Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM)

Question 1

What are the two main diagnostic manuals that are used to help categorise dysfunctional behaviour?

Answer 1

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Disorders (ICD).

Question 2

Where are the DSM IV and the ICD mainly used?

Answer 2

The DSM IV is used mainly in the US and the ICD in Europe.

Question 3

Who published the DSM IV?

Answer 3

It was developed and published by the American Psychiatric Society.

Question 4

What dies the DSM attempt to do?

Answer 4

The manual attempts to classify and diagnose over 200 mental disorders

Question 5

What does the DSM focus on?

Answer 5

DSM-IV focuses on symptoms of the disorder

Question 6

What does the DSM consist of and what do these thing enable it to do?

Answer 6

It consists of five axes that enable the clinician to describe an individual’s condition in terms of key criteria.

Question 7

What type of approach does the DSM use to categorise dysfunctional behaviour.

Answer 7

DSM IV uses a medical approach to categorising dysfunctional behaviour rather than a psychological approach.

Question 8

Explain the multi-axial system of diagnosis that the DSM IV uses.

Answer 8

It is a system that means clinicians must assess patients on 5 different axes or scales in order to make a full evaluation of their condition.

Question 9

Which axes are compulsory and which are not?

Answer 9

The use of axes 1-3 are compulsory, yet the use of axes 4 & 5 are non-compulsory.

Question 10

What does the DSM-IV organizes each psychiatric diagnosis into?

Answer 10

The DSM-IV organizes each psychiatric diagnosis into five levels (axes) relating to different aspects of disorder or disability.

Question 11

Axis I:

Answer 11

Axis I: Clinical disorders, including major mental disorders, and learning disorders

Question 12

Axis II:

Answer 12

Axis II: Personality disorders and mental retardation (although developmental disorders, such as Autism, were coded on Axis II in the previous edition, these disorders are now included on Axis I)

Question 13

Axis III:

Answer 13

Axis III: Acute medical conditions and physical disorders

Question 14

Axis IV:

Answer 14

Axis IV: Psychosocial and environmental factors contributing to the disorder

Question 15

Axis V:

Answer 15

Global Assessment of Functioning or Children’s Global Assessment Scale for children and teens under the age of 18

Question 16

What does common Axis I disorders include?

Answer 16

depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism, phobias, and schizophrenia.

Question 17

What does common Axis II disorders include?

Answer 17

paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and mental retardation.

Question 18

What does common Axis III disorders include?

Answer 18

Common Axis III disorders include brain injuries and other medical/physical disorders which may aggravate existing diseases or present symptoms similar to other disorders.