Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Illness refers to a state of poor health or disease that affects the normal functioning of an organism. In psychology, it is used to describe abnormal behavior seen as a result of malfunctioning parts within the individual.