Diagnosis + Classification

Question 1

What is Schizophrenia?

Answer 1

A severe mental disorder where contact with reality and insight are impaired, an example of psychosis

Question 2

What is classification?

Answer 2

The process of organising symptoms into categories based on which symptoms cluster together

Question 3

What are the two major systems for classification?

Answer 3

DSM-5
ICD-10

Question 4

What are positive symptoms? (2 examples)

Answer 4

Additional experiences beyond those of ordinary existence. E.G hallucinations, delusions

Question 5

What are negative symptoms?

Answer 5

The loss of usual abilities and experiences

Question 6

What are two examples of negative symptoms and describe what they are

Answer 6

• Speech Poverty: Reduction in amount and quality of speech
• Avolition: sometimes described as “apathy”, inability to have goal-directed behaviour

Question 7

Brief AO3 of diagnosis and classification (6 points)

Answer 7

• Good reliability
• Low validity
• Co-morbidity
  -Gender bias in diagnosis
  -Culture bias in diagnosis
• System overlap

Question 8

What is the strength of diagnosis?

Answer 8

Good reliability: Reliability means consistency, Osorio et al reports excellent reliability in diagnosis of SZ for 180 individuals using DSM-5. Interater of +97 retest of +92, diagnosis consistently applied

Question 9

What is the weakness of diagnosis?

Answer 9

Low validity (tested criterion validity)- Cheniax et al 2009 found using ICD-10 and DSM-5, out of 100, 68 diagnosed under ICD and 39 under DSM. HOWEVER, Osorio had excellent agreements between clinicians when using DSM, criterion validity were good provided it takes place within single diagnostic system.

Comorbidity- conditions occur together a lot of the time questioning the validity of diagnosis and classification. Found that half diagnosed with SZ also had depression and substance abuse. SZ may not be seen as a distinct condition