A person is classified as being mentally ill based on:

A. The patient’s history and previous behavior History is helpful for diagnosis, but current observable behavior and context are more essential for classification. B. The ability of the patient to conform This may reflect social norms but does not alone determine mental illness. C. The response of society to behavior Society’s reaction may be influenced by bias or stigma, not clinical criteria. D. The behavior exhibited and the context Mental illness is defined based on observable symptoms and the context in which they occur (e.g., is the behavior maladaptive, distressing, or dysfunctional?).