Classification

Question 1

World Health Organisation (WHO)

Answer 1

Added psych disorders to causes of death in 1939.

First extensive system for classifying psychopathology.

Question 2

DSM

Answer 2

Ruled out behaviours that were purely socially deviant, emphasis on distress and disability.

Five axes -
1. Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia etc.
2. Personality disorders and learning difficulties.
3, 4 & 5. Not usually required but give fuller view of person’s life.

Question 3

Problems with classification

Answer 3

Distinct categories but disorders regularly co-occur.

Hybrid disorders or spectrums hard to classify

Disorders may look same on the surface but need different treatment.

Either you have a disorder or you don’t - affects how people feel about themselves if they have the same symptoms but aren’t given/are given a diagnosis.

Disorders can be just extreme versions of normal behaviour.

Some conditions are extreme versions of unusual behaviour e.g. Gender dysphoria - where’s the line?

Question 4

Good psychological health

Answer 4

Axis 5 - DSM - adaptive functioning.

Efficient perception of reality, self knowledge, voluntary control over behaviour, self esteem, ability to form and maintain relationships & productivity.

Question 5

Defining psychopathology

Answer 5

Deviation from statistical norm = forces individual into category rather than assessing individual needs.

Deviation from social norm = depends on culture > culture bound symptoms confined to specific areas that influence course of psychopathology.

Maladaptive behaviour = does it affect day to day living > some behaviour is maladaptive but not psychopathology e.g. murderers > phobias are adaptive to avoid potential harm.