Introduction: Psychological Disorders

Question 1

What is the purpose of the DSM-5 and how does it classify disorders?

Answer 1

Emil Kraepelin’s (1903) Psychiatry Handbook:

• Clustering of signs and symptoms into syndromes
• Validation by: clinical course and outcome; etiology and pathogenesis; response to specific treatments

DSM-5:
- Based on 2 principles: inclusion/exclusion, severity/duration

Question 2

Any weaknesses with these methods of classification?

Answer 2

• May be too general, broad

- Disease are too complex to be placed in ‘distinct’ categories