Functionalism: The Penumbra of Psychiatric Diagnoses

Abstract

Functionalism, as generally understood, is not included in DSM-III-R. It differs from somatization and hysteria. Analysis of cases of functional overlay indicates the presence of a fixed attitude—depending on body-image distortion, feelings of injustice toward the existing medicolegal methodology, social and economic impairment, anger against legal delays, and a conviction of the futility of treatment or of attempts at rehabilitation. It should be included in DSM-IV as a subset under posttraumatic stress disorder.