Research on Nature, Prevalence, and Characteristics in Mental Health Disorders and Functional Assessment

Psychiatric disorders are mental health conditions where an individual displays a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment in personal or social functioning. Many psychiatric disorders can occur across the lifespan, with some being more likely in childhood and others being rare until adulthood. Psychiatric symptoms are influenced by one’s genetics and biology, as well as social and environmental influences. With that in mind, functional assessment has a role in identifying and assessing the intersection of biopsychosocial functioning and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms as it relates to a person’s mental health and overall wellness. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an introduction into the incorporation of functional assessment for psychiatric disorders. An overview of those conditions, or symptom clusters, where the utility of functional assessment has been established will be discussed first, followed by conditions where functional assessment has emerging utility.