Störungen

Störungen is a German term used for disturbances or disorders across a range of fields. In medicine and psychology, Störung denotes a clinically recognizable abnormal condition that impairs function, health, or development. In everyday language it also describes disturbances in environments or systems.

In clinical contexts, there are many named disorders, such as Schlafstörungen, Angststörungen, and Essstörungen. Diagnostic frameworks like ICD and DSM provide criteria for classification. Etiology is often multifactorial, including genetic, neurobiological, psychological and social factors. Treatment depends on the disorder and its severity and may involve psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, lifestyle changes and social support. Early detection and prevention are emphasized in clinical guidelines.

In technical and scientific contexts, Störung refers to a perturbation or interference that degrades signal quality or system performance, for example elektromagnetische Störungen, Rauschen or Interferenzen. In telecommunications, measurement and control engineering, disturbances may originate from external electromagnetic fields, device faults, or environmental conditions. Mitigation strategies include shielding, filtering, error-correcting codes, redundancy, robust design and regular maintenance.

In transport and service industries, a Störung denotes a disruption in operations, such as a service disruption or delay. The term is also used in music and acoustics to describe irregularities in tuning or sound. The word ultimately derives from stören, meaning to disturb or interrupt.