Failure To Function Flashcards
Define failure to function adequately.
A person crosses the line between normal and abnormal and struggles to cope with the demands of everyday life.
Give some examples of behaviours displayed by a person failing to function.
Poor hygiene.
Unable to hold down a job.
Unable to maintain friendships.
What are unpredictable behaviours?
Behaviours are unexpected, random and impulsive.
What are maladaptive behaviours?
When your actions don’t allow you to adapt well to certain situations.
What is personal distress?
When you constantly feel worried.
What are irrational behaviours?
Behaviours that cannot be explained cognitively.
What is observer discomfort?
A person viewing the abnormal behaviour may feel uncomfortable.
What does the GAF scale measure?
Measures how well an individual functions. Identifies the point where a person starts to fail to function.
Explain the strength of the failure to function definition concerning observable behaviour using the example of being unable to get out of bed.
A person who is failing to function may struggle with tasks such as getting up everyday and showering. This can cause observer discomfort in anyone viewing the behaviour, suggesting that the person is failing to function. This means that any issues can be picked up on by others, and if the individual is unable to make a decision about treatment themselves, then others can intervene.
Explain the limitation of the failure to function definition ignoring context when behaviours are considered abnormal, using the example of after a bereavement.
For example, there are some instances where most of us will fail to cope, such as during a bereavement. This means that its unfair to label behaviours, such as uncontrollable crying, as abnormal in this situation as it would be common to experience emotion like this=
Explain the limitation of the failure to function criteria labelling non standard lifestyle choices as abnormal, using the examples of not having a job and engaging in high risk activities.
It can be hard to tell whether someone is failing to function or choosing to deviate from social norms. For example, a person not having a job may make them appear as abnormal, however, in some lifestyles, it might actually be normal to not have a job. Similarly, those who engage in high-risk activities could be seen as irrational and a danger to self. This means that people who have different life choices might be labelled as abnormal unnecessarily.
