5. Assessment - Classification Flashcards
What are the two main contemporary classification systems in psychiatry?
ICD 10 and DSM IV
What is an operationalised approach?
the use of precise clinical descriptions of disorders, together with predefined exclusion and inclusion criteria and details of the number and duration of symptoms required for diagnosis
What are characteristic symptoms?
symptoms pertinent to a diagnosis, such as the symptoms of depression
What are discriminating symptoms?
are necessary for diagnosis since they are not found in other disorders
What are pathognomonic symptoms?
symptoms which strongly favour one diagnosis over another and have high specificity for the diagnosis
What are inclusion and exclusion criteria?
a hierarchy of symptoms, arranged in order of importance, forming the core inclusion and exclusion criteria used to establish a diagnosis
What is the atheoretical approach?
diseases are described according to the observed phenomenology, not an understanding of what might be causing the disease
What is the descriptive approach?
classification of illness based on what constitutes the illness, rather than what causes it
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a categorical approach?
Easy to understand
Based on existing knowledge base
Easy communication
Poor validity - vague catagories
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a dimensional approach?
More valid given continnum of emotional and cognitive states Can indicate severity Comorbid diagnosis difficult Good for research Unclear clinical utility
What is hierarchical organisation?
certain disorders take precedence over others when making a diagnosis (Jasperian theory) - ICD 10 still uses this system with organic disorders at the top of the hierarchy
What is a multiaxial approach?
provides a holistic assessment of the individual in terms of their disorder and functioning
What multi-axial approach is used in ICD-10?
Axis 1: the mental disorder
Axis 2: the degree of disability
Axis 3: current psychosocial problems
What multi-axial approach is used in DSM-IV?
Axis 1: Clinical disorders
Axis 2: Personality Disorders/Mental retardation
Axis 3: General Medical Conditions
Axis 4: Psychosocial and Environmental problems
Axis 5: Global Assessment of Functioning
What assessment instruments have been developed using the ICD10?
Schedule for clinical assessment in neuropsychiatry (SCAN)
Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI)
International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE)
What different versions of ICD 10 exist?
- Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines (CDDG)
- Diagnostic Criteria for Research (DCR)
- Primary Care version
- Clinical Coding Manual
What different syndromes of drug use does ICD-10 describe?
- Acute intoxication
- Harmful use
- Dependence
- Withdrawal state
- Withdrawal delirium
- Psychotic disorder
- Amnesic syndrome
- Late-onset disorders
What does ‘harmful use’ mean?
a pattern of substance misuse that is causing damage to the physical or mental health of an individual without any pattern of dependence
What does DSM-IV describe as substance ‘abuse’?
Maladaptive use:
despite problems in social, occupational, physical and psychological domains
in hazardous situations
at least one month, usually recurring over long period
no dependence signs
What are the ICD-10 criteria for alcohol dependence?
In the last 12 months, at least 3 of:
- Intense desire to drink alcohol
- Difficulty in controlling the onset, termination and level of drinking
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if alcohol is not taken
- Use of alcohol to relieve withdrawal symptoms
- Tolerance as evidenced by the need to escalate dose over time to achieve the same effect
- Salience - neglecting alternate forms of leisure or pleasure in life
- Narrowing personal repertoire of alcohol use
What are the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence?
At least 3 of the following, lasting for at least 1 month:
- Consuming alcohol for longer period and in larger amounts than intended
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut down
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if alcohol is not taken
- Use of alcohol to relieve withdrawal symptoms
- Tolerance as evidenced by the need to escalate dose over time to achieve the same effect (at least 50% increase from the start)
- Salience - most time spent on pursuing alcohol directly or indirectly
- Failure in role obligations and physical health
- Giving up alternate pleasures
- Continued use despite knowing the harm caused
What are the Edwards and Gross criteria for dependence?
- Narrowed repertoire
- Salience of alcohol seeking behaviour
- Increased tolerance
- Repeated withdrawals
- Drinking to prevent or relieve withdrawals
- Subjective awareness of compulsion
- Reinstatement after abstinence
What is depressive pseudodementia?
a descriptive term, not a diagnosis, describing the presentation of depression as dementia clinically
What are the features of pseduodementia compared to dementia?
- Onset can be dated more precisely
- More rapid progression of symptoms
- High level of complaint of cognitive impairments
- No nocturnal increase in dysfunction
- Attention and concentration more well preserved
- ‘Don’t know’ answers are common in testing
- Memory loss for remote events more severe than recent ones