The term is used in the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), which is where diagnosing occurs for all licensed mental health practitioners, medical doctors (including psychiatrists), and health insurance companies. Each diagnosis has a code along with diagnostic criteria. This diagnostic code is necessary for insurance coverage for in-network therapists or insurance reimbursement for out-of-network therapists.
Isn’t that term pejorative?
While I’m inclined to agree that the term “disorder” has a negative feel to it, it’s technically the correct term to use.
When I speak with clients, I will often use words such as “challenges” or “diagnostic criteria”. And I like to be clear about how the term “disorder” has its limits.
One last point:
Some disorders refer to neurological brain configurations, which will likely never change, while other disorders refer to more behavioral or coping responses, which can change.
ADD/ADHD, bipolar, and schizophrenia, for example, are considered neurological brain configurations.
Anxiety or depression are considered behavioral or coping responses. One receives the diagnosis based on meeting the criteria, and if one no longer meets the criteria, then the diagnosis is no longer pertinent.
