diagnosis of mental disorders

Question 1

when is a diagnosis useful?

Answer 1

• help determine the point where a mental health ‘issue’ might be seen as a ‘disorder’

Question 2

deviance definition

Answer 2

• straying away from societal norms negatively.
• behaviours that are unusual, undesirable or bizarre
• depends upon historical context and culture, age and gender of individual
• failure to conform can lead to social exclusion

Question 3

dysfunction definition

Answer 3

• individual unable to carry out normal everyday tasks and responsibilities
• difficult to complete tasks, socialise or make time for hobbies

Question 4

distress definition

Answer 4

• when symptoms cause pain or anxiety this is a sign a diagnosis may be beneficial to the individual
• psychological distress might manifest into physical symptoms but sometimes it’s normal depending on situation
• clinician will consider intensity of distress to make decision about diagnosis

Question 5

danger definition

Answer 5

• careless hostile behaviour that may endanger themselves or others around them
• predicting violent behaviour is difficult, but easier if there’s history of aggression
• in UK if you’re seen as dangerous you can be detained under the Mental Health Act’

Question 6

strength?

Answer 6

-helps avoid erroneous diagnosis
using all 4’s might help avoid errors in diagnosis. valid system should neither be over or under exclusive
BUT
there are no rules on how the D’s should be combined.
if person shows signs of distress and dysfunction but no signs of other 2, maybe diagnosis isn’t needed.
if situation is causing problem, it can’t be solved through treatment- no purpose of diagnosis

Question 7

weakness?

Answer 7

-lacks objectivity- reliability
ratings are made up of feelings.
decisions would be better if individual were compared to a reference group rather than subjective view of clinician.
clinician needs detailed info about individual AND their community

Question 8

weakness?

Answer 8

-labelling
using danger in criteria for mental disorders makes people associate mental illness with being dangerous.
becomes distorted in media and films.
most people with SZ are less dangerous than those without.
attitudes might become self fulfilling prophecies

Question 9

application?

Answer 9

used with classification manuals like DSM5 and ICD10 to help decide if diagnosis appropriate and which one. different disorders present different D’s
EG. deviance from statistical norms- intellectual disability
deviance from social norms, danger and dysfunction- anti social personality