Mental health problems or mental health disorders? An illusory distinction

Abstract

In the field of mental health, it distinguishes between “mental health problems” and “mental health disorders.” From the perspective of the prevailing medical model, it is assumed that mental disorders are well-defined conditions, unlike the former. It is also normally felt that diagnosing a mental disorder is a useful guide to identify those who require treatment. Both assumptions are addressed in this article. It is argued that the distinction between mental health problems and mental disorders is less clear-cut than is often assumed and that it is wrong to identify the diagnosis of a mental disorder with the need for treatment. It is argued that a suitable response to the challenges in the mental health area that today’s societies face requires going beyond the prevailing medical model and distancing from the diagnostic categories of mental disorders that are currently in use. It is put forward that these categories, aside from having limited scientific basis and little practical use, favor social psycho-pathologization, along with its serious consequences.