Failure to function adequately

Question 1

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 1

People are judged on their ability to go about daily life. If they are unable to do this and are also experiencing distress or others are distressed by their behaviour, it is considered a sign of abnormality.

There may be situations where a person is not coping with everyday life in a ‘normal’ way, e.g. a person may be content living in unwashed clothes and or having a regular job. Arguably a judgement of abnormality is inappropriate if this doesn’t cause distress to oneself or to others

Question 2

Evaluation?

Answer 2

• limitation is that judgement of whether someone is failing to function adequately is subjective
• if a person is experiencing distress, e.g. unable to get to work, they may recognise this is undesirable and may seek help
• however, the individual may be content with the situation or unaware that they are not coping - it is others that are uncomfortable/judge the behaviour as abnormal

Question 3

Evaluation?

Answer 3

• this definition allows us to recognise the subjective experience of the patient
• failure to function is also relatively easy to judge objectively because behaviours can be listed (e.g. can dress self - WHODAS)
• this definition has a sensitivity and practicality to it