Final answer:
Qualitative disorders are conditions that affect the quality of psychological and behavioral functioning, such as the previously used term gender identity disorder, drug use disorders, and culturally informed concepts like cultural concepts of distress (CCD).
Step-by-step explanation:
Qualitative disorders refer to conditions affecting the quality of a person's psychological and behavioral functioning, rather than the quantity or measurable aspects of behavior. For instance, the previously used term gender identity disorder in DSM-IV, which was ascribed to individuals whose gender identity and expressions did not conform to societal norms, falls under this category. However, it is critical to understand that such terms and diagnoses have evolved over time due to changing societal understandings and the recognition of diverse gender identities as non-pathological. This term has since been viewed as pejorative and offensive by the gender-variant community because it pathologized their identity.
Moreover, drug use disorders as described in the DSM-5, include a pattern of compulsive drug use despite the occurrence of negative consequences and may involve physical and psychological dependence. While personality disorders, another type of qualitative disorder, consist of ingrained patterns of behavior considered abnormal by societal standards but may feel normal to those affected. These are not attributable to substance use or medical conditions and demonstrate the complexity of diagnosing and understanding qualitative disorders.
A contemporary understanding of qualitative disorders also includes the importance of considering cultural concepts of distress (CCD), which describe how different cultures experience and communicate suffering or mental health issues. This contextualization is vital to ensure culturally sensitive mental health care and appropriate diagnosis.