently but I can't be arsed to look it up)
I can use myself as an example.
Clinically, I have bipolar disorder type 1 with psychotic features co-morbid with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Looking at it symptomatically -
My mood instability causes me significant distress and has a moderate impact on how I function.
The anxiety from PTSD causes extreme distress and has a profound impact on important life functions.
My visual and auditory hallucinations are both infrequent and mild, do not cause significant distress (any more), and have almost zero impact on how I function. They're more of a curiosity to me.
Myself and my health care providers consider the first two symptomatic of disorder, and the third not.
