THE CONSTRUCT OF MENTAL DISORDER

Bergner expresses well the fundamental issuer and principal difficulti es in defining the construct of mental disorder. However, it is unlike ly that the definition by Ossorio that Bergner advocates will prove to be any more successful than prior efforts. Discussed briefly within t his commentary are three issues: (a) the absence of an operational def inition for a theoretical construct, (b) the absence of a distinct bou ndary either with physical disorders or with normality for the constru ct of mental disorder, and (c) the impact of values and culture. These issues are fundamental and substantial. Nevertheless, it is argued th at the construct of mental disorder (as an involuntary organismic impa irment in psychological functioning) doer have substantial validity as a scientific construct.