Classification refers to the procedure in which ideas or objects are recognized, distinguished and understood. Currently, two leading systems are used for grouping of mental disorder namely International Classification of Disease (ICD) by World Health Organization (WHO) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders (DSM) by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Other classifications include Chinese classification of mental disorder, psycho-dynamic diagnostic manual, Latin American guide for psychiatric diagnosis etc. A survey of 205 psychiatrists, from 66 different countries across all continents, found that ICD-10 was more customarily used and more valued in clinical practice, while the DSM-IV was more valued for research [1].
Advantages:
1. It aids us to communicate our understanding with other experts. Trull (2004, pp. 125-126) referred to diagnosis as “verbal shorthand” for elucidating the features of a particular mental disorder [2]. It will be challenging for us to convey schizophrenia to other professionals just by using the clinical features, without a diagnosis. Listening to a diagnosis, immediately conjures up a doppelganger in our mind about what the patient can be suffering from.
2. A proper classification method removes the guess work for diagnosis. It serves as a guide to reach a precise diagnosis. Diagnostic criterion helps the clinician to make an interim diagnosis and clarify it in further assessments.
3. In the absence of a consistent classification, assortment and assessment of subjects will become nearly unmanageable. Researchers use diagnostic sets that empower them to draw deductions and comparison among different research groups.
4. Standardization of diagnoses helps to warr...
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8. Kendell, R. and Jablensky, A. (2003), Distinguishing between the validity and utility of psychiatric diagnoses, American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 160, No. 1, pp. 4-12.
9. Frances, A. (2010), Psychiatric fads and over diagnosis, DSM-5 in Distress.
10. Paris, J. (2004), Psychiatric diagnosis and the bipolar spectrum, in Canadian Psychiatric Association Bulletin, viewed on 28 March 2014, http://ww1.cpa-apc.org:8080/publications/bulletin/currentjune/editorialEn.asp.
11. Caplan, P. (2012), Psychiatry’s bible, the DSM, is doing more harm than good, The Washington Post, 27 April.
12. Doward, J. (2013), Medicine's big new battleground: does mental illness really exist? The Observer 12 May.
13. Insel, T. (2013), Mental disorders as brain disorders, TEDx talk at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, 23 April.
Johnson, Carolyn Y. “Doctors Peer into Mental Illness.” Boston Globe 23 Nov. 2004. Newsstand. Web. 20 Feb. 2015.
The disorder which is being treated is actually strengthened to the point of a serious mental illness. Similarly, in today’s society, medical and psychological advice may have the same effect. Medical technology and practice have progressed considerably since the time of the “Yellow Wallpaper.” This is not to say that today’s physicians are infallible. Perhaps some of today’s treatments are the “Yellow Wallpaper” of the future.
The DSM-5 lists approximately 400 mental disorders, each one explains the criteria for diagnosing the disorder and key clinical features, and sometimes describes features that are often times not related to the disorder. The classification is further explained by the background information such as: research findings, age, culture, gender trends, and each disorder’s prevalence, risk, course, complications, predisposing factors, and family patterns (Comer, 2013, pp.100).... ... middle of paper ... ...
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mood disorder characterized by periods of mania, depression, or a mixed manic-depressive state. The condition can seriously affect a person’s reasoning, understanding, awareness, and behavior. Acco...
U. S. Public Health Reports. (2009). Surgeon General’s perspectives: Mental health matters (Volume 124). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
31. pp. 281-294. Weisman, M.M., Livingston, B.M., Leaf, P.J., Florio, L.P., Holzer, C. (1991). Psychiatric Disorders in America?
The DSM-V plays a huge role in the classification and treatment of somatoform disorders. It was not until this model that somatoform was not just one category, but had multiple sub-categories under it. With all of this being said, the DSM-V has gotten multiple hits of hard criticism that the new edition has a lack of scientific evidence for specific classifications, and unclear boundaries between every day stressors, and a classified “illness.” However, with constant progress, new information, new disorders and treatments, the DSM, no matter what version, will always take criticism for one thing or another (McCarron, 2013).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which can be abbreviated to the DSM-V, is the primary source for identifying and classifying mental disorders within people. Inside of the manual, all of the mental disorders are listed in categories depending upon the subject, making it easier to navigate through the book. In general, the DSM-V is the source most commonly used for identifying a mental disorder within a patient. While the DSM-V has its pros, there are also several cons when using the manual. Firstly, while the DSM-V lists criteria for all mental disorders, in order to be diagnosed, a patient must meet at least five of these specified traits or behaviors. While this can be helpful in understanding the basis of a patient's abnormal behavior,
Crowe, M. (2011). Feeling out of control: A qualitative analysis of the impact of bipolar
"Module 2: A Brief History of Mental Illness and the U.S. Mental Health Care System." Unite for Sight. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2015.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the comprehensive guide to diagnosing psychological disorders. This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is currently in its fifth revision. Moreover, the manual is utilized by a multitude of mental health care professionals around the world in the process of identifying individuals with disorders and provides a comprehensive list of the various disorders that have been identified. The DSM serves as the essential resource for diagnosis of mental disorders based off of the various signs and symptoms displayed by individuals while also providing a basic reference point for the treatment of the different disorders. The manual attempts to remain scientific in its approach to identifying the underlying symptoms of each disorder while meeting the needs of the different psychological perspectives and the various mental health fields. The DSM has recently gone through a major revision from the DSM-IV-TR to the DSM-5 and contains many significant changes in both the diagnosis of mental disorders and their classifications.
Usually, they have enclosure criteria (a determined diagnosis from the unified psychotherapy team), and omission criteria (cannot be in conjunction with another disorder being treated). Manually, once these works are completed, we have a more definite baseline for the learning and for further treatment.
Bipolar disorder is psychological disorder that consists of periods of mania and depression. Youngstrom (2009) and Carlson, Findling, Post (2009) discussed the multitude of challenges faced with early-onset bipolar and very early-onset bipolar, which have implications for further study in the field and for families. First being able to properly define bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. Both articles explained the lack of a concrete definition due to co-morbidity and ambiguity between multiple mental health disorders. When I was reading both articles I reflected back to my undergraduate career when there was a class discussion on the ambiguity of the DSM. As a group we talked about the narrow definitions and criteria needed for certain
The Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and other assessment tools assist in the identification and development of treatment options. Application of the DSM-5 requires knowledge of possible advantages and limitations. Is it also helpful to understand when it is appropriate to apply the information provided in the DSM-5. The DSM was essentially developed to provide a ‘common language for mental health professionals (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014). This fifth edition continues an evolutionary process aimed at maintaining guidelines for diagnoses that advise and analyze clinical practice (APA, 2013).
Halgin, R. P., & Whitbourne, S. K. (2010). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.