Diagnosis and Classification

Question 1

Classification and Diagnosis

Answer 1

The DSM-5 and ICD-10 are diagnostic system. They recognise groups of symptoms that represent a disorder. With DSM-5, one positive symptom must be present for diagnosis, ICD-10 needs two or more negative symptoms are sufficient for diagnosis. Previous editions recognises subtypes of schizophrenia.

Question 2

Subtypes of Schizophrenia

Answer 2

Paranoid, Disorganised, Catatonic, Residual, Undifferentiated

Question 3

Paranoid

Answer 3

This features delusions, especially delusions of persecution or grandeur, and hallucinations, especially auditory. Agitated, angry, argumentative, and suspicious of others are behaviours often shown.

Question 4

Disorganised

Answer 4

They show disorganised behaviour e.g. not washing, disorganised speech, language disturbances, mood swings, hallucinations, delusions, confusion, and incoherence. Lack awareness of reality.

Question 5

Catatonic

Answer 5

Movement is disturbed e.g. little physical movement.

Question 6

Residual

Answer 6

Low levels of negative and positive symptoms but psychotic symptoms are present.

Question 7

Undifferentiated

Answer 7

Meet criteria for a psychotic disorder but don’t fit into other subtypes. (20% diagnosed with type)

Question 8

Positive Symptoms

Answer 8

Hallucinations - visual or auditory. Voices abusive or critical. No basis in reality or distorted perceptions of things that are there. Delusions - irrational beliefs that have no basis in reality.

Question 9

Negative Symptoms

Answer 9

Avolition - loss of motivation, Speech Poverty - reduced frequency and quality of speech which is sometimes accompanied by a delay in sufferers verbal response, Withdrawal - withdraw from social contact, Lack of emotion - experience less emotions or inappropriate emotional responses, Disorganised Speech - speech becomes incoherent.

Question 10

Co - Morbidity

Answer 10

High co-morbidity with other conditions e.g. 50% of schizophrenia also depression, 47% substance abuse, 29% PTSD, and 23% OCD. May be misdiagnosed. Lack of validity. May be better understood as one condition.

Question 11

System Overlap

Answer 11

Overlap of symptoms with other conditions e.g. bipolar and schizophrenia involve positive symptoms e.g. delusions, or negative symptoms e.g. avolition. Under ICD would receive diagnosis of schizophrenia, but DSM bipolar. Limits reliability and validity.

Question 12

Weakness 1

Answer 12

Lacks reliability. Cheniaux et al (2009) found inconsistent diagnosis. Furthermore, cultural bias and ethnocentrism.

Question 13

Weakness 2

Answer 13

Low validity. Cheniaux et al (2009) more diagnosis with ICD than DSM. Furthermore, underdiagnosis is also bad, high suicide rates. However, diagnostic system updated constantly so getting more valid.

Question 14

Weakness 3

Answer 14

Gender bias. Cotton et al (2009) females function better so underdiagnosed. Example of alpha bias.