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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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.
A classification system such as the DSM-5 is judged by its reliability and validity. Define and discuss both reliability and validity and why they are important criteria for DSM-5.
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...
As science has evolved, so have treatments for mental illnesses have over time. The medical model is described as the view that psychological disorders are medical diseases with a biological origin (King, 2010, pg. 413). Abnormal behavior that categorizes some disorders can be impacted by biological factors such as genes, psychological factors such as childhood experiences, and even sociocultural factors such as gender and race (King, 2010). Treatments such as psychosurgery (lobotomy) , drug therapy (pharmaceuticals), electroconclusive therapy, and psychoanalysis are used to treat a wide range of psychological disorders. Back then, the public’s negative views on mental illnesses also went as far to associate with the people who treated it; psychiatrists. “Nunnally (1961) found that the public evaluated professionals who treated mental disorders significantly more negatively than those who treat physical disorders,” (Phelan, Link, Stueve, & Pescosolido, 2000, pg. 189). People back then didn’t see the point in “paying to be told that they were crazy”. However, in today’s society, it is now acceptable to seek help from psychiatric professionals; we are seeing more and more people seek mental health treatment. “In terms of facility-based records of utilization (Manderscheid and Henderson 1998), the data suggest that the rate of utilization of professional mental health services has at least doubled and maybe tripled, between the 1950’s and today,” (Phelan, Link, Stueve, & Pescosolido, 2000, pg. 189). In the 1950’s, neuroleptic drugs like Thorazine were introduced to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia. These drugs block a neurotransmitter called dopamine from getting to the brain, which in turn reduce schizophrenic symptoms, however there are some side effects such as substantial twitching of the neck, arms, and legs, and even dysphoria or lack of pleasure. (King, 2010, pg.
U. S. Public Health Reports. (2009). Surgeon General’s perspectives: Mental health matters (Volume 124). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Crowe, M. (2011). Feeling out of control: A qualitative analysis of the impact of bipolar
31. pp. 281-294. Weisman, M.M., Livingston, B.M., Leaf, P.J., Florio, L.P., Holzer, C. (1991). Psychiatric Disorders in America?
Johnson, Carolyn Y. “Doctors Peer into Mental Illness.” Boston Globe 23 Nov. 2004. Newsstand. Web. 20 Feb. 2015.
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 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.
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.
Kahn, Ada P., and Jan Fawcett. The Encyclopedia of Mental Health. 2nd ed. New York: Facts On File, 2001.
Halgin, R. P., & Whitbourne, S. K. (2010). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
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).
Kessler, R., Chiu, W., Demler, O., & Walters, E. (2005, June). The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America. Retrieved Febuary 13, 2011, from National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov