What is the Difference Between Disorder And Syndrome?
By
PsychReel
In this blog, we will explore the difference between disorder and syndrome, we will also talk about what is a disease, disorder, condition, and syndrome. We will be discussing their differences and examples of their types.
What is the Difference Between Disorder And Syndrome?
A disorder is an irregularity, interruption, and disturbance in the normal functioning of a person’s physical and mental health. On the other hand, a syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that happen together and together characterize a specific condition or disease.
We will explore all about disorders and syndromes in the further sections.
What is a Syndrome?
A syndrome is a group of observable characteristics or anomalies that frequently occur together and are linked to a certain disease. A syndrome is essentially a grouping of traits or distinguishing characteristics.
In fact, the word “drome” comes from the Greek words “syn” for “together” and “drome” for “run.” So, this is a set of results that you’ll see in a group of people that aren’t related in any way.
The majority of syndromes are named after the doctor who was the first to detect them in patients. As an example, Down syndrome is a condition that was initially identified by a Dr. Down. Dr. Marfan was the first to recognize the symptoms of Marfan syndrome.
There is a long list of these syndromes, perhaps hundreds of them, that have been documented largely in medicine over the previous 150 years or so, and are often called after the person who first noticed that these traits tended to run together.
Genetic mutations and other causes can produce medical syndromes.
What is a Disorder?
The disease has disrupted the body or a part of the body’s normal or regular processes.
Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, is an example of a disorder caused by cardiovascular illness. An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat that happens as a result of cardiovascular disease. It is not a disease in and of itself.
The following categories can be used to categorize disorders:
- Mental
- Physical
- Genetic
- Emotional
- Behavioral
- Structural
Health Sector: DDCS- Disease, Disorder, Condition, and Syndrome.
In the health sector, the D-D-C-S are commonly used. Often at times interchangeably. But they have significant differences that might seem too similar if not paid attention to.
- D in this little acronym stands for disease.
- D in this little acronym also stands for disorder.
- C in this little acronym stands for condition.
- S in this little acronym stands for Syndrome.
Disease and its Examples
Definition-wise, disease results from a pathophysiological response to the external or internal stimulus. Doctors diagnose and treat diseases after an extensive evaluation of any kind of abnormalities in your body.
Diseases are often known for causing both physical and mental distress and dysfunction. Lethal diseases have a higher probability of risk in death of the patient.
- Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a kind of dementia. It is a progressive disease that usually starts with moderate memory loss and worsens with age. Brain regions that regulate cognition, memory, and language are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. It can have a significant impact on a person’s capacity to function in daily life.
Beyond the age of 65, the number of persons living with the disease doubles every 5 years. The disease’s symptoms might occur after the age of 60, and the risk gradually increases with age.
Alzheimer’s disease has no recognized cure at this time. Several aspects of treatment are addressed:
- Supporting people in maintaining their brain health.
- Managing behavioral symptoms.
- Slowing or delaying symptoms of the disease.
- Tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. TB germs are most commonly found in the lungs, although they can also be found in the kidney, spine, and brain. If the immune response is unable to stop the germs from multiplying, they become active.
TB disease occurs when tuberculosis germs are operational (multiplying in your body). People who have tuberculosis are unwell. They may be able to pass the bacteria on to persons they interact with daily.
Isoniazid INH in combination with three other drugs—rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol—is the most common treatment for active tuberculosis.
Disorder and its Examples
Definition wise, a disruption of the disease to the normal or regular functions in the body or a part of the body.
A disorder is characterized by the 4 Ds; deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. The idea behind the concept is a disturbance in carrying out routine tasks due to an internal stimulus. It could be genetic or behavioral.
Deviance is considered to be when the behavior of the patient is deviant from what is considered ‘normal’. Distress is considered to be when the patient is thoroughly stressed in a negative sense; distressed due to maladaptive thoughts and behaviors.
Dysfunction is considered to be when the patient is so engrossed with his/her maladaptive cognition and behaviors that they are unable to carry out any of their routine tasks, hence causing significant disruption. The danger is considered to be when the patient is dangerous to others and themselves.
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders:
Neurodevelopmental disorders are those that are typically diagnosed during infancy, childhood, or adolescence. They are basically referring to problems in developmental stages of the nervous system which lead to certain abnormalities. These disorders include:
- Intellectual Disability
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Communication Disorder
- Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive and persistent fear, worry, anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. Anxiety is the fear of a potential threat in the future. Types of anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Specific Phobia
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Depressive Disorders
Depressive disorders are a form of mood disease that can manifest in a variety of ways. They’re all defined by gloomy, empty, or irritated moods that are accompanied by physical and cognitive problems. They are distinct in terms of length, timing, and cause.
