Mireya L. answered • 03/24/25
Criminal Justice student at University of Texas at El Paso
According to the DSM V "A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning" (DSM-5 TR, p.14).
It's associated with distress, and disability in any social or personal activities. But you have to remember that, to be considered a mental illness, the person has to behave in a way that is improper or different for his/her community, religion, etc.
I hope I was able to help you. :)
References:
5th ed.; DSM-5 TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2022, p. 14; "Definition of a Mental Disorder".
