Final answer:
In California, 'mental disorder' for legal purposes is generally interpreted as a psychiatric condition that significantly impairs functioning, and is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Step-by-step explanation:
The legal requirements for involuntary hospitalization and treatment in California concern a person with a mental disorder. The courts in California usually interpret "mental disorder" to encompass conditions that significantly impair a person's cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning. Specifically, this can refer to a psychiatric condition, as characterized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which details various mental disorders including schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and more. These are conditions acknowledged within the medical field to significantly interfere with a person's daily life.