What characterizes psychological disorders?

Psychological disorders are primarily characterized by patterns of behavior that cause significant distress and impairment in an individual's life. This means that the affected person experiences emotional suffering, dysfunction in daily activities, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships or performance in work or school. The presence of distress indicates that the individual is struggling with their mental health, while impairment highlights that their ability to function normally is disrupted.

The identification of a psychological disorder relies heavily on the impact of these behaviors on a person's life, rather than merely on the behaviors themselves. In addition, this definition underscores the clinical importance of these disorders, as they can interfere with an individual's overall well-being and quality of life, necessitating professional assessment and intervention. Thus, this choice accurately reflects the key characteristics that differentiate psychological disorders from other variations in behavior.