The 'normal' and the 'pathological' in the light of freedom: A small attempt to establish a new conceptualisation

The question of what is "normal" and what is "pathological" - although often addressed in the past - remains quite ubiquitous and in some respects, unresolved, because of the diversity of our consultations and our activities as practitioners as well as in the various existing diagnostic manuals. This is evidenced by the recursive updates of the DSM and other ICDs. This is also reflected in our natural propensity to identify that which is problematic (the "pathological") more than we do with that which is not. How can we distinguish the difference between the two at any given time? What are the margins within which we can position ourselves? The purpose of this article is to provide a clear, simple and pragmatic answer that will allow us to take a stance in this regard as quickly as possible. (c) 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.