16: Psychological Disorders - Diagnosing Psychological Disorders

Question 1

Diagnosing Psychological Disorders

Answer 1

• Classification must be set up that meets standards of reliability (high levels of agreement in decisions among clinicians) and validity (diagnostic categories accurately capture the essential features of disorders)

Question 2

Diagnosing Psychological Disorders

DSM-IV

Answer 2

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) most widely used diagnostic system

• Allows diagnostic information to be represented along five dimensions:

1. Axis I – person’s primary clinical symptoms
2. Axis II – long-standing personality or developmental disorders that could influence behaviour and response to treatment
3. Axis III – physical conditions that might be relevant
4. Axis IV – intensity of environmental stressors
5. Axis V – person’s coping resources

Question 3

DSM-V: Intergrating Categorial and Dimentional Approaches

Question 4

Critical Issues in Diagnostic Labelling

Social and Personal Implications

Question 5

Research Foundations

On Being Sane in Insane Places

Question 6

Critical Issues in Diagnostic Labeling

Legal Consequences

Answer 6

Diagnoses can have important legal consequences

• Law tries to take into account the mental status of individuals accused of crimes
  
  • Competency – defendant’s state of mind at time of a judicial hearing (not during committing of crime)
  • Insanity – presumed state of mind of defendant at time of crime

Question 7

Critical Issues in Diagnostic Labeling

Do I have That Disorder?