Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Question 1

What are the DSM-5 and ICD-11?

Answer 1

• DSM-5: A categorical diagnostic guide used primarily in psychology, based on symptom clusters.
• ICD-11: A dimensional classification system used in medicine and psychology.

Question 2

What is the difference between categorical and dimensional diagnosis?

Answer 2

• Categorical: Disorders are distinct and separate (e.g., DSM clusters).
• Dimensional: Disorders exist on a continuum of severity and traits (e.g., ICD-11 personality disorders).

Question 3

What are the benefits of mental health diagnosis?

Answer 3

• Facilitates communication among professionals
• Supports treatment planning and research
• Can validate and normalize patient experiences
• Necessary for insurance and funding.

Question 4

What are the risks of diagnosis?

Answer 4

• Stigma and labeling
• Misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis
• Oversimplification of human behaviour
• Pathologizing normal reactions.

Question 5

What qualities make a good clinical psychologist?

Answer 5

• Empathy, respect, humility
• Emotional stability
• Ethical integrity
• Active listening
• Cultural sensitivity.

Question 6

What roles do clinical psychologists perform?

Answer 6

• Assessment and treatment
• Supervision and mentoring
• Professional development
• Research and teaching.

Question 7

What is the goal of clinical assessment?

Answer 7

To build a therapeutic alliance and gather comprehensive information to guide diagnosis and treatment.

Question 8

What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 8

An integrative framework considering biological, psychological, and social factors in mental health.

Question 9

What are the main types of psychological assessment?

Answer 9

• Clinical Interviews: Structured (e.g., SCID-5) and unstructured
• Psychological Testing: Intelligence, personality
• Neuropsychological Assessments
• Behavioural Observations: ABC method
• Self-report Questionnaires: e.g., DASS, AUDIT, EDDS.

Question 10

What is the ABC method in behavioural observation?

Answer 10

• Antecedents: Triggers before behaviour
• Behaviour: Observable response
• Consequences: Outcomes following behaviour.

Question 11

What are the steps in diagnostic decision-making?

Answer 11

1. Gather comprehensive information
2. Identify symptom patterns
3. Consider differential diagnoses
4. Apply the biopsychosocial model
5. Formulate a working hypothesis
6. Develop a treatment plan
7. Monitor and adjust.

Question 12

How might AI impact mental health assessment?

Answer 12

• Benefits: Improved access, efficiency, personalized care
• Risks: Data privacy, bias, loss of human empathy
• Ethical concerns: Consent, ownership, cultural competence.