For purposes of this part, unless the context requires otherwise, “severe impairment” means a condition in which an adult or an emancipated child:

(1) As a result of a mental illness or serious emotional disturbance:

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 33-6-301

  • Child: means a person who is under eighteen (18) years of age. See Tennessee Code 33-1-101
  • Mental illness: means a psychiatric disorder, alcohol dependence, or drug dependence, but does not include intellectual disability or other developmental disabilities as defined in title 52. See Tennessee Code 33-1-101
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Serious emotional disturbance: means a condition in a child who currently or at any time during the past year has had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet psychiatric diagnostic criteria that results in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits the child's role or functioning in family, school, or community activities and includes any mental disorder, regardless of whether it is of biological etiology. See Tennessee Code 33-1-101
(A) Is in danger of serious physical harm resulting from the person‘s failure to provide for the person’s essential human needs of health or safety; or
(B) Manifests severe deterioration in routine functioning evidenced by repeated and escalating loss of cognitive or volitional control over the person’s actions; and
(2) Is not receiving care that is essential for the person’s health or safety.
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