Of vital importance is use of new approaches to medico-social status assessment, namely behavioral dysfunction evaluation which has to be based on measuring of vital activity limitations related to mental disorders. The goal of the research is to assess influence of such vital activity limitations on the dynamics of behavioral dysfunction.

We studied 538 psychiatric patients (327 – in the experimental group including patients treated with psychopharmacotherapy and psychotherapy administered with giving proper weight to medical, social and professional factors influencing patients' vital activity, and 211 – in the comparison group treated according to standard scheme). Patients' vital activity limitations were measured using WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS).

The data analysis revealed considerable decrease of behavioral dysfunction in experimental group patients at the expense of patients with obvious or serious dysfunction levels (р<0.05). In the comparison group the rate of dysfunction level reduced in a significantly lesser degree. The study has shown that premature validation of patient's disability for “social protection” often results in pathomimesis while rehabilitation potential is retained.

Rehabilitation interventions administered with giving proper weight to medical, social and professional factors influencing patients' vital activity result in considerable decrease of behavioral dysfunction of psychiatric patients. Rehabilitation programs have to be developed on basis of detecting rehabilitation “targets” not only “defect” spheres, but also maintenance of skills and abilities. This will give an opportunity to prevent defect development and to consider patient's rehabilitation potential.