Normality and abnormality are central concepts in mental health, yet they are complex and difficult to define with precision. Mental health professionals rely on certain criteria and measurement approaches to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior, while also recognizing that these distinctions are fluid, context-dependent, and culturally influenced. Normality generally refers to patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are consistent with social expectations, adaptive functioning, and psychological well-being, whereas abnormality involves significant deviations that cause distress, dysfunction, or risk to the individual or others. One commonly used criterion of normality is statistical normality. From this perspective, behaviors or traits that fall close to the average in a population are considered normal, while those that are rare or extreme are labeled abnormal. Psychological characteristics such as intelligence, anxiety, or mood can be measured using standardized tests, and individuals whose scores lie far from the mean are seen as deviating from normality. However, this approach has limitations because rarity alone does not imply abnormality. Exceptional creativity or high intelligence may be statistically rare but socially valued and psychologically healthy. Another important criterion is social and cultural norms. Normality is often defined by what a particular society considers acceptable or appropriate behavior. Social norms vary across cultures, historical periods, and social groups, meaning that behavior regarded as normal in one context may be considered abnormal in another. For example, expressions of emotion, gender roles, or religious experiences are deeply shaped by culture. While this criterion highlights the social nature of behavior, it risks labeling culturally different or nonconforming individuals as abnormal, even when they are psychologically healthy. The functional or adaptive criterion focuses on an individual’s ability to cope with the demands of everyday life. Normal behavior is associated with effective functioning in personal, social, occupational, and academic roles. Abnormality is indicated when behavior interferes significantly with daily functioning, decision-making, or relationships. This approach emphasizes practical consequences rather than mere deviation, but it can be subjective, as judgments about adequate functioning often depend on social expectations and personal circumstances. Another widely accepted criterion is subjective distress. Mental health professionals consider whether an individual experiences significant emotional pain, anxiety, sadness, or