Classification & Diagnosis

Question 1

Classification

Answer 1

Grouping based on shared attributes

Question 2

Diagnosis

Answer 2

Classification based on rules

Question 3

Validity of diagnosis…what does this mean for classification?

Answer 3

The diagnosis is what you think it is (If you have a diagnosis of depression, you actually have depression)…the classification actually captures the nature of it (classification of depression accurately captures the nature of depression).

Question 4

Are the validity of assessment and the validity of diagnosis connected?

Answer 4

Yes, but they use different wording.

Question 5

Reliability of Diagnosis

Answer 5

Consistency. The diagnosis is consistent across time and setting.

Question 6

Utility

Answer 6

Usefulness of classification system.

Question 7

Categorical Approach vs Dimensional Approach

Answer 7

Categorical: you either are, or you’re not…you have depression or you don’t (DSM-5)
Dimensional: continuum, mild, moderate, severe

Question 8

Prototype Matching. Is this dimensional or categorical?

Answer 8

Paragraph. Type of diagnosis system, alternative means for diagnosis. Does the patient’s clinical presentation match a paragraph-length description of disorders? 5-point scale…how much does my patient match this disorder out of 5? Categorical.

Question 9

Case conceptualization

Answer 9

It’s the client’s story. The client’s difficulties. You can hypothesize about the etiology of these difficulties. Plan strategies to alleviate them. Identify the client’s own personal strengths that could help them.

Question 10

What is the purpose of a case conceptualization?

Answer 10

You want to understand their unique contextual factors, understand the client’s differences that may influence treatment, you want to optimize their treatment as much as possible.

Question 11

4 P’s

Answer 11

Predisposing: things that have been around for a while that predisposed them to the problem
Precipitating: that one thing that brought them in for help
Perpetuating: things that are making the problem persist
Protective: things that help the problem get better

Question 12

Gathering info on the client (comprehensive general assessment)

Answer 12

Intake interview (structured, semi-structured), what's their history and what's going on right now?
Measuring symptoms.
Measures of personality.
Measures of functioning.
Interpersonal structures (eg. genogram).