Which of the following statements best describes mental disorders?

• A. Mental disorders are patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that cause significant distress or impair daily functioning.
• B. Mental disorders are only caused by genetic factors and cannot be influenced by environment.
• C. Mental disorders are always visible and can be easily identified without professional assessment.
• D. Mental disorders are temporary emotional states that everyone experiences occasionally.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of mental disorders by focusing on key characteristics such as patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.
2. Step 2: Recognize that mental disorders cause significant distress or impair daily functioning, which differentiates them from normal emotional experiences.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the incorrect options by identifying common misconceptions: mental disorders are not solely caused by genetics, are not always visible, and are not just temporary emotional states.
4. Step 4: Compare each statement to the clinical definition of mental disorders used in psychology, which emphasizes persistent patterns and impact on functioning.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description is the one highlighting patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors causing distress or impairment, as this aligns with psychological diagnostic criteria.