What type of disorder cannot be traced to a physical cause?

Master medical terminology for health professions. Study with multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success in your medical exams and future career!

A functional disorder is characterized by symptoms that cannot be traced to a physical cause. These disorders manifest in ways that affect a person's daily life and functioning but do not have identifiable organic or physiological issues that can explain the symptoms. Examples of functional disorders include certain types of anxiety disorders, depression, and somatic symptom disorders.

This category emphasizes the complex interplay between psyche and physical health, where symptoms exist without any structural or biochemical abnormalities. The lack of a discernible physical cause often necessitates a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment, focusing on psychological, behavioral, and social factors contributing to the disorder.

In contrast, organic disorders are linked to identifiable physical causes, such as injuries, infections, or degenerative diseases. Degenerative disorders involve the gradual loss of function or structure of tissues or organs over time, and psychotic disorders typically feature disruptions in the mind that may arise from both functional and organic processes.

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