The DSM

Question 1

What is a classification system?

Answer 1

A checklist of signs and symptoms which helps a clinician to reach a diagnosis of a specific disorder, often by process of elimination

Question 2

What is the DSM?

Answer 2

This is a classification system of mental disorders produced by the American Psychiatric association. The current version contain typical symptoms of over 300 disorders and guidelines for clinicians to make a diagnosis. DSM-IV-TR was published in 2000 abd replaced in 2013 by the DSM-V

Question 3

What is in section 1 of the DSM-V?

Answer 3

Offers guidance about using the new system

Question 4

What is in section 2 of the DSM-V?

Answer 4

Details the disorders and is categorised according to our current understanding of underlying causes and similarities between symptoms.

Question 5

What is in section 3 of the DSM-V?

Answer 5

Includes suggestions for new disorders which currently require further investigation.

Question 6

When a patient is gets diagnosed and then re- diagnosed, what decimal did Robert Splitzer say was a “good agreement”?

Answer 6

0.7

Question 7

What study proves that the DSM-5 has a good level of agreement between clinicians?

Answer 7

Darrel Regier
PTSD - 0.6-0.79
SZ - 0.4-0.59

Question 8

What is a negative of the validity of the DSM-5?

Answer 8

Labels tell us nothing about causes

Question 9

What is a key weakness of the DSM-5 in terms of diagnostic reliability?

Answer 9

The DSM-5 accepted very low agreement levels (as low as 0.2–0.4), suggesting it may be less reliable than previous versions and could result in incorrect or missed diagnoses.

(Cooper, 2014; Regier, 2013)

Question 10

How do Kupfer and Kraemer defend the lower reliability scores of the DSM-5?

Answer 10

They argue that DSM-5 trials were designed to reflect real-world practice, unlike DSM-III trials which used screened clients and trained clinicians, making lower reliability levels expected.

(Kupfer & Kraemer, 2012)

Question 11

What evidence supports the validity of diagnoses in DSM-IV-TR?

Answer 11

Kim-Cohen et al. (2005) found conduct disorder (CD) had strong concurrent, aetiological, and predictive validity—e.g. early CD predicted later behavioural and educational problems—highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis for early intervention.