<p>This is not just a broad question, it also differs depending on the specific person holding a specific orientation working at a specific clinical/academic setting. For a DSM-V discussion, see "<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3101504/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">What is a Mental/Psychiatric Disorder? From DSM-IV to DSM-V</a>" by Stein et al.</p>

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2018-05-16T04:28:54.100Z
2018-05-16T14:35:01.290Z
2018-05-16T14:35:01.290Z
user19706
<p>I know this will probably be closed for being broad, but I think it certainly has an answer.</p>

<p>What are the criteria for something to be considered a mental disorder?</p>

<p><strong>Does a disorder need to be observable physiologically? Or is behavior/perception that is far from the norm enough?</strong></p>

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2018-05-16T05:47:28.350Z
Related: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/13300
Chris Rogers
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2018-05-16T05:49:26.807Z
Welcome to Psychology.SE.  What have you been reading on the subject?
Chris Rogers
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2018-05-16T05:55:22.740Z
Also related: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/9313
Chris Rogers
<psychiatry><definition>
Criteria for Something to be Considered a Mental Disorder
An Individual
# Criteria for Something to be Considered a Mental Disorder

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-05-16)

I know this will probably be closed for being broad, but I think it certainly has an answer.

What are the criteria for something to be considered a mental disorder?

**Does a disorder need to be observable physiologically? Or is behavior/perception that is far from the norm enough?**

**Tags:** psychiatry, definition

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Related: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/13300  
> **username_1**: Welcome to Psychology.SE.  What have you been reading on the subject?  
> **username_1**: Also related: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/9313  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-05-16. Score: 4

This is not just a broad question, it also differs depending on the specific person holding a specific orientation working at a specific clinical/academic setting. For a DSM-V discussion, see "[What is a Mental/Psychiatric Disorder? From DSM-IV to DSM-V](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3101504/)" by Stein et al.


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