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
- Other or unspecified depressive disorder
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Substance/medication-induced depressive disorder
- Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are defined by obsessive weight worries and disordered eating practices that have a detrimental impact on both physical and mental health. In the DSM-5, feeding and eating disorders that were previously diagnosed in infancy and childhood have been shifted to this area. Types of eating disorders include:
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Rumination Disorder
- Pica
- Binge-eating disorder
Condition and its Examples
Definition-wise, a condition is the abnormal ‘state’ of health that interferes with routine tasks or overall sense of wellbeing. It can be a medical condition or even a normal but prolonged state.
- Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition in which painful swelling forms on the appendix. Appendix as an organ is no longer used in humans like tails, which is why it stays dormant for many people.
It is when it swells, that it needs to be surgically removed as soon as possible with a surgical procedure called an appendectomy. Around 1 in 13 people develop appendicitis once in their lives.
- Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to clog the lungs and digestive tract.
From an early age, it can cause breathing and gastrointestinal problems. The lungs grow increasingly damaged over time and may eventually cease to function correctly.
Syndrome and its Examples
Definition-wise, a syndrome refers to a disease or a disorder that has a collection or set of signs and symptoms that characterize or suggest that particular disease or disorder.
A syndrome is an identifiable grouping of symptoms and physical evidence that indicate a specific ailment for which the reason is unknown. As a result, clinicians refer to the famed “viral syndrome” as such in practice because the number of viral agents that cause the sickness is unknown.
- Down Syndrome:
The presence of all or part of an extra copy of Chromosome 21 causes Down’s syndrome. During the young adult years, this disease is characterized by distinctive facial features, moderate intellectual handicap, and an average IQ of 50.
Prenatal screening and diagnostic testing can detect it during pregnancy.
- Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome is a neurological illness marked by an insatiable desire to move one’s body to relieve unpleasant or off sensations such as aching muscles, tickling sensations, itching, or a crawling sensation. Temporary alleviation is provided by moving the affected part. The sensations are most common when people are relaxing, reading, studying, or trying to sleep.
- Pre-Menstrual Syndrome
A collection of symptoms that women experience between ovulation and their period.
The cause is unknown; however, it is thought to be related to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.
Mood swings, sore breasts, food cravings, weariness, irritability, and sadness are all symptoms.
Medications and lifestyle modifications may help to alleviate symptoms.
- Isaac’s Syndrome
Isaacs’ Syndrome, also known as Neuromyotonia, is characterized by nerve hyperexcitability that results in spontaneous muscle activity. The basic three symptoms used to identify the disorder are:
- Underneath the skin, involuntary muscle twitching (called fasciculation)
- Muscle stiffness or cramping
- Myotonia
It’s a rare condition that causes tiredness and general pain, even when you’re sleeping.
Excessive sweating may also be seen in conjunction with muscle tightness. The illness can appear at any age, from infancy to adulthood.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have talked about disease, disorder, condition, and syndrome. We have also discussed their differences and examples of their types along with symptoms and treatment plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What is the Difference Between Disorder And Syndrome?
What are some rare syndromes?
- Stoneman Syndrome
- Alice In Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS)
- Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS)
- Alkaptonuria
- Chronic Focal Encephalitis
What are the rarest mental disorders?
- Clinical Lycanthropy
- Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
- Diogenes Syndrome
- Stendhal Syndrome
- Apotemnophilia
- Alien Hand Syndrome
What causes insanity?
“Physical causes” of insanity are either direct illnesses, such as brain hemorrhaging or lesions, or indirect disorders, such as menstrual dysfunction or lung sickness, that harm the central nervous system and eventually the brain over time.
What is the Joker’s mental diagnosis?
In general, Arthur seems to have a complicated combination of personality traits, including narcissism (since he loves attention in whatever form) and psychopathy (since he demonstrates no empathy for his victims).
What mental illness does Cruella have?
Cruella suffers from dissociative identity disorder, which the film uses as a plot device. She’s even capable of switching between personalities as if it were a superpower.
What are the 4 types of diseases?
Infectious diseases, deficient diseases, hereditary diseases (including genetic and non-genetic hereditary disorders), and physiological diseases are the four basic categories of disease. Diseases can also be divided into categories such as communicable and non-communicable diseases.
References
