Conceptualisation of mental disorder and its personal meanings.
BACKGROUND
Mental disorder has been conceptualised as a matter of objective scientific fact, in versions of so-called 'naturalism'.


OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the personal meanings involved in attribution of mental disorder.


METHODS
Critical review of literature on the definition of mental disorder, with reference to the context of personalised medicine and healthcare.


CONCLUSIONS
Personal meanings are not brought into focus by naturalism, but the current genetics paradigm creates space for three kinds of process: natural, social and individual, with corresponding conceptions of dysfunction. The individual conception is broadly a matter of experience and behaviour not going as the person intends, manifesting as unmanageable distress and self-identified disability. On the other hand in the problems that give rise to diagnosis of mental disorder, more than one person and their personal meanings are involved, creating need for empathy and negotiation.
Bolton
Derek
D
Kings' College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London SE5 8AF, UK. d.bolton@iop.kcl.ac.uk
D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D003468:Cultural Evolution; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D017008:Negotiating; D010641:Phenotype; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011599:Psychopathology; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012951:Socialization