Designated patient

In social psychology, the designated patient is a person socially constructed as "mentally ill", regardless of the existence of real and measurable symptoms. Most social units, such as the family, have a designated patient: i.e., a person seen as "abnormal" or as a nonconformist by the rest of the unit. Should this person suddenly change or conform, the unit selects a new designated patient.

{{{enWP|Designated patient}}