Diagnostic Criteria

Over the past years, diagnostic criteria and rule-based classifications have become the general pattern in mental illness research (Kendell & Jablensky, 2003). American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (hereafter “DSM” is referred to in general regardless of its edition) and World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (hereafter “ICD” is referred to in general regardless of its edition) has been used as a standard frame of reference (Andrews et al., 2009) used by clinicians, researchers, teachers and students all over the globe. These manuals contain statistical information, services provided, types of treatment as well as its outcomes that serve as a purpose to improve communication within the users of this service (Frances & Widiger, 2012).

It is said to be arbitrary, as some clinicians tend to make a diagnosis decision based on personal experiences rather than the set of criteria. On the other hand, reliability can be defined as to whether the same results will yield if the study were to be repeated multiple times whereas validity refers as to whether the procedures used in the study will measure what it’s supposed to measure (Aboraya, Rankin, France, El-Missiry & John, 2006). As such, this essay will provide three arguments for and against respectively with regards to the usefulness of diagnostic criteria in mental disorders. GAD will be used as references, which can be defined as a disorder in which the patient develops a sense of unnecessary worry and anxiety that can be provoked by a number of situations and not necessarily associated to any type of stressful events (Tyrer & Baldwin, 2006). Other than GAD, other types of diagnosis might also arise in supporting the