What is the difference between Disorder, Syndrome?
I have heard these 'terms' tossed around, and I would like to know the difference. Like for instance, Iv heard some call it 'Aspergers Sydrome' others say its a 'Disorder' and some say its a Disablity and ome even say its a 'Disease'. What is the difference? and Why are these 'terms tossed around?
A disorder is an abnormality that interferes significantly with daily life. A syndrome is a "complex constellation of signs and symptoms". Doctor Tony Attwood describes Aspergers Syndrome as a jigsaw puzzle. All of the pieces can occur in normal people. Everybody has some of the pieces, but some people have more of some, or have pieces that are more important, and the pieces have to come together to make the whole picture.
So basically, a Syndrome is an unusual collection of otherwise normal traits. The combined result may appear like a disease, but none of the symptoms are abnormal on their own if they occur to a moderate degree. At least that's how I understand it.
For example, most people display the stereotypic movements that we call stimming. Most people experience anxiety or have difficulty recognizing or communicating emotion sometimes. It's a tendency to have these often, to a greater degree, or in combination that makes a syndrome.
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"If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them." - Isaac Asimov
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