functional disorder

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Explanation of "Functional Disorder"

Definition:
A "functional disorder" is a type of health problem where a person experiences symptoms (like pain, fatigue, or anxiety) but doctors cannot find a physical (anatomical) reason or clear cause for these symptoms. This means that the body appears normal when tested, but the person still feels unwell.

Example Sentence:

• "After many tests, the doctor diagnosed her with a functional disorder, explaining that the pain she felt had no identifiable cause."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might find terms like "somatic functional disorder," which refers specifically to physical symptoms that have psychological origins.

Word Variants:

• Functional: This adjective describes something that is designed to work well or is related to function.
• Disorder: This noun refers to a state of confusion or a problem that disrupts normal function.

Different Meanings:

• "Functional" on its own can mean something that is working or serving a purpose (e.g., "The functional design of the building makes it easy to use").
• "Disorder" can also refer to general chaos or lack of order, not just in a medical context (e.g., "The room was in complete disorder").

Synonyms:

• Functional Syndrome: Sometimes used interchangeably with "functional disorder."
• Psychosomatic Disorder: A condition where psychological factors cause physical symptoms.
• Somatic Disorder: Similar to functional disorder, focusing on the physical aspect without a clear cause.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with "functional disorder," you might hear phrases like: - "In your head": This expression is sometimes used to imply that a person’s symptoms are psychological rather than physical. For example, "The doctor said my symptoms might be more in my head."

Summary:

A "functional disorder" is a health issue where a person feels symptoms without any identifiable physical cause.

Academic

Noun

1. disorder showing symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified