trastorno
nounCEFR B2
What does “trastorno” mean in English?
disorder — a functional disruption, especially psychological or neurological
disorder — a functional disruption, especially psychological or neurological (trastorno de ansiedad, los trastornos mentales); also a general disruption (un trastorno en los servicios)
Example sentences
El trastorno de ansiedad generalizada es la patología mental más frecuente en los países de renta alta.
Generalised anxiety disorder is the most frequent mental condition in high-income countries.
El estigma asociado a los trastornos mentales impide que muchas personas busquen ayuda a tiempo.
The stigma associated with mental disorders prevents many people from seeking help in time.
El ruido constante del aeropuerto ha causado graves trastornos del sueño entre los residentes del barrio.
The constant noise from the airport has caused serious sleep disorders among residents of the neighbourhood.
How to use it
El trastorno means 'disorder' — primarily in the medical/psychological sense (un trastorno mental/de la personalidad), but also a disruption or disturbance in everyday contexts (un trastorno en el tráfico). At B2 the psychological sense is dominant in reading and listening. Key collocations: trastorno de ansiedad/depresivo/alimentario/del sueño, los trastornos mentales, diagnosticar un trastorno, tratar el trastorno. Distinguish from enfermedad (illness — implies infection or organic disease) and perturbación (perturbation/disturbance — more formal and less clinical).
Common mistake
Trastorno (disorder — functional disruption, especially mental/neurological) vs enfermedad (disease/illness — infection or organic condition: la enfermedad de Alzheimer) vs perturbación (disturbance — more general and less clinical). In clinical Spanish, trastorno is the standard DSM/ICD translation: 'trastorno depresivo mayor', 'trastorno bipolar'. El trastorno also has a non-clinical sense (un trastorno en los servicios = a disruption in services) — context distinguishes.