Definition of mental and emotional disorders
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Definition of Mental Disorders: Emotional, Cognitive, and Behavioral Changes
Mental disorders are generally defined as substantial disturbances in a person's emotional processes, thought, cognition, or memory that cause distress or impair daily functioning 2Beaudreau2015. These disorders involve changes in emotion, thinking, behavior, or a combination of these aspects, and are experienced as distressing or detrimental to a person's ability to function in everyday life Beaudreau2015Gupta2021. Mental disorders are distinct from conditions that are primarily due to drug abuse, intellectual disability, or the natural decline in mental abilities that occur near death .
Emotional Disorders: Distinct Features and Conceptual Clarity
Emotional disorders are a subset of mental disorders that specifically involve problems with emotions and emotion regulation Bullis2019Ayob2024Johnson-Laird2021. These disorders are characterized by emotional experiences—such as sadness, fear, or anger—that are intense, persistent, or out of proportion to the situation, and that interfere with a person's ability to function adaptively in daily life Bullis2019Johnson-Laird2021. Emotional disorders can include conditions like depression and anxiety, where the core symptoms revolve around emotional distress and dysregulation Bullis2019Norton2016.
Lay and Professional Perspectives on Mental and Emotional Disorders
Both professionals and laypeople often define mental and emotional disorders as conditions marked by emotional distress, impairment in functioning, and behaviors or experiences that are rare or abnormal . However, there can be differences between professional diagnostic criteria and public understanding, with laypeople sometimes including a broader range of conditions under the label of mental disorder .
Mental and Emotional Disorders in Children and Adolescents
In children and adolescents, mental and emotional disorders can manifest as high-risk behaviors, difficulty forming relationships, persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep or eating patterns, and trouble concentrating Maulidiya2024Aprianto2023. Risk factors include academic pressure, family problems, bullying, and hormonal changes . Early detection, mental health education, social support, and appropriate interventions are important for prevention and treatment .
Unified and Transdiagnostic Approaches
Recent research suggests that many emotional disorders share common underlying mechanisms, leading to the development of unified or transdiagnostic models for understanding and treating these conditions Bullis2019Norton2016. These approaches focus on the similarities across different emotional disorders, rather than splitting them into narrowly defined categories .
Conclusion
Mental and emotional disorders are defined by significant disturbances in emotional, cognitive, or behavioral functioning that cause distress or impair daily life. Emotional disorders, as a subset, focus on problems with emotion regulation and intense, persistent emotional experiences. Both professional and lay definitions emphasize distress and impairment, though there are differences in how broadly these terms are applied. Understanding these definitions helps guide assessment, prevention, and treatment strategies across the lifespan.
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