diagnosing mental health disorders - classification systems

Question 1

define classification

Answer 1

• categorising groups of symptoms into mental disorders and those disorders into classes of disorders

Question 2

define diagnosis

Answer 2

• process of deciding what, if any, mental disorder a patient is suffering based on symptoms

Question 3

how is a mental disorder classified?

Answer 3

• mental disorders are classified by grouping related symptoms together
• eg depression includes symptoms like low mood, poor self-esteem, and eating/sleeping issues
• disorders are then classified into broader categories (eg schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, eating disorders)

Question 4

what does diagnosis of a mental disorder involve?

Answer 4

• diagnosis involves assessing a patient’s symptoms to see if they meet criteria for a mental disorder
• typically requires a certain number of symptoms to be present for a specified period of time

Question 5

what are the two main systems used for classifying mental disorders?

Answer 5

• two main systems are:
  
  • DSM (by the American Psychiatric Association)
  • international classification of the causes of disease ICD (by the World Health Organization)
• DSM has gone through several editions, with DSM V published in 2013 - fourth edition since 2000 with text revisions (DSM IV-TR)
• ICD-10 was published in 1990, with a new version due in 2018

Question 6

why is it important to classify and diagnose mental disorders?

Answer 6

• classification and diagnosis help provide a correct diagnosis
• diagnosis allows for targeted treatments and services for individuals

Question 7

what are the benefits of classifying and diagnosing mental disorders?

Answer 7

• patients and families understand symptoms and treatment options
• researchers can study causes and treatments more effectively
• helps test treatments on specific groups (eg schizophrenia)

Question 8

define prognosis

Answer 8

• prediction about future course of the disorder

Question 9

what is the DSM system and how does it classify mental disorders?

Answer 9

• used to diagnose and classify mental disorders in america
• first used in 1952, DSM IV-TR in 2000
• multiaxial system (looks at multiple aspects of a person)
  
  • axis 1: current disorders (eg schizophrenia, anxiety)
  • axis 2: personality disorders and mental retardation
  • axis 3: general medical conditions (e.g. diabetes)
  • axis 4: psychosocial/environmental problems (e.g. housing, financial issues)
  • axis 5: GAF scale (Global Assessment of Functioning) (100-0) measures functioning (e.g. score 90 = minimal symptoms, score 40 = serious issues eg family issues or inability to think rationally)

Question 10

what is the ICD system and how does it classify mental disorders?

Answer 10

• ICD-10 (1990), a WHO classification system
• more widely used globally than DSM
• tracks general health, incidence, and prevalence of health problems
• addresses all diseases, not just mental disorders
• section F: focuses on mental health disorders
• disorders grouped into families (eg mood disorders include depression, bipolar)
• each disorder has a code (e.g. F32 = depression, F31 = bipolar) and even further (F32.0.01 = mild depression with physical symptoms)
• coding helps clinicians be specific and share diagnoses easily