The theory of strengths also implies a theory of disorder that proceeds from knowing what is right in a person: pathology is the opposite, or the absence, or the excess of the strengths. Chris Peterson left a table that details this theory. I discuss the relation of the pathologies so derived to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM) disorders and I speculate on its treatment implications. If fleshed out, I suggest it is a viable alternative to DSM.
Citation:
The Journal of Positive Psychology; 2015 Vol. 10 Iss. 1, 3-